The last BUDSUCS stand-up comedy night ended on a high, with Stephen Grant making a return to the stage. This is probably the third time I have seen him, and laughed non-stop again. In the future, Howard Cohen will be organising some English stand-up events, including Brian Higgins on March 23rd, Hattie Hayridge (the computer on the amazing British sci-fi tv series Red Dwarf) on April 12th, and Geoff Whiting on May 11th. More details at http://www.babybluebanana.com/6.html

Michael Kentish, the great singer-songwriter from the UK played at Treehugger Dan's again last night. Besides the great original material and covers, he is also getting more comfortable with patter between the tunes, and to my positive amazement, even asked for audience participation on one song. Careful Mike, you might turn into a folkie soon. The first set included some of my favorite Kentish-penned Random Chocolate tunes such as "Home Whenever," "Pure," (which I often sing to myself) and the gorgeous "Gift Exchange;" as well as a Billy Bragg song by my request, "A New England." The second set included two particularly good, and rare, covers; "Peg" (Steely Dan) and "Last Train to Clarkesville" (The Monkees). David Asztalos, drummer with The Random Chocolates came out from behind the drums and gave us a few sweet tunes on guitar.

First set:
1.        Home Wherever
2.        Gift Exchange
3.        A New England (Billy Bragg)
4.        Pure
5.        Why Does It Always Rain on Me? (Travis)
6.        The Trip, The Bell & The Salutation

Interval:
7.        Roll with it (Oasis)

Second set:
8.        Charlotte
9.        Peg (Steely Dan)
10.        Lost in Time
11.        Balkan Brass (at Jon G's request!)
12.        Empty Heaven
13.        Last Train to Clarkesville (The Monkees)
14.        Eloise (Barry Ryan, also covered by The Damned)
with Asztalos Dávid
15.        Two of Us (The Beatles)
16.        Mookie Brando
17.        Prodigal Son (The Rolling Stones)

Encore:
18.        Bron-yr-aur Stomp (Led Zeppelin)