I’m now feeling a little drained after another great show, and a rather emotional one, given we were saying goodbye to some of our tour companions. Brian and Mickey B get this year’s Trains, Boats & Planes award for Hard Touring after spending most of the day in strike-bound captivity the wrong side of the Channel and still making it to the show. Safe journey home, B’s and it was lovely to see you over here. Same, too, to Miss October and everyone else who’s gone home. And hi and welcome to Gary, whose first Jukes show it was: hope you had a good time.
Once again I have to give heartfelt thanks to the Jukes for their spirit, good humour and wonderful playing in what could have been a disastrous venue. Also huge appreciation for the skill of Lord Reggae Sean, Joe Da Prince and Hood (no epithet suffices) in getting the Jukes set up and producing great sound in an awkward space.
First, the background. Bristol is an old port and trading city on our west coast, and The Fleece is a (pretty small) pub made out of the trading floor of an old wool exchange. It’s all old stone, with cast iron pillars holding up the ceiling and obstructing, not only the audience’s view and dancing, but the space on the (already tiny) stage. (At one point South came face to face with a pillar as he approached the edge of the stage and addressed it: “Hi, How’re ya doing?”)