Tales From The Crypt - Wednesday 21st September 2022

My main priorities for today are helping son #1, and going out tonight. This is on top of my usual priorities, naturally.

The working day is coming to a close and I now need to get ready to go out, which primarily means eating something and also sorting out bus times and a ticket.

Tonight I'm off out to see the excellent Robyn Hitchcock supported by Jessica Lee Morgan at South Street Arts Centre.

Jessica Lee Morgan (who is the daughter of folk singer Mary Hopkin and record producer Toni Visconti (David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Thin Lizzy etc) grew up in the area and made several references to that fact during a very lively set.  She was accompanied on stage by her partner, bass player and backing singer, Chris Thomas.  Afterwards, they went to the merch stall at the back of the theatre, where I chatted with Jessica and got her to sign one of her CDs.

Robyn took to the stage promptly and began his set.  Expectations were high as the stage was set up for a bigger band, and sure enough, after a few numbers he was joined by Morris Windsor on percussion and vocals (Morris having been in one of Robyn's earlier 'backing' bands, The Egyptians).  There was more to come, though! For the 'encore' section, they were joined on stage by Jessica and Chris making a full four-piece band playing crowd pleasers such as 'Brenda's Iron Sledge', 'Queen of Eyes' and a rousing finale of 'Element of Light'. We headed off into the cool night air having had a great evening. Apart from the songs, Robyn's intros were as surreal as some of his lyrics. A set that covered solo work, Soft Boys numbers, songs made with the Venus 3 and the Egyptians, as well as an enjoyable number off the new album (yet to be released), 'Shufflemania', called 'The Man Who Loves The Rain' which relates to an old favourite subject of his, the author Raymond Chandler.  So good to hear these songs in such an intimate venue.

Amazing evening! I may not sleep (though I have to get up early!!)

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians / 'Raymond Chandler Evening' / 'Element Of Light'


[[I wanted to choose 'Element Of Light', but there doesn't seem to be a legal version on YouTube]]

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