Thursday 5th - Craig

Craig filled in at short notice for this spotlight when one of the other artists had to shift their night. He is a good all round singer and guitarist both as the front man in Black Mother Cap and as a solo player. Craig is a man of contrasts - sometimes loud and brash but also one of feeling and depth. This shows in his music with his choice of songs such as the very soft & mellow DND by Semisonic, and 'The Blowers Daughter' by Damien Rice. Set this up as a contrast to Third Eye Blinds bouncy pop 'Semi Charmed Life' & Bare Naked Ladies 'One Week' and you know what I mean. Craig will quite happily stick in the odd folk song as well as he comes from a folk familly background. We got a rendition of 'Geordie in Wonderland' too. Good to see him here again.

   Thursday 12th

Boog n Sam
I loved these two. Sams voice backing Boogs was brilliant – especially on the Damien Rice songs which they were exceptional at. Boog (Chris Buglass) is an accomplished guitarist who has played with various bands over the recent years & vocally, he is able to carry off songs by the likes of Damien Rice with the feel that Damien does whilst still doing a bloody good job on the guitar. This was, I believe Sams first go at something like this, but it certainly didn't show especially during their rendition of  Volcano a Damien Rice song which they soundchecked with.

Songs covered by the two and their respective composers are below:

Better Times  - Boog
18:10 to Nottingham - Boog
7 kinds of sorry - Boog
Rebelion is a drug - Sam (first song she wrote)
Little steps  - Boog
Lonelily  - Damien Rice
Hurt myself  - Boog
Woman like a man - Damien Rice

Following on from Boog n Sam was the buskers night as per normal. First up was Will West with his very distinctive voice. He is spotlighting at the beginning of May. Keep an eye out for him.

 Thursday 26th April - Steve, Bob & Rob

These lads have played here before on many an occasion and have filled in at the spotlight as well. Sometimes, we have just 2 of them turn up at the buskers, but tonight for the spotlight, we had all 3 of them entertaining us.

Last time they played, back in October 2006, they literally packed the place out. This time they did it again - even in the bigger room - there was 51 people when I did a head count at 9:00 pm! No mean feat in itself for a Thursday.

The lads have a large repertoire. If you get to see them, you will hear songs ranging from the Beatles (tonight they covered Here, There & Everywhere), Crowded House (Weather with You), Coldplay (Clocks) as well as the Everly Bros, Travis, Snow Patrol & Greenday. Something for everyone, as they say. Having 3 guitars gives a very full sound, although it is easy to go astray with so much going on at one time. Bob has a brilliant voice which fits in nicely with the songs they choose. Rob is a great backing singer and we also got to see and hear him do some lead vocals as well tonight. No vocals from Steve, but he looks after all the twiddly bits quite nicely.

At the end of their spotlight, Bob did a song or two with his daughter who seems to be a chip off the old block.