With its perfect view of the dilapidated Battersea Power Station, The Duchess, a pub in Battersea Park Road, was a fine setting for a poetry/music event called Causing A Scene. A few Brel songs were shredded senseless by cheese-cutter guitar, there was a certain amount of shtreet poetry, and some kind of RADA vamp poet. A girl uncontrollably giggling was asked to leave the room. Ricky Ranking sang reggae to elusive backing tracks, and Poejazzi Josh delivered a polished set to great acclaim.
Freedom Of Expression II at Gipsy Hill was another rollicking night out, featuring songsters Chris Parr and Eddie’s Brother, with a trombone poetry set that included Vive Steve and Blues For Lacy.
Broadcast live from the bar at The Foundry, was a session of live collective improvisation from Mike Walter, Lol Coxhill, Nick Stephens and this trombone, occasionally interrupted by some sort of chat show shepherded by Tracey Moberly. Another show was recorded after a brief refuelling break, and this also included a trombonist reading a couple of poems. This will be broadcast on some upcoming Friday noon on Resonance 104.4 FM, but nobody knows when.
The Old Boys Hall in Dalston was the new venue for the renowned parkroadpilot, which showcased trombone poetry and Polaris, a multi-instrumental electronica combo comprising Ross Hughes, Davide Mantovani and a mound of boffinistic machinery. They were kind enough to add a trombone to the mix for the final stretch. Winding up the occasion were some new boys: Ballalouda, a loud band. The main feature was Aida Silvestri’s amazing Eritrean nosh.