Glenn and the Fluffers at the Anchor and Hope

3 Responses to “Glenn and the Fluffers at the Anchor and Hope”

1. Snipturn says:

   January 16, 2010 at 3:14 pm

   A Review, sort of – Glenn and the Fluffers, Anchor and Hope – Charlton, South London

   12th Jan 2010

   I arrived at Charlton station at around 5.45pm to make the 10 min walk to the pub where Glenn was to play. There were clear skies and snow still laid on the ground which made the walk more trecherous, along with the wind which was blowing up making it feel bitterly cold. It really was a cold and dark winters night in London. After initially walking straight passed the pub, I went back, and into the warm. The pub itself is a “proper” old London pub with old wooden beams and “local” photos of The Thames, along with other marine items decorating the walls, but with modern heating, this was noted by the patio gas heater that was INSIDE and ON ;-) which made me chuckle.
   The staff were warm and very friendly to EVERYONE, and did a sterling job that would put alot of pubs to shame when it comes to service. The Gents toilets were very clean, and even offered free deodorant to anyone who wanted it – someone had left it on the window sill.
   Was just settling down with a nice pint of Guinness, next to the “stage” (I use that term loosely) there were some speakers and a “mixing desk” just left on the table, next to the stage- I was not sure if this had been set up for the show or was just the pubs own equipment that anyone could plug into if they were playing. I started to read my newspaper I had brought along when a car pulled up outside, and, looking up, I just caught the glimpse of a hat through the window, at the same time I heard someone close by say (in a real proper Sarf Lunden accent) “He’s here, quick, put one of his records on” – it was straight from the book of “Eastenders” and for a moment I though i was in the Queen Vic and it made me laugh out loud.

   Glenn came in carrying some stuff was warmly welcomed by the staff and the locals (in all, about 10 at that time)
   Managed to have a very few brief words whilst he was setting up etc – but the whole thing was REALLY good, it was just way way removed from the days when artists only appear from behind a black curtain, play, and then disappear again. It was almost like he was setting up in your own front room. After all, after what must be 30 years of listening to the vocals of Glenn and all Squeezes’ incarnations, here was the man that created all those harmonies, and with that voice too, setting up right in front of me, and supping a pint too. It doesn’t get better than that! I mean, how many times have YOU sung along to a Squeeze/Glenn tune over the years? I know for me it must be in the thousands. I tried once again to read my paper but just “had to” watch him set up as I do like the “techie” side of set up and things like that. I did ask Glenn while he was setting up “How much were the tickets” and he said it was “free”. How cool was that eh! A FREE GT/Fluffers gig. Next time I WILL remember to ask some sensible questions ;-)

   Shortly after setting up, Gill arrived with her friend and had opted for some food, which was fine but I don’t think they expected “dockers” size portions ;-). I later opted for the Scampi which I can recommend.

   Simon, Stephen and Lucy arrived at around 7.30 and were quickly set up – with Stephen using my Daily Telegraph to prop up his keyboard. The pub was now quickly starting to fill and the stage space was reduced somewhat further, but that was fine and its what its all about really I guess when it comes to playing in a pub.

   The band struck up at 8.12pm with “Through the Net” as a “sound check” and then at 9.03pm Glenn kicked off the main set with Harper Valley PTA. Sorry for those who like em, but I’m afraid I don’t normally make full set lists. The pubs audience had now grown, and was alot busier than last week, according to Gill, – OK, it was packed. They were even standing on the seats all along the “front” of the pub just to get a view. The band played for around 45 mins and included Black Sheep, along with a cover version of Stevie Wonders “For Once In My Life” too which I really enjoyed (along with everyone else too).

   The band then took a 15 min break and Glenn returned to the stage at 10.15pm to perform “Mess Around” after which he was joined again by the band, returning to the “Stage”and playing “Still” followed later by another Stevie Wonder track, “I Wish” This was then followed by Slap and Tickle and Labelled with love. During the 2nd half of the set Glenn announced that the band would be back next week and then, quite spontaneously I think, whilst shooting a glance behind the bar at the staff, announced that they would also be back – the Tuesday after too – which seemed to be “agreed” – the set then continued with Labelled with Love, Tempted and Through the Net, (my request ;-)

   The penultimate song was a 17 min version of Take Me I’m Yours, in which the band included a small “jam” mainly between Glenn and Stephen but also went onto include “Funky Town”, Simon’s “I believe I Can Fly” and “I could be so good for you” and Glenn singing a clip from David Bowie’s – “Lets Dance” thrown in, which the crowd loved.

   The set finished at 11.18 with Black Coffee In Bed and Glenn saying “See you next Tuesday”

   As quickly as it had started, it was all over.

   Just quickly time to grab a couple of signatures for my Fluffers CD (I kept forgetting it) before the long, cold 30 min walk back to the tube station with Gill and her friend, all along the banks of The Thames this time, even if it is mainly industrial, luckily for me, Gill knew the route. This was welcomed as I had missed my last train as the band were still playing when it left, and besides I was enjoying myself too much to care – Luckily on leaving the pub, the wind had dropped but it was still cold – just not so bitter – even with the cold weather I would not have missed it – and have to say it was an excellent night which was not only enjoyed by myself and the listers but also all the “regulars who mainly sang along to all the “classics” which was fine. Manged to catch the last tube with no problems, arriving home in the early hours, after trudging back through the Snow and Ice from the station.
   This was a BRILLIANT evening and I highly recommend you make it if you can – you won’t be disappointed.

   Youtube – Clips
   Here’s one of my clips from the night http://www.youtube.com/snipturn#p/u/5/JTLjn9MkzOk

   …and finally, I hope you have enjoyed this “review” – its not professional – just the evening as I saw it, from a fans view – Many thanks to everyone who was there and made it such an enjoyable evening.

   Anchor and Hope,
   2, Riverside Walk, Anchor and Hope Lane, London, SE7 7SS

   Cheers
   Snipturn

   Reply
   • packetofthree says:

     January 16, 2010 at 3:20 pm

     Perfect! Amazing review Snipturn – thanks for letting us all know what it was like – and the video clip is just great! Highly recommended.

     Reply
2. packetofthree says:

   January 25, 2010 at 10:39 pm

   There’s another Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers acoustic show at the Anchor and Hope, Riverside, Charlton, SE7 on Tuesday 26th January. The show starts at 8pm.

   Reply