Marti @ Café India

Marti looking slightly worried at the door

Against my better judgement I then had a 2^nd chance and decided to go up myself with the Dutch girls to investigate. As soon as we got to the front entrance of the upstairs area I looked along the front section to see a long table on the top laid out with about 5/6 people lined along either side. The first person I clapped eyes on was Lawrence Mitchell who we’d seen the day before outside Newcastle and I believe had been travelling around with Chris and Marti for the whole tour. Incidentally Lawrence is the grandson to Marti’s legendary Memphis producer Willie Mitchell who Marti had worked with for a good part of 2000 on his forthcoming album.

It was only once I had pointed him out that the Dutch girls believed me, then we were all rather backward at going forward knowing that Marti WAS actually there. The waiters upstairs were again encouraging us and eventually had to semi-drag us over after confirming with Marti whether he minded or not. He could very easily have just said that he didn’t want anyone coming over but he was very kind and let us over to speak to him.

As we approached the table I spotted Chris 2^nd in, Marti was on the same side in the middle of the group with his back to us. I think I also saw the guitarist and trumpeter but couldn’t say for certain. As it turned out Marti had taken virtually the whole band out for dinner to his favourite restaurant.

While the Dutch girls were talking to him I stood a wee bit back so as it wasn’t too crowded both for us and for Marti. I felt that it was only fair as they were from Holland and had never met him before whereas I was just a local lass who had, so I never really heard much of what was being said at that point. I do recall a comment from Erna though just as Marti turned to see us, about her not really meaning to wear her Wet Wet Wet t-shirt but can’t remember anything beyond this.

When Wil, Erna and Monique stepped aside I went forward and had to attract Marti’s attention to get him to turn round again. I managed to say the one thing I had planned and really wanted to say to him if I got the chance,

Given that I was unsure whether I would get another chance I took the opportunity to ask if he could sign a picture. He was so kind in his response, ‘Yes, of course.’

While he signed his name he asked how I was keeping. If I had been thinking straight, he may actually have been angling at me to ask him the same but I was scared to ask him such a thing directly for reasons of not wanting to remind him of things (I’m sure you all know what I mean).

He asked again how I was keeping and I said, ‘I’m fine thanks’, (again) maybe he really did want me to ask him too, then he went on,

I can’t even remember if I said, ‘you too’, to him, re. enjoying his meal – oops, I had meant to and if my mind had been with it would have, apologies Marti. He’s good at putting you off your train of thought.

I slowly and calmly (I think) made my way back downstairs to what was left on my plate. Luckily I had already had enough to eat before I had left it and I certainly wasn’t able to eat anything else now and neither was anyone else by the looks of things.

A wee while later we all headed up to the bar area near the front door, as advised by the staff, in hope of seeing him leaving.

On my mum’s suggestion of Susan getting a picture with Chris I was quick to my feet to offer my services with my camera. Chris was very obliging, doing the needful and wished us well, hoping that it turned out – it did. Unfortunately Susan didn’t want the full piccy on the net but here’s Chris’s half. Chris assured us that Marti would come and see us on his way out then went back round to join Marti’s gang.

As I saw Marti approach, I quickly turned my head away for fear of being seen – stupid I know, ‘me’ shy ! I usually am as it happens but not in this type of situation; as my Dad would say, a coward (sometimes). When I turned back he was briefly out of sight behind a pillar part of the wall near the cash register then he re-emerged at our side.

Marti and co. then traipsed towards the front door. Marti was astounded and slightly tense at just how many fans were there. It wasn’t really that many, but obviously more than he’d expected.

‘How did yous know I was going to be here ? I didn’t even know I was going to be here !’

Marti was edging ever closer to the door which had everyone in a panic – was he just going to go, but no one was making a move. Eventually as Marti semi teased us he was leaving Susan got the courage to make the first move and asked for his autograph. Susan ! – was that really my sister ?

Thankfully he stopped in his tracks and signed a Royal Albert Hall ticket for her which I’d still had in my pocket from earlier in the week. Poor Marti, he probably wished he hadn’t paused, as we all just lined up after Susan. The Dutch girls were delighted to get anything signed just as a momento from the occasion. Monique had her cap signed and one of the girls from down south even got a Café India receipt signed, alas already paid.

I think everyone that wanted to speak to him and get an autograph managed it and he acknowledged Trish, giving her a wave. Plus as you can see from the evidence we got a few pictures of him. I ended up being the last person to speak with him before he left. Whilst I showed him a picture from the Jools Holland gig that I was lucky enough to be at. I asked him,

He studied it carefully then said no and enquired where it was from so I informed him where he had been captured. I made him aware that this was yet another event I had been at by pure chance to which he was laughing. I asked him to sign it which he quickly did so before he went.

Just think, Marti had probably sent Chris & or his minder in to case the joint first, in case there were any fans lurking around. Unknown to them there had just been a dozen of us all ushered downstairs to the buffet. Saying that, we were equally unaware of who had come in upstairs while we were sitting having our meal until the waitress spotted the t-shirt – well done Erna ! Bet you’re glad now that I advised you to wear your footie shirt the next night. If it hadn’t have been for Erna we probably wouldn’t have been any the wiser. Imagine if we’d walked out of Café India then seen it in the papers a few days later – it doesn’t bare thinking about.

The Dutchies have done a report from their point of view on this impromptu meeting –

From a report in a Scottish paper the next weekend, obviously tipped off by the establishment themselves, including a new picture of Marti with the owner, he spent a total of £265. Alright for some ! Out of curiosity for anyone that happens to be wondering he had a chicken masala.

Thanks to Café India for being so kind in letting us know that Marti was in but most importantly thank you to Marti for allowing us to disrupt you during your meal and just the whole ‘thing’ of you being ‘off duty’ and us intruding on your private life. You were very kind and considerate and I hope to not make a habit of it, none of us do, it was just pure coincidence and luck.