May 15th 2008.. MEL PAUL and MARY LACEY
Every show from Mel and Mary is a party night concert, but tonight's was extra special as surprise guests were invited to perform a few songs.
As always, for each of their three sessions, they donned different immaculate outfits and delivered their songs with warmth, fun and sincerity as appropriate.
Songs tonight included Mark Knopfler / Emmy Lou Harris's, This Is Us, Joni Harms', We Work It Out, Crystal Gayle's, Down That Wrong Road Again, and Darryl Worley's, I Need A Breather, all from their first spot.
Surprise number one followed when the Jerry Williams Duo from West Bromwich took centre stage. Jerry and Spade gave us five songs including Collin Rayes, You Can't Take It with You, George strait's, The Cowboy Rides Away and The Mavericks', There Goes My Heart.
For the second part of the show , mel took lead vocals on, Memories Are Made Of This, then Mary gave us, South Of Red Rock Texas, Suds In The Bucket and for the second surprise invited Tony Martyn to accompany her in, He Drinks Tequila.
Lots of songs followed, dancers filled the floor, listeners joined in with their singing and Mel and Mary concluded another super evening's entertainment with the excellent Chet Atkins / Suzy Bogguss number, One More For The Road.
November 22nd 2007.... MEL PAUL and MARY LACEY
One of the most popular acts to grace our club, Mel and Mary always create a party atmostphere at any of their concerts. Always immaculately dressed, their presentation is lively and full of fun.
As usual their show included songs old and new, generally appropriate for dancing or listening to, and lots to join in with if you are well inclined to do so.
Tonight's programme included Don Williams', Shelter Of Your Arms, Patti Page's, Tennessee Waltz, Lorrie Morgan's, Do You Still Want To Buy Me That Drink ( Frank), Mark Knoffler and Emmylou Harris', Love and Happiness, Julie Robert's, Unlove Me, Karl Denver's, Voices of the Highlands, Jonie Harms', Catalogue Dreams, Colin Raye's, In This Life, Miranda Lambert's, I Can't Be Bothered and Garth Brooks', If Tomorrow Never Comes.
All numbers, as always, were delivered in fine style and received appreciative applause from our members.
May 3rd 2007... MEL PAUL and MARY LACEY
Tonight must have been one of the most enjoyable we have had at Shobnall. Mel and Mary in their usual way created a party atmostphere from their very first number. This was most appropriate as one of our regulars Tony was celebrating his 65th Birthdayand he had invited his family and friends from the nearby Arizona Drifters to join in the celebration.
Tony's partner Vera organised a most splendid buffet and capacity crowd wined, dined and participated in the super show all
The concert itself was a lovely mix of old and new songs, all suitable for Line / Partner Dancing, joining in with or just sitting back and listening to. Older songs included Crystal Gayle's, Wrong Road Again, The Jimmy Kennedy / Michael Carr classic, South Of The Border, a hit for Clay Baker and The Texas Honky - Tonk Band as recently as 1987, Marty Robbins', My Woman, My Woman, My Wife, and Don Williams', You're My Best Friend.
More recent songs included Joni Harms', Tear It Up, Rodney Crowell's No 1 hit from 1989, She's Crazy For Leavin', Steve Warriner's , Two Teardrops, Nancy Hays's, Dance with Me, Sara Evans', Suds In my Bucket, and Ricky Van Shelton's, I've Cried My Last Tear For You.
As is their custom Mel and Mary also included several Irish songs, some not heard often on the circuit. Amongst these were Fran O'Dwyer's, I Will Love You and The Clock On The Wall, both recorded by Brendon Shine, Pete St John's, The Fields Of Athenry, and the popular, Hometown On The Foyle, which has been covered by many including, Daniel O' Donnell and Hugo Duncan.
English composers were not forgotten as Mel and Mary gave us Froggy's, Somewhere Under The Sun, Alan Cameran's, A Single Red Rose and a personal favourite of mine from the catalogue of Geordie Allan Taylor, It's Good To See You, which incidentally has been recorded by Nana Mouskouri, Don Williams and the Furey's also.
The evening was brought to a superb ending with the upbeat Sammy King song, Penny Arcade, followed by the gentle ballad, White Rose Of Athens, a hit for the aforementioned Nana.
With shows such as this, one can easily see why Mel and Mary are so highly regarded and so popular on the music circuit.
May 18th 2006 MEL PAUL and MARY LACEY
As expected, we had a full house for tonight's show and immediately Mel and Mary started their first song, Isla Grant's, A Dream Come True, a party atmosphere evolved. An invitation to participate in their accompaniment with a tambourine, maracas etc was taken up by several members of the audience during the evening.
Both Line and Partner dancers were kept busy. The former filled the floor to, Playing Every Honky Tonk In Town, One Night At A Time, Two Steppin' Texas Blue and We Work It Out, I Walk The Line-Revisited and I Need A Breather.
Couples especially enjoyed, Working Man, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, There's No Heart So Strong, Crazy, I Won't Forget You, and He'll Have To Go.
For Penny Arcade, Mary led a long line of members round the room and the climax of the evening came with the final song, Making Friends, when almost the entire audience joined in the finale.
With shows like this it's easy to understand why this couple are so popular.
Cyril Insley.
December 22nd 2005
MEL PAUL and MARY LACEY
It was a special occaision this evening as it was our Christmas party night and to provide the entertainment and join in the festivities, we invited Mel and Mary from nearby Newhall in South Derbyshire .
One of the most popular acts in this part of the world, it was inevitable that a full house would be achieved.
As is their custom, Mel and Mary were attired in sartorial splendour changing their immaculate outfits for each of three acts.
Just as splendid and enjoyable was the music and fun they provided. They gave us a lively uptempo numbers, ;lovely lilting ballads, old and new, and seasonal Christmas songs too.
Starting with ' The Union Mare and Confederate Grey', they soon had the dancers on their feetand filled the floor for most of the evening to songs from Hal Ketcham, Heather Myles, Joni Harms, George Strait and Rodney Crowell to name but a few.
Mel did his Daniel impression and Mary emulated Dolly Parton to add more variety to the show.The climax however was devoted to Christmas as they got the packed crowd joining in with ' Winter Wonderland', ' I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus', and Slade's ' Merry Christmas Everybody'.
Once again we had wonderful entertainment all night and a party to remember.
Cyril Insley.
May 5th 2005 MEL PAUL and MARY LACEY
Tonight's capacity audience was testimonial to the popularity that this duo has with Northern Renegades members. So enjoyable are their shows that almost everyone in the club stayed to the end, and what a splendid show it was again.
Immaculately dressed, and differently, for each of the three sessions, Mel and Mary as usual provided great entertainment for dancers and listeners alike.
They always provide a good mix of up tempo numbers, waltzes and ballads so that everyone can join in, just sit and listen or take to the floor as one wishes.
Tonight's classic country songs included numbers recorded by Tammy Wynnette, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Roy Orbison.
As a fan of Heather Myles, Mary gave us several of her songs including ' Broken Heart For Sale', ' Every Honky- Tonk In Town' and ' Sweet Little Dangerous'.
Other less known numbers included Mick Flavin's ' Just Pretending', Slim Whitman's ' More Than Yesterday', Rodney Crowell's ' She's Crazy For Leaving', Lorrie Morgan's ' If You Came Back From Heaven' and Jan Howard's ' My Son'.
Mel excelled on guitar for every number, and both gave us great vocals to provide another super evening's entertainment.
Cyril Insley
Thursday October 28th 2004 Mel Paul & Mary Lacey
The size of the audience, more often than not, can be a good indication of an artist's popularity. Each time this local duo makes an appearance here, a full house is guaranteed, and so it was tonight for Mel and Mary's show.
As usual, both were attired immaculately and from the very first number they established a wonderful rapport with the audience, for tonight we had a formal presentation of the order of the garter; Mary had forgotten to put hers on, so local fan Tony had to lend her one he had acquired in a charity auction. As he ceremoniously fitted the garment, Mary quipped, in the words of Billy Fury's song that she could only take him 'Halfway to Paradise'
Once again we had a lovely mix of older and newer country with a little Irish thrown in for good measure. New to me was ' Come Dance With Me' which Mary assures me is from Nancy Hayes, a name i'm not familiar with, and a song covered by Mick Flavin Pretending Your Not You. 'Other less frequently heard numbers included Rodney Crowell's ' She's Crazy For Leavin', Hal Ketchum's ' Vale of Tears', Tammy Wynette's ' I Don't Wanna Play House' and ' Let's Dance' from Declan Nerney's repertoire.
Special mention must be made of Mel for his excellent guitar work on 'Silver Wings', ' My Baby Thinks He's A Train'. ‘I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried' and 'Salt In My Tears' especially.
As before, all kinds of dancing were catered for and the floor was regularly filled all evening.
After several encores, for their final, Finale, they treated us to a medley of Folk and Irish songs followed by Mel's inspiration 'Unchained Melody', enabling the audience to go home in a joyous mood.
Cyril Insley Top
September 11th 2004 Mel Paul & Mary Lacey
Tonight's visiting entertainers are one of the most popular acts to perform in our club. In the two years or so they have resided in our locality they have acquired a substantial following and support.
They have been together for twelve years having met when in the same band ' Mel's Fargo .' Mel was brought up in the West Midlands and has always been involved in music, mainly in the earlier days as a member of dance bands. Mary, born in Belfast , loved to sing at home as a girl, matured on karaoke's and started her professional career in Mel's band.
Mel is an excellent guitarist and occasionally takes lead vocals. Mary, however, has the lion's share of the singing and is responsible for the introductions etc. to the songs.
The first thing you notice about this duo is their immaculate dress. Not only do they have a different outfit for each of the three acts they perform but their costumes are carefully chosen to compliment each other.
From their first song, 'The Union Mare' sung by Mel, we knew we were in for a special night as Mary broke into a lovely dance routine, showing her customary garter. From then on it was music, mirth and merriment all the evening, including plenty of audience participation. Throughout the evening we had a wonderful mix of ballads, lively dance tunes and a treat to one of Mary's jokes.
Dance favourites included 'Just Call Me Lonesome' 'Lovin' all Night' with Janet and Anita from the audience ( visiting with friends from the Arizona Drifters C.W.C.) playing a marvellous tambourine accompaniment, and ' Down Louisiana Way .' Beautiful ballads like Lorrie Morgan's ' Come Down From Heaven' Joni Harms' ' A Heart so strong' Tammy's 'Till I Can Make It On My Own' and Dolly's 'Yellow Roses' were sung. Incidentally the last song initiated the presentation of one such flower from Tony in the Audience.
We even had a hoedown to the song 'Katy Daly' a linked arm circle for ' Making Friends' Rock and Roll to Heather Myles' 'Sweet Little Dangerous' and a packed floor of smoochers for 'I will Always love You'.
The final of several encores eventually brought this wonderful evening to a close with everyone singing or clapping to that favourite gospel number 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken'
As we have come to expect, Mel and Mary provided a full evening of splendid entertainment, a tribute to their dedication and professionalism.
Cyril Insley Top
12th February 2004 Mel Paul and Mary Lacey
It was a welcome return tonight for the dynamic duo, Mel Paul and Mary Lacey now resident in South Derbyshire, they have acquired a substantial local following and the full house was testament to this.
Their professionalism strikes you as they walk on stage, immaculately dressed three times in outfits as splendid as any at 'The Grand Ole Opry' their performance too is just as dazzling. Mary with her unbounding energetic vocals and Mel with his excellent guitar and vocal support.
Their programme was mainly up-tempo, relatively modern numbers which suited the line dancers especially. Rodney Crowell's 'Lovin' All Night' Heather Myles' 'Sweet Little Dangerous' Radney Foster's 'Just Call Me Lonesome' for example.
Knowing that Mary originates from Belfast, it was no surprise to hear Irish songs 'Fields of Athenry' and' Green Glens of Antrim' amongst them.
Traditional country fans too were not forgotten as the Duo gave us 'Merle Haggard's 'Somewhere Between' Skeeter Davis' 'End of the World' and Tammy Wynette's emotional 'Till I can make it on Own' amongst others.
A wonderful night's entertainment was enjoyed by all. Their presentation was enhanced by Mary's rapport and repartee with the audience and the occasional witty exchange with a dead pan Mel. Many an act could learn a lot from this accomplished Duo.
Cyril Insley. Top
