To my shame, I see it's been three weeks since I've updated these pages. I'm sure all those who avidly follow the Mac Awe On Tour Blog are awaiting news. Both of them. Well: there's plenty of it here. Firstly: what's to come?
Sly Old Dogs and Friends at Wood Farm Brewery Tap 27th March
Last month's Sunday Night gathering saw a huge turnout at this new venue,just up the hill from Monks Kirby, (where the SODs had previously been kennelled). Besides the SODs Ensemble, John Kearney, myself, Max Wright, Rob Halligan, Cheryl Ning and many more got the vast audience singing. And £250 was raised in a collection for Music 4 Matt (see below). If that many turn up this Sunday, they'll have to get extra staff on!
Music For Matt |
| Sly Old Dogs at Wood Farm Brewery |
Our local buddy Bill Bates, The Leamington Nightingale himself, is a popular figure at many Midlands Clubs. He has been less visible lately, and this is because the Bates family has been devastated by illness. Bill's son Matt is really poorly. The Folk Community has been rallying round to assist in financing some additional treatment for Matt. So here are two up and coming events:
Next Tuesday 29th March at Stockton (Warwickshire!) Folk Club, is a Fund raiser for this very good cause. Topping the bill there is Norman Wheatley. The Support that night is virtually Nuneaton Folk Club on Tour. John Kearney, (again!) Nunc, and Dan Gascoigne, all NFC regulars, will be sharing a car. Flying the flag for the Home Side are Rik Middleton and Away With The Fairies.
Next Wednesday 30th March
The following night, several of us will be going to an evening supported by Bedworth, Atherstone and Nuneaton Folk Clubs. Held at Bedworth Rugby Club, The Featured Guest is Anna Ryder, with support slots from John Kearney (yet again!) Bob Brooker (he's a Sly Old Dog ) and Brian Phillips. Host Malc Gurnham promises games,prizes, and an Auction of a Black Parrot Seaside Vinyl E.P. Admission is £5 and an American Buffet is included.
Mac Awe On Tour to Tour? 
Well no. Not exactly. But the loose collective of musicians sheltering under this umbrella have been asked to return for a third time to Nuneaton Beer Festival in June. Playing for free beer they were unlikely to refuse. This gig will include some of the musicians who have in the past taken to the perch, and maybe a few new ones. More news on dates and times later. I hate to mention this, but as well as yours truly, the ubiquitous John Kearney will be part of the NBF line-up.
What else has been going on?
The Hawkesbury Trawlermen 17th March.
Sadly, the launch capsized in the end. The brilliant name, thought up by Bonne Vivante and Raconteur Dave Webb, was to include some of the doyens of the North Warwickshire Folk Scene, and they were scheduled to make their debut as a Landlocked Shanty Crew at The Lord Hop, a fabulous new Micro Pub in Nuneaton. There was excited talk beforehand of corporate logos and future designs for t-shirts. ( A furious debate followed on a local Facebook Page about "uniform" which ended in tears). An enormous list of Shanties was produced and issued by Webby. Excited punters inquired about times and dates,and a few even turned up on the day.Then, due to ill health, and at the last minute, the debut was curtailed, leaving only yours truly to sidle round from The Felix Holt to The Lord Hop to explain the postponement to pub guv'nor Barry. A dirty job but someone had to do it. I had to have several glasses of Laughing Juice to settle my disappointment. I also got a free bag of crisps from Bazzer, so no hard feelings, obviously. (Result!) Oh well. Next month, perhaps?
( As far as we know, The Hawkesbury Trawlermen is one of the few Folk Projects John Kearney is not involved in. Too young by far. But give him time.....)
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| Some of The Hawkesbury Trawlermen limbering up prior to shipwreck. |
JAG at Church End
At Atherstone Folk Club on the 17th March, John Kearney (yup:him again) and I made our debut singing together here, after,ooh, hours of rehearsal beforehand. Of the extensive list of songs in our repertoire as a duo, we did "The Rare Ould Times" a Buddy Holly segue of "Everyday" and "Rave On" and a tribute to hangover Sufferers everywhere-" Help Me Make It Through The day." Duncan McFarlane and Anne Brivonese headlined, and there were other floor spots from Dan Gascoigne and Sarah Bennett, Blues Division, Peter McParland and Brian Phillips.
Nuneaton Folk Club snippets
Sean Cannon headlines on Wednesday 6th April at The Crown. Floor spots already booked include Terry and Jan Wisdom, Bob Brooker, Nunc and Hilary Wilson.
2017 (Yes..I know!) Kev Dempsey and Si Barron are already booked for next year. Also hoping to get Duncan McFarlane and Anne Brivonese to return to the area after an excellent slot at Church End earlier this month.
And finally: Last Night: Beduff RFC Festival Fund raiser
Last night was a Fund Raiser for Bedworth Folk Festival at Bedworth Rugby Club. The guests were Tom Patterson and Dave Morton. They did two quality sets of mostly original material. However the highlight for me was a solo recitation of a holiday piece " The Charabanc." Expertly done, the theme was not unlike BPS's version of "Beside The Seaside " in tone and content. Written by Ivor Bigun, who, as well as touring with his band the Red Nosed Burglars, eventually ended up ignominiously assisting Esther Rantzer in his alter ego of Doc Cox.
Having sung " What a Folking Liberty" there last time I thought I might try to set the good taste barrier higher by performing " The Bold Pirate," which was on our last album. And following it with " Manure" a homage to all things muck-spreading. (Which wasn't!). Some of the audience, despite themselves, began chuckling at some of the more unpleasant and vulgar images in these songs. One or two stared at the floor but the majority sang along, naughtily.
Maria Barham, always a good turn,swinging her guitar neck about with the usual aplomb and also giving us a lovely rendition of " A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square."
Maria Barham, always a good turn,swinging her guitar neck about with the usual aplomb and also giving us a lovely rendition of " A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square."
There was a lot of ill health about. A clearly suffering Brian Phillips seemed devastated by being unable to finish his first song, as his voice went awol. He then blew every guitarist in the room away with a version of "Greensleeves." So not all was lost, Bri! Malc was on his own, as Gill has also been proper poorly. He too was struggling a little, as he experimented with singing soprano. Also performing were Dave Webb,Rob Oakey and Max Wright.
And then there was Daisybell (great name!), They were, I thought, simply brilliant. New 'Belle Anya fitted in as an eminent replacement for Sally Anne.The arrangements and vocals were excellent. The harmonies in "Ring The Bells " were particularly enjoyable. A splendid night.
