After being away many years, it was nice to return last night to that excellent Rugby pub "The Boat" sited alongside the canal at Newbold. Would have been even nicer if they hadn't run out of Draught beer. I'd forgotten how rough Carling was!
A cameo appearance from a full four-piece Black Parrot Seaside (hurrah!) at the Folk Club hosted by Chele and Pete Willow. Previously we've played The Merchant's Inn and Newbold Rugby club in The Town. We were well-received on both occasions, and last night made it a hat-trick.
It was a very high quality depth of field on show. A packed room with a responsive audience. Our good friends Brian and Marie Philips were in fine voice, as were all artistes appearing. Headlining were Three Dollar Tag with an appealing mix of American folk and gospel music. Steel guitar, banjos tasty fiddle playing and they even brought their own dancer. Hard to believe at times, out there in the sultry heat of a Warwickshire night approaching the Summer Solstice (!!) that we were still in England! Not out on the porch, with bullfrogs calling across a levee. Three DT's rousing versions of "Sweet Chariot" and "Amazing Grace" almost silenced the Rugby Massive who were noisily drinking Lager in the bar next door.
We got a fantastic introduction from Pete, always a staunch friend to B.P.S. We did a by now familiar sample of songs, opening with "Courting is a Pleasure"-our version of the trad. arr made famous by the great Nic Jones on his album Penguin Eggs. Two of our own followed-"The Odeon" and "Albert Balls." Both good hearty tongue in cheek Parrot mimicry with the audience making a brave attempt to join in with us on the ridiculously long choruses. It's always fun to see a folk club audience twitch as one announces " And now: A Bryan and Michael cover." And always a relief to see their eyes light up as they realise what we are doing to it!
We finished with our arrangement of Dave Goulder's emotional tribute to the steam locomotive, "Requiem For Steam." Just to show once more than we can perform the serious stuff alongside our lighter material. Before we released our last album, I sent Dave an MP3 clip of this version of his song. He was grudgingly complimentary about it,which is apparently about as good as it gets. Still performing in clubs in the Scottish Borders when not dry stone walling, our Dave. God help the sheep.
Some nice comments from people new to The Parrot style as they made their way out afterwards, and a couple of CD's sold! All in all a good night. The icing on the cake for us is that we've been invited back. Come Autumn we'll be doing a fuller set back at The Boat with a few more visuals and a little more audience participation. can't wait!
