A Good Try at The Rugby Club

    With John Kearney the featured Artiste, a quality evening at last night's Folk Festival Fund Raiser at Bedworth Rugby Club was assured. I mused on this, as I drove across the eerie Lunar Landscape of the car park towards the clubhouse. Was it just bad weather and subsidence which had made the surface deeply cratered like this ? Or was it the constant banging of generations of scrum halves and prop forwards' heads, exercising their craniums after 80 minutes of mauls scrums and line outs? In  some weird after match frenzy between " I am The Music Man" and the Toilet Block eating contest? Got to be a song in there somewhere.

     Three members of the Black Parrot Seaside Ensemble which had so royally entertained The Tump a week exactly a week ago were present. It is indicative of the fluidity of musical collaborations in N.E. Warwickshire that each one of us last night performed, but separately.

   First came  Malc Gurnham who as compere and Festival organiser, led us off on an evening which would prove to be...well...diverse. With Gill Gilsenan, the two of them opened with some nice chorus songs before Joe Roberts was unleashed. Joe's first song was a Don Gibson one, I think. One is never entirely sure, until round about three quarters of the way through any Joe song, of what the old buzzard is actually up to. Last night his second contribution was heavily disguised until it finally appeared that he was giving an entirely unique slant on an old Slade song. I think it was “Come on Feel The Noise,” but I'm not entirely certain. I don't remember that many choruses in the original, and the lyrics seemed well...different somehow.

   Sometime Parrot Dave Parr followed, this time accompanying Cyder Annie instead of us. They produced a couple of nice arrangements of old songs for us too. “ Goodnight Irene,” got the whole company crooning the choruses nostalgically, although Annie also was quite innovative on some of the verse variations. Phil Benson then exorted us all to join him, as he was apparently going “Down to the River to Pray.” Quite how he would achieve that in Beduff, I'm not sure. The nearest river is the Anker, and if he wanted to baptise anyone in it, he'd have to haul the supermarket trolleys out of it first.

    I then did a solo spot. “ Down Our Street “ had its third outing in a week and so can no longer be considered brand new. I still have to use a song sheet as a prompt, but last night I'd stood a pint on it beforehand and the lyrics had gone all runic smears. There's a lesson for us all- use a beermat. “ Salt of The Earth “ followed, and I finished up with “ The Gravy Train.” All enthusiastically sung along with by a willing audience. Joe even helpfully provided some of the filler instrumentation here, bridging verses and choruses with some pretty good humming. It's frightening how much memory attention he has when it comes to music.

    John Kearney's daughter Roisin then entertained us with some fine flute instrumentals. Sue Sanders had arrived late (no note again-naughty girl!) and followed Roisin by unleashing some further instrumentals. Nifty fiddle playing, with Malc accompanying her. I'm surprised he doesn't get mixed up sometimes, with all the personnel variations he has to adapt to.

      This concluded the first half. We had a hasty raffle and poor old Gill, who had been suffering with an ENT infection, folded the tickets, did the draw and then staggered off to a warm bed with a Hot Toddy. Whoever Toddy may be. Seriously, Get well soon, Gill!  

       It was left to Malc to kick the second half off on his own. He gave us a gem, with what he claimed was the first song he ever sang in a Folk Club. This was an early Stone's song, “You Better Move On.” One of my own favourites, in the days long ago when I had hair. Malc gave it a very original treatment and this thwarted me, as I was unable to fill in with the eerie backing vocals which are a hallmark of this early E.P. Song.

      It's hard to believe that for Malc, (who first recorded on Wax Cylinder, remember, who once met Gilbert and Sullivan and who had famously composed a tune to celebrate just after the Relief of Mafeking), this Early 'Stones material was his first public performance.

      Follow that, John Kearney! And he did, inimitably. He worked professionally through a mix of sad, angry and funny songs, which was all the more impressive with him having confessed to us all that he'd wiped his original set list of the computer last night. We had a good old singalong and a good old think. John always clearly enjoys performing and his enthusiastic delivery is infectious. We had the Everleys, fond reminiscence of Cork's erstwhile traffic management schemes, a haunting song about 911, some more Leadbelly ( Malc met him, too) and some more original compositions. All in all, it was a Corking night. (See what I did there, John?)

Going Barking Mad at Sly Old Dogs.

      Last night, (for the second time in four days), I joined a roomful of musicians and a good singing audience for a night of organic Folk and acoustic music in a Warwickshire pub. Having spent Thursday singing with  Black Parrot Seaside in Coventry's Humber Hotel,  I felt priviledged to be allowed three songs in front of this lively company. Again, not in the South of the County, with its Tapas bars, Sushi outlets and Prada branches.  Not at a Radio 2 Awards Night, nor at the Albert Hall. There was not a Guardian journalist or a BBC Culture critic in sight!  This time I was out in The Wolds for the monthly gathering of the Sly Old Dogs and Friends at The Bell Inn, Monks Kirby. If you wanted a passable definition of The Craic outside Eire or The Hebrides, this is the nearest you could get on The Mainland. Certainly in Coventry and Warwickshire, anyway.

   Locally, there aren't many rural pubs on a Sunday night which could pull in this many punters to sing and play live music. I passed my local at about 8pm, as I left our village to steer the Bentley along the Cloudesley Bush Corniche for the brief 10 minute hop to MK.  The car park was empty, all the lights were blazing, but not one customer was visible through the giant windows. No-one dining, no-one drinking. ( Publicans and Managers-what can we learn from this?)

      By contrast, just a few miles over the fields (as the crow flies) The Bell was rammed. In particular the overflow restaurant area which doubles as the music room on Sunday nights. Audience numbers have fluctuated here over the last few months, but it was evident that tonight was going to be a good 'un. The Central heating was on, it was a mild night and within minutes of starting, the indoor temperature was like an Algarve Summer evening.

    The Dogs were musically at full strength. Eight musicians, Martin Bushnell, Colin Squire, Richard Ryder, Pete Willow, Nigel Ward, Bob Brooker, Paul Kelly, and John Mackintosh. Supplemented by Banjo Dave Paterson. Amongst the Friends were Gerry Bailey, Phil Benson and Rob Halligan.So there were at various times, and in various combinations, an electric double bass, two fiddles, several guitars, two banjos, mandolins, a bodhran, a tuba , a whistle, all manner of string instruments and some talented singers. Oh, and me. 

 

   With an above average-sized audience in, composed of all age ranges, how could it go wrong? Well it didn't, even though there were a few tiny minor glitches. Phil Benson and “The Orchestra” had a few false starts on “The Sunny Side of Life” before they finally got it under way in the right key. Paul Kelly seemed thankfully to have fully recovered from a previous altercation with a bookcase, although later, he would demonstrate motor co-ordination was still an issue whilst spectacularly dissassembling an  Instrument Tree. ( Thing you hang stuff on whilst not playing it-not some wondrous new horticultural advance). Bob Brooker made a good attempt to play virtually every instrument in the room whilst trying to select one which was near enough in tune for him. After about five minutes of tutting and plucking, he went for one. (His own). Pete Willow ran out of plectrums, though I'm not surprised, with the speed and vigour with which The Dogs attacked one medley of Dance tunes.

    Mine host Paco wandered in to do a couple of Solos on the Spoons, and the pub alsatian wandered in to inspect the salvers of roast potatoes which had been thoughtfully dotted around by Paco and Co, on  the tables, for our delectation. Later on I thought I saw, from the corner of my eye, Bob Brooker absent mindedly using a Roastie as a plectrum. But the light can play tricks with the eyes in there.

    Rob Halligan was Rob Halligan, passionately busting some earnest tunes, a couple of which I'd heard him doing on the radio, recently. Whilst spanking his guitar with great energy and panache. The audience responded warmly to that. Phil was in an “O Brother Where Art Thou?” kind of Groove, (must be something in the Canal Water?) treating us to seamless segues from one song to another. But to everyone's relief, he drew the line at trying to emulate Alison Krauss. (Not saying he couldn't, but trying to picture him reaching for some of those higher notes in her cover of “I Will ” isn't a pretty thought).

      As for me, I did “Between The Wars,” “Black Velvet Band,” (rude not to?), and finished with our new baby, “ Down Our Street.” Once again D.O.S. delivered. You can't get a better compliment for a new song than hearing audience members say “ I liked that!” when you've finished. And so Street ,Son of Odeon, will be joining the permanent set list as soon as we can play it. (Smiley face!)

      In such exalted company I felt honoued to be granted three. I'm only a “Friend”, and not a SOD, so I'm not being sycophantic in saying that The Collective in full spate like this are simply irrestible. They are the Feature at Atherstone Folk Club next month-18^th March, albeit a slightly truncated version as one or two are unavailable. Go see them. If you can't wait till then, Martyn and Colin are playing at Warwick Folk Club tonight.

Thumping Good Night at The Tump

      I  just love playing  this venue. It is a selfish and personal love, for as I have previously written, The Humber Hotel is in a part of Coventry where I spent my first eleven years growing up. The railway line which separated my street from this part of town is long gone. As has the massive car plant opposite. It once turned out Humber Hawks and Hillman Minxes: Commer Cobs and Sunbeam Rapiers. The pub's bowling green and outdoor shelters have mostly disappeared, but the interior wood panelling and picture windows remain.  The year I got married, I worked as a gardener, on nearby Gosford Park, Binley Park, Gentleman's Green, Stoke Green and the Bowling Green. And The Humber has the distinction of being the last pub I had a drink in as a single man!

    (As on previous nights), yesterday I caught a late bus into Coventry and had a couple of pints in The Whitefriar Alehouse. After two glasses of the exquisite Salopian Oracle, I strode onwards to Humber Road. Previously, I'd cut through Northfield Road, where I once lived. Past houses where my aunties, uncles, Grandads and Grandmas previously lived. But this time, I walked along Far Gosford and Gosford Street, and up Binley Road.  Along thoroughfares which formed most of my childhood. I went to school in Gosford Street, and I was a choirboy at All Saints Church, just up the road on the opposite side. These streets used  to be lined with shops, cinemas, offices, factories and pubs. With a few gaps where The Luftwaffe had previously made some minor structural alterations. I saw that almost every building had remained intact, though virtually every one left by now  had suffered a change of use. I say "suffered", for when a fine old Edwardian pub has become a Domino's Takeaway, no other word will suffice.  

 

     I arrived at The Tump, joining the rest of the band, feeling nostalgic, with my tonsils well lubricated and in a relaxed state of mind. Last night saw B.P.S. in a five piece format: Malc Gurnham on acoustic base, Dave Parr and Arnold on guitars and Mick Harris playing banjo accordion and mandolin. Mick had chosen many of the set numbers-and feeling very adventurous, had also suggested that we should  include a brand new song.

 

      There were some first class acts there last night, making this a really good evening. Indeed, the landlady paused in dispensing the (superbly kept) Spitfire and confided "I think that's one of the best nights we've had whilst the club's been here!" Three duos featured. Dragonhead competently played an eclectic mix of tunes together. Gerry Bailey and Nigel Ward combined effectively-Gerry on guitar and Nigel swapping between fiddle and mandolin. Terry and Jan Wisdom were just....sublime. Lovely voices, lovely harmonies, superb instrumentation and an example to us all.  Solo we had Cheryl tackling some ambitious projects such as "Village Green Appreciation Society" and "Marrakesh Express." Colin King gave us some tunes with a Celtic flavour and Derrick Pearce upped the nostalgia ante with some George Formby songs and fine ukulele work.   

  

    As for us, we started with "Salt of The Earth," an angry song which we wrote long ago in response to The Strawb's "Part of The Union." It has a strong chorus, it was on our last CD, and several of the audience recognised it and sang along. They then indulged us as we aired  "Down our Street." Our new baby, barely a month old, was introduced to the general public. Northfield Road and Gosford Street were the inspiration behind the lyrics. How poignant it seemed, to be singing about Di Di Mascio, Midland Counties and Coalmens' lorries, in a place which once had echoed to the sounds and sights of them.  Malc and Dave were both joining  in and hearing it for the first time, so all told, it went o.k.  Another protest song, "The Gravy Train," then followed, and after that we performed  Gus Elen's "Houses In Between." This went well, and the audience sang along with the choruses.
     We ended our stint with perennial favourites "The Odeon" and " Albert Balls."  Although one or two of the tunes we'd played were trad. (arr.) , five were our own songs. Quite unusual for us nowadays to feature only one "cover!"

 

Happy Valentines, Parrot Lovers

Between them, Blogger and Google seem intent on preventing me from accessing my own Blog. So..whilst they are allowing me access.. what's been going on then, eh? 

 

NEW GIGS

 We are currently pencilled in for The Tump next Thursday. We have another lull in March. Then we're at The  Shakespeare (Coventry) 15th April, and Bedworth Folk Club 23rd April. We guest at Nuneaton Town Football Club's Annual Awards night on May 10th (Ticket only!) along with our old mates from Off The Cuff.  Atherstone Folk Club have already booked us for their 2014 Christmas Party. You can regularly hear BPS songs or arrangements performed by one or more of us at The Larder (Atherstone) or Sly Old Dogs (Bell Inn, Monks Kirby). Each month.   Until they stop inviting us. 

OUR WEBSITE   is really good. It has photos (archive and up to date). Facts, figures, personnel,background,news..links to other sites and it is regularly updated. A link to it should be highlighted just about here >>>>>>

THE RAILWAY MAGAZINE

Followers from way back will know that we have recorded this song on Vinyl (1978) and CD (2006). It is still a popular part of our set. We know for a fact that a group of Mature ladies in Rochdale use it as part of their Keep Fit routine. The publication which it celebrates ran an excellent Christmas 2013 feature on Railways and Music. Folk ,Blues, Rock, Pop and Country sure does have a rich vein of material to choose from there. What they didn't know was that their own Magazine had a song dedicated to them. But they do now. And they are quite chuffed about it. (See what I did there?) They asked for an MP3 file which I sent. They assured me that this has caused great hilarity in the editorial suite and in the offices. Jolly good. We aim to please.  

 

GENTLEFOLK 2  This is a monthly webcast collated by Norman Wheatley. It features local national and International artistes and it is really professionally presented. Local people featured recently include Pennyroyal,Rod Felton and um...us. Hedgehog Pie, Martin Jenkins and The Dandoes coming soon, I understand. Give it a listen. And let Norman know, if you've enjoyed it. Access it direct from here: http://www.gentlefolk2.co.uk/

 

NEW SONGS

     One of our most popular and successful self-penned songs over time is "The Odeon." So much so that other artistes have recently covered it and audiences often request it. We intended it as an homage to Cosmotheka. Trying to combine a jolly melody with nostalgic images about The (NOT SO) Old Days in The Midlands. Discussing with a few fellow Folkies what makes the song so popular, we think we may have come up with a formula to match it. Called "Down Our Street" it reflects fondly on all the Traders who would knock on our doors or sell us wares from lorries vans and yes..horse and cart, in the 1950's and 1960's. It has  a catchy, simple Chorus, a bumpalong notation and a gentle dab of BPS humour-we hope you'll love it.

 

    Following the success of our parodies of Beyoncé and Bryan and Michael, we're currently working on putting our own stamp on a hugely-altered and utterly irreverent version of "Somewhere Only We Know." And out in the BPS workshops, we have a tale of Woe about ambulance chasers called "Injury Squirrels 4U." Those of you who know us well know what to expect. You will not be disappointed.

 

      We continue to add to our repertoire of covered material, doing songs we like and admire. Billy Bragg's "Between The wars" has had a couple of tentative outings, as has "On Raglan Road."

 

SAME OLD SH*TE?

Warwick Folk Festival confirmed last week, that for the 39th consecutive year, Black Parrot Seaside will NOT be appearing at any venue  in or near the town during their 3 Day Festival. You'll have to ask them why. Incidentally, for those people who regularly suggest to us that we should contact them and provide details...we do. Annually. ( Perhaps that's what is putting them off!).  It's not as if we expect to be sharing a Main Stage with Suzanne Vega or Richard Thompson. No, a little fringe slot in a murky backstreet pub somewhere would do us. Just once. just so that we could add it to our portfolio. Does anyone reading this know of such a venue in Leamington or Warwick where we could play (for free) that weekend? Or is that really asking for trouble? No wait..they might exclude us.....what? eh? oh.