I visited this gig last year some time and it was superb if a bit shambolic in terms of people talking and wandering in and out. Jazzman John was at his best. I got interviewed by a local radio reporter but who, or where from, I never discovered. I, too, recommend it.

Review is about Talking Rhythm! Poetry and Music Open Mic on 24 Jun 2013 (event)

Talking Rhythm! takes place in a cavernous back room of the Amersham Arms pub opposite New Cross station in south-east London, with a proper stage, and deep, comfortable sofas that are difficult to get out of quickly - although probably not so difficult to fall asleep in, if you’ve had a long day. However, on Monday night there were plenty of good reasons to stay awake. Guest poet AF Harrold, artfully conveying the deceptive air of a shambling academic, set the tone for the quirky, eclectic nature of the evening with his keen wit, asking members of the audience to choose random numbers to help him select his poems. Any poet who adds to the jollity of life should be cherished. Guest compere Suzanna Fitzpatrick’s poems included a pregnancy sequence, three about birds, and three “eavesdropping” ones, taking in what she described as a “now infamous” haiku. Among the open micers Scottish actor and poet Alain English gave his all with a passionate declaration in praise of artistic creativity, no matter what the price, including lack of cash or fame - “Don’t fall back, fall forward” – and a dramatic rendition of Alfred Noyes’s The Highwayman, slumping back down in the sofa after his no-holds-barred performance. Write Out Loud’s own David Andrew calmed things down for a while with three thoughtful and wide-ranging poems written during a recent break on Scotland’s inspiring Summer Isles. There was more passion and philosophical protest and rage from another guest, David Lee Morgan, although singer and guitarist Sean Bennett’s low-key approach might have benefited from making use of the mic. Harry Man came on after a fairly late break, and thanked those who had stayed on “for the night shift”. Reading from a tablet, his set included one about the history of Earth as a Facebook timeline. You did need to know a bit about fb to really appreciate it. By now, time was unfortunately getting on and I felt unable to stay for the full whack. Apologies to those who performances I missed - and thanks to Bernadette Reed and Jazzman John Clarke for inviting us to this welcoming, all-embracing venue.

Review is about Talking Rhythm! Poetry and Music Open Mic on 24 Jun 2013 (event)