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The Porchester Halls, London

14 September 2006 2,548 views No Comment

Set-List:
I’m Your Witchdoctor, What Is And What Should Never Be, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Crawling Up A Hill, For What It’s Worth, Ramble On and Good Times Bad Times.
Encore: Help Me

Reviews:

THE SUNFLOWER JAM

On Thursday 14 th September 2006, a fabulously unique and intimate rock ‘n’ roll charity evening of dinner and musical entertainment for 350 select guests took place at The Porchester Halls, London W2 in aid of the Complementary Therapy Team working within cancer services at UCLH, raising funds for The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust which is supported by HRH The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health. The inaugural event of The Sunflower Jam was a resounding success with a great time being had by all as well as awareness raised for complementary therapies and a substantial amount of money for the charity.

With fans and photographers gathered outside the venue, the evening started with a Burlesque Champagne Reception on the Grand Staircase sponsored by Merchant Wines of Henley as guests made their way in to the

rock ‘n’ roll themed main hall, past display boards explaining the support given to patients, families and staff by the therapists involved with The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust.

In the glitzy rock ‘n’ roll style hall, guests were able to view the work of Painter Craig Kilford , displayed by the stage and see where he had set up to paint later in the evening as part of the gig itself and his ongoing project – ‘Its only rock n roll (and I paint it)’ before settling down at the Sunflower themed dining tables.

The main event itself started with sets from Papa George’s Band and a tantalisingly sensual performance from the beautiful Burlesque Queen, Gwendoline Lamour ; recorded for posterity, as was the whole evening, by photographer Fin Costello, whilst a delicious organic dinner prepared by Paul Clerehugh for The Crooked Billet, was served.

Menu: Starter of “Sunflower Salad”: King Prawn Caesar, Avocado, Little Gem, Herb Crouton, shaved Parmesan and Classical Dressing, followed by main course “Sunflower Comfort”: Shepherd’s Pie, Houses of Parliament Sauce, Char grilled Asparagus and Garden Vegetable Salad with Free Range Organic Dorset Downs Lamb from Her Majesty’s Crown Estates, followed by “Sunflower Jam” Dessert: Raspberry Tartlet, Dark Chocolate Sauce and Clotted Cream.

The compere for the evening, the extremely saucy and funny Kathy Lette, proceeded to link one performance or happening in the hall to the next with her witty and sometimes very rude repartee and helped the evening flow whilst upholding it’s rock ‘n’ roll sleight on the usual version of sit down dinner and musical entertainment!

A fan dance by Gwendoline Lamour covered solely in glitter and fans served as an unusual and wicked link to Angie Buxton King and Graham King, co-directors of The Sam Buxton Sunflower Healing Trust who described the work of the charity, how they met Jacky & how her idea for The Sunflower Jam was born; they thanked everyone involved and introduced Stephen Rowley, Clinical Lead for Haematology Cancer Services at UCLH , who from a clinical perspective, endorsed the belief that healing has become an integral component of the cancer treatments that patients in the wards receive and that complementary therapies are not just a luxury but an essential part of patient support. They were moving and informative speeches which were received with rapturous but respectful applause.

Next up… the raffle and auction, Sponsored by Cooper Owen, the World’s No. 1 auction house for entertainment and music collectables and presented by auctioneer for the evening, the charming Alistair Dickson. With over 700 raffle tickets sold and some high quality prizes ranging from complementary therapies and beauty treatments, a weekend hire of a new Mini Cooper, photographs of Jon Lord and Robert Plant signed by Fin Costello and tour memorabilia from pop and rock stars right through to dinner for four at two wonderful restaurants, the very glamorous Frida from Abba came on stage to pull the lucky numbers.

The auction followed with amazing lots donated both in advance of the evening and on the night itself! With on the spot donations from Jeremy Irons and Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden and a dream date with Liz McClarnon . The lots included a signed Robert Plant plaque, Sunflower Jam Band signed Gibson, Ovation and PRS guitars, Red Hot Chili Peppers signed Fender guitar, Yamaha Guitar painted by Rolf Harris , Ian Paice’s signed Pearl drums, Sir Paul McCartney’s book, Damon Hill signed limited edition print, Abba signed gift box collection, Dinner with Sir John Mortimer and Kathy Lette at The Wolseley, West Ham United FA Cup Final shirt signed by the whole team and the Craig Kilford self portrait painting all sold well in excess of the expected figure to raise a substantial sum for the charity boosted with a donation from Don Bernstein of The Hard Rock Café for £20K.

With the room buzzing with excitement, Katy Lette thanked everyone for their generosity and introduced the band for the finale of what had been a top quality, star studded and fun night out – 90 minutes of pure rock ‘n’ roll that had people dancing at their tables and in the aisles, it was a truly unique experience.

World renowned musicians playing as part of The Sunflower Jam included Robert Plant, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Paul Weller, Phil Manzanera, Linda Lewis, Sam Brown, Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens, Bernie Marsden, Margo Buchanan, Nick Fyffe, Mario Argandones and Aitch McRobbie and the set included a track never sung live by Led Zeppelin – Good Times Bad Times alongside a wonderful selection of tracks made famous by a rich variety of artists.

Set List and running order:

Linda Lewis:
Sideways Shuffle(Linda Lewis)
It’s In His Kiss(Betty Everett & Linda Lewis)

Bernie Marsden:
Hush (Deep Purple)

Margo Buchanan:
Black Night (Deep Purple)

Sam Brown:
Burn (Deep Purple)

Paul Weller:
Say You Don’t Mind (Denny Lane version)
Never Found A Girl (Eddie Floyd)
Feeling Alright (Joe Cocker)

Robert Plant:
I’m Your Witchdoctor (John Mayall)
What Is And What Should Never Be (Led Zeppelin)
Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
Crawling Up A Hill (John Mayall)
For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
Ramble On (Led Zeppelin)
Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin)

The Sunflower Jam
Help Me (Sonny Boy Williamson

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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