Was priviliged to witness Michael Marra's gig at Fat Sams in Dundee on 27 December 2007. A rare treat it was too. At one point I counted nine musicians on stage. Loads of highlights. Alice Marra singing "Monkey Hair" was wonderful. Kevin Murray's jazz chords on guitar gave "Schenetady Calling Peerie Willie Johnson" that distintive feel. Steve Ketley's saxophone riffs and solos on " True Love" and "Peter" were great as was Gregor Philp's guitar work on "Pax Vobiscum" and throughout the set. Christopher Marra's pedal steel guitar made "Letter From Perth" and "When These Shoes Were New" that extra bit special and his guitar playing was a joy. The vocal harmonies throught out were outstanding and The Hazey Janes proved a wonderful backing band. Michael himself was in great form and the setlist included a whole raft of songs from his extensive back catalogue. Monkey Hair, Farlow, Scribbled Down Drunk and Posted Sober, O' Fellow Man, Pax Vobiscum, Constable Le Clock,Julius, Gaels Blue, Letter from Perth and When These Shoes Were New ( Take Me Out Drinking Tonight ) were all additions to his normal setlist. At nearly two hours in length with over twenty songs and outstanding musicianship throughout made this an awesome gig. For next year's hometown gig can I request that the Gaels Blue Orchestra reforms and they play the entire "Gaels Blue" album "live" and then some!
The set list as I remember it was -
First Half
1. Mac Rebennack's Visit to Blairgowrie
2. Bob Dylan's Visit to Embra
3. Grace Kelly's Visit to Tannadice - Hamish
4. Farlow
5. Scribbled Down Drunk and Posted Sober
6. Chain Up The Swings
7. Monkey Hair - Alice Marra vocals
8. Schenetady Calling Peerie Willie Johnson - Kevin Murray guitar
9. O Fellow Man - Kevin Murray guitar
10. Frida Kahlo's Visit to the Taybridge Bar
11. Niel Gow's Apprentice - Kevin on mandolin and Christopher on Guitar
Second Half - with band
1. Don't Look At Me
2. Pax Vobiscum
3. Constable Le Clock
4. True Love
5. Angela Gunn
6. Julius
7. Peter
8. Gaels Blue
9. Letter From Perth
10. All Will Be Well
11. When These Shoes Were New - Take me out Drinking Tonight
12. The Lonesome Death Of Frances Clarke
The band members were -
Michael Marra - vocals ,keyboards, guitar and harmonica
Christopher Marra - vocals, guitars, pedal steel guitar, keyboards and harmonica
Alice Marra - vocals, guitars and keyboards
Matthew Marra - bass guitar
Gregor Philp - vocals, guitars and keyboards
Kevin Murray - guitars and mandolin
Andrew Mitchell - vocals, guitars and keyboards
Steve Ketley - saxophone
Ian Murdoch - Drums
