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| Gorgeous action shot of The Crown. We're upstairs! |
Last night saw the biggest attendance so far at Nuneaton Folk Club's monthly session. With the large room well up to capacity, given the various pre (and post!) Christmas illnesses potentially affecting audiences and performers, this was a magnificent turnout. Part of this was due to the calibre of the performers, their reputation preceding them through great publicity from Folk Monthly, local Radio and generous local press coverage. Indeed , we had been offered beforehand not one but two "live" on air interviews on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, with me conducting a late one with Phil Upton from the (mercifully peaceful) Lounge of The Crown at 4.45 last night!
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| Mac Awe on Tour performing " If I were a Goat." |
This reputation also comes from the fact that word has got around, and many audience faces are now familiar ones. They know they will see a talented and diverse set of performers, along with the featured artiste. For free. In a pub which has been a CAMRA bastion for years, run by a Guvn'or who really knows his music.
So big was last night's attendance, that punters were queuing to get up the stairs, the pot collectors were kept busy all night, and we'd sold out of Folk Monthlies even before proceedings got under way. I kicked off events by giving an honourable mention to The Fallen-those who had intended to come but had been knocked out by various Lurgies or work commitments. This included Flossie McDougall (one half of Nunc), Ginny White and Sally Ann Veasey, ( two thirds of Daisybell) (Great name) and Bob Brooker-hugely disappointed to have tumbled at the last fence on his final circuit of the course and probably still venting his spleen this morning on Facebook. Sue Sanders, Malc and Gill and Webby were also missed but had sent apologies.
Nunc were also amongst the pre-gig casualties, so instead of them opening as planned, it was Mac Awe on Tour squawking out a couple of Parrot songs-"The Bold Pirate " and " Down Our Street."
Next up, and masterfully engineered by Sound Wizard Tom Veasey, from the back of the Hall, Paul Moore and Simon Veasey. Tom's set-up (of which he is very VERY fond) is pictured below.
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| Some Mixing Desk Porn for Tom. |
(Mmm! )....The Good Ol' Boys delivered a trio of atmospheric, moody Anker Delta smokin' Meth tunes. (That's what they told me to write anyway). They sound good in The Fox these two, but through Julian's massive sound system, and Tom-driven--they were just epic.
 Simon Veasey is concentrating
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Hilary Wilson brought the room back to somewhere near decorum, with three of her carefully crafted, beautifully delivered songs.
 Arty shot of Hilary Wilson |
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John Kearney would probably agree that he had arrived looking a little dishevelled and slightly distressed. He had composed himself by the time his spot arrived. It included a poignant reflection on the theme of Auld Lang Syne, and the ubiquitous "Jolly Boys" (which he probably hates by now-but when you get requests for a great song-what's to be done?)
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| John "Jolly Boy Kearney" last night |
Daisybell ( great name) were another late casualty, but a less than fully well Katherine Fear was cajoled and bullied into doing just one of her own songs. It was lovely. Well done, Kate.
 Katherine Fear |
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With Bob Brooker a late faller too, this gave a remarkable young man called Kane an opportunity to debut at NFC and he grabbed it-playing a haunting, moody piece on ...well a sort of flute. Modest, affable-he has a future in this game-and like everyone else there last night-he's local!
 Kane blowin' in the Wind. |
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Another debutant, Alyson Bushell Edwards gave us some more thoughtful, well-rounded songs, warming us up for Kristy to complete the first half.
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| Alyson gets to grips with an NFC audience |
None of you reading this know that Kristy and I were exchanging emails over the previous 24 hours as she was very concerned about losing her voice. That was why we'd amended her set slightly. There was nothing to fear, as she gave us two sets of the usual high quality, with a certain huskiness which was either brought on by Laryngitis or an appealingly attractive vocal style. Boy she can pick the guitar, also. Bet she can't shout at her mum this morning, though! I like Kristy for all these things, and her professionalism. But also because she was bold enough to give Black Parrot Seaside gigs at places like The Tuns and The Tin Angel. She just lives music, that girl.
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| Kristy Gallacher on stage last night. |
The interval raffle, thanks to Mags and Michele, meant that we were able to (ahem!) reimburse Kristy's expenses, and present Kevin Dempsey with a Thorntons White Chocolate Snowman won as a prize. He was overwhelmed. Dressing room rider next time, Kev?
Mac Awe on Tour returned to start the second half, with Dave Parr providing a typically tasteful background to a BPS/Beyoncé collaboration, " If I were a Goat." We've performed this song from Banbury to Market Bosworth, but never has the bleated chorus been returned so enthusiastically. (Worrying). During Mac Awe On Tour's second number, " Cockney Power," a Red Admiral butterfly appeared, fluttered round my head and settled on my cheek. The audience thought it was some type of remote-controlled mini-drone, I think. Remarkable.
 Mac Awe On Tour |
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A treat for us all then, as Kevin Dempsey, who I'd cut a deal with the night before, did three fantastic numbers. The final one, featuring a guitar solo which was well-just... startling. Mark King thumb slaps and all. Kev has already been booked for a return Featured Guest slot. And he's going to do Atherstone Folk Club too, in 2016. Part of the deal was the sweetener of Kev promising to bring Brian Phillips with him last night. Which he did. Welcome back, Brian. Hope to see you up on that stage soon.
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| Kevin Dempsey at Nuneaton |
And then it was the Divine Miss Gallacher, to close another fantastic Bond Street evening, in typical style. A seamless second set featuring new songs, old songs, and a few covers of Dylan, Colvin and Guthrie tunes. Classic. I counted over a dozen talented local musicians dotted round the room in the audience. They had not got a floor spot, but still came along anyway, to savour the ambience, the atmosphere and the goodwill. That's a measure of the team spirit in this town, and shows how well we are doing.
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| Arty shot of Kristy. |
See you all next month, when PHIL HARE is our featured guest. With floor spots including Nunc, Dragonhead, Somerville Gents, KC Jones, Des Patalong, Malc and Gill Daisybell and John Kearney. Can't wait.
These photos are courtesy of Max Wright and John Neal. There are lots of photos and plenty of chat on the Nuneaton Folk Club Facebook page. (This is a controlled group with restricted membership. You have to request to join). I will also post some of the photos into the Gallery section of the Club website at :
http://blackparrotseaside.weebly.com/
