There was indeed a telling of poems last month, at the wonderful Hundred Years Gallery in Hoxton. This featured readings from the e-books, Beetles and Robots, as well as selections from Better Late Than Sorry.
The beetles were the common red soldier beetle, the coconut rhinoceros beetle, the green malachite beetle and the lichen weevil, if you must know. They were accompanied by an artificial owl, a mushroom picker, an arachnobot and Curly the curler.
Also present was a quartet version of A Bigger Mouth: Mark Roberts on percussion, Mike Walter on saxophones and this trombonist were joined on the upstairs upright by pianist Gabriel Keen. Over the next few months, December’s three days of recordings at Master Chord Studio will be distilled into digital and vinyl offerings.
Next month, all being well, we’ll have the first Book Party, to promote Better Late Than Sorry, in a lovely cafe in Rotherhithe. Save the date: Friday 10th.
As usual, the paperback will be waved about at this month’s gigs.
Friday 13 January, 19:30
Swinging at the Cotton Club
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, Derby DE1 2NF
Friday 20 January: First House, 17:30 / Second House, 20:30
Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT
Thursday 26 January, 19:30
Swinging at the Cotton Club
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra
Palace Theatre, 430 London Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 9LA