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Posted by JohnG on October 28, 2007, 11:45 am As it was World Cup final weekend, it was particularly appropriate to visit the Cabbage Patch in Twickenham to catch the London leg of the Farewell Tour. The pub is named after the fact that the nearby Twickenham Rugby Ground stands on the site of a former cabbage patch. We were last here in November ‘06 for a reunion of my college which is less than a mile away . This was where I enjoyed my first Lindisfarne gig in December 1970. On match days for both Harlequins and England the pub is packed with rugby people. Back in November I stood at the bar next to one of my all time heroes, Dean Richards. It is also the home, every Sunday evening, of Twickenham Folk Club which boasts an impressive guest list.
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I can’t imagine that many of their shows are as lively as this. Having fun and enjoyment was the order of the day and the full house crowd certainly made the most of it all. I suppose if you are miserable and introspective you wouldn’t have been there.
Billy and Bob have developed into one of the best double acts around. We have known them both for many years as great musicians, performers and entertainers but this collaboration certainly brings out that something which for me is the real X factor.
Although everyone will remember the effortless wit and repartee, this is still a musical act. The songs are mainly from or about the north-east, both traditional and contemporary. The latter was exemplified with a superb rendition of Jimmy Nail’s Big River. Many of the favourites from their respective solo shows were there and the musicality that they each bring was stunning.
They included a sea shanty and are considering producing a book of similar tunes. They already have the title -“Two Anchors in Deep Water”!!!!
They almost demand audience participation and it was gratefully given. Often the difference between a good and a great gig rests solely with the quality of the audience. This crowd would be there now, clapping along and singing themselves hoarse if they could.
I do hope that they will fit some more B & B gigs in between their usual schedules because this act is just brilliant. If you haven’t seen them yet you should try just in case they are not able to get it together again.
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