News
29 June, 2025
Playitt heats up the cold
PLAYITT on 12th of June was the chilliest Playitt evening yet this year and was part of an uncommonly cold snap for this sub-tropical region, but with the winter solstice just two weeks away, it was in keeping with expectations.
It takes a lot to cool Playitt enthusiasm though, and the fans came out for another great show.
Band members this time were Norm, Bill, Alan, Mike, and Kev, who between them offered up such opening vocals as Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” — a great version by Norm — and Kev’s “Tell Everybody I Know” by Keb Mo, but Al smashed it out of the park with a magnificent treatment of Tom Jones’ “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” What a great start!
J.D., accompanied by his pal Peter on the dobro, followed through with Johnny Cash’s “Papa Played the Dobro” and “The Wreck of the Old ‘97” — a Hank Snow/Johnny Cash classic recorded by many others. The latter relates a fascinating true story from 1903 about a train driver unfamiliar with the route he was assigned at the last minute to deliver mail within a strict government deadline. The locomotive lost its air brakes down a steep grade and crashed off a trestle bridge, ending up in a deep ravine in North Carolina, killing eleven of the seventeen people on board, including the driver. The dobro — an instrument similar to a guitar but can be played held like a guitar or flat like a keyboard — was expertly handled by Peter.
Jenny, at her excellent best, gave us Sam Cooke’s “Cupid” and The Zombies’ “She’s Not There,” and Jordy did his usual great job on “April Sun in Cuba.”
Rod always comes up with something new and tonight put his stamp on The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” and The Beatles’ “Oh Darling.”
Don called on his old favourites Merle Haggard and George Jones for nice versions of “Swinging Doors” and “Window Up Above,” while Fay’s “Down in the Easy Chair” from The Byrds collection and The Hollies’ “Just One Look” showcased her easy style.
Richard’s interpretation of Dr Hook’s “A Little Bit More” was one of his best, as were Jo’s “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” and Todd Rundgren’s “I Saw the Light,” penned by Carole King.
Bill broke out two Slim Dusty favourites...
