Edinburgh's original open mic night

Rosie Bell

in her own words

Describe your first OOTB

Long long ago in the Waverley far away

Which OOTB performers really rock your boat?

Norman Lamont; Puggled; Roddy Renfrew - I love anything that has witty and/or clever lyrics. I like Fiona Thom as well.

What's the worst musical experience you've had?

When an accompanying guitarist's amp jammed and it made a noise like a cat being fisted in a jet engine (his words, not mine).

What do you think is your best song and why?

Seven Magpies - good tune and sad lyrics with crafted rhymes.

What's your favourite song of yours?

Don't Shag the Man on Lead Guitar - unfortunately it needs a lot of instruments to make it work

What's the best OOTB performance you've seen?

I've seen some excellent stuff - I'm especially impressed with some instrumentalists - but can't remember their names.

Your favourite song(s) of all time ?

If you asked me tomorrow I would say something completely different. Today I'll say Shine On You Crazy Diamond

The consumer question: album, book or film you've enjoyed recently.

"Enjoy" is the wrong word. But I'm reading The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright with interest and admiration.

Who would be in your fantasy band?

Richard Thomson and a guy I saw in Portugal called Gonzalez Perreira who like Richard Thomson, seemed to have another invisible person playing on his guitar. He also had lovely long curly hair. Drums - I never listen to them anyway (as drummers tell me) but there is a wee girl cutie with dreadlocks in a Dundee band that I like. A gospel choir on backing vocals. Saxophone, trombone and trumpet - anyone who can play them. Fiddle - that bloke from the Peat Bog Fairies. Bass - Matt Hill, formerly of the Dagmars, who throws his double bass in the air. Someone, anyone else but me playing keys. Groupies - I'd be okay with the said Gonzalez Perreira (for the long curly hair), Lenny Henry (who makes me laugh) and Bruce Willis (who looks as though he could put up shelves). Oh, and Bill Bailey, who I always hope to find lost in a wood so that I can take him home and keep as a pet in a big warm clean hutch.

at OOTB

(Sep 2003)
Rosie Bell hadn’t graced our venue for a while and, as her first song said, “It’s Nice To Have You Around” (or ‘her around’ but you know what I mean). This offbeat, vaudevillian love letter played using the house keyboard had a reassuring yet haunting sound at the same time. One that many people in the crowd found amusing was “The IT Support Department”. Someone desperately needed to write this song of frustration with computers and telephone helplines and Rosie did this with dramatic effect. A homage to the bedroom (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) “The Warmest Place In Scotland” finished off a pleasurable and memorable set.

(Nov 2006)
Playing piano and singing in her unique style Rosie brings her own point of view to her work. Her first song, ‘Why Don’t You Meet My Friend’, told the story that must have happened to so many people of being set up with someone unsuitable for anight out. Her second piece, ‘25 years ago’, was a lament to the lostyears of punk with a strong chorus; “needs a band of people who can’treally play, to do it,” she pointed out. Finally, a ‘French café song’ This conjured up a stylish world that became more French with every line.First time I’ve heard anyone use the word ‘propitious’ in an OOTB song.