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| 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.
