Nuneaton Folk Club Review 2015

First... a word from our Sponsor

    Musically, a year of new horizons for me, new experiences for NFC : a lot of highlights and  a little sadness. The Club saw  12 sessions one on each first Wednesday of each month, featuring a staggering array of local and national talent. "Folk" does not even begin to cover it. Blues, Cajun, Acapella, Traditional Folk, Shanties, Country, Contemporary, Rock and Roll, Protest, Pop and Reggae are a few umbrellas we have communally sheltered beneath. Here is a photo of a satisfied punter making his way home, after a good session. 

   Our first Headline guest in January 2015 was the excellent Kristy Gallagher.  Simon Veasey and Paul Moore did us a first floor spot and both Alyson Bushell Edwards also made her debut. Kane Foster, Hilary Wilson and Daisybell joined us too,and the Legend that is Kevin Dempsey also did us a tasty little cameo! He is our main guest next week-January 6th 2016. 

Kristy at The Crown in January

    Guitar virtuoso and all round Good Egg Phil Hare was our Featured Guest in February. Somerville Gents, Dragonhead and Daisybell were amongst support acts. ( Phil returns to the Club in September 2016. Daisybell will share the Guest billing with Chris Tobin in June 2016). 

   Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan headed the bill in March, with  Nunc, Sue Sanders, Dave Webb and Finger In The Jar amongst the other guests. Also appearing were the talented duo Sam Stephens and Gren Morris. Of which, more later.

    April 1st (appropriately) was " Comedy Night" our first "themed" night, and it turned out to be a cracker. There are so many good people writing or performing Comedy songs that it was difficult to fit them all in. We had slots from all the usual suspects, plus debuts from Joe Roberts, and John Neale. Mac Awe On Tour finished the evening, with a selection of mostly Black Parrot Seaside numbers.

    May 6th saw us finally drag Bill Bates in as our star man, and he entertained the Troops right royally. First appearances from Dipped Sheep and Peter McParland were an added bonus, as was the sheer luxury of floor spots from both Scarecrow AND Raintown Seers. These bands   had travelled in from Oxfordshire and North Derbyshire  respectively-such was/is the pulling power and growing reputation of NFC. Scarecrow return as  our February 2016 guests and Raintown Seers are the main billing  in March 2016. 

Bill Bates at NFC in May

    In June, two of our (many!) talented local acts, Jan Richardson and John Kearney had a Feature Spot each-one to end each half. This is a successful format which continues to offer an interesting alternative to our receptive and supportive audiences. John returns in August 2016, sharing our Feature slot once more-this time with our good mates K.C.Jones. Des Patalong, Dave Parr ,Brian Phillips and Hilary Wilson were among the support slots

    July saw our biggest turnout-estimated as somewhere near 150, to enjoy the impeccable talents of The Dubliners' Sean Cannon. It was the hottest night of the year in every sense-34c outside as the sun went down. (God knows what the temperature was inside-it felt like twice that!). Besides Sean we had debuts from three more bands-The S.J. Matanza Band, and local outfits Fray'd Knot and Comharsa. It was a triumphal return for Comharsa vocalist Mick Stanley, whom we'd last seen lying outside in the road after a horrific RTA in November. Sean returns by popular request (and because he is an old, loyal friend),in April 2016. 

Sean and a couple of fans at the front, sweating it out. Note the open door.  

      Due to some considerable idiocy on my behalf, a college reunion in Sussex coincided with our August meeting,so I was double booked. Nonetheless I managed to publicise the evening in advance by giving a bizarre "Live"  BBC Radio interview from the beach at Worthing.  Malc Gurnham and Gill stepped in as Guest Hosts, for another "shared " evening.  Nigel Ward stepped in for his debut, and there were also floor spots from Dipped Sheep and Brian Phillips. Dragonhead occupied our first half Feature spot, and the excellent Winter Wilson concluded what was an outstanding evening. They are returning for a Guest spot in 2016. The audience singing of John Kearney leading them all in " We Shall Overcome" apparently  went viral. 

The Wilsons rip it up at NFC in August

    I was back at the wheel for our September session, when harmony trio Thrupp'nny Bits were our featured Guests. Colin Squire and Chris Tobin made their NFC debuts, and there were return slots from Hilary Wilson, Daisybell and KC Jones.

       September actually saw TWO gigs at The Crown, as on the 30th, Atherstone, Bedworth and Nuneaton Folk Clubs combined to host a fund-raiser in memory of  Rich McMahon.We had hoped to book Rich in at The Crown, but he died in tragic circumstances, and far too early for such a young man,in May. His widow Maggie was there, on what turned out to be a terribly poignant evening. Nunc, Dave Webb,Bob Brooker, Band On The Rum (more debutantes) Finger In The Jar, John Kearney, KC Jones, Brian Phillips, Dave Parr and Mac Awe on Tour  all helped raise money for local charity SIFA Fireside.

         October saw our First Anniversary Bash. We had some excellent plans drawn up, but a devastating flu'-type virus swept the area and scuppered most of them!. Despite that, we had a fun night. Joe Roberts, John Wright, Hilary Wilson, Bob Brooker ,KC Jones Max Wright and Thrupp'nny Bits stepped in. The weeks (days?) of rehearsal Mac Awe on Tour had spent disintegrated as one by one our Guests were skittled out. John Kearney and I were the nucleus of the second half-but it was a happy collaboration-and one we shall see more of in 2016 at NFC and elsewhere. 

      November was a highlight. We finally got The Divine Kim  Lowings and the Greenwood to take centre stage. They shared the billing, with Terry and Jan Wisdom who elegantly concluded the first half. John Wright and Hilary Wilson appeared together and there were quality performances too that night, from returnees Malc Gurnham & Gill Gilsenan and Dragonhead and Chris Tobin and The Willow & Tool Band  who both made their debuts.

Kim Lowings & The Greenwood November 2015

     December 2nd seemed indecently early to start doing Christmas, but Nunc gave us Gaudete and Fairytale in New York to kick of the festivities. Our main guests were an early gift for NFC regulars-two stonking sets from the supremely talented (and disgustingly young) Danny Pedler and Rosie Butler-Hall. The stage was awash with musicians (and instruments) as bands Comharsa ,Thrupp'nny Bits and Fray'd Knot returned. Bob Brooker  and John Kearney did spots, as did Ian Bourne.

Danny Pedler &  Rosie Butler Hall -December 2015

On a sadder note

     The price you pay in becoming involved with so many good people is the shared pain and loss felt when things don't go well. Rich McMahon's untimely death early in 2015 hit many of us hard. Also, I'd got the  talented duo of Sam Stephens and Gren Morris pencilled in for a Guest spot this year, but in the course of 2015, Sam was  debilitated by a life-changing illness, as was Gren Morris. They had to pull out of Bedworth Folk Festival, and I feel we shall not see them together again.  

    Sue Sanders has guested on fiddle with both Black Parrot Seaside and Mac Awe on Tour, but is bravely fighting a serious illness. Hopefully we will welcome her back as a solo artiste (and Band member?)  in 2016. 

Get well soon, Sue!

    The brilliant Bill Bates gig in May was clouded for me by an awful phone call I received late in the evening. I had to hand over the compering and rush to a nearby hospital where my twin grandsons Robert and Raymond were in serious trouble and fighting for their lives. It was not a happy outcome which followed for me, but my friends in music were tremendously supportive as we all grieved afterwards. 

Tom Veasey

Tom Veasey at the wheel

       Do not despair-Tom is fit and well,but he leaves us in January 2016-and who can blame him-he's off on a world adventure, working for Disney! Tom has been a reliable unflappable Sound Man-the best I have ever worked with-and I shall miss his support and expertise greatly. Bon Voyage, Tom!

view from Tom's  Sound desk

Other items of note  Membership of our Facebook Group Page exceeded 200 in December 2015. 

Thanks to: 

       Staff of The Crown Nuneaton, but especially Julian and Sam (and Nelly!) who have kept me motivated and partially sane on First Wednesdays for 15 months now.
        Ray Buckler-for getting us a mention in the 2016 CAMRA Guide! 

      BBC CWR especially Keith Wedgebury, Phil Upton, Vic Minett and Brodie Swain and their respective producers, for the superb coverage they have given us during the year!       Stalwarts like John Kearney, Flossy McDougall,  Maggie Veasey, Sam Davies         Sue Sanders and Gill Gilsenan who helped with selling Folk Monthly Magazines ,selling raffle tickets and helping with the draw. 
    Phil Benson and Malc Gurnham for keeping the North Warwickshire Folk Triangle strong and alive. 

The Banners of the three clubs at The Crown during our  farewell to Rich McMahon

  

The Tilting Kettle who have donated two fantastic, individualised NFC cakes

Anyone (and there were many) who donated raffle prizes during 2015. What extraordinary generosity!  Anyone who helped out lugging equipment, transporting musicians and keeping me grounded. 
Our audiences. (see below) Some of the best chorus singing in the Midlands. if not the world. 

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Our performers. 56 so far. With more to come in 2016 

                                         HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes It Smells like Christmas

What’s that smear on Grandad’s shirt? What’s that stain on Grandma’s skirt?

What’s that steaming in the dirt?

RUDOLF! Smells like Christmas!

Lots of cheerful festive booze, fighting in the shopping queues

Just disasters on the news

Yes it smells like Christmas!

Pine trees oozing pungent sap, Polar bears and penguin crap

Fido drinking from the tap

Yes it smells like Christmas

Easter Eggs and Winter Sales, Got a waistband like two whales

Body Odour/armpits stale

Yes - they smell like Christmas.

Where’s it come from? That’s the question

Flatulence and Indigestion                                         CHORUS

Christmas Trees and Christmas Bells

Lots of awful Christmas smells

Hey! It smells like Christmas

Cinammon and Tangerines, Brussel sprouts and Christmas greens

Vampires on the Multiscreens

Yes It smells like Christmas

Same old rubbish on t.v. Ants inside the Christmas tree

Santa? Is that.... Reindeer wee?

Yes!- it smells like Christmas!

Pounding pavements, stinking feet, socks that whiff of rotting meat

Wheelie bins all full for weeks

Yuccch! They smell like Christmas!

Bird Flu, Plague and flies abound, Slush lies melting on the ground

Unwanted dogs and cats are drowned

Just because it's Christmas

Santa Claus has foetid breath The news is full of war and death

My neighbour's Brewing Crystal Meth

Yes- it stinks of Christmas!

The motorways and railways jam, my mailbox fills with dirty spam

Everyone hates Uncle Sam

It's definitely Christmas

Flu transmitted by the birds, carols full of empty words

Pavements cluttered with dog turds

Really smells like Christmas

Insurgents play with guns and swords, Norovirus shuts the wards

The Malls are full of sweating hordes

It must be Boxing Day.  

“ It was like a very good folk festival all in one night.” (Mick Stanley)

    How do you follow last month's glorious NFC session, where young Kim Lowings and Company tore the house down? Easy. Bring in Danny Pedler and Rosie Butler Hall for the last session of 2015. They arrived BY TRAIN, bless them, all excited and bubbly,with that disgustingly undisguised enthusiasm only being at Uni cannot hide! 

Danny Pedler & Rosie Butler Hall

    We had not one but TWO counter attractions within seven miles of our doors last night, so it was gratifying once again, to see standing room only upstairs at a newly-renovated Crown for their visit. Plus we had so many visiting musicians, we could have done with an extra stage to accommodate them all!

House full?

    With hindsight, it was an ambitious programme we had assembled as support for them, with not one but TWO bands, soloists trios and duos all coming and going. The Logistics Fairy screamed “No!” But with our fabulous Sound Man Tom Veasey back at the helm, the  and all our guests keeping to time, we got through what could have been a very challenging evening. 

The Maestro at his desk

  Nunc started events off at 8pm sharp with “ Cold Haily Windy Night “ and the atmospheric  seasonal carol, “Gaudete” -which was taken up enthusiastically by the audience. 

Nunc

            Bob Brooker followed, with a cameo including two songs from his excellent “Fully Restored” CD.   They were all requests,which shows you how popular Bob is becoming! By this stage, the audience were still coming up the stairs and finding all the seats had gone!

   Ian Bourne, a busy man on the Open Mic scene,dropped by to give us three of his extended repertoire. Ian, Nuneaton-based, was new to the venue and was artiste number 55 to debut there.

Ian Bourne

 Fray'd Knot then took to the stage, and ran through some splendidly traditional material. There were lots of them, and Tom was hard pressed to keep everything going!

Fray'd Knot

     John Kearney sang his immortal song about wanting to be Bob Dylan and then very kindly did one of mine-“Tiny Lights.” It's become a bit of a family anthem that one, referring as it does, to battling through a year scarred by tragedies. You could have heard a pin drop whilst he was doing it. Another hallmark of a great club is when an audience listens to a ballad or a quiet song and you can hear a pin drop. Finishing with “ We Shall Overcome.” you wouldn't have heard an RSJ drop. Who would have thought this song would still be so potent? But it was so apt, as simultaneously, down the M1, politicians were debating how best to kill more people most effectively.

John Kearney

    The Thrup'nny Bits were evidently feeling very festive and frisky. They gave us three typically well-arranged, well-delivered, impeccably sung numbers. To a very enthusiastic reception. A fitting warm up for the first set by Danny and Rosie.

The Bits are in full swing

     These two are, like Kim Lowings and The Greenwood, infectiously enthusiastic. They are musically hugely talented and yet gloriously grounded, with not a trace of the Diva about them. Everything that is new and fresh and dynamic about Folk Music, they easily held a large room entranced,throughout. Folky, Funky, Funny and Fogey-free, they are refreshingly young and full of enviable energy.

Coo! This is a bit arty!

A quick Interval and then another large ensemble, Comharsa, literally filled the stage, to get us under way again with “Home Boys Home” and “Cunia”. 

Comharsa

    Nunc followed up with our own arrangement of “ Fairytale in New York,” which went down really well. The raffle followed and thanks to the generosity of guests and performers, it took a while to hand over all those lovely prizes.

Cake donated by The Tilting Kettle. They take orders, you know!

      Having negotiated a few extra minutes with the Guv'nor, we concluded an outstanding evening with a second set from Danny and Rosie. I think they could have gone on all night, fiddling, stamping out the timing, pumping that accordion and including that  lovely hurdy gurdy.  The audience loved it-and genuinely just didn't want to go home! Quality, sheer quality,the whole evening!. The photos incidentally, are by Max Wright,John Kearney and the Old Mac Awe himself. 

View from Tom's desk. 

Beyond Compere: a Beduff Retrospective-

      A final, possibly even unique  retrospective, from a slightly different angle this time, on the weekend's 39^th Bedworth Folk Festival. In all the back-slapping afterwards on Facebook, fulsome tribute was paid ( quite rightly) to all those who contributed towards this wonderful spectacle. Namely:
    The Organisers, of course and in particular, Malc and Gill, without whom there would not have been a Festival at all. Ever. Performers and artistes with their immense and eclectic contributions. Musicians and,dancers.Narrators,storytellers and singers. Also acknowledged is the magic woven by the various Sound Crews, the brilliant audiences and the sheer hard work of the Stewards. We've saluted the patient bar staff (at all the venues), thanked Security and Catering. We've applauded the photographers and the wandering minstrels. We've thanked the people of Beduff for their hospitality, the Civic Hall management and the Rugby Club Committee.We've thanked those who braved the elements singing outside the Almshouses and the Funfair for providing that unobtrusive Saturday night backdrop. Let's hear it too for the  Litter bins, the lamp posts, the pigeons  and that little kitten from up the road at Number 42. That's everyone,then, isn't it?

     Well no, not quite.  Let's hear it also for the M.C.'s. Their contribution cannot be overlooked. The Comperes, those unsung heroes and heroines of The Meet and Greet. Shepherding fractious,nervous, over-confident and occasionally distressed guests to and from their venues, rounding up audiences too, as they go along. Of course, most guests have been to a BFF before, but a smile and a familiar face for them can be very settling. Some guests are new- “ Bedduff Virgins,” as Malc terms them, and  it's an adventure that could go wrong, but seldom does. When I've done BFF as a performer, it is nice to be met by an M.C. Whether Ali O' Brien, Norman Wheatley or Dave Fry, they have always combined banter with boosting self-confidence. It's good to chat to someone who can put you at ease. Or a 'gofer' who can supply a soft drink mid-performance, arrange for  a kit-kat and directions to the Green Room.

     Friday Night at the Rugby Club was the easiest task of the lot, as I knew everyone I had to introduce and they all knew the Rugby Club venue, too. Most of them had appeared at Nuneaton Folk Club, and a couple had even played with me in bands, in the past. I also knew the bar staff and Cousin Tom the Sound Man. An excellent prospect, overall. With so little to do (and because I knew them all), it seemed incumbent upon me to spice up their intros a little with a few extra facts. Or, in the case of The Old 'Uns, some libel, defamation of character and invention. I can state now categorically that Malc Gurnham's latest album is not " Songs From The Commode."  -An easy mistake to make. 

    Logistically, the only question mark was actually against me, having spent the previous couple of days on crutches, whilst at the mercies of Mrs. Itis's young lad Arthur. However, with the help of Wolvey Taxis and despite Hurricane Aloysius threatening to sweep tents off the lawn, I got there in time and intact. With the courage of the exemplary Graeme Knights as my role model I even arrived without my sticks, although I paid dearly for that conceit with some ice-packs on Sunday.

    Dragonhead kicked off  Friday evening. A compere's dream, they are. Always on time and  in place, and they stick to timings. They got the joint poppin' and smiled politely at the jokes I did whilst introducing them, about Daniel O'Donnell, John's erstwhile career in Baking, and Clairvoyancy. ( There's no future in it).

    The Old Un's had rehearsed well and had done a very thorough sound test beforehand, so there was nothing for me to do, but insult them. I had some very old fashioned looks from the stars of TOO,as I outlined their careers to date but the audience seemed to enjoy it, and Sue Benson told me she almost injured herself laughing.
  The Old 'Uns fairly spanked through two 45 minute sets including a brief interval for everyone to get their breath back, and a gusset sorry, guest appearance from Bill Bates. He  seemed far too young to me to qualify, but there you go. 

a few of the Old 'Uns: L to R. Elaine,Malc, John,? Gill

      There was even an encore, and that left Malc himself, Mr. Festival, to welcome Bill Bates and Keith Donnelly who were going to finish the evening with a Late Night concert. When I left, well past midnight, they were in full stride, alternating turn by turn and doing the stuff that has made them so popular on the Folk Circuit.

    Saturday dawned...well it just dawned. Let's say I was mildly hung over- by perhaps a little too much of The Bishop whilst watching Keith and Bill last night, as I risked the vagaries of the local bus service to get to The Civic Hall by 11am, in time for an early spot of compering. Both guests were slightly ill at ease on arrival.  Flaky Tarts I had not met before, but they were two utterly charming blokes in Beach Shirts  who interacted well with each other. A motorway navigation error en route had left them feeling they were a little late, but actually, we managed to get them signed in, plugged in and under way bang on schedule. 

The Flaky Tarts get to grips whilst Tone looks on enthusiastically.

    They shared a very chatty informal session with Tony Portlock, who I had compered before. Inscrutable, talented both as a musician and songwriter, Tony is always a bit of an unknown quantity. Although the heating was on, it had been a damp, cold start to the day, and all three guitarists had a few initial issues with getting fingers warmed up. This did not detract from their performance or their material. As we headed towards the close of the session, Tony was also struggling with sugar levels, however, being like me , a T2D. He left the Flaky Tarts to finish, whilst he went off in search of a top-up. The FT's were neither Flaky nor Tarty, by the way.

    A few hours later, I was back to host a  session led by my good friends Scarecrow. Again, this was laughably easy, but to make it look professional, the audience and I asked them (as requested) intelligent questions about material, instrumentation and arrangements.

    By my reckoning, in just one hour, Scarecrow used 12 instruments between the three of them! We learned a bit more about their background,and some of their songs.I kept Rey supplied with throat sweets (Hall's Extra Strong Mentholyptus and Vocalzone) , and a delightful 60 minutes flew by. Miriam Backhouse and Moses and the Ref dropped by for the final bit. And it was LOVELY to see a very much better-looking Catherine Cope.

Scarecrow

     Later on Saturday evening, I was back at the Rugby Club for a session featuring Chris Tobin,Tony Portlock, Dragonhead and Scolds Bridle. It would be fair to say it was a mixed audience to begin with, with Folkies and Rugby Club stalwarts sharing the bar.(Timothy Taylor had replaced The Bishop by this time).  Hurricane Bertha was tousling the campers tents this time, so there was noise inside and outside to begin with. 

    Chris easily and instantly wove his magic, and had the whole room eating out of his hand (not literally) before the end of the first song. Billy Fury, The Beatles, Bruce Chanel and Buddy Holly numbers got the audience singing enthusiastically. Indeed, so enthused was I by his Buddy Holly, that I son- bombed his encore and between us we did “Rave-On” together.

Chris does not do any Frankie Vaughan. or does he?

  Tony was still evidently struggling again physically, but his performance was not diminished at all. He did some Blues, some Country and a a few of his own,but he was running out of steam and had to finish a little early. I filled the gap by inveigling John Harris into accompanying me in an impromptu version of “All Over Now,” before Dragonhead did another superb set.

Geoff & John getting to grips with " All Over Now "

     Which left Liz and Sue. Scolds Bridle, all the way from The Wirral. They concluded this first concert with some tastefully arranged and heartily sung songs, and a few slightly racier ones. A Scolds Bridle is an instrument of torture, but this was nothing like torture. Nice harmonies, good picking from Liz and strong vocals from Sue. We managed to engineer an encore and this time I kept my trap shut!

Scolds Bridle, looking very dapper!

      Was the evening over? Well not quite, as approaching the interval between the early and late concerts, the lovely Charmaine behind the bar. was going through a bad patch. Charmaine has been the regular bar staff at the Rugby Club Sessions of Bedworth Folk Club, and a nicer more accommodating host could not be found. But she'd had a nasty car crash the previous day and was feeling the consequences. A flood of latecomers came in from The Civic hall, but all managed to get served and settled before the indefatigable Graeme Knights took to the stage for a one-man singing display. In his shorts of many pockets, he launched stridently into a string of fairly Industrial Nautical songs,laced with a few shanties and anecdotes.

     The Timothy Taylors was flowing like-well like Timothy Taylors when I finally took my leave, again well-beyond midnight, to meet my taxi. I knew I could leave Graeme and the Gang to close things down. He's done this sort of thing before, you know. 

Top Twenty Night at Warwick

A cracking night along the A46 on Monday, with Warwick Folk Club's annual Top Twenty Bash. A host of Stars on 45 admirably compered by Norman Wheatley, took us through  a  packed programme of nostalgia, with individual performers and sketches breaking up the evening.

      Mr. Wheatley opened proceedings with " Sunny Afternoon" and " Mr. Bojangles."  Mike Moyes  then followed with " Daydream Believer" and Peter Paul and Mary's " In The Early Morning Rain."  I was due to be there as part of Nunc,  in which case we would have done "After The Gold Rush "  and Fairground Attraction's "Perfect." This was not to be however, so in solo form I did Billy Bragg's " Between The Wars" and an effortless segue of "All Over Now " and " Rave On" which I introduced as " Rave Over Now."

     Sue Harris went easy on herself, selecting " Killing Me Softly" and " You were always on my mind," as her opening gambit.  Ian Dyson did  remarkable things with a banjo before Peter Wimpenny introduced us to a unique interpretation of Dave Berry's " The Crying Game." Rik Middleton, creative as ever, treated us to  Pat Boone's " Love Letters in The Sand" and Abba's " Fernando".    Maggie Coleman did "Farewell Angelina", which charted for Joan Baez in..and "Scarborough Fair."

      In the second half, Robin Kaye, shorn of his more famous brother Danny, made an ambitious tilt at The Moody Blues' " Nights in White Satin'" and followed that with another easy project," The Sounds of Silence."The incomparable Chris Tobin crooned " Alfie," and then accompanied Sue Jefferies on the Springfield's hit " Island Of Dreams."

      During the second half,  Martin Day treated us to " Ghost Riders In The Sky."  What MD did not know was that when I first moved from the City to the country, in 1987, each Friday night, the chorus of this song would echo eerily across the Anker Valley for hours after closing time, as the Cowpokes and Sheep herders of North East Warwickshire staggered nostalgically home from the aptly-named Bull's Head. So another happy moment for me.

     The inappropriately named Melancholy Brothers did a fabulous arrangement of  The Byrd's " 8 Miles High,"  and followed it with a Roxy Music cover. 
       Breathless, we sat back as Keith Donnelly growled  lout a basso profundo cover of Lee Marvin's " I was born under a wanderin' star.'  Keith does a highly recommended alternative parody of Ghost Riders-" Ghost Eiders in The Sky", about spooky geese, but he chose on Monday to follow his opener with Dean Martin's " Gentle On My Mind."
Ian Pittaway finished the evening, with an extraordinary version of "Bob The Builder", played as a Galliard, on a Lute.
     After an evening packed with memories and good audience singing, as the Tumbleweed drifted up the deserted Castle Street, we made our way home and dreamed of our Youth. 


burn; Canadian charts, 1971)

Black Parrot Seaside: 1975-2014

    Other, far more important anniversaries will be commemorated elsewhere today by millions,and I do not underestimate or trivialise their importance by writing this. Many of my family served in the Armed Forces, and most were fortunate enough to come back intact. Indeed, were it not for my dad and both my Grandads doing so, I would not be able to comment on this, (or anything else) today. So yes-I will stop at eleven am this morning, wherever I am, and I will give thanks for that, and the sacrifice of others.

     November 11^th marks a far more trivial anniversary, too. Today it is a year to the day since the band I joined, in around 1975-the oddly-named “Black Parrot Seaside” finally and terminally broke up. It fragmented suddenly, in a distressing way,in my house, whilst we were rehearsing. It was something which I suppose on reflection was inevitable, given the internal tensions which were beginning to surface, but it was nonetheless very painful. We'd had a few dry runs at folding previously, with plenty of arguments, public and private, previous break-ups and long periods of dormant inactivity. The avalanche which followed last year's spat though, was terminal. Besides losing us several gigs and a Festival appearance, it took away several friendships with it. Including one that had endured for 55 years.

     Together, outside and beyond the band, we had helped each other through bereavements and setbacks. We had attended each other's weddings, birthday parties, family funerals and retirement functions. We had watched each others' children grow up and had seen our respective careers flourish, then wither away to a comfortable life of sedentary folk-singing. We gigged, rehearsed, wrote and performed together. We shared holidays, hobbies, a sense of humour and political beliefs. But in the end, this was not enough glue to hold the frail canvas together. As a band, we had plenty of good times, a few very barren times and a lot of flat lining in between. It felt like bereavement when it happened, and it still does.

5 piece BPS format at Banbury Folk Club.

     However, meanwhile, bravely whistling in the dark, and listening to others, I had convinced myself that I could carry on afterwards, running a (very successful) Folk Club, and combining that with maintaining at least a little public presence by performing solo occasionally. I see now, that I was probably both vain and deluded in that belief. 

     It seems that no-one wants to see or hear the stuff that I write or perform nowadays-. which is fair enough. I have reached a point where, unable to play any instrument,and without anyone prepared or available to rehearse, co-write or gig regularly with me, and with no-one very much interested in what I do solo, it is time to man up, face reality and accept defeat. I have tried unsuccessfully to launch several alternatives to BPS over the last 12 months and I have carried on writing, but it seems that neither my heart, nor anyone else's is really in it. I seem to have reached a spot where I cannot even command a floor spot, except from close friends. I cannot entice, persuade or cajole anyone into sharing a stage with me on a regular or permanent basis. I have become a Folk Jonah: an Albatross. It's a long way down from playing support to Darts and East of Eden, or from hearing your own work played on Radio One. 

     I have a couple of final commitments to fulfill and then,unless something really radical happens, all I will have left  is Nuneaton Folk Club. A good cause, and one that needed re-launching. I have had great support in this enterprise from people like Julian Harkins, Malc Gurnham, John Kearney, Tom Veasey and Phil Benson. And also from my own family, especially Maggie and Fiona, who have given me great backing, and physical presence. I have had tremendous positive feedback, from audiences and performers. It has taken a lot of hard work to get the venue up and running, in the process, causing me a bit of stress occasionally, which has in turn probably triggered a few health issues. When I first agreed to have a go at it, I was led to believe that it would not harm the band, indeed, some felt it might enhance our collective talents by giving us a regular monthly target to rehearse for-the Residency. That was not to be. We made one appearance there only, which proved to be our last ever performance. And that was not the original 1978 format. Creative Armageddon followed.  

    So.... Black Parrot Seaside, one year on-R.I.P. As to Nuneaton Folk Club-who knows?

Manic Wednesdays

1. The Larder-Wednesday afternoon

     Mid-afternoon Cafe Cabaret again yesterday afternoon at The Larder in Atherstone's High Street. As the Cafe continued to fill to bursting point, Steve Beeson and I reflected nostalgically on the occasion when only he and I had turned up, and how we then manfully faced the prospect of a long afternoon entertaining the diners on our own.

    No longer the case nowadays, as both the cafe and Atherstone itself were heaving-filled to overflowing yesterday. Perhaps word had spread that we were coming? It meant that the first three car parks I tried were full, and I had to park miles away and hobble on still-gammy pins the full length of that same (aptly named) Long Street. I was already a little late anyway, as I had popped into The Crown in Nuneaton en route, to help set out the room for a second Happening later that same evening. Of which more later.

A plethora of musicians were gathered (just) inside The Larder. Outnumbering the customers by at least four to one, I don't suppose the owners minded, as singing and playing is notoriously thirsty work. The tea and coffee and sausage butties just kept flowing. Dave and Julia Taylor,Phil Benson and Steve Beeson, Malc and Gill, Ian Bourne, John Meechan and Peter McParland were amongst those I knew well. It is very informal there, so others were introduced as “Terry” or “Bob” or in a few cases, simply “That lady over there.” A more thorough identification of all who performed is not yet possible. 

     We had shanties and singarounds. Covers and originals. I began my own little turn with Billy Bragg's “ Between The wars”  The cafe is militarily themed and with Remembrance Sunday approaching, it had seemed apposite. I had also prepared beforehand “ Over The Hills And Far Away,” but alas, I noticed the songsheet for that on a music stand as I entered.

Later I added “ Down Our Street,” instead, and as an example of a modern song written last year, which reflects everyday things now largely forgotten. Is this also “Folk Music “? I submit that it is. 

    As the audience got gamely into their stride on the choruses, a pile of dishes tumbled over in the kitchen upstairs, and at a separate table, teacups were knocked over. I reflected, mid-song upon the disturbing effect I generally seem to have upon Warwickshire audiences. John Kearney's (unsuccessful ) bottle juggling at both Bedworth venues, for example. The heckling I seem to inspire. The song-bombing, and the mobile phones going off. Ah well. It adds to the general ambience.

    This little cameo was intended to warm my tonsils up for compering Nuneaton Folk Club, a few miles along the A5 (or over the hill to The Camp, if you prefer that route), a few hours later. Double alas, as that was not to be. The Club went ahead, and I compered. But due to some logistical problems, my own vocal contribution was the first to be guillotined.  I did lots of shouting and announcing, but no singing. Which is a pity for me, but not necessarily for the audience.

2. Nuneaton Folk Club- Wednesday Evening

   So all a bit hectic (again) in The Crown, as we kicked off. Despite my best efforts over the last few months, including going in at lunchtime to try and give us a head start, one or two organisational problems last night meant that we started about 12 minutes down. Indeed, without the hard work of Malc Gurnham, guesting once again on the mixing desk, we might not have started at all. All credit to the audience though, who had heeded advance publicity and got there in time for the start. 

Malc & Gill

    It was a good turnout, approaching the eighty+ mark at its height. Difficult to head count, as the nature of the club means that though most people stay throughout, others drift in and drift out...and often drift back in again. Amongst the Guest Beers downstairs were the utterly divine Abbeydale Deception and a beer from the St Agnes/ Driftwood Spars brewery at my beloved Trevaunance Cove. This tended to make a few Camra members take their time climbing back upstairs.

      I can only liken starting off a busy Folk Club to launching an annual Primary School Christmas Nativity in front of a packed hall full of anxious parents. It's a lonely place up on that big stage,facing a sea of expectant faces who are checking watches, fretting about what is going to happen, wondering when it is all going to start, indeed one or two wondering,” Why are we here?” ..........But enough of the performers.

   The Nativity analogies continue, though. Each month my meticulously pre-planned Gordon Brittas timetables gradually unravel and defy all the Laws of Logistics. What can go wrong does go wrong. Up on the stage, thanks to the slightly incongruous disco lights, one is never cold,and any prospect of performers dropping off mid-set is countered by the ever-changing sequence of coloured bulbs. 

   Re-shuffle number two, I had to ask Malc and Gill to open for us, which seemed particularly cruel, as Malc was already visibly struggling with:

1. The remnants of a pernicious flu' like bug:
2. Keeping his patience with my (silly) answers to his (sensible) questions and:
3. The vagaries and hidden wonders of the Pub sound system.

    This did not detract from a typically entertaining opening from the duo however, which got the audience singing. Although the sight of Malc's sweat pouring down the body of his guitar emphasised the sacrifices some troupers will go to in order to ensure that the show (literally) does go on.

    Hilary Wilson and John Wright then combined to give us fifteen minutes of harmony and reflective music. They do make a nice sound together, though both are also established individual solo performers.

John and Hilary

    Next up came the Talk of Long Itch, The Willow and Tool Band (or is it the Tool and Willow Band?) making their NFC debut. Lolly set aside her pile of marking, and her dad set aside his barked instructions and face-pulling, to mount the stage. A roisterous, foot tapping set, packed with instrumentation followed, punctuated by the worst joke I have ever heard in a Folk Club. Keith Eardley tooted his blues harp,spanked his Uke and swung his bongo (ooh matron!) and Pete woke up one of the punters with his atmospheric whoops in “ Johnny I hardly knew ya. ” I always find this chorus challenging, as it is easy to get your drums and guns transposed to gums and bums if wearing dentures. Afterwards I thanked the The Wool and Tillow Band for their contribution, which seemed a healthy resolution of the name order debate.     Lolly incidentally, made a fine sight perched on her high stool, marking books. I bet she thought that was a fairly unique sight, but I do recall a gentleman last year who sat in the same place making wire sculptures, and a couple of ladies who have brought in knitting.

The Tillow and Wool Band in full stride

    The effortlessly suave and very accomplished Chris Tobin then took charge and won the audience's heart with his version of Billy Fury's “Half Way to Paradise.” A truly magical NFC moment. I can promise you-there will be more of that to come!

Chris Tobin en route to Paradise

      Dragonhead , good supporters of NFC continued the conveyor belt of quality, with two romping Cajun tunes, and a version of “South Australia” which again got the audience roaring back the responses.

Dragonhead

    To conclude a marvellous first half, “Highly Strung”-the venerable and magnificent Terry and Jan Wisdom serenaded us with an extended set. Terry's instinctive fretwork, Jan's immaculate pitch and timing and their relaxed arrangements had everyone cooing. Terry finished with a slightly naughty but hilarious account of his life in Folkdom. Wonderful.

Jan & Terry-a study in concentration

    The raffle featured prizes generously donated by Malc Gurnham, John Kearney, Kim Lowings and yours truly. John Kearney's set was another casualty, as we continued to struggle for time, but he did lead The Company if a fulsome rendition of “ We Shall Overcome”-which is becoming one of his Party Pieces. Thanks to Mags and Gill helping out, with the raffle it all went smoothly and we were able to sit back and enjoy a glorious closing set from the fabulous Kim Lowings and The Greenwood. I'd seen them before, and I knew they'd be just right for our audience. 

Kim and The Greens opening up

     A blissful 40 minutes or so concluded events. Now, I can say with some authority, as a performer, as a compere and as an Organiser, I have led a long and colourful life in this music game I've met all types. Been on Radio One. Had publishing recording and management deals in the past. Out there currently are a few mediocre acts (we don't allow them at NFC). There are some great singers and writers and some talented musicians on the circuit. There are a few who have highly imaginative views of their own importance and ability. And frankly, there are one or two right bloody Divas, who can shove their riders and caveats and negotiated fees right where the sun don't shine    Kim Lowings and The Greenwood are among the best of The Good Guys. Four of the nicest people I've ever worked with, and that is a very important additional string to their bow, believe me. The corporate sound they produce is seamless, relaxing, and gripping. They are individually gifted and Kim is an outstanding singer and musician. Some bands who share this level of accomplishment never cease to try to overwhelm an audience or promoters and organisers with it. KLATG have no time for any of that. They let their music do the talking. If you didn't get to see them last night, you can catch them at Atherstone Folk Club or at Bedworth Folk Festival next month. And they will DEFINITELY be coming back to The Crown.  

Kim getting a buzz from her dulcimer