Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Paid a visit to the Polytechnic in Middlesbrough, one evening recently. In order to be entertained by a certain Mr. George Melly, his buddy John Chilton and his band who describe themselves as The Feetwarmers. An amusing youth at the door tried in a frantic manner to convince the price of entrance was two pounds, an idea I viewed with much scepticism. After some argy bargy I paid up although quite convinced it was too much. We were in a gang of five and more concerned with the drinking at first. He came on Good time George in a striped seaside blazer and sang some amusing songs more often than not in the first person as a woman. He doesn't look like a woman - being a portly, passed middle aged man. But perhaps this mixing up of sexual identity is something not uncommon in English Jazz. The music was well played when they got the PA problems sorted that is. I can't say much more as I'm no expert on the types and manifestations of jazz. I've always enjoyed his writing (he used to be a critic for The Observer and wrote a good book en pop culture called Revolt into Style which is excellent.) and I read in last weeks edition of Punch an article by him about life on the road as a Feetwarmer and I don't understand why they want to do it at their ages. Haven't they got wives and families and firesides. I must admit to being glad in having seen them once but maybe George after five years on the road this time, it's time to call it a day. Maybe there's a vacancy at the Observer.