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[CaroleC]

Anyone ever seen The Sons of Navarone, described as Belgiums premier Bluegrass Band?
They have a gig at The Grove in Leeds on Feb 18th if anyone is interested.
I would certainly like to get along but not sure if it's going to be possible.
Apparantly aswell as performing traditional and contemporary bluegrass they also put their own stamp on music from other genres.
I will attempt to post a link to their version of Gloria Gaynors I Will Survive. It seems to die at about 1min 50 but you get the idea.
Sounds good to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXT8zt2FtVA&feature=PlayList&p=815DB9FFF4AEA818&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
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Carole

[CaroleC]

Hey I did it, that's a first for me
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Carole

[brian ahern]

[The Karaoke Cowboy]

Surprised you can remember at your age Brian!

[lonesome on'ry & mean]

That guitarist has a fine voice, dont you think ?
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[brian ahern]

[The Karaoke Cowboy]

Yup, have been for years.

[brian ahern]

Thats rich KC especially from you

Karaoke.

Cowboy.

Pen Name

Next you will be claiming to be an ex of mine How else would you know?........Get it now Honest gov we are just good friends .
Can I have my shoes trilby and trousers back please.
brian.

[The Karaoke Cowboy]

Glad you saw the irony Brian. As for your clothes, I passed them on to the rag tatter ages ago. He wasn't too keen on taking them at first though!

[brian ahern]

[brian ahern]

OK you guys, think i've got it covered.

Ain't them Sons Of Naverone well dressed

Plenty of Blugrass bands turn out smart in concert though.

For quite a few years during the 70s/80s I went to the annual Edale Bluegrass Festival. A weekend camping event of great music and enjoyment. I still have many friends from those times.

brian.

[lonesome on'ry & mean]

Here's another video from the Sons of Navarone (great name btw). It looks like their finale number. They really go to town on it. Great vocal and musical virtuoso performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hXsTMiK_0w&feature=PlayList&p=815DB9FFF4AEA818&index=3
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[CaroleC]

Yeah I'd checked that one out Lonesome, all positive comments. They remind me of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain with the comedy stuff. Looking a little more likely that I can go now.
How tall is that mandolin player
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Carole

[CaroleC]

Quite tall actually.
Yes I managed to get along last night and so glad I did, what else can I say about the night other than totally awesome.
Not many people seem to post reviews on here, but I'm gonna do one anyway as there are points that may be relevant to other threads.

The gig was at a pub in Leeds in the little back room with loads of character, just right for the occasion. It had actually been put on by Leeds Bluegrass club who meet there every month. (Will certainly be checking them out again) Great pub though that has live music just about every night of the week.
We got there a little late as my partner had to get back from Scotland, when we arrived the room was rammed & the little lady on the door said sorry we are full. However they squeezed us in right at the front. Best seats in the house in my opinion, right up close to see everything. Could have touched the bass player (but didn't)

Only £5 to get in, dont know how they did it for the money.

The Sons were superb, all amazing musicians, gorgeous harmonies, they managed to acheive just the right balance and variation between up tempo numbers, ballads, driving instrumentals and slow songs all bound together with light hearted humour.

Their set list included songs from the Statler Brothers, Richard Thompson, Bill Monroe, a lovely Gordon Lightfoot number (Bitter Green), some rippin pickin on an Earl Scruggs number and they also sang a Traditional Gospel song accapella, wonderful. There was also their take on not only the aforementioned I Will Survive but also Abba's Dancing Queen, (It really worked) and The Beatles For No One, always liked that one.

They were very sharply dressed all in dinner suits and red ties, one of them is an Irish Englishman (so to speak) but the rest of them are from Brussels, such cute accents. I know such as John and Roger prefer reviews to be about the music rather than irrelevant details but being a mere woman I like to know things like this. (You know when we buy a car we aint bothered whats under the bonnet as long as it's a nice blue colour)

There was no bingo, raffle or people dressed up as John Wayne, no flags, trilogy, and the age of the audience was predominantly older but there were a few exceptions, me for one

They received rapturous applause at the end and did 3 encores.
I bought a cd £10 (which was £1 more than I'd paid for Josh Turner) but I was happy to pay it as it still meant the night had only cost £20 for two and we have a lasting reminder of it. Which will be well played.

Everyone at the pub was very friendly and welcoming to us.
I think Bluegrass could be yhe way forward, for me anyway.

The Sons last gig over here is tonight at Wellington Arts Centre and they are being supported by The Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys.
Dont know where Wellington is, but if any of you are within kickin distance you can do no worse than get yourselves along there and see a real class act.
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Carole

[lonesome on'ry & mean]

Thanks for the review, Carole.
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