The talented front-man of the Brainchild band and the ‘Eccentric Party’ candidate Chris Dowling has a huge repertoire of great songs. In fact, he is well known in the community as a “one-man jukebox”.

Chris never fails to amuse and entertain us at the Riverside Club and he is a great friend of this precious Staines, North Surrey venue.

This week Chris brought a few friends along with him to play a session at this town’s most wonderful club. Chris did what he does best… He played a rough jam with his musical pals.

Chris never fails to amuse and entertain us at the Staines Riverside Club…

His smoky voice (reminiscent of Tom Petty or even Dylan) was emotional, if not particularly lively or animated. Maybe he was tired after his recent political campaigning.

But his guitar-playing was, as usual, excellent. (he was taught by Marc Bolan… So it should be!) And, although there was no proper set-list or rigid structure for the show, it was a pleasant and agreeable performance nonetheless. And a great way to spend some time.

Favourites numbers, for us, included Bolan’s “Life’s A Gas” from the T Rex album Electric Warrior (1971 ). It was sung passionately and convincingly by Chris and in memory of our beloved Cilla, whose funeral was this week.

We also enjoyed ‘The Joker’ originally performed by the Steve Miller Band. It was fun-filled yet retained an edge. And the emotional Mike d’Abo number “Handbags and Gladrags” was also popular. This was made famous by Rod Stewart (first) and then the Stereophonics (later.)

Swinging songs, gritty rock ‘n’ roll numbers and urban blues. A slice of musical fun for a Thursday night.

Words & Images: @neilmach 2015 ©