In praise of ukuleles

Check out the Toronto Uke club, meets every Wednesday and there is no better way to spend an evening.

London Bobby
Time traveller from last century.

The Producers a smash hit in Fuengirola, Spain

Mel Brooks musical comedy 'The Producers' opened at Fuengirola's Salon Varietes Theatre on Friday March 25 for a twelve-day run. It was absolutely first class! The acting was terrific, the direction was expert, every clever witty line came across and the audience was roaring with laughter throughout.

I could nitpick about a couple of minor glitches with the scenery moving but I won't as this was the first night and I am sure it will be fixed by second night. What else can I complain about? The Mars bars sold by the charming usherettes melted in my pocket before I had a chance to eat them both.

The Salon Varietes Theatre is an English language theatre, the only one in Spain I believe. Where did they find these star performers? I don't know but I am going again closing night (Tuesday April 5), if I lived closer I would probably go mid-run as well. This is not to be missed.

This blog is called Bob's Daily Grumble so, alright; they will have to get better insulated wrappers for those Mars ice cream bars.

London Bobby
Time traveller from the last century.

The New Generation

Once upon a time you could walk into a comfortable lounge/bar with a grand piano and someone playing Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael music. Then there were a bunch of guys like me with singalong, chat and comedy.

The old order passeth. The new genration is represented by Jeffery Straker. On Apr 9 he will be in Toronto ON at the Royal Conservatory of Music Theatre. Go and see him while you can, it wont be long before it costs a fortune to get a seat.

London Bobby
Time traveller from the last century

No tracks please, we're musicians!

Tracks are boring. Tracks leave no leeway for expression or interpretation by the performer. Singing to tracks is karaoke, even if accompanied by the odd note on a guitar or a keyboard. Boring! Boring!

Use a band, or an accompanist or, if the worst comes to the worst, play the damn thing yourself. If you can't do that, learn! Don't go trolling round the internet for somebody else's work.

So, if you are performing somewhere and most of what we are hearing is from tracks, I won't be there.

Bob Smith, time traveler from the last century.