I have got a very special relationship with Groningen. I grew up right there. I was born in a very small village somewhere in the middle of the Dutch polders, but moved to this beautiful town in the north of Holland to study. When I was eighteen years old ( that's how my song Blue Sky starts) I sang there in my first band. Well, the first band was a band on a farm (sort of) and they played blues. I didn't understand anything about it, I just finished my trip through Europe and had sang folk ballads in the streets of any Europian town. But no blues... I remember two names of musicians this band: Lex and Harry. I think they thought I was really weird, I was a lost minded hippie at that time :) But anyway, after that one hour experience with blues I sang in several folkbands. In Groningen it was very easy to meet musicians. You go to the library and there was a large bulletin board with advertisements of seeking musicians. Meeting musicians is a good way to meet Groningen. However, I had to leave town after 18 years to get myself together in Amsterdam and it took me another 10 years to get back and play my songs again. Last night I played in café Marleen.
It was a little bit tricky, we had our first rehearsel with the four of us just that same afternoon and we played a few songs we never had played before, but i think we did a pretty good job that night.
Next gig with these musicians will be at Kingsday in Amsterdam (also my birthday, by the way :) )
BartenderAfter our two sets Manuel played together with Marcel and Leonieke, they call themselves Lenny Junior, and they were really great. I had a very nice evening last night. Thanks to all musicians and Marleen of café Marleen.
