Dave's in town- and better than ever

It's no secret how much we love Lonesome Dave Ferguson's sound, he's home for some gigs- fresh from international fame and hopefully a bit of fortune.

It's been a cruel year, invites to gigs at London pubs with cool names like- Filthy Macnasty's.

He's been home for November and we finally caught up with him at his old Friday haunt- the Granddaddy Hotel Rooftop Trailerpark-  it all seems to come together perfectly there, surrounded by the silver airstreams with the sun setting on Cape Town.

What we didn't expect was the new improved Lonesome Dave.... impossible you say and we thought, but here is a stronger, more confident, chatty, kick-ass Dave with some great new songs- what a treat!

I read that Counting Crows, offered him cash bucks to extend his set-  see what I mean?

Catch him while you still can,  he's playing at  The Table Mountain Blues Summit just after our legendary buddy Piet Botha and the Lyzyrd Kyngs and rumour has it he's playing new year's eve at the very fabulous Barrydale Hotel.

drive by- drive home

Diaz, Kimberley hotel, Dave and Them tornados

Bright city lights- not our Cape Town, not this part of town,

Like someone who has seen it all, subtle and forgiving, dark corners accepted and secrets a given.

Dinner at the Diaz with the renaissance couple- (remember the cool Barrydale hotel)- great start to the evening, this time overflowing, see it quieter here, exuberant party table in the centre, a Stormers win on the telly and Trinchado to die for.

Not forgetting an unlikely trio in the corner that belted out a kick-ass 'Walk the line' - then we were off to hear Dave Ferguson's familiar version at the Kimberley Hotel.

The end of Dave's whirlwind visit and as always a roof-raising send off.

We arrived to the great sound of Long time Citizen, then the balcony cleared to hear Dave, sadly only a glimpse of his head- but we've seen him plenty.

Somehow missed Wind up Wanda- too much balcony hanging...next time. Them Tornados arrived with a flourish, the art teacher standing on the couch for a pic by this stage.

A gorgeous wee bit of a lass joined them for a few songs-  no mistaking the chemistry with the front man, but perhaps a trio is best for a while longer.

A very satisfied drive by- drive home

Saturday night in Plumstead

Lower those eyebrows and stop laughing! What made us cross the main road?

Dave Ferguson - back home for a whirlwind of gigs including one at The Jolly Roger . 

Always game for something different, I decided that if we were going to do Plumstead, then we should do it properly and booked dinner across the road at Pirates steakhouse.

Guess what, the place was packed, seating 110 pax, they are doing something right.
Turned out to be the best steak that the art teacher has had in a long time, tender, juicy, tasty and served the old fashioned way with spinach and butternut, at old fashioned prices.
Love that they support local musicians with live music every night.

Over the road and up the stairs to The Jolly Roger..... you're wondering about this strange nautical theme happening in Plumstead Main road- me too.

The pub was also hosting an impressive exhibition by The body architects tattoo studio.
There was an eclectic crowd waiting, Plumstead locals, rockabilly's, the beautiful tattooed and Dave Ferguson followers.
By 10 pm, it was packed and the wooden floors were jumping.
Drinks at great prices, check out their facebook page, they have a rocking line up of live music.

lovely lady at whose table we sat- her tattoo says- Freedom, tolerance, respect

The verdict.........is Plumstead the new Woodstock? I think we might be onto something here.


Heads up-  Dave Ferguson is playing at our favourite Hotel  The Barrydale Karoo Hotel first weekend in December and they are following that with a New Years celebration of note, Them Tornados- you know where you need to be this December!

ROCKABILLY MAGIC AT THE HARLEY DAVIDSON CLUB

Great venue, behind us the crowd spilled onto the outside smoking area, cordoned off  by cars- on the left a 'braai-area'!

It rarely gets better than Saturday night, just gone 9 pm and already the Harley Davidson club was pulsing with a spectacular cross section of beautiful people- hipsters, rockabilly chicks, goths, easy riders, housewives, bankers, young and old, all coming together for one spectacular party..... but none of us would have expected anything less from the sensational line-up- Them Tornados, Dave Ferguson and Peachy Keen - Dave Ferguson's farewell concert. (..shedding a tear here..)

Loved this gorgeous couple- coveted so many pairs of shoes last night and don't even get me started on the stockings, by the time I'd stopped the 2nd girl to ask where she'd got them, I gave up- overseas, was always the reply.

First up- Peachy Keen, my first time- great band, 2 gorgeous blondes up front, gave me shivers when they sang ' I shot a man down' .....fantastic! Have a listen their facebook page.

Gorgeous Sassy blondes

Next up- Dave Ferguson.... (fans who missed Saturday- yes, you guys just back from afrikaburn- avert your eyes now)...... he played like the freshly resurrected, like we've never heard before- I could feel it in my bones.

Love the belt and pants- always the dresser

Lastly, the rock stars- Them Tornados..... just look at those pics, no denying it, those boys ooze it and by the time they get to 'she drives me crazy' the crowd is wild. We've seen them play at Albert Hall and Jo'burg bar, but there was something special about last night...

Si Perry- don't you love that Bass

Ian Arrow- he owns that stage

Matthew Ferguson- you have to see him in action with those drums-wow

Close-up of the ink

I don't even want to mention when Dave played with them, its too bitter- sweet. Oh the joy of it and the loss of it!

Match made in heaven

What can I say- come back quickly Dave, so we can do it all again, we'll all be waiting.

'LA DOLCE VITA' DAVE

Lonesome Dave Ferguson and his harp

Friday found us on the roof of the Granddaddy Hotel, crowded between the silver airstreams, swinging and cheering for Dave Ferguson. It was his last performance after many sultry friday nights in this unique setting.  He 'wowed' us! Played 'White girl' tighter and more complex than we've ever heard, with a marathon finish, happily, faan recorded it, we'll upload it soon, so everyone can enjoy.
I heard Dave is off to Italy.......'La Dolce Vita' Dave- we'll miss you.....

Saturday was perfect for an impromptu lunch party- all great friends we hadn't seen in awhile, bless them for  coming at such short notice. We caught the last warming autumn sunshine, ate, drank, played a bit more boules..... I know, but it's such fun and everyone can throw a ball, although on this occasion, Bruce 'out threw' the rest of us! Some stayed until the fires that were lit, were spent...

My boot-sale find- the perfect ice bowl

Sunny yellow roses that blossomed in the natural light

Full table of  good friends

Last men standing!

The rest of the weekend was spent 'lying-low'  with a few books -my bedside table piled high with Ferrero Roche, that the generous Easter bunny brought me... a different kind of  'la dolce vita' .