ALEX HODGSON'S TICKETY BOO

What can you say about Alex Hodgson that hasn’t already been said. Talented Singer Songwriter and extremely funny guy.

​

Prestonpans lad Alex, played to a packed audience at the Brunton Hall with his 5 piece supporting band consisting of,

Ian McPhail on Accordion, John Cunningham on Guitar, Gareth Evans on Bass, David Manderson on Keyboards and Mary Rutherford, all the way from the Shetlands on Fiddle.

​

They started off a great set with the song Tickety Boo with the band in full swing and old local black and white films playing in the background.

​

He played a mixture of his own songs and some Scottish classics including my favourite Willie’s gone to Melville Castle. He played a number of songs from his recent albums, Jeelie Jars and Coalie Backies' and His second album 'The Brig Tae Nae Where' including the award winning song “Isobel” and 2 great songs he wrote about local Prestonpans character’s Charlie Watson and Jean Thompson.

​

On arriving at your seat there was a large paper hankie on each seat, which left me wondering, but wonder no more as he played his song “The Boatey men”, dedicated to the fishing boats from Port Seton and with the old black & white film in the background showing the boats leaving the harbour and all the womenfolk waving their white hankies, the audience duly obliged by waving their paper hankies.

​

My favourite joke of the night, and there were many, was when he recounted the story of when he got his wife some new underwear and she replied by saying, are they satin, no they’re brand new! Ahh you had to be there.

​

While the Brunton Hall is a fantastic music venue, Alex has also played in the Scottish Parliament and at the Balmoral Palace for Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.

                                                                                                                              Reviewed by Radio Saltire's Colin Torley 28th August 2022.