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| 'An Irishman, An Englishman and a Scotsman' - left to right Dan Donnelly, Mike Mcgrouther and Jimi McRae |
What a crackin' debut gig for 'An Englishman, An Irishman and a Scotsman' on Friday night.
'''I can feel a tour of these isles coming on '' said Jimi. ''Really, really enjoyed myself and great to be on stage playing beside two such quality artists and singers.''
Jimi had been invited down to Stockton On Tees to perform alongside Englishman Mike Mcgrouther and Irishman Dan Donnelly. Mike is a well known musician and performer in NE England and Dan, originally from Belfast, is lead guitarist with 'The Wonderstuff'.
Jimi and Mike met and became friends while performing back to back sets at an arts & music festival in the city of Kunming, China last October. Mike was appearing with his band 'The Wildcats'. Jimi was performing solo with backing tracks.
After returning from China, Mike was struck with the idea of bringing in Dan and Jimi to collaborate on a new project - 'An Englishman, An Irishman and a Scotsman'. Friday night was their debut performance in the Arc venue, Stockton town centre with all three performing solo sets before joining each other on stage for a rousing 45 minute finale featuring a rockin' rhythm section and a 40 piece male voice choir.
Highlights of solo sets for Jimi were Dan's version of 'Alternative Ulster's by SLF and Mike's rendition of the Billy Bragg classic 'Between The Wars'. Standout moments of the joint set included 'Long Way To The Top' by ACDC, 'We Will Rock You' by Queen and Fleetwood Mac's 'Shine.
"Even 'Mull of Kintyre' sounded great and was fantastic to perform live for the first time in my life'' added Jimi. ''On a personal note, Paul McCartney's original was in the charts when I first started playing in my local pipe band as a very young novice piper way back in the winter of 1977/78.
''It was quite emotional playing it on stage with the lads and looking back after all those years.''
All three artists are now looking at possible touring and festival dates for 'An Englishman, An Irishman and a Scotsman' with the chance of a mini Scottish tour this coming August.
"The craic was good, the music was happening and people loved the show" added Jimi. I feel a tour of these isles brewing. Watch this space".
Special thanks to Denise Bailey and Keith Bell for the pics from Friday night.
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| An Englishman |
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| An Irishman |
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| A Scotsman |
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| On stage together with a rockin rhythm section and Stockton male voice choir. |
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