....Page 9.. Howard for 1 night only became a member of Dave Cousins "Blue Angel Band" Astor Theatre 17th Sep 06
....Set list - Blue Angel Orchestra, The Young Pretender, October To May, Orange Blossom Special, Can You Believe, I Had A Dream (Howard, vocals), Absent Friend, Night And Day (Chris Ball solo), Backwater Blues, House Of The Rising Sun (Miller, vocals), Encore - Falling In Love Again.
....On a superb Hot (Indian Summer) September Evening we arrived at the freshly painted exterior of the Astor Theatre Deal Kent. We duly joined the large throng that was starting to amass outside the entry to the said establishment, Infact as the Posters on the wall stated boldly the Evening was a complete sell out. Still not being quite clear on what the coming evening's entertainment was going to be we went inside and took our seats. It was so full inside that just getting to the bar was a major obstacle course in itself, would have been great if the crowds had come out for Audience in such numbers, but you never know! The evening began with Jon Johanson telling us that this evening's musical extravaganza was part of the Deal Maritime summer events. Dave Cousins doubled as compare to set the scene of "The Blue Angel Club in Berlin circa 1929" revised corrected see email from Martina .1st on (not on poster late edition) were a young duo from Walmer/Deal Josh and Joe Barrett who go under the name of Impromptu Swing (Gypsy Jazz Guitar Duo web site: www.impromptu-swing.co.uk) A class pair of guitarists who really can make their guitars swing.
Next Dave Cousins introduced a Drag act named "Pussy D'Amour" in the Marlene Dietrich mould and who moved amongst the crowd and to near the Bar area and found H W standing by the door (sounds familiar another ghostly apparition) who while the act was on stage was really getting in to it, but when was in close proximity for once went a little coy!.(which most blokes fearing they would be singled out and targeted felt the same) But secretly we think enjoyed it. Next Fred Wedlock aka "The Oldest Swinger In Town" who to my great surprise was a great entertainer. Could tell a good joke and story and thoroughly entertained the whole theatre,mind you a section over at the bar became so noisy even the seated audience shouted for quite with Fred giving some good putdowns. With a great finish with his updated hit song "the oldest swinger in town" picture below.
Then Dave Cousins and the Blue Angel Band with HW being one of the members. Not being to familiar with Dave's songs it was a pleasant surprise to hear quality music, from quality pedigree musician’s. Band line up: Dave Cousins of the Strawbs and Blue Angel Band, feat Miller Anderson Guitar / Spencer Davis Group. Ian Cutler, Fiddle / Feast of Fiddles. Chris Ball Piano/ The Deal Hoy .Chris Hunt Drums / Lonnie Dongan. Howard Werth Guitar / Audience .Like most people I remember Lay Down and Part of the Union neither of which were played. A rousing violin solo instrumental with HW playing as fast as I have ever seen during the middle sections. Then Howard’s only solo song with Dave Cousins saying the band have been playing House on the Hill in rehearsals that afternoon, and that he and HW have played together on a few occasions and he would like to record with HW possibly. I had a Dream with a totally different slant i.e. slide guitar and violin but it really sounded great and I managed to record a poor mpeg movie of song for posterity. Lead guitarist ( Miller Anderson) sang with a great power in his voice a rendition of “House of the rising sun” it bought a new life to this very familiar song. They even played Arlo Guthrie and quite a repertoire of different songs. The music must have gone on to midnight and once over like a football club emptied very quickly. Talked to HW afterwards and he said he really had a great time and he looked like he had but no Audience gigs planned this year , he is trying to work on doing some solo stuff so maybe a little hope there.
...Hi Peter A couple of pictures for the website – great work – thanks Seán ps the lead guitarist who did House of the Rising Sun is Miller Anderson - singer/guitarist & songwriter with the Keef Hartley band among others - a great man! From : Sean Kelly. Cheers Sean great pictures will use on site Peter.
...Greetings from Germany Martina Rathjen-Sprenger.You dated the Blue Angel in 1939, that isn’t quite correct. The film (Der blaue Engel) was made in 1929 and it was first shown in 1930. Just after the premiere, Marlene Dietrich went to Hollywood. The last time Marlene visited Nazi-Germany was in 1937, and she refused categorically to work with the Nazis. In 1939 she became an American citizen. But in spite of this little error, it must have been a great musically night for all of You!. Thanks Martina for the very informative email. I stand corrected it must have been the beer making me hear things Greetings from the UK Peter.
.Fred Wedlock"oldest swinger"..Dave Cousins "Strawbs"..
...."Blue Angels Band"....
...."Blue Angels Band"....
...."Blue Angels Band"....
.Pics Sean Kelly.
.Pics Sean Kelly.
.Pic Sean Kelly
.Pic Sean Kelly
.Pic Sean Kelly
