Cameras & Rizdales

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On Saturday my friend Bill and I went in to London for the London Vintage Camera Show. We had breakfast at Richies and were at the camera show by very early afternoon. I had been before, Bill hadn't, we're both rather silly about old camera gear. Too silly on my part, I've come home with another lens, this one needs work, and Kate has put me on a bread and water penance for the rest of the month. Our No. 1 son says I have GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) — guilty as charged. Bill wisely set himself a budget, bought a couple of camera straps, and lusted after a 300mm f2.8 until he discovered the weight and the impact it would have on his budget.

Anyways, enough about camera gear. The other, perhaps more important adventure in the city was to see The Rizdales at the Richmond Tavern at Richmond & King. They are a country band led by a husband and wife duo — Tom and Tara Dunphy. This is a regular monthly gig for them and has been for years. Bill and I arrived early, parked underground at the Covent Gardens Market, and got good seats. Kate and I have been other times when it's been packed; today was not so busy. Kate drove in by herself and arrived a bit later (she has no urge to hang around camera shows or share a bacon and eggs breakfast). I drove home with Kate. Bill is new to the area and had not been to the Richmond or seen a show by the Rizdales. I promised him it would be fun with excellent music ... if you like country and honky tonk.

Bill was not disappointed. There was lots of classic country all done very well. A 3:00 show is really nice for geezers like us who aren't up for late night shenanigans. Bill caught the first set and headed home; Kate arrived during the first set and we stayed for a while into the second set before we ducked out.

The Richmond Tavern, at least for the Rizdales show, has a bit neighborhood pub feel. Bev Camp was there (the Dancing Cowboy is always there) and I chatted up Fred Smith a bit — he has a country music show on CHRW, Radio Western, every Wednesday. He introduced us to Bev, but we had already met and knew him through his son Sean who is a photographer around St Marys. Staff at the bar were very friendly and welcoming. Drinks were plentiful and not too pricey.  It's a bit of an older group today; the punks come out at night. The Thames Rivieras are up this Friday evening with the Bin Men — that will be a different demographic ... LoL!

Tom and Tara said greeted us as we entered. Tom even called me out during the first set — "who is into Western Swing? Reg you must be!". I was talking to Tom between sets and explained how we happened to be in town today — "I collect cameras as you've probably guessed".  I took a few pictures and brought a bag of gear with me. I've often shared photos with them like the ones in the album above.

We've been long time fans of the Rizdales. They have quite a few CD's of original work (I'm especially keen on "High Heeled Home Wrecker" from Radio Country, 2007). But today it's mostly classic country including songs by Ray Price (they did a tribute album covering his music with "Blue Ain't the Word" 2014), Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, etc. You can dig through this blog to find more of our stories going back years.

Today's band lineup has Larry Smith on guitar replacing Blair Heddle (just for today). Tara and Larry sometime perform together; but, it's more as a folk duo. Tara also plays with Maggie's Wake, a celtic folk ensemble. Tom is singing and playing acoustic with Oscar Macedo on bass. Tom has a monthly Country Classic gig at the Richmond where you often see him on stand-up bass. Oscar play around town in some punkish bands. Brad Lavard is on drums; like Oscar we see him around town in some punkish bands (like '63 Monroe).

It was a fun afternoon for all three of us. We've introduced Bill to one of the best bars for live music in London. We'll be back.