SPECIAL REPORT: Go-Go Rapiers at Fareham

Jet Harris, Billie Davis and The Rapiers
Ferneham Hall, Fareham
9 October 2007

By Rob Bradford

Another cracking show.

With Mac Poole manning the sound desk, the results were far better than when The Rapiers were last at Ferneham Hall on 1 September in tandem with Mike Berry—that too featured great performances from the artists, but the sound was substandard. Besides taking in that show, I was there to interview Mike Berry about his '60s BBC recordings. If you don't know, Mike does very long soundchecks. I was waiting quietly by the side of the stage for well over an hour (not getting in anyone's way) when, just after Mike finished, the theatre manager appeared and (despite my politely explaining my presence) literally threw me out of the theatre! But I digress... no such problems this time around with Rapiers manager Janet Pryce-Jones in attendance.

Rapiers Fast Finish

As ever, The Rapiers, this night with Dave Lawes on rhythm, set the tone for the evening with a fantastic opening quartet of numbers. With their new dark suits and brand new patent winkle-picker shoes, they really looked the part as they always do—immaculate. And Shadoogie never fails to disappoint. All the usual choreography was there and the guitar sounds were to die for. Colin Pryce-Jones's restored, revamped Meazzi echo really produced the goods during a blistering The Savage.

The whole group were on top form and Dave's relentless rhythm proved that he has lost none of his playing abilities. The Rapiers are indeed fortunate that, following the tragic loss of Wayne Nicholls, they can call upon the superb contributions of both Dave and Neil Ainsby. Furthermore, there are few drummers who can recreate the playing style of the late Tony Meehan. John Tuck is one such drummer and See You in My Drums was outstanding. As well, Nathan J. Hulse's bass playing is all too often taken for granted, so I should note that his performances are exemplary, absolutely spot on.

The Rapiers finished with an electrifyingly fast Buckleshoe Stomp.

Billie Davis On

The group, augmented by keyboards, provided brilliant backing for Billie Davis.

Billie is one of the few '60s Girls still touring and she puts lots of effort and energy into her vocal performances. How great it is to still hear live versions of Tell Him and the poignant Angel of the Morning. Billie also has a clever medley of Dreamin'/Dream Lover that works well. Or how about Dusty's Little By Little or The Shirelles' Will You Love Me Tomorrow and a superb (Your Love Takes Me) Higher And Higher.

The Rapiers always pay great attention to detail when accompanying other artists and it's fascinating to watch.

Mike Sarne Out

Special guest Mike Sarne was due to appear at this show but had to withdraw at the very last minute. Radio Solent legend Richard Cartridge bravely filled the gap at very short notice. He performed an excellent Miss You Nights to a backing track [GO: sigh!] and livened things with a light-hearted run through Roger Miller's Kansas City Star before performing a few Cliff Richard numbers with The Rapiers behind him [GO: ah!]. You could tell that he was loving every minute of it.

Jet Harris on Form

Jet Harris has been performing on stages now for just over 50 years, but let's never take his shows for granted. A reminder, it was only in 1999 that he returned to performing in theatres on a regular basis, the real start to his latter-day renaissance.

Jet had the Ferneham audience in hysterics with his customary deadpan comments and witty one-liners. Plus, Jet is really playing well. He inspires The Rapiers and they inspire confidence in him. All the customary classics were there: Diamonds, Scarlett O'Hara, Applejack, 36-24-36, Nivram, Theme for Something Really Important, Dance With the Guitar Man, The Tall Texan, Jet Black, Gonzalez, Wonderful Land, Apache, etc. The audience loved it.

Before I forget, Billie's vocal duo The Songbirds added immensely to the evening with their attractive appearance, stage presence and excellent vocal harmonies in both Billie and Jet's sets.

Tony Meehan Tribute

Jet earned a well-deserved standing ovation. But there was another bonus for the audience.

First, some background. Many fans know Jet has been recording a brand new CD, The Journey, which should be ready for Christmas. Last year he released two advance tracks (San Antonio/Ignition) as a limited edition CD/vinyl single. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Richard C. is a lifelong Jet/Shadows fan. A while ago he submitted a track that he'd written to Jet for consideration. "I was both humbled and delighted when Jet told me that he wanted to record my little composition," said Richard.

At Ferneham, Jet reappeared (on lead guitar) with Paul Rumble on acoustic guitar and Nigel Hopkins (Jet's producer/arranger for the new CD) on trumpet. Jet was clearly nervous as he explained that the rest of the instruments were on the original studio track, which would, in effect, be used as a backing track. "We thought that it would be appropriate to dedicate this to Tony Meehan," said Jet. He then announced the title Song for Tony.

Pitted against Paul's delicate acoustic figures, the rising and falling backing track soundscape and Nigel's thrilling, piercing and haunting trumpet playing, this track was a musical eulogy for Tony, Jet playing with the style and sound of 1963. Jet was nervous, but that gave his playing real edge as he clearly poured his heart and soul into the performance. It was genuinely moving, a rare moment when instrumental artistry becomes a living expression of emotion. God rest you, Tony, and God bless you, Jet.

What an evening.