Those of you who know the band (or of them) may well be aware of the tragedy that hit us amidships in February 2009. We cancelled all bookings, stopped rehearsals and really, for a while, it looked as if (for a second time), the band might fold. But I am delighted to say that we got together musically for the first time in 2009 last Monday. Mick and Arnold have bought new instruments, and it's all systems go again.
The wounds will take a long time to heal, but music will help.
We played some 17 songs, including some new material which is eventually destined to join the set list. "Maggie's Farm," for example, we'd been working on for a while. This will be our first Dylan cover since "Knocking on Heaven's Door," which we used to do in the 1970s and 1980's. We also returned successfully to " Man of Constant Sorrow."
There are a couple more Blues songs we'd like to do also-but we haven't neglected our Comedy roots either. "Poor Little Rhino " and "Albert Balls" are Northern parodies which we did at Bedworth Folk Festival in November. We consider them set regulars now. And we haven't given up completely on being the first Folk Band to do a Beyonce cover. Our haunting tribute to her, " If I were a Goat" is shaping up nicely.
Our first gig since Beduff will be at The Merchants Inn, Rugby on Tuesday April 21st. This evening is part of their Beer Festival-so it will be a damn good night all round. We'll be doing two sets, the first at around 9.15, the second starting around 10.30. Thanks to those in the Folk community who have given us such solid support during this bleak period. Judith wanted us to carry on after her untimely death, and that's exactly what we'll do. This one's for her.
