The Queens Head is a fabulous little pub in Lichfield. It’s a small, intimate and traditional pub run by friendly staff who make you feel welcome. The customers are friendly and, though the room is small, the heart is big, making it an ideal place for a friendly acoustic set.
On Sunday, 20th, I had the pleasure of playing there with my good friend Simon Foster (Simon Foster Music on FB) , a very talented musician and singer/songwriter I’ve known for years. He knows I am trying to play more gigs, and suggested I play with him using my congas, as it would be an acoustic night. It’s been years since I played congas live, but I jumped at the chance and went home, tuned them up and practised a bit just to blow off the cobwebs.
It’s not my first time in the Queens Head, I was there on the 9th July, supporting Simon for an open mic night. It was a fun evening and a great precursor to my birthday celebrations on the 10th, so when he asked if I wanted to join him on the 20th, it was a no-brainer.
I love playing music whenever I can, and playing live is a huge amount of fun, especially with the good people and in the right venue. Playing to an audience with musicians is my favourite thing to do next to bacon! If I had to pick between the 2, I’d give up bacon (don’t tell bacon)!
We set up in the corner, thankfully unloaded before the heavy summer showers arrived. It’s a very simple set-up, single speaker, microphone, stool and a pair of congas. All set and ready to kick off at about 6 and play till 8, 2 spots with a break in the middle, time to get a drink and relax.
I was a bit nervous, been a while since I played conga, at least 4 years and nearly 30 years since I last played them live on stage but I’ve always loved playing conga because I get to stand up and move to the music, I won’t insult dancing by calling it that but I enjoy it 🙂
As is always the way with Simon, we rarely rehearse, there is no set list, and we tend to improvise as we go. He’s singing and playing, so he takes the lead, and I follow, though I’ll know most of the songs. We jam, we improvise, and we respond to the unwritten communication between us, always fun and sometimes a little arousing, in a musical sense 😉
The first set started about 6, and we eased into things with a blues number. For me, one of the standout songs of the first spot was Walking in Memphis, though I know it, I’ve never played it before, and it’s such it’s a beautiful track. He also threw in Message in a Bottle, again a fantastic number and knowing it’s one of my all-time favourites.
After a short break chatting to friends, we did the second spot, including another song from the Police, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and the classic Ain’t No Sunshine.
I took a break for a while so Simon could do some quieter songs on his own. I went to get a drink and was told it was taken care of by Andrea, the manager, whom I went to thank and was ushered to sit down for a moment with her and a couple of friends for a chat, which led to a favour. They wanted me to ask Simon to play the classic John Denver number ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’, which of course I did, and most of the people joined in with the chorus.
I got back on the conga for the last few numbers, including a medley of Superstition, Sledgehammer, and Play That Funky Music, which was great and huge fun to play and being the last number, we tended to overcook it a bit, which the crowd enjoyed.
Got lots of handshakes and thank yous at the end of the night from the lovely crowd while we packed up, and if I get the chance, I’ll be back at the Queens Head, with Simon, to play again.