GIG: Dusty
Day
DATE: Sunday
13th April 2014
VENUE: West
5, Popes Lane, Ealing
COST: £15.00
OUR VERDICT: “Something
Special”
Dusty Day is
an annual get together of all things Dusty Springfield, organised and run by
the boundless energy of Simon Bell, long time backing singer for Dusty and now
with the James Last Orchestra. The event raises loads of money for the Royal Marsden, and today was no exception with almost £4K being raised. The afternoon schedule was a mixture of live
performances and chat/mingling, along with a raffle and an auction and included
many famous faces, including Michelle Collins, ex-Eastender, Corrie actress and a Wilsation
from Mari Wilson’s 80’s group, Mari Wilson herself, Madeline Bell and Julie
Felix who were all very generous with their time, mingling with everyone and having their pictures taken.
 |
| The Beeb with his two M&Ms - Mari and Michelle |
The minute we
walked through the door, although obvious that many of those present were
long-time friends and this an annual party for them, we were made to feel very
welcome, given badges with our names on them so people knew who they were talking to, and before long were chatting away to Trudy and Pat, obvious devoted
fans that were happy to share their recollections of Dusty with us.
 |
| Martyna Wren |
There was a
small stage set up and before long, the entertainment started, kicking off with
a young 60’s influenced Martyna Wren who started with a great rendition of
Goffin & King’s “Oh No Not My Baby” and followed up with “Wishin’ and Hopin’”.
That got the afternoon off to a good start.
 |
| Mari Wilson |
Mari Wilson
has a great pedigree of Dusty related projects. Indeed she was Dusty in the
West End show in early Noughties and is due to embark on a Dusty tribute series
of shows around the UK soon, doing a taster show at London’s Hippodrome on May
2nd.
The audience
were hushed once again, as 60’s folk icon, Julie Felix, with her acoustic
guitar gave us one of her own songs and then did “24 Hours from Tulsa”. She
finished her set with Madeline Bell joining her on stage, and together they did
a wee medley of “Goin’ Back” and “Son of a Preacher Man”.
 |
| Julie Felix & Madeline Bell |
Madeline, herself
an ex-backing singer with Dusty who went on to join Blue Mink, did ”A House Is
Not a Home”, accompanied by Ian Shaw on keyboard. There was no need for her to
be mic’d up, her voice is that strong and powerful. She was a great bundle of
energy on the stage and also dueted with Simon Bell for “Let It Be Me”.
There were
many lots for auction and a table full of raffle prizes and our fear that
both auction and raffle would be long drawn out tedious affairs were not realised,
as both went quick and smoothly. The Beeb even won a raffle prize, and picked a
Springfields vinyl album.
 |
| The Beeb with his raffle prize |
There was
more music from Ian Shaw on keyboards, who also accompanied Simon Bell on a rendition of Gershwin’s
“Someone To Watch Over Me” and also jazz musician, and power-house of a singer, Liane Carroll who did “How
Can I Be Sure”.
The afternoon
was wrapping up at that point so we headed home. It was a great way to spend an
afternoon.
 |
| The Beeb meets Madeline Bell |
