To celebrate 30 years of great acts at The Processed Pea Folk Club, MUNGO JERRY were asked to return to the scene of some of their most memorable gigs in recent years. Located in a village called Etton which is somewhere between York and Hull and to be more precise, in a pub called The Light Dragoon, the ‘Pea’ gigs are a magnet for a lot of MUNGO fans and it was great to see many of you there. As a previous “Pea’ poster proclaimed, MUNGO were - "back to their stomping, skiffle-bluesy, rock ‘n roll roots again" with the band line-up this time consisting of MICK FRAMPTON on percussion, guitar and backing vocals and of course Ray himself. When I say that Ray was backed by Mick alone, that’s not strictly true. They were joined on stage for most of the gig by THE DOG HOUSE SKIFFLE GROUP, a trio who we were told met up with Ray and Mick only a half hour before going on. Playing acoustic guitar, washboard and tea chest bass the overall sound and effect was unbelievable, a real throwback to yesteryear. The boys had me thinking of the old movie, ‘Deliverance’, with their hillbilly appearance but seriously, I’m not taking the P…, they were great!

The set included some old favourites and a lot of ‘new’ numbers, many of which appear on the 'NO FRILLS' CD. We can remain eternally grateful to JIM SMITH who took his camcorder to the gig and got most of it down on video. Jim, a fan club member from the Derby area kindly sent me a copy - it looks pretty good - and using it as a reminder, here is the (almost complete) running order with the songs performed with THE DOG HOUSE SKIFFLE GROUP in green.

They also played 'MIGHTY MAN' to close the show - just like old times but it wasn't on my copy of the video, but who's complaining.

'STACKOLEE'/ 'WE SHALL BE FREE'/ 'IN THE SUMMERTIME'/ 'DEAD OR ALIVE'/ 'THE SUN IS SHINING'/ 'AIN’T YOU GLAD'/'BRING A LITTLE WATER SYLVIE'/ 'JESSE JAMES'/ 'ROCK ISLAND LINE'
Interval

'MIDNIGHT SPECIAL'/ 'LADY ROSE'/ 'FEELS LIKE I’M IN LOVE'/ 'TEN LITTLE WOMEN'/ 'KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HER'/ 'JEAN HARLOW'/ 'BOTTLE UP & GO'/'JOHN HENRY'/ 'DUST PNEUMONIA BLUES'/ 'BLACK GIRL'/ 'SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES'/ 'HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS'/ 'DON’T YOU ROCK ME DADDYO'/ 'IN THE SUMMERTIME'.

It is now coming up to my thirtieth year as a professional in the music business, so I want to say a big thank you for all of your interest and support. As the time goes by, I tend to reminisce about the ups and downs I have experienced. On my travels, I have learnt many things about life, I have seen the best and the worst and my conclusions are very simple, the most important thing in anybody's life is good health for themselves, and of course those around them, in fact for everybody.

I have taken lots of 'stick' from the media in the past, many negative comments and reviews about the MUNGO gigs and recordings were published, but it has now gone full circle and the majority of what is written and said about the MUNGO stuff is positive. Once again, thanks for the support. However, it does not matter what anybody writes or says about me, or anyone else for that matter. For example, I could be called an ignorant, talentless individual, but these words will not harm me or shorten my life unless I chose to let them. I have learnt that everything is, as it is perceived, words can do nothing to you unless you allow them to. Therefore, any detrimental remark, etc can be shrugged off/ignored. To quote a phrase, the quality of your life depends on the quality of your communication. In this case above, it would be the quality of communication to myself.

I want to say thanks to everybody that has followed my career for the past few years or so, and if you are ever around at a gig, always let me know, don't be shy to come and say hello and have a chat, etc. It would be good now to get into some debates and interactive discussions with everybody in the International Fan Club about music, its quality and use today, also its future as far as new technology goes. It would also be interesting to see what your views on other matters for example: What do you think about? The NHS, the tax system, TV and radio licensing, pollution, Radio 1 and B.B.C radio in general, blood sports, education, public transport, new technology, prices of food and goods, health and fitness and food additives, law, order and punishment, decriminalisation of cannabis use, is your personal freedom being eradicated? Is the courting of the media to advertisers reducing the quality of newspapers, periodicals, TV and radio programmes? Etc, etc.

BYRON, PLATO & PAUL are doing some other things now, so please join me and wish them luck. JAMES DAVIS has currently taken on the role of drummer and MATT ROUND is providing bass, Matt also works with DINO BAPTISTE who played keyboards on the 'OLD SHOES, NEW JEANS' album. Both have been working with STEVE JONES who makes a welcome return to the band.

We are now thinking hard about what to do about the thirty year anniversary, got any good ideas?

Cheers for now.

HAVE A ROCKIN' GOOD CHRISTMAS & BOOGIE INTO THE NEW YEAR!

RAY DORSET.