I was asked to come along to photograph the now annual, variety performance at Westbourne Hall in West Kirby on Saturday night. It’s a local event to raise funds for PHAB – ran by a fantastic bunch of people. The show features everything from drama scenes to stand up comics and barbershop quartets and is genuinely very entertaining. Theres a gallery up here too and be sure to check out the little video of ‘Andy P and the Fabulous Three’ Barbershop quartet at the bottom

Last years shots are here.

Just a quickie of drummer Jack Prince, lovely Wirral lad and a good chum. Jack asked me to shoot his portfolio to go out to various muso types as he’s currently sessioning. Glad to oblige. Few more will be up on my main site tomorrow.

Quick catch up…

Yep. So. We sat in Ink waiting for Marina to come on. Waited. Waited. Then decided to go next door and see if any of the support bands for The Bays were lining up. There on stage is Marina. Run to pit, rattle of 6 shots. She finishes the set. Goddamnit.

The same lighting issues as the Chrome Hoof gig. No front lights and red and blue backlights :S, I’m not one for wanting to use flash, specially gigs, but in retrospect, it may have been a better idea. Hmph.

Ill leave the talking to Pete Guy on this one… (review to be written shortly over at http://www.getintothis.co.uk.

I’ve never seen so many people up at the War Memorial in West Kirby than yesterday, it was pretty impressive to see so much support and emotion from people of all ages.
The highlight of the event for me was meeting and photographing one of West Kirby’s living legends, Harry Moon.

Lt. Commander Chris Gatenby (pictured with Harry and Lt. Commander Nick Hanson) sent me a brief history of Harry.

“Born in Hoylake nearly 90 years ago, Tomas Henry Jones MBE (Harry) served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at HMS Irwell in Birkenhead and later HMS Eaglet in Liverpool. In 1939 he was called up to regular service in the Royal Navy. He survived the sinking of SS Cormorin and went onto serve in HMS Malcolm out of Liverpool. In this vessel he served in many theatres of the war, including, the Atlantic Convoys, the Arctic Convoys (notably convoys PQ17 and PQ18) and Operation Pedastal in the relief of Malta and also in the invasion of North Africa to name but a few.
A life long crew member of Hoylake Lifeboat he was its Coxswain 1974-81. In 1979 he received the RNLI Bronze Medal when the lifeboat saved the catamaran Truganini and her crew of three in a westerly storm and very rough seas.

Also in 1979, he represented the RNLI at the Royal Albert Hall for the service of Rememberance. He was the last RNLI Coxswain to serve in the Second World War.
Harry was one of the founder members of West Kirby Lifeboat and was the Boatman at West Kirby Siling Club 1945-84, he has worked there almost every day since. Harry and his wife Annabel are pillars of the West Wirral Community.”

Chris is a Chief Officer in the Merchant Navy and a crew member of West Kirby Lifeboat, he and Petty Officer Stuart Blackburn (West Kirby lad, serving on HMS Illustrious) laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Navy. Nick is the Staff Officer on HMS Eaglet.

Interesting show at Nation, very little light to shoot the guys in on stage. Incidently, once the photographers had left the pit, all the stage lit up! Still fun gig and the crowd were well into it. Kinda nice to get some different stage shots and it kinda kicked the ol’ photography brain in to gear. Really pleased to have done it.

I was introduced to Daniel Johnston a few years ago, in my days of working in a record store. I kinda liked him, but was probably a bit more into harder / metally stuff at the time and kinda left him be. An intriguing character, with a lot of history relating to manic depression which is reflected in his songs. I was pretty excited about seeing him despite the 1am stage time he had. Kurt Cobain was quoted as revealing that Daniel was his favourite songwriter too. Anyway, he came on stage and did nothing but impress, quiet, quaint and reserved initially leading into some pretty rocking stuff with Liverpool band Hot Club de Paris as his backing.

I think people can I either like or loathe Daniel, he’s messy, loose, his voice quivers but for me his lyrics and songs are so touching and full of emotion, you don’t even notice technicalities. Whether it be about lost loves / loneliness or comic book heroes, he pulls it off with passion. A brilliant end to a mammoth night of trekking between gigs for Liverpool Music Week.

Back to listening to his album ‘Fun’. Its fantastic.

Another fun, different vibe. The a’cappella ‘barbershop quartet’ style ladies were a great change in pace and warmly received.