A night of Firsts.

NUNC

Cold Haily Windy Night at Ridge Lane

     Actually it was none of these things. Indeed, the weather for once was fairly ambient as we made our way up through Stockingford,  Arbury and Ansley and across  the Nunnyshire  Alps to the Church End Brewery Tap. Last night saw Notts Alliance guesting at Atherstone Folk Club's regular Wednesday session.  This was not an act I was seeing for the first time, but otherwise last night was a night of firsts for me.

 

     I was there the first day the Atherstone Club opened, and I have been back many times since, both in a band and solo. But last night  was the first time that someone else had very kindly driven me there. So it was also the first time as a performer that I was able to partake of the excellent local provenance before and after singing. I started with Goat's Milk (it's a beer, for the uninitiated!) and though that was pleasant, soon moved on to a particular favourite of mine, the aptly named "Fallen Angel." A fruity bitter much loved by regulars at Bedworth Folk Festival. It was the first time that Green Man's Rising's Steve Bentley had offered to buy me a drink, and the first time I've declined one from him, as I was at the bar getting a round in, and only the unwise or ungodly would take advantage of Steve like that. ( Nahh! just joshing. He's an old softie really. Gruff and gobby like me-which is probably why we understand each other so well).

 

    It was the first time there too for Nunc, and we had a lovely time. I hope the audience enjoyed it as much as we did. It was  also  the first time I have ever sung three serious songs in a row  there-two traditional and one contemporary. And it was the first time I have used a Mini iPad as a prompt.  Nunc still need one because although risen from the ashes of two now defunct, separate and very experienced recording/performing bands (Pennyroyal and Black Parrot Seaside), each of us are still learning the new material. Although our repertoire continues to rise, until it broadens out more fully, and until we have worked our way around the local circuit, that's how it will pan out.

 

     Last night was the first time, after only a couple of rehearsals, that we had aired "Cold Haily Windy Night" This is a song I've loved and admired for ages. The most famous version is Steeleye Span's and we are both unashamedly influenced by them. But I confess I prefer the fuller, more layered  sound and specifically,the vocals of the Imagined Village interpretation. Either way, trying to get anywhere near it acapella is not easy, but we were both chuffed with how it sounded.   Flossie led on "After The Goldrush," and to finish we ended with "Bedlam Boys," Or Boys of Bedlam. Whatever. Steve Bentley missed all three, which is a pity because GMR also cover that and I'd have been interested to see what he made of it.

 

       It was the first time I'd seen the admirable Mick Stanley  of Comharsa, since he'd been injured crossing the road outside Nuneaton Folk Club. Mick was right in front of us-you couldn't miss him! He is still on crutches, but making great progress, and looking forward immensely to joining us at NFC on Sean Cannon's night.  Finger in The Jar opened the evening, followed by Dave Webb and Pete McParland. Then came us, followed by Sue Sanders (proudly playing her newly repaired fiddle). Our party had not turned out to be as large as hoped, with several family members pulling out an hour before the club began. Which was a shame, because Des Patalong followed Sue and included " The Call " from his fabulous new CD, in the hope that my sister, who wrote it, might be there to hear it. But she wasn't, alas. Des was in fine voice (when isn't he?) and got the room pulsating with rousing versions also of "John Kernaka " and " Shallow Brown."   Malc and Gill continued that theme with some powerful singing including their own very individual interpretation of "Where have all the Flowers Gone?" Then we broke for the raffle, and that odd AFC phenomenon, those few guests who positively sprint from the room at the interval to avoid buying a ticket.

      

        It was a good turnout for Notts Alliance, who hosted all of the post-interval session. They specialise in finely crafted, smoothly sung, immaculately balanced  three part harmony arrangements. The name conjures up imagery of begrimed miners wearily making their way back to the surface at Clipstone or Shireoaks.  Or of a plot line in a D.H. Lawrence novel. But by their own admission, they are much more "erudite" than that. Largely with great success, although at times straying slightly too far into the academic for me. Having helped Des record "Ale Ale Glorious Ale " for instance, I much preferred his version to the Alliance's slightly twee variation, substituting the word wine for "Ale"  Most of the ladies in the room loved this, and nodded knowingly at the cleverness of it all. Whereas Flossie bless her, by this time was, like me, working through pints of Fallen Angel.

 

        Adrenalin was still pumping as it does sometimes after public performance. Once home the four of us got through not only further glorious ale, but some brandy,some schnapps and a bottle of well, glorious wine. I am too ashamed to say what time that little post-gig party ended-but there were some sore heads later the same morning.   

Investing in The Bank

        Last Wednesday saw another brilliant night at Bedworth Folk Club's Old Black Bank venue. Kim Lowings and The Greenwood were the star attraction, so the car park was deservedly full early doors!

      A packed first half saw floor spots from Des Patalong, John Kearney, Dave Webb, Malc & Gill and Mac Awe on Tour. Also in the audience but not playing or singing were Phil Benson, Terry & Jan Wisdom, Sue Sanders, Joe Roberts and Peter McParland.

 

   Des by popular request did the haunting "Shallow Brown " from his newly released CD "Good For Nothing. " Not a dry eye in the house, with  some fabulous chorus singing from the audience. John Kearney was reluctantly (well not too reluctantly) persuaded to drag those Jolly Boys out again. The audience once more jovially and enthusiastically singing along with him.

   By now the Earworms were coming thick and fast. To my delight, someone complained afterwards that they could not get "Folking Liberty, " out of their head. I recommend Malc & Gill's version of the uplifting John Richard's song "Shine On " for sweeping away and then obliterating all other earworms. it was sublime-and again, with wonderful chorus singing. The other song Mac Awe on Tour did was " Albert Balls." The first time that this song has been performed publicly since the demise of the band in November 2014. Can BPS songs survive beyond BPS? The audience seemed to think so.  

    After the break we were treated to a Beduff debut from Dipped Sheep, a duo consisting of Michael Luntley and Keith Nickless,. I'd first seen them at Warwick Folk Club last month. They are at Nuneaton on May 6th for the Bill Bates gig.

   As for Kim & Co. this was the second time I'd seen them here. They just get better and better. Superb musicianship in a mix of original songs and covers remains their speciality. Kim has an excellent vocal range and excellent projection. I'm so glad we've got them coming to Nuneaton Folk Club this year, too. And I have no doubts they'll be off out Atherstone way before you can say Baddesley Ensor. Malc has already booked them in for this year's Bedworth Folk Festival. See them when you can.

 

     Coming up this week, Mac Awe's feminine wing, "Nunc " are making their debut at Atherstone Folk Club on Wednesday, where the Featured guests are Notts Alliance.  March sees Nunc also  making their first appearances at two more clubs: Willow & Tools Music Parlour out at Long Itchington (March 1st) and Warwick Folk Club on the 16th.

Nunc But The Brave

      Another night of absolute quality at The Crown yesterday. Chilly outside and not exactly Tropical inside, but what superb music our guests produced. All of them could have topped the bill elsewhere! And each of them, an audience might more usually be invited to pay to see. Whereas here-all this for free.  Even with the disappointment of Malc and Gill and K.C. Jones having to pull out late due to illness, we still had a capital bill which would have cost you double figures in your average Village Hall, Festival  or Theatre!

    Nunc ( Niecey Flossie and I ), kicked the evening off, as the punters were still rolling in, with "After The Gold Rush" and " We Can Work It Out."

Nunc. They CAN work it out.

      John Kearney followed, tried to do two only, but was caught out and ushered back on for "The Jolly Boys."   Des Patalong had brought along his brand new CD, and treated us to three numbers from it. "Lowlands" was roared back enthusiastically by the audience, despite it being one of the saddest songs I know. And then, proving what a versatile family we Veaseys and Lindsays can be, he sang a song from the album written by my sister, Diane. "The Call."  Rather sweetly.

    Daisybell looked and sounded the best I'd heard them so far. (And I've seen them a lot. I thought of the name you know! "Let it Go!" someone shouted from the floor as I introduced them, and reminded folk of this salient fact). Three cracking songs from the ladies/girls. wimmin, including "Down To The River To Pray " (a keeper) and "Mirrors" (ditto). With some stomping Rock Accordion from Sally Anne Veasey. Yes, another one.

Action shot of The Daisies

    Somerville Gents, having strayed across the Border checkpoint from South Warwickshire, concluded the first half Floor spots. As they'd come a long way we let them have four, and they demonstrated a broad canvas of harmonies and musicianship. Qualities which I'd seen previously, but most of the audience hadn't. Intriguingly, they opened with a version of  "The Poacher's Lament," (which is a different song/tune to "The Poacher."). The only other band I know who did this song used to be ...Black Parrot Seaside. We did it unaccompanied, with four part harmonies. The Gents did it faster and set to music. Interesting.

Somerville Gents a long way from home

     Phil Hare then completed his first set. He opened with a clever song featuring me and Malc and Gill. And Nuneaton. Things then became very complicated for me as, besides organising the raffle and compering, someone had asked me to film his slot. I had a few false starts featuring his knees and shoes-but managed to get about 35 minutes recorded, hopefully to relay privately on to someone who was a fan of Phil's music  but too poorly to attend. Phil whacked out instrumentals, self-penned songs and covers, with a remarkable dexterity which had guitarists in the audience (and there were many) drooling.

Phil. And THAT hat

    Nunc did a Steel Eye-style medley of "Bedlam Boys" and "Rave On " to commence the second half, before our 33rd debut act in 5 months, Dragonhead, warmed up for Phil's final slot. And warm us all up  they did. A local band, who had run Nuneaton's previous Folk Club, they got the audience tapping their feet and rattling their jewellery. Cajun, Trad-they flung the lot in. You can see them again soon at Bulkington and we'd certainly welcome them back.

Dragonhead. Back on home turf. Our 33rd guests in 5 months!

    Phil completed the evening, with another peerless set including a made-up song about Romantic Guinea Pigs which was right up our street. I explained to his wife that my Niece was laughing so much because her Guinea Pig sometimes appears on Facebook, with a foul-mouthed teddy bear. Phil completed his set with a medley of clever instrumentals incorporating Angie and a few other slipped in tunes, plus a lyric about Mockneys, "Everyone's a Hard Man Now." Even though the hour was late, the hardy souls remaining joined in with the refrain with an enthusiasm which would have made Danny Dyer blush.

 

     Not as big an attendance as last month, but still just topping sixty or so at one point, and still the biggest I've seen at an acoustic venue in my ten visits to other venues so far this year. We didn't spoil Phil's night entirely by telling him Liverpool  had won. (He's a Toffee, you know). And I think we made his long trip from and back to Cambridgeshire worthwhile.If you missed him, he's back in the area, at Bedworth Folk Club, soon. I bought three of his CD's at a bargain price-so if you weren't there-you missed out on that, too.

     

      Tom Veasey ( yes we Veaseys get about a bit), drove the Sound desk with the aplomb of James May wrestling with a John Deere. He's happy in his work is young Tom, and here's a shot of his beloved desk, just for him, taken from his podium at the back of the room.

Tom's Pride and Joy. Phil Hare on stage about a mile away.