I hadn’t seen these 2 bands play since February 23, 2020 & that was also a Way Out West show. In the past the system has been Spectrum in the first half; Madder Lake in the second half. But on Sunday that was reversed.

Spectrum played many of the songs the audience would be expecting including Lottery, Keep On Dancing … I was surprised that I’ll Be Gone was in the latter section of the set but not one of the very last songs.

Brenden Mason, the newest member of Spectrum is looking more comfortable playing from the Spectrum songbook. Once again he’d created a naughty-corner with Hammond-player Daryl. Brenden brings such energy to the band, has such an expressive face & always looks as though he is enjoying himself.

The Newport Bowls Club is a great venue with a proper dance floor. People got up to dance. Mike veered from the set list to keep people dancing. He abandoned his guitar & as he had enough backing from the other 4 (bassist Broc, Brenden, Daryl & drummer Robbo) he could. He moved forward & sang with a hand mike; something I can’t recall him doing any other time during the last 5 or 6 years.

Their last song was Esmerelda then Mike introduced the band, signing off by calling himself My Crudd. But then the host from the blues club insisted on just one more song …