Saturday afternoon saw us rendezvousing in Banbury's picturesque Castle Street Multi Storey Car Park and then crossing the road to enter the absolutely rammed (it often is) Reine Deer Inn. Alas, not all those shoehorned into this fine old pub had come to hear the music. Many had come to sample the delicious food and selection of Hook Norton beers, too. (I confess-it's a pub I've visited before). As it happened, due to the attentive mixing from our sound engineer,they had little choice but to listen to us, unless they were hiding in the toilets.
The "stage area" was occupied by the excellent Gregg Cave and Nick Ellison as we arrived. I enjoyed their set immensely. And told them so. So we traded CD's. However, as we edged elbow to elbow round the Front room, it became apparent that whilst two performers would fit behind the mikes quite snugly, four gentlemen, one or two of whom were, um, "substantially built" was going to prove more challenging.
Watching us set up must have been like watching an episode of The Cube, as we passed Instrument cases over our heads and back into the audience. Very cosy. Our set was basically the same as the previous night, with the addition of two slide guitar numbers-"If I Had Possession" and " Vigilante Man", and " Albert Balls." I had to position my vocal mike behind a speaker, and I sang the entire set leaning languidly up against the exterior wall. Still, it all went jolly well, and we got a good reception. And there were definitely some people who we'd seen at our Banbury gigs before-who had kindly turned up to see us. A noisy bunch who empowered the singing- " Folking Liberty" was particularly raucous, and the harmonies employed in well, just bleating, during "If I were a Goat" never cease to amaze me.
We had originally invited Malc Gurnham to join us on bass for this slot-but a good job he declined, as with his delicate frame added to our numbers, he would have had to have played out in the street. Where, afterwards, we met the Thrupp'nny Bits (and Spangle) and some nice people from Crediton Folk Club, who I think we later saw busking. Our set impressed the people running Jerusalem Folk Club so much that they offered us a gig there and then, joining them on the 23rd of this month. I had originally thought this was based in Nottingham, but no, it is actually out in the Middle East. Clashed with my flu' jab I'm afraid, and Arnie has to get his bunions done on that day. I suppose if they paid our flights....
So-an enjoyable and eclectic weekend, spent in the company of some very talented, knowledgeable musicians and enthusiastic audiences. Oh-and Dave Cameron was there too apparently. I thought it was the sewers backing up. (Good job our paths didn't cross, eh?) On to Bedworth Festival now, next month. Thereafter...hmmm...any more Midlands-based Folk Festivals out there in 2015?
