There was a an excellent crowd ready for Gerard's second night of this year's POTP mini season, and included a good number from Hartfield near to where Gerard and Jenny have a 'two up and two down' as he described it.
The show started with the sounds of Big Ben, and on a screen behind the piano, we saw the London skyline. "An American in London" was the theme for the first set.
Gerard started with In Someone else's city, and then described his early days in England in 1978. He produced a picture of the first thing he saw on BBC TV, the test card.
He then sang the war time favourite, I'm gonna get lit up and this was followed by, A nightingale sang in Berkley Square.
Next came, Punk and describes the sights he saw on an early 80's visit to the Kings Road.
Old fashioned you and I, described his and Jenny's life today. Next came that nice little earner, I could be so good for you.
Then a new song called Ann Widecombe, A very humorous song, and only slightly rude, with a hint of Tom Lehrer Another beautiful jazz classic Here's that rainy day, was followed by No place like London.
An Andrew Lloyd Webber musical show, told of the exploits of one, Dimples Daily and was another of Gerard's new comedy songs, and had everyone in stitches.
Two songs segued together, I finally got it right and I'll be seeing you brought the set to the break.
During the interval, many requests came in, but Gerard declined to sing Bohemian Rhapsody, saying that he had left his "mobile 24 track recording studio in a suitcase", at home.
And then there was a rush to try to remember the words to Too young, and could we? nope! The second set started with the first song Gerard had sung in public, Where or when, and was followed by Miss Otis regrets.
My own request and favourite song, Chocolate, was sung brilliantly, and dedicated to Lyn and Brian who had travelled with me to the Pizza.
Do I love you was sung next with such feeling and love, as always.
Two for the price of one was played for Pat Austin and her family who were seeing Gerard for the first time in many years, he had played at a birthday party for Pat's TWIN sons some twenty years or so before, so they had twins in common.
Then a few of Gerard's real favourites, Time between the time, then Too young which changed into Too Old. Summertime, Georgia and Singing in the rain came next, and he finished the set with, I Made it through the rain, and New York New York(of course).
An encore was shouted for and Gerard surprised everyone, including Rosie and Pat, with Take That's , A million love songs. With out knowing it, I had been sat on the next table to Ian Summers, who had produced Gerard's, Cole Porter album and a few other tracks. I managed a few words of hero worship with him and then had to say good bye to all, and after a long drive, eventually fell into my bed at 3.20am.
Footnote, for some time we have been trying to get a picture of the master lyricist Drey Shepherd, but with out luck. Gerard revealed that Drey's picture was on the inside cover of the 'white album' above the lyric of Words and Music. Add twenty years, just a few grey hairs and Buddy Holly dark rimmed glasses, and you have Drey Shepherd today.
Photos courtesy of Mags and Dave