Tag: Tipple bar

A brilliant thing we’ve got going here…

August 28, 2011
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After a “summer” break we started to look towards the Letham Nights triple header that was to take place on the 13th August. We had been contacted by David Latto for a chance to play (check this link for a free download of a new recording!). He had attended a show last year and was impressed. Chloe Hall, a Letham Nights favourite, had intimated that she and Silas Palmer were to be touring the UK in the summer. Adriana Spina contacted us 18 months ago expressing her interest in the Letham Nights experience. Adriana was touring her new album “Never Coming home” this summer. So, it was easy then! All the players were on board, the will was there and the venue was waiting……Ah, but was it?

A little local difficulty…

Oops!  A minor detail had been left out – booking the hall!  Wouldn’t you know it was the same day as the Letham village Annual Flower Show – one of the biggest days in the year for the Hall and the local community.  Undaunted, and with the blessing of the Flower Show Committee, we decided to go ahead anyway realising it would be a monumental task to turn the hall round from a Flower and Produce Show so quickly to the quietly understated ambience that Letham Nights has become known for. On the day the team were on hand to help with the flower show tidy up and we were grateful to the flower show people who helped with the Letham Nights set up. Good work everybody! Geoff the sound man hot tailed it from Glen Elg where he was playing a gig in the afternoon.  With people beginning to queue outside, sound checks were completed by the skin of our teeth. We heaved a sigh of relief and the show got under way.

The David Latto Band (David and Gavin Brady) started their set with “Wait a Minute” and “Black Horse” before delivering a beautiful “3000 miles from Nashville” the story of the shy and retiring Shetlander Thomas Frazer who was recently inducted into the Nashville Hall of Fame, talked about in the same breath as Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams. “15”, “Wooden Heart”, and “Alcohol and Pills” from the newly released EP “3000 From Nashville” along with “A song you will never hear” and “Byway man” were amongst the fantastic set that David and Gavin played. There was even an encore…for the support…fantastic…The whole audience had a sense that they had just listened to an incredible performance from the David Latto Band. The guitar arrangements and vocal harmonies were truly beautiful.  A strength of voice and assured confidence with the songs were what I picked up from this performance.

After a very short break Chloe and Silas graced the stage. Chloe introduced each song with warmth, joy, sadness and humour (not all at the same time). Chloe and Silas played from the newly released “Spring Hill” album “Love songs, dedications and requests”, “Tax Office Love Song”, “Worst House” and a song with a story everyone will recognise “Third Drawer Down”, throwing in “Dance with me”, “White Street” and “I’m Still Here” from the “Outside and “White Street” albums. The addition of the gentle harmonies and the stripped back fiddle playing Silas gave to the mix was a superb backdrop to Chloe’s beautiful songs. The songs have a resonance in truth, love, humour and vulnerability. During the set Chloe asked if any one had a request, obviously some audience members who had been enthralled last year expressed their wishes and “Shipwreck” was delivered. Chloe and Silas were enthusiastically called back to do an encore as well. One couple I spoke to had driven up from Berwick. They had seen The Chloe Hall Trio last year and were determined to see them again no matter what. I was sitting with Andrew Watson, guitar player with the Adrianna Spina Band who said to me “I wouldn’t mind it at all if I were to sit here all night listening to this calibre of music.” Adriana, with a twinkle in her eye said “Thanks for putting us on after Chloe and David….no pressure!!” Bass player Mark Fleming said, “This is a brilliant thing you’ve got going here, really unique with a fantastic atmosphere, I’ve never played a venue like this in years of gigging”.

A break allowed the audience, who had been captivated by the show so far, to top up their drinks, chat, meet new people and generally reflect on the show so far. There was a lovely buzz in the room. The Clap and Tipple Bar was pretty busy as usual.

Adriana and her band took to the stage and opened by acknowledging the quality of the preceding acts. Her show started off with a couple of songs from the “Never Coming Home” album, “The Hardest Thing” and “A Thousand Lives”. These songs were a different groove and when Adriana played “Two Steps” and “Fire in me” solo, she had the crowd completely with her. The band returned on stage and “Faces”, “Let You Fall”, “Jeannie” and “Aisha” were delivered with gusto. Adriana and the band did not disappoint us, the quality of the songs along with her very tight band showed through. Despite not having played with the band for over a year, the stand in drummer didn’t miss a beat (scuse the pun!). No wonder they got rave reviews from the Belladrum Festival and Celtic Connections. The set finished with the rocking “Way Down”: foot stomping was the order of the night and another encore demanded. Adriana invited David, Gavin, Chloe and Silas to join them on stage for a rousing and triumphant rendition of “The Weight” by the Band, ably supported by most of the audience.  A great end to a great night!

And of course, thank you to everyone who contributed to the impromptu raffle for the Alzheimers Society which raised £111!

Letham Flower Show and then… Letham Nights!!

August 11, 2011
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Nearly there!

Before we get on to Letham Nights….
For those of you who live within the magic 7 mile radius of Letham and are eligible to enter, we hope you have all your produce ready the Letham Flower Show this Saturday.  The hall is all set up and looking tip-top!  Entries can be submitted on Friday evening but must be in by 10am at the latest on Saturday morning.  Judging then takes place until the show opens from 2-4pm.

Everyone is welcome to come along and view the exhibits, have a cup of tea or coffee and contribute to the closing auction of flowers and produce.

And then Letham Nights…
From 4pm we need as much help as we can get to clear the hall after the flower show and get it set up again in time for soundchecks etc.  If you are available, please, please, please lend a hand!!!  The more help we have, the easier it will be.

You won’t be disappointed.  When the dust settles, the Clap and Tipple bar opens, you take your seat under the soft lighting with friends and neighbours and the music starts…

First up, some Americana from young local star, David Latto.  David, even in the last few months, has grown in stature and is singing better than ever – giving voice to a rich natural talent.  Just listen to his recent recordings at Annfield Studios.

Then it’s over to Chloe and Silas for more delightful heartwarming songs showcasing their new album, Spring Hill.  Check out ‘Show on the Road’, Chloe & Silas’ video diary of their tour of the UK.

Finally, to kick up a storm and get everyone up on the dancefloor we will have the wonderful Adriana Spina band, fresh from Belladrum and displaying the talent that has made Adriana one of the rising stars of the Scottish music scene.

Come and enjoy!  There are still some tickets left so just use the contact details opposite to phone or email one of us and we will get back to you – or just turn up at the door on the night!

Michael xx

A Right Royale Bevvy at letham Nights

May 10, 2011
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A Right Royale Bevvy

Despite the fact that the nation was gripped by a wee wedding somewhere in London town and that the Bevvy Sisters second visit to Letham Nights had been postponed due to weather (once) and the unfortunate illness to Kaela Rowan (get well soon wishes from all Letham Nighters) a sell out crowd attended the rearranged show. The Bevvy Sisters arranged a fantastic replacement in Roberta Pia – aka Banana Bevvy, vocalist with the Banana Sessions band. David MacGregor was easily persuaded to provide support. We had attended a benefit gig for the Haiti appeal in Dunshalt and were hugely impressed by his virtuosity, humour and Dreadlocks. David, from Dunfermline, had been living in the Jazz quarter of Paris until recently and had recently cut off the Dreads much to our surprise when he turned up to the sound check.

As this Letham Nights was, for the first time ever, held on a Friday, all hands were on deck to get the hall turned into the atmospheric, welcoming and classy venue that people are now coming to expect. No warm cans of Tennents, folding Formica topped tables and strip lights for our discerning punters. Craft Scotland’s Emma Walker set up a POP UP SHOP promoting Scottish makers wares: jeweller, Jane Gowans, ceramicist, Cosima Sempill and textile designer, Claire Heminsley had a display, in the bar, of their gorgeous pieces. Sales were made during the breaks in the music.

Geoff Stevenson, once again providing superb sound on the night, ran through the sound check. The lights were dimmed and background music filtered through, it was time to open the doors. Around 110 people flooded through the doors, found tables, sorted out refreshments from the “Clap and Tipple Bar” ready for David MacGregor’s solo performance. Mike started the whole thing off with a wee chat about our venture, the way we came across the musicians, the ethos of Letham Nights, the POP UP SHOP and thanking every one for their continued support.

David then took the stage and the crowd were treated to a set of Jazz classics along with some self penned numbers, some of which were inspired by his stay in Paris. The audience sat listening intently to the mesmerising music emanating from his guitar. Huge skill and an ear for melody shone through and he was applauded Letham Nights style i.e. uproarious cheers and whoops at the end of his set. David thanked the crowd, reminded them that CD’s were available for sale as well as letting us know that he is available for one-on-one guitar lessons. Now there’s an offer all you budding guitarists out there…David’s set list is as follows, Improv intro into Summer time, Georgia on my mind, Danny Boy, DayDream, Red House,  La  Belle vie into Windy and Warm and finishing off with On Green Dolphin St.

During the short break, the Clap and Tipple Bar was under siege, selling a tempting range of mainly organic, locally produced and locally sourced wines, beers, ciders and soft drinks at reasonable prices.

The lights went up and The Bevvy sisters kicked off their first set with “Littlest Bird”, ”Cow Cow”, and more from the St James Session CD as well as a few new numbers, “Whirlepool”, “Cock a Doodle”, “and “Mary Don’t You Weep No More”. Banana Bevvy sang some of her own songs, “You You You”, “Just add Hot Water” and lead vocals on Aretha Franklin’s “Baby I love you”. I think that I said, in the review of the first Bevvy Sisters Letham Nights, that there couldn’t be three voices that were so meant to sing together. With the introduction of Roberta’s voice I realised the very high bench mark Kaela had set, within the trio of superb vocalists, had been reached. No disrespect to Kaela, loads to Roberta.

The second set started with “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Lovesick Blues” and continued to entertain with classics, “It Aint What You Do”, ”Baby I Love You” dipping into genre’s such as the Phil Spector sound, Trad Country, Swing, Jazz, Gospel and TV adverts (McEwans is the best buy). Guitarist David Donnelly and drummer James Mackintosh let the sisters shine but have a huge influence in the “Bevvy Sound” such is their virtuosity and musicianship. The encore, “Aint No Grave” slipped into the theme tune for “Are you being served” which was a fabulous way of letting the crowd know that there was merchandising available, CD’s badges and a first for Letham Nights……..PANTS, yes, PANTS, Knickers, underwear……which were in fine demand as soon as the band left the stage, sales went very well. To quote Heather Bevvy “We’ve had a run on our pants” Ooh err missus! Cue Mr Humphries…

A huge thank you to the Bevvy Sisters and to David McGregor for treating us to yet another very special Letham Nights and we look forward to seeing you back soon!

LETHAM NIGHTS 16 (blowing the cobwebs)

March 12, 2011
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LETHAM NIGHTS #16

18th February 2011

Letham Village Hall

After the disappointment of having to cancel the Bevvy Sisters gig due to the awful weather, we were really looking forward to blowing the winter blues away with Letham Nights 16. We had Buckley’s Chance and the Howie Fyfe Experience booked to entertain you. The crew had bought in the beverages and snacks, the hall was looking as classy as ever, Geoff the sound guy was ready……… when we got the call……. Buckley’s Chance singer Syuzan had been struck down with a bad case of food poisoning and would have to cancel. They were “gutted” not to be able to play such is the reputation that Letham Nights has earned. We will reschedule, that’s a promise. We, on the other had, didn’t have time to be “gutted”, a few phone calls later we had arranged for half of the Moonzie Allstars and the very impressive Mick Prichard, self confessed ”South Yorkshire’s premiere ”sighted” blues man”. David Adam, from the Moonzies, came all the way down from Blairegowrie to play for us. Mick was attending the gig anyway but brought his guitar and vocal chords along with him. The Howie Fyfe Experience were able to lengthen their set accordingly. I have to say at this point “Well done to everyone involved, out of adversity, it’s amazing what can be achieve with a positive attitude”, thanks again to Roy, Claire, Michael, Mick, Emma, Zoe, Leo and Geoff as well as all the musicians mentioned earlier.

The Howie Fyfe Experience kicked off the proceedings with a first set, plucking from the very rich sea that is Americana, a varied and diverse selection of well known and lesser well known songs. Written by or made famous by the great and the good,  John Prine, David Allen Coe, Bobby Bare, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen to name a few. Songs including Speed of the Sound of Loneliness; Lafayette; You Never Even Call Me by my Name; Miller’s Cave; Streets of Baltimore; He Lays in the Reins; Willin’, were the highlights amongst great songs of the first set.

 A short break to allow the Clap and Tipple to fill everyone’s glasses was followed by the birthday celebrations of Lynne. Lynne, Sharon and friends have graced us with their presence on almost all of the Letham Nights held over the two odd years we have been in existence. This was followed by Mick Pritchard. Mick had already graced the stage at the open mic section of The Loveliest Night of the Year event. He played a short set, having been asked to play just hours before the show started. Four songs, two covers, Neil Young’s Harvest Stack ‘o’ Lee by Mississippi John Hurt, one self penned Minnesota Bound and a brilliant rendition of “The Bear Necessities”, the reception to this almost like an encore. I have to say Mick is becoming a force to be reckoned with, his performance has come on in leaps and bounds since his last appearance in June. Great guitar picking and a versatile, powerful and soulful voice really wowed the crowd.

 Geoff and David, after a short break performed a “Half Moonzies” set, the musicianship, the songs and the chemistry between Geoff and David was electric. Great interplay between the Cumbrian Pipes, whistle, guitar, bazouki and percussion (Yes, there were only the two of them on stage) ensured the crowd rose from their seats to dance a jig during their set. They roared through 9/8’s, Mutt and Bear (David’s creative use of a loop pedal, multi layering the pipes), AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie and Good Bye Bertha (from the Moonzie AllStars debut CD Hypnagogic)

 The Howie Fyffe Experience performed their second set which was more upbeat than the first, exactly what the crowd wanted. The dancing continued as Copperhead Road; Splendid Isolation; Long Black Veil; Wild Horses; Do Bad Things; Worry Too Much; Jezebel; Bible and a Gun; Wine Do your Stuff; Poncho & Lefty; Peaceful Easy Feeling; Keep Your Distance; Two More Bottles of Wine were rattled off.  Some of the best Americana songwriters songbooks were lovingly rendered by Ned |Geddis, Guitars, CC Campbell, keys and fiddle, Pete MacLeod, bass and Colin Maclean on percussion. Ned brought out quite an evil looking black and chrome Fender Telecaster during the set which seemed right for the encore, Six Days on the Road and You Aint Goin’ nowhere.

The Clap and Tipple bar was left with much less stock than when they set up, all that dancin’ is sho’ ‘nuff thirsty work. Once again the bar was kept busy all night, well done every one, once again fabulous wines and Scottish beers and Organic Ciders, all as locally sourced as practical.

Roy

Letham Nights #14Review

January 10, 2011
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Letham nights 14

After what seemed like a long summer break, we welcomed the return of two favourites to Letham Nights for our 14th event in just less than two years. Yes two years, can you believe it? The “Loveliest Day of the Year” at the end of June was a huge success and it was some comfort to think we had a wee break before the amazing talents of the Moonzie AllStars and The Coaltown Daisies graced our stage.

The Moonzie AllStars played at the inaugural Letham Nights in December 2008 and one half of The Coaltown Daisies Vivienne Bern has supported twice. She has teamed up with the undeniable talent that is Lynzy Moutter.

Having previously seen and heard both Vivienne and Lynzy playing locally but not together, I was excited when they told us that they had hooked up together to form The Coaltown Daisies. As luck would have it, the timing of this collaboration coincided with the end of the summer break. So it was to great expectancy that the Daisies took the stage. It was apparent from the first few bars of the first song that this was not only a vocal match, but the acoustic guitar playing complemented the whole shebang. The Daisies charmed us with self penned songs including Star, I Need to Sleep, Falling for Artemis, It’s better this way, Forgive you, Take You There, Long Way Home, Fly by Night and Poor Man Blues in which they were accompanied by a number of the Moonzies. It seems that both bands hold each other in such high regard that to play a few songs together at Letham Nights was high on the agenda and boy did we benefit from this.

So onto the Moonzie AllStars set. As I mentioned earlier they had taken part in Letham Nights 1 when they were honing their cultural musical mix, I also saw them recently supporting another Letham Nights favourite The Chloe Hall Trio at the Byre Theatre. I could tell instantly that their time had been well spent, the music had moved onto another level. The band is David Adam on Pipes & Flutes, Graham Dickson on Bass & Guitar, Geoff Stevenson on Vocals, Guitar & Bouzouki and Johnny Beaver on Percussion & Drums.

The Moonzies played through two sets of self penned songs, inspired covers and old favourites. Starting off the proceedings with a stirring percussion and pipes intro the Moonzies zipped through a lively first set which included the Hypophant, La Vie Est Court, Disco Stu, Bertha and covers of Belly Dancer, Brand New Cadillac, High Drive. There was quite a squeeze on the dance floor during the lively set.

After a short break, when the Clap and Tipple bar got pretty busy, set two gave us an equally energetic dance floor work out, again mixing African/Brazilian/Celtic beats with classic rock and Pop. The songs included Jock Brown, Silver Salska, Whole Lotta Rosie, Bulgarian Red, Carnival d’Iparanga and Poker Face. And as the show was heading to the finale the Vivienne and Lynzy took the stage for a Let’s Go Crazy/Long Way to the Top segue way, the Daisies adding their tuppence worth to fantastic effect.

Craftscotland held their first ever pop-up shop at Letham Nights in November. Thomas Farrell, who selected lots of the craft on sale during a work experience with Craftscotland over the Summer, staffed the shop with Emma Walker, CEO of Craftscotland. The shop had a truly local flavour with handmade products onsale by crafters who live and work locally to Letham. Claire Heminsley, Letham Nights co-organiser and Letham local showcased her illustrated t-towels. Edinburgh based ceramicist Lara Scobie teaches in Dundee. Her porcelain tealight holders went down very well with the Letham Nights crowd, as did Fife based Lauren Crawford whose beautiful handwoven skinny scarves and brooches will be featured once again in the December pop-up shop. Jill Kitson completed the stand with doorstops, candle lanterns, mushroom brooches and tea cosies. More than £100 of work was sold with 25% of the proceeds going straight into Letham Nights.

4 more sleeps…

December 14, 2010
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As the excitement builds for Letham Nights#15 on Saturday with the wonderful, dazzling Bevvy Sisters and the inimitable David McGregor….

1. There are still a few tickets left.

2. At the moment we are going ahead as planned and will keep you posted if there is any weather-related change to that position.

3. We are offering a free bevvy for the best caption for the Bevvy Sisters photo on the blog, on the event poster (Letham Nights #15 poster leaflet v2) and at the Letham Nights Facebook Group.

4. Anyone local who feels like giving a hand to help clear the car park of persistent ice and snow please let us know and we will send you a further update about when we plan to do this – still one or two things to sort…

5. Remember that the craftscotland popup shop will be there for all your last minute Christmas Shopping needs!

6. The Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst.

7. And the dance floor is waiting…

8. Have you got your ticket yet?

Bevvy Bevvy Bevvy!!!

November 25, 2010
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Are you ready for your Christmas Bevvy Shpecktackular at Letham Nights on Saturday 18th December?

Tickets £9/ £6 (concessions).  Kick off at 8pm.  Letham Village Hall, Letham, Fife

We are currently trying to set up online ticketing for this gig.  Priority for this will go to those who have already reserved a ticket by email.  In the meantime, please send us your reservation requests. Contact details on this page…

It is an exciting prospect to have the Bevvy Sisters back at Letham to delight us with their sublime, sultry, snazzy and superlative singing.  If you have not got a ticket yet well now is the time to let us know and get on the reserved list.  Last time it was a sell-out and there is no reason to suppose this is not going to happen again.  So get yer skates on!

David McGregor, jazz guitarist extraordinaire, will open for the Bevvy Sisters and treat us to a spell-binding set of his own tunes and jazz covers.

…And for your last minute Christmas shopping needs, craftscotland will be on hand again with their highly successful and popular pop up shop of gifts and artefacts by local makers.

The Clap and Tipple Bar will have its usual selection of rather classy but reasonably priced – and where possible organic, local or fair trade – fine wines, beers and soft drinks. Might even be a mince pie or two…. Scrumptious!

Letham Nights 13, The Loveliest Night of the Year

September 8, 2010
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Talking late into the night we got onto the subject of recipe’s. The discussion went onto discuss the fact that recipe’s aren’t

always food related. There are recipes for, say, a happy life, a good book or a perfect day, I bet you have many more examples.

With these thoughts bouncing around our heads Claire, Michael and I thought about the recipe for the perfect Letham Nights.

This is what we came up with

1800g of Celebrating Fife
2 fl oz of Midsummer
7 visiting relatives, From the USA
70°F of fantastic weather
13 Locally sourced performers, young and fresh
6-10 seasoned open mic musicians, various ages
1 compere, preferably juicy
2 professional, performing arts-based practitioners.
100 burgers from Pillars of Hercules
25 punnets of free strawberries
4 pints of cream, optional.
1 Clap and Tipple bar, fully stocked and staffed
1 Luva Anna.

To start, early in the morning mix together the two Arts practitioners with the 13 young performers, leave to photosynthesise for the rest of the day, making sure the creative juices flow nicely. Set aside to marinade towards a performance.

Meanwhile, arrange the Hall, the Clap and Tipple bar, the Pillars burgers, the strawberries, cream and the 7 relatives along with the PA, the Celebrating Fife funding and weather. Leave to soak up the atmosphere.

Then, mix all the elements together for the food part of the day, Make ready the audience by serving great veggie burgers/salad and very tasty free strawberries, allow situation to relax until done. Mix in 70°F temperatures and sunshine.

When replete, start the performance.
It started in a “flash mob” style, no introduction, straight into the performance, the young people walking through the hall from the various entrances. It took the audience a few seconds to realise what was happening. The performance included the spoken word, both solo and collectively, singing and musicianship. They conveyed a surprisingly honest take on teenage thoughts, fears, humour and sorrow. Being in the “gang” or not, loneliness, body image were issues also touched. Haggis man being particularly poignant.
They had written a song called the Loveliest Night of the Year and sang it beautifully.
Huge thanks to the young performers, to the tutors Fiona Miller and Mick Slaven for their fantastic efforts. What they managed to achieve in a day was remarkable.

Next, allow the musicians to play and sing their hearts out. First up, and as a wee taster for the music side of the day Roy Campbell and Mick Slaven performed two songs one of which Roy knew and the other Mick knew, neither had been practised beforehand.
Rhythm Is a Dancer and Pills and Booze were well received.
Steven Tom Smith soulfully sang through his beautiful songs, You Burn, Invisible Boy and If This Song Had a Name.
Mick Pritchard – Wow, who would have thought that voice would have come from Mick. He played Soul and Blues classics as well as a new song about his tortoise Herbert.
Kevin and Karen Scott, half of Ladybank Supergroup Skin and Bones played “May you never”, ”Still haven’t found what I’m looking for” and a version of The Black Oil Brothers’ Wednesday Afternoon.
Xander Duffy. Well, this was Xander’s second visit to Letham Nights and his voice soared and soared. He is completely unique and engaging, a tremendous voice and song writing skills. His songs featured a couple of covers – Hit the Road Jack and Halo along with his own I Go Back To and the brilliant Freedom.

Then add the acoustic Anthill Mob to finish. They played through rock and Blues classics from AC/DC to Zeppelin, to get everyone dancing.
What a fabulous mix of people – we do have some brilliant talent locally.
All this was seasoned with “peppered” comments from our comedy compere, the very “fruity” Bruce Devlin as each musician took the stage. Thanks Bruce… no really, thanks!

Finally, place on stage, one of the best live band’s the world has ever seen, Luva Anna.

They played for us in November and were truly fantastic then. This time it was no different.
They kicked off with the chillingly beautiful Sea Shanty, a 4 part vocal harmony that had the audience stunned. They then “battered” through old favourites like Coma Girl, Angry Fat Bouncer, Pigeon Song and The Ballad O’ Boaby Smith as well as newer numbers like Dumba Dumba, Sober, This is F*****g Urgent and Postcards – and of course the wonderfully evocative love song ‘Hold Still’.

Two encores were demanded by the audience which had an insatiable appetite for Luva Anna.