Making Mincemeat

As we have mentioned before, most of the people who contribute to the cheebah page don't generally get over excited at the prospect of Munster matchs. In fact on Saturday 19th January when I got up my main concern was to get a babysitter so I could get to the funkshun first birthday party with Mama feelgood DJs. One short trip to the newsagents and already there are munster fans in evidence walking in the rain following the medieval city trail. As I take apart the Guardian the sports section falls out to reveal emblazoned across the front page "McGeechan (London Wasps coach) aims to make mincemeat out of Munster". When will they learn?

Delia Smith explains very easily how to make micemeat

1. Start the night before so all the flavours will be given a chance to develop.

In the case of Funkshun, the flavours have been simmering for a year. A2df and rainers set out with a simple concept, a night of all 45's once a month. It was a brave step to take on a Saturday night in the city centre but consistently they have produced excellent nights with occasional guests including ob (allcity) and cool c brought in. Tonight however was bringing things up another level with Mama Feelgood crew coming in from the UK to play this exclusive gig.

2. Cut 8 oz (225 g) candied peel into pieces. Whole candied peel has 100 per cent better flavour than the ready chopped, so it is worth the extra bother.

Across town, in Thomond Park, as Bock expertly reported, LondonWasps were

an outfit to be both respected and feared. A bunch who did not come here for fun, or for a weekend in the pub, but to extinguish our challenge.

However, after the 80 minutes, Munster had gone to the extra bother and cut the European champions into pieces. Despite the rain there was a sense of euphoria in the air. Saturated fans sloshed into town with a spring in their step.

4. Put all these ingredients into a large mixing bowl

When I arrived in Mickeys it was packed, the alleyway overflowing and the rain was holding off, the soundsystem was holding up delivering a fantastic array of 60s and 70s funk sounds. Solid basslines and great drumbreaks were delighting the funk brothers and soul sisters. As I stood outside I noticed many people coming down and despite the lack of cover in the alleyway, hanging around because they knew it was something special.

Meanwhile somewhere else in town, Robert Kitson was filing a match report for Monday's Guardian which gave respect to the Limerick setting:

"As Dallaglio stalked away to the bin to derisive taunts of "Cheerio, Cheerio", Jimmy Cliff's timeless reggae anthem sprang to mind. The Harder They Come The Harder They Fall is the prevailing ethos in this part of the world"

There was to be no reggae at funkshun but there was serious dancing. As I left, one regular DJ at the venue admitted to me that he hadn't seen as many people dance in there in a long time. Sister 45 and Bobbalin Hot took time out to talk, take photos and for the last hour or so go one on one to a delighted crowd. While an English rugby team made their exit from Limerick having failed to win, MFG were one english team who not only provided a winning formula in Limerick but also won over the crowd.

7. When the mincemeat is quite cold, stir in 6 tablespoons brandy. Pack into the clean, dry jars, cover with wax discs and seal. It will keep.... cool, ....but I think it is best eaten within a year of making.

Thankfully those who missed this can have a taste of more, in less than a year as a2df has promised a return visit by the summer. The MFG duo also enjoyed it and have a short piece here. In the meantime funkshun runs every month, next one is Saturday February 23rd.

Shane

Comments

[Bock the Robber]

Well mixed!