The Viking Party – Review
First off, what a weekend!, Secondly, thanks to everyone who made it a weekend to remember. Staff, artistes, Julie and most of all those you came through the door with the party attitude!
Friday night kicked off with the wonderfully bubbly Mr Alan Gregory. Alan has a very up to date country repertoire that kept the dancers and listeners very happy throughout the night. Highlights were Cabo San Lucas, No More Cloudy Days and White Rose, although I could have picked any song as Alan gives every single one his all. Alan has a very good following on circuit and justifiably so and is already booked for 2010.
The second band appearing on Friday was meant to be Raising Cain. However due to medical reasons they pulled out just 4 days before the event. However these things happen and Cajon Moon were the replacement act. These guys had only been to The Viking once before in the last 5 years or so, and took to the stage immaculately dressed and performed a great mixture of up to date and country classics. They played them extremely well. In fact as good as any band we’ve had on the main stage. Drawing fine applause from the crowd I’m pleased to say that they were more than just a worthy replacement and it wont be long until they return to play The Viking again.
The night finished off with Alan getting up on stage with Cajon Moon for a Jam session (one of the advantages of having a drummer). It finished off the night in style.
Saturday morning saw a rather early but busy start to Julie ‘KATZ’ Murray’s first line dance session. Amongst the dances taught today were ‘Catch me if you can’. Penned by Audrey Watson. It’s a fun Irish style improver dance to the music ‘Catch me if you can’ by Hugo Duncan. It received two thumbs up from the dancers.
Next was ‘Mojo Rhythm’ a great Rob Fowler dance to a non-country track, ‘That’s how rhythm was born’ by Wyonna Judd. Again two thumbs up for this fast Charleston style dance!
The third dance was the hardest dance of the day, but to what I think is the best piece of music I’ve heard this year. ‘Footsteps of our Fathers’ is a great dance by Kate Sala to the music of the same name by Pat Green. (Yes him of wave on wave fame, but don’t let that put you off). I hope this dance takes off so I can play the music each week.
‘Dreamboat’ was next up. Written to a very bouncy Boney M track called ‘I saw a boat on the river’ Robbie M. Hickie has penned a dance to it that may just take off around the country. The Viking crowd enjoyed making ‘waves’ to this dance the whole weekend (and some even wore armbands, just in case they fell overboard!).
To top today’s session off, Julie walked through ‘No more cloudy days’ choreographed by Alan Burchall if a very popular dance on the circuit that is being picked up by most bands.
Saturday afternoon saw Harrison County take the stage. Chris has very accomplished vocals that do justice to his set list. He even had the courage give a superb acoustic version of Three Wooden Crosses. Chris and Jimmy have play list that is deeper than most thanks to Chris’s voice and Jimmy’s talents on the pedal steel but the rhythm guitar, mandolin and fiddle. Their relaxed approach, make this duo ideal for any night of country or line dance.
Saturday Night and two duo’s were performing tonight as Nadine Somers was replaced by Vegas 50/50 to play along side Brushwood. Joe Mitchell joined Andy Saphir and were Vegas 50/50 and they provided a superb 2 sets of country-dance music. Joe’s voice must have liked the southern air as every tune he sung sounded as sweet as candy! Someone who will be returning to The Viking in the future I’m sure.
Brushwood was the other duo on the stage tonight. This duo never fail to give the dancers and listener what they want. Plus a Jam session at the end of the night saw all four on stage keeping the dancers and listeners happy.
Another early and busy start on Sunday saw a full dance-floor for another helping of Julie ‘KATZ’ Murray. This mornings dances were:
‘Romeo and Juliet’. A great dance by Gaye Teather dance to Love Story by the currently ‘wonder kid’ of US country music, Taylor Swift. Think this one may be a chart topper.
Absolutely Positively is a pop line dance by Kim Ray. Written perfectly to fit the tract Absolutely Positively by Anastacia. Not too sure on this one from the music side of things, but the dance is doing very well across the country, so it may grow on me too!
The third dance was ‘Make my day’ by Francien Sittrop. Another pop dance to the Pussycat Dolls version of Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps. This popular dance is being danced on dance floors all across the UK, and is set to be there for at least the rest of the year.
And we had a guest instructor this morning. Lesley Michel who runs ‘Timezone’ in Walthamstow with her husband Paul, took the stage to teach ‘Toes’. A cracking little dance by Rachel McEnaney to the fun tune Toes by The Zach Brown Band
After the morning’s workout, Live music was provided by Darren Busby. It was a wonderful afternoon, warm weather and an even warmer atmosphere inside thanks to two mighty fine sets from Darren. He’s not only a great singer, and a nice bloke but some photos on the internet show him doing the housework too! He’s like a first class postman, he never fails to deliver!
Sunday Night saw two very fine trios take to the stage after Julie had walked through yet another another dance – Rodeo Blues by Kate Sala, alongside reviews of all the weekends new dances (so far!) Muddy Boots and Texas Tornadoes gave the listeners and dancers over four hours of live music. Both bands having very broad and deep play-lists, the vocal talents of Muddy Boots and the energy of Pete, who fronts Texas Tornados, meant this was a classic Viking Party night. We were lucky to have 6 very different and very talented musicians on the stage and the audience and dancers benefited.
Monday and sadly it was the last day of the party. However, another strong showing from the hardened line dancers meant Julie had another busy morning. Dances this morning were ‘Secret Giggles’ a danced penned by Julie herself to ‘She Says’ by Take That, Wanna Be Elvis by Rep Ghazali, and finally she taught the very popular
‘Moonlight Kiss’ a dance by Maggie Gallagher to a bouncy number by Raul Malo of the same name, for those that had seen the dance being done over the weekend and were bursting to learn it.
Julie performed heroically, teaching a dozen dances to suit all abilities and tastes. Well done.
Monday afternoon saw the close of the party with two cracking bands. The Thrillbillies never fail to entertain. Dave and Ed provided a great set of music, plus their own blend of humour kept the crowd entertained and smiling all afternoon. Singing songs from their new album, The Thrillbillies have this knack of connecting with an audience. They certainly did that this afternoon.
Henry Smith’s Country Band had the pleasure of finishing off the party. It was great to see Henry and the Boys back on the stage at The Viking. If Henry cut himself he would bleed country music the boy is like a fine wine and gets better and better with age. He also has the help of some of the most talented musicians behind him as well! I don’t think there’s a better 5 piece. Henry new album is fast becoming a best seller and it’s obvious to see why.
Well that was it. Another Mad March Party over for another year. But wait; don’t forget our NEW Red Hot Country weekend in June. Tickets on sale now!
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