A Little Cup of Blues

Tchai Ovna, Otago Lane

When you think of refreshments and music in Glasgow's West End you could be spoiled for choice at the range of venues available, however for an evening out with a difference I checked out Tchai Ovna in Otago Lane.It has to be said, this was the strangest venue I had encountered for a while. I wasn't even sure I had the correct place as I walked into a tiny rundown shack overlooking the river. With its ecclectic mix of seating from armchairs to deckchairs my first reaction was to turn around. However, as I was there to see Glasgow blues band Wing and a Prayer I gingerly stepped further in and found the most comfortable seat I could. I was feeling slightly uneasy as I wondered why there were 'bongs' on the tables until I realised that Tchai Ovna was famous for its worldwide teas and that not all of them came traditionally brewed in a pot. Sticking out like the visitor I was I chose some plain old breakfast tea (in a cup) and waited for the band to appear. As they came on to what could loosely be called a stage the guys, Jim and Dave set up their guitars and away they went. Kicking off with the aptly named 'Here comes the blues', a pleasant number to get you in the mood, I began to feel like I was sitting in someones messy sitting room having my own private gig. As the tea flowed, so did the music through blues tracks from various eras with no too tracks the same. The band members themselves give a long list of influences including Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder and John Martyn to name a few. My favourite track was the cover version of a 1930s track 'No matter how she done it' by late blues legend Tampa Red. That was an uplifting track and one which even never having heard it before had a comfortable familiarity about it. The guys stopped for a small break where a book reading was given by a up and coming Paisley writer; a nice change of entertainment for me. When Wing and a Prayer returned they delivered a very fine second set full of nostalgic bluesy tunes, a great bit of scottish banter and great chemistry that would put even the most hardened critic at ease. The evening showed me that you don't need fancy venues. You don't even need a happy hour or a licence for alcohol to thouroughly enjoy this night out and not unlike a recent trip I had to the Celtic Connections festival, real musical talent doesn't need any frills. I hope to visit Tchai Ovna again in the near future for more of Jim and Dave's version of the blues. Check out their music for yourself http://www.myspace.com/wingandaprayer373

Wing and a Prayer