Pete Turner reports on a unique tour of wine bars and pubs

Gurnard on tour

Friday 16th October Wine & Design Shanklin Saturday 17th October Travellers Joy Northwood Sunday 18th October The Portland Inn Gurnard

For those of you not familiar with the Isle of Wight music scene, this would have been a good introduction. Keith Gore, the last of the seasonal workers put the concept together last year. This year he delivered the goods.

The idea is nothing new, Man those lovable Welsh rogues did it back in 1972 when they hi-jacked the Roundhouse in London and played Up for the Day . The late great Ronnie Lane did it with his travelling entourage back in 1975. But here is the difference Keith took us out on the road to places I wouldn't have dreamt of putting gigs on.

Shanklin 16th October. The story behind the gig at Wine and Design is good one in itself and I haven't time to elaborate on that, but the gig was colourful and masterly piece of media magic.

The tour bus a sixty seater coach left the Portland bound for Shanklin with a bunch of fans, musicians and entertainers. The setting was the Wine Bar with its aluminium furniture, and rock pools. Yes rock pools, The gig was accompanied by running water.

Norman, the jazz saxophonist (who has improved since the early days ) kicked off proceedings with his mellow tones blowing throw the lovely Cry Me A River. Norman recently practised with the Boogaloosers so we may be seeing him performing to a much wider audience.

Nick Inett one half of the duo Kipper Tie did three songs one of which was an REM song (the title of which escapes me). Jane (the wife ) commented that Nicks voice was really good. Well done Nick. Then Keith was up to do some of his classic stuff, Chip Shop Kate, Body Piercing, with Andy Gladdis displaying his pierced nipples.

Quality Time, two new songs best described as a change of direction by Mr Gore. The more I hear and understand this guy the more I rate him. Is any body listening?

Sally Garrett the other half of Bob is up next and this is a treat and the atmosphere resembles that of the days of the old folk club. So Im feeling good and I decide I'll read some poetry.

Then after me its Mark Spencer the man who is responsible for the sound tonight. Marks voice accompanies Keith on a rousing Diamond Wight and Nut Cutlet sings on Gutter Kids.

The whole evening was a great success. Its back on the bus and home, bed and get ready for the next evening.

17th October at The Travellers Joy and Keith, Nut myself are jaded. Trish and Tim can't make the gig as Trish has alcoholic poisoning!

Me, I've suffered from an away day at Reading, with the boys losing 2-0 to Wigan. Keith and Nut have suffered because of the football songs on the coach the previous night.

Anyway the gig starts and away we go with Norman again the jazzer from Gurnard. Then its Gary Cramp he of Copper Clock fame ( that old West Wight band ). Gary is a gem, his guitar playing has Sandra OToole gasping and Roger Gray applauding for encores. Gary is a master and a perfectionist his set was a real highlight. (Come on Smithy book him).

Mark and Raife Spencer are ready and waiting checking the sound for the slightest hiss and crackle. Marks voice is stunning and Raifes bass playing rumbles around like thunder on a summers evening. Songs from Marks favourite artist Sting pepper the set, then Raife performs with the Digeridoo.

Every time he picks up that thing up and it doesn't matter where the whole place is mesmerised. No change here. The set concludes with Mark sing a song called Valperosa, quite fitting for a boy who loves and works with the sea so much.

Sandra OToole takes her stool and plugs in she has a fine voice and sings Neil Young very well indeed. Another one who we want to spread the word about, Sandra has a bagful of songs to sing alot of them are her own as well.

Its a strange night for me I'm on water (I think he means he's drinking it . . . Ed.) and everybody around me can't believe it.

Keith is on and the floor of the pub has people sitting on it as there are no seats left. Keith set is the same as the night before, that is not a criticism its common sense.

The subtle edge of his lyrics has won him many friends and given him a reputation that is becoming larger than life. A few people talk but in the main the set which saw Mark Spencer and Nut Cutlet singing backing vocals was well listened to.

When Keith has finished there was a request from Mark Spencer for everyone to vacate the pub as there was going to be a visitor outside. So in the car we gathered and Roger Gray couldnt believe his eyes. It was the Gurnard Dragon,fire breathing his way into Travellers folk lore. Good on ya nipper.

18th October Portland Inn, the word has got round that these gigs are good.

Tonight there are some fishy fellows in. Pete and Simon from Jimmys Big Fish, Bob Brading and Brian Munro, plus the usual crew. The pub is packed and its difficult to find a place to sit.

Once again Norman starts the proceedings but half way through disaster, Mark trips over the lead and Norman is unplugged from his backing CD, but in true style he continues and receives a roar of applause for his fighting spirit.

Gary does his bit and again is well received. People always ask him after he has played what the tunes are called, but Gary always downbeat says he cant remember the title.

Keith is up for his first set and again has the place in uproar with his songs, Then Mark and Raife and then Bob Brading and Brian Munro. Both men are quality musicians and command immediate respect.

Bob as well as being Vickys dad (that's Marks girlfriend ) is a former member of that famous Isle of Wight rock and roll band the Knights, and Brian Munro former mandolin and guitar player in such bands as Union Pacific, Detour and The Goose Island Syncopators. They offer some fine covers songs in their three numbers and I didnt realise they had been playing as a duo for over a year now.

Fishy Fellows are on next and they prove to be a very popular act as their songs are a mixture of covers and originals, a mini version of the Fish, but no minnows.

So its left to Keith to close the show and say goodbye. Diamond Wight, and Rudderhead are sung with audience participation and the evening is over and the tour has finished, its been hard, but enjoyable and great fun, the musicians who made all possible have been fantastic, and Keith who as I said was responsible for it has done his reputation no harm in managing, advising and participating in a very strange tour indeed. Keith thanks alot and see ya later.

Stop Press: Plans are already being made for a series of gigs across the Island next summer, so watch this space!

Pete Turner