......Sounds
like Charles Dickens's unpublished novel, but I shared two
delightful musical experiences
this weekend. On Saturday morning, thanks to a re-juggling of
schedules, I was able to take up Des Patalong's invitation to join
him and some like-minded choristers for a spot of Sessions recording
in The Coal Vaults. Sounds dirtier than it actually was, for the
Coal Vaults are now a well-scrubbed (but very historic) Music venue
set amongst the Warehouses in Coventry's picturesque Canal Basin
Quarter. Yes, picturesque. As was my language, whilst I searched for
a place to park. Like a miniature Camden Lock, this hidden gem is an
area just screaming out for more added (and sensitive)
tourist/artisan development. There are all kinds of Shops, and a
Cafe, and a very noticeable absence of narrowboats.
Led
by Des and his remarkable voice, a collection of assorted musicians
gathered round an omni directional mike and added choruses to his
album in the making. What a highly enjoyable and therapeutic way to
pass a couple of hours. Even if we hadn't been gathered there to help
make an album, it would still be classed as fun. It was a little
gloomy in there, so I could not make out everybody present, but also
warbling away in the darkness were my niece, (the lovely Fiona Lindsay-Coulson), Phil
Benson, Nigel Ward, Malc Gurnham, Gill Gilsenan, Gareth and Barbara
Wyatt, Dan Gascoigne, Brenda Hart and several other familiar faces. And voices.
There
were Shanties, Christmas Carols and May Pole Songs but I think the
highlight for me was the lovely and rather melancholy “Lowlands,”
which featured some lovely harmonies. All too soon I was taken out of
that exalted company and subjected to Community singing of a
different kind, as I watched Nuneaton Town stutter their way to a
boring 0-0 draw just up the A444.
Last
night, I was rather spoiled for choice. Call me old-fashioned, but I
always believe in taking up invitations rather than gatecrashing an
event, so of the three options locally, I opted to join a depleted
Sly Old Dogs,in their usual end of month haunt, The Bell at Monks
Kirby. Size is isn't everything, however, as one member of the
audience was to heckle later, and despite a reduced quantity, we
certainly managed to produce quality.
The fully-rounded Sly Old Dogs are the first Featured Guests at Nuneaton Folk Club on the 5th
November.Last night's format saw Pete Willow and Bob Brooker
supplemented by Martin Bushnell and Colin Squire. With additional
Friends also taking a turn, being Lesley Tregear, Carol Gillespie,
yours truly and Graeme.
The
Dogs made a right good noise, treating us to “
I'll tell me Ma!” “Willie
McBride” “Gypsy
Laddie-O,” and many other
favourites. I was still inspired by the traditional set we had run
through yesterday, so I sang “Shoals
of Herring,” “The
Old Triangle” and “
Thirty Foot Trailer.”
Graeme set himself a real challenge by tackling ” The
Diggers Song” first time
round, and “Let It Be”
the second. Colin did “Yarmouth
Town”-impossible not to
be cheered up by that-and Bob was in particularly fine fettle.
Carol's version of “
Galway Shawl” was very
enjoyable, and a song from Lesley Tregear was another unexpected
treat. All-in all a super night with a large audience, singing as
they so often do, very supportively.
