Apologies (again) for the gap between this posting and the last one. This is largely due to 2/3 of us being away on holiday. We actually last played together at Hinckley Act, on June 5th. We performed "Lakes of Ponchartrain " together in public for the first time-although I've done it solo in a few places. We also did some less sensible, rather silly stuff. Seemed to go down well.
Usually I would have blogged a more detailed account of this the following day. However I was on a flight to Crete and that proved impractical. But it was a good night and it is a good club, with one or two rather endearing quirks-and highly recommended. The attention to detail shown by Pam who drives the Sound System is amongst the best and most professional approach I've ever come across. If anyone reading this has ever done Bedworth Folk Festival in the Civic Hall-it's THAT good! They also have a separate room for musicians to tune up in. (Didn't seem to help Arnold much! He has so many guitars I think he gets confused at times). I blame Dave Parr.
Other artistes on there that night included Steve Adams, Dave Fry and Rob Armstrong. And a phenomenal guitarist whose name I've since forgotten. I must single out Dave Fry for his very audible vocal support from back in the seats. I had no idea he knew all the words to our songs so well. Cheers, Dave. Very much appreciated. And a name check for us during your spot.
As I flew back into Blighty later in the month, Arnold was already sunning himself in Malaga in his Spandex Mankini. So we've only managed one rehearsal since our HACT appearance. But we ARE involved in "Bedworth Night" at The Tump Folk Club, Humber Road, Coventry, tomorrow (Thursday). So-named because several of the featured artists appearing tomorrow (including us) are regulars at the excellent Bedworth Folk Club. A really high standard there-if you're a Folkie (or a Bluesie) and you've not tried it out yet-you really should go along.
Next month we're appearing at The Rail Ale Festival at Market Bosworth. So named, because the Goods Shed we're playing in backs on to The Battlefield Line-an excellent Heritage Railway. We're actually organising the Saturday Afternoon part of the music side, and providing the P.A. We hope to do at least an hour-so this will see a few more old favourites than usual aired. We've got Maria Barham, Carole Palmer, Dave Parr and Cyder Annie helping us out and doing spots too.
I would point out that although entry is £3, we are playing for free. beer. That's just the likeable, loveable chaps we are. Plus, our ex Fiddle Player, Eddie Jones, drives the big engines on The Battlefield and he asked us to do them this favour ages ago. Here he is fiddling away on the platforms, up the line at Shackerstone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttWIKimObdk The engines working on 27th July are MUCH bigger than the one in this video, btw. And CAMRA are doing the beer-so it's going to be proper good stuff.
(Actually-if you buy us beer, you'd find us very flexible about gigs involving Charities and/or Good Causes).
Finally-an advance plug for a new Folk Club in North Warwickshire-Atherstone Folk Club. My old mate Phil Benson is amongst the good people (re-)launching it. They have pulled off a coup by siting it at The Church End Brewery Tap in Ridge Lane. Postcode is CV10 ORD. . They open on the 18th September with Maria and Carole. Malc Gurnham and Gil Gilsenan are the guests in October and Thrup'penny. Bits will be there in November.
And on the 18th December, some bunch of loonies called Black Parrot Seaside will be leading the assembled company in a Christmas Party. If you ever saw and enjoyed the legendary Bedworth Christmas Party in 2007-you will have another chance to hear some interesting new adaptations of familiar Festive Tunes. And to join in with a Christmas Whistler. That IS Norman Wheatley donning a pair of dashing red antlers in the foreground, by the way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-pciVPeybs Do yourself a favour and hire a minibus. You can then enjoy some of the finest Real Ale in the country, have a good laugh and get safely back home. They already have a Facebook Page, and can be found here on their website. www.atherstonefolkclub.org.uk
