The waves rolled in from the sea, beating against fortified wall with the ferocity of a Buddy Rich drum solo. Not a day for swimming.
Entering the bar I hear a child crying, Sunday lunchtime chit-chat fills the air. There is much to talk about - both local soccer teams have won. Knives and forks and plates provide the rhythm to the youngster's plaintive wail. Above it all, the strains of "Moonlight in Vermont" drift gently across the room. This is what I came for. I order a drink - a lager shandy, I too am in party mode. Skilfully ignoring a couple of rug-rats I find a seat close to the music.
In a corner, perched on a high stool, Ron Chapman plays, seemingly oblivious to the surroundings.
"Vermont" segues into "Over The Rainbow" and I show my appreciation with some 'air' clapping. He nods in acknowledgment and plays "Send in the Clowns" (not I hope directed at me!). "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life", "Embraceable You" (or was it "Darn That Dream"? Whatever it's all nice tasteful stuff.
With Ron you don't get Montgomerylike runs or flashy flights of fancy. Ron's forté is the unexpected chord that turns the piece around into something new. He explained later that, because of arthritus he sometimes fingers a wrong chord.
The chords sounded good to me.
"You Don't Know What Love Is", "As Time Goes By" and finally "Nuages".
Later I chat with Ron. We find we have a lot of mutual acq.'s and he promises to post some guitar stuff for the blog.
As I type I notice already my inbox filling up - watch this space.
Lance.
(Ron Chapman plays four lunchtimes every week, Mondays and Fridays in the Priory Pub in Tynemouth and Saturday and Sundays at the Sand Dancer in South Shields.
He describes his playing as: "Solo chordal jazz in the syle of Joe Pass, Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel etc. (I hope!)")
6 comments :
Lance being a native of the Tynemouth area, its strange I dont know where the Priory Pub in Tynemouth is?
Could it be the Gibraltar Rock? that one speaks of?
The Priory Bar, to give it its correct title, is at 2 East Street and seems to be sort of opposite the Gib. Check it out on Google Earth
Could it perhaps be the upstairs bar in the Gib?
Tom and Lorna Weatherly will know they live right opposite.
No the Priory is in the main street in Tynemouth on a corner. It used to be the Percy Arms.
Give the Weatherley's my regards - last time I saw them was at Zoe's Corner House gig. I thought they lived on the continent now? I worked with Lorna's brother, Ronnie McLean, for many years.
Thanks for that Ron. I thought it was still called the "Percy"
Lorna and Tom still have their beautiful apartment with wonderful views over the mouth of the Tyne. They do however spend quite abit of time abroad during the winter months (lucky things) I will pass on your comments Lance as I do see them quite often.
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