Some "live" entertainment can make all the difference to a night out - bring it on I say.
I am one of those who is totally incapable of singing a single note in tune and so don't
feel qualified to criticise the singing of any one who gets up and gives it a go in front of a
crowd. For me most of the enjoyment comes from soaking up the atmosphere. (and you
have to accept that Tom Jones is not going to be appearing in Calis)
The reason for my post (an this is not directed at any one in particular) is to suggest that if
you are going to play to an audience you should play to EVERYONE not just your own
table and friends.
I have seen so many amateurs who get up and then spend most of their performance
having little private running jokes and conversations on the microphone with their family
and mates on a few selected tables.
Saying "Hello Norman - how's the headache this morning ?" half way through a
rendition of The Green,Green Grass of Home is hilarious if you know what Norman was
getting up to the night before, but not very funny if you have never met Norman. This sort
of thing is mildy funny once - but a whole evening of it is a big turn off and makes me
feel in some way that the performance is almost a private one.
In fact, I have noticed that performers who constantly indulge in this sort of thing
eventually just loose the interest of the rest of the audience. I saw one poor soul in a
restaurant in Calis (no names) who had crowds walking past him to go the loo while he
was singing and most of the audience just weren't watching or listening. Applause was no
more than a polite occassional ripple although the performance was half decent. His
family were having a great time tho' .
I think it was Cliff Richard who said that a successful performance is one when everyone
goes home feeling that they have been a part of the performance.
So please - keep on singing, keep on performing, keep on entertaining, but please make it
for everyone, connect to the whole audience, let everyone enjoy it, get everyone involved,
send everyone home happy. You'll probably sell more CD's if you do.
