Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - March 23

Pianist Merlin Roxby is making a habit of this, getting a gig that is, down on Pink Lane. This evening, playing for himself and anyone who cared to listen, Merlin sat at Prohibition Bar's upright to knock out a few ragtime numbers. Some were there to listen, although the upstairs counter attraction of a medium spinning yarns perhaps won out in terms of numbers in attendance. No matter, Merlin's ever-growing repertoire is well worth hearing.

Our man doesn't say much, correction, he doesn't say anything at all! Let the music speak. And speak it did, ranging from Joplin, James P and co, through to Ray Charles, Randy Newman, Greg Lake (of ELP fame) and a winning combination of TV/computer game theme tunes. It's quite something to hear classic numbers (King Porter Stomp and the like) taking their place alongside Top Cat, Greg Lake's Benny the Bouncer and Nintendo earworms. 

Merlin's next engagement at Prohibition Bar will be in a week or two or whenever (likely as not on a Thursday evening), stay tuned to BSH for details of your next instalment of ragtime piano.  Russell