Seven Year Itchington

Three Venue reports rolled into one- it was a busy week.

Mac Awe in pensive mood at Beduff

    Sunday 22nd February saw a thumpingly good night at Monks Kirby, with Sly Old Dogs assembled in full, and even bolstered by several other instrumentalists. Such a good night was it that Paco the Landlord at The Bell, doubled his usual contribution and did not one, but two spoons solos.  I was there as Mac Awe. One again I had a request, and happily it wasn't " Will you Sit Down?" Or "could you possibly go home?" It was for "Down our Street," or " The Di Di Song, " as many fondly nowadays refer to it. I was happy to oblige. I had a tentative solo run out with " Cold Haily Windy Night " and finished with "Black Velvet Band."  The audience were in fine voice and it would have been rude not to have drawn them in.

     Wednesday saw another floor spot this time at a Bedworth Festival Fund raiser.  On a crowded bill were Joe Roberts, Dave Webb, "Angry" Dave Parr, Sue Sanders with her newly repaired fiddle, Malc & Gill, (obviously), and Jan and Campbell Perry-straying into Cov and N.Warks more regularly now, I'm pleased to say.  I sang  three old BPS standards, "Manure," "Albert Balls" and " Down Our Street." The audience backed me superbly. They always do, here.

    A real highlight was the welcome return to the stage of Brian Phillips-a very moving occasion for all concerned. It must have been very challenging for him but he sang well and showed breathtaking dexterity on guitar. Welcome back into the Warwickshire Folk Family, Brian. The inimitable John Kearney was the featured guest, and he rounded off a good night out with a splendid set of light and shade. He writes some good tunes, does John, and he is a master of diplomatic understatement. " I've never heard a Hank Williams song performed like that," he noted innocently in a review of the same night afterwards. ( Me neither). I'm so flattered that he now finishes his set with the song he wrote about my notorious holiday in Vilamoura-"Jolly Boys." And time too, for an encore-our Petula's "DownTown," lustily sung. by all. 

 

      One week on and it was another Sunday night out and about.  This  time with Nunc, off on a cross-country jaunt.  A debut at Willow and Tool's Music Parlour for Earlsdon and Wolvey's best (only?) harmony duo.  Situated in the quirky confines of The Harvester, one of Long Itchington's many pubs. (the provenance of each and every one of which I am almost ashamed to say, I have previously sampled, at gigs, beer festivals or returning from Boro away games on the South Coast). Compered by John "Tool" McIntosh, who introduced us by fondly reminiscing over the night we shared duties at Rod Felton's Memorial Concert. "Geoff was Sam Fox to my Mick Fleetwood," Tool beamed, at a slightly frightened audience. Crammed into a room full of alcove,s corners and stored paraphernalia.  A lot for them to think about in that imagery.

   We appeared to be the only acapella act on the roster. With Pete Willow having been devastated by a bereavement earlier in the week, it was a composite House Band that kicked off the evening, with just the five opening numbers. Indeed, the musicians flowed thick and fast throughout the evening-it was quite dazzling at times. 

    No less than Will Pound!! had  turned up for a floor spot so we found ourselves warming up for  a R2 Folk Music Awards nominee. No pressure there, then. Will and his two mates possibly enjoyed our act but it was difficult to judge, as they sat on the front row, heads bowed so low over their table that it was impossible to see whether they were asleep, distressed or focussing intently on the calibre of the music. In fairness to them, if they had looked up, the light shining off my bald dome would have blinded them, so close were we both to the front tables. (This is why I try so hard never to sit at the front-so that I can actually enjoy and absorb the performance of others, without eyeballing them in the abdomen).  

     Will himself is impressively gifted and his set was a treat. He played for us three longish instrumentals which turned elementary traditional tunes into virtually orchestral pieces. On harmonica and accordion, that is no mean feat. Lovely technique, and fantastic tempo. No wonder he's so popular.

   Nunc performed competently enough, but despite having rehearsed all three songs previously  without prompt or flaw. However ,the music stand promised by Tool beforehand had suddenly mysteriously become unavailable-Tool thought it might be stored up on a shelf with the cruets and breadbaskets somewhere. He also forgot the dressing room rider of three pints of Vedett.  We sang "Cold Haily Windy Night" together but nerves soon grabbed a hold, I forgot the words and had to squint downwards at a songsheet.  The one I had stuffed right under Will's nose. In truth, I had also been fazed by the sight of what appeared to be a woman's disembodied head floating in a fishtank. (Later I would discover that this was actually just a feature in an adjoining room, bar-dwellers to suddenly peer into the music area). "Goldrush" and " Tom O' Bedlam" followed and some of the audience bravely joined in choruses, but it was evident that Traditional Folk, (Will Pound excepted), was not to be the staple diet here tonight. 

Nunc

 

    A three-piece called Mesa kicked off the second half with several songs-some covers, some self written. Nice and tight, with some decent vocals and some very tasty electric guitar licks, Mark Knopfler style.

    The featured guest was Anna Ryder-and she was excellent. A cheerful lady who did not always do cheerful songs, she sat behind an electric piano, came out from behind it and spanked a banjo, and in one memorable instance played both accordion and trumpet simultaneously whilst singing a rather jolly Bessie Smith blues which was 100% enjoyable. ( I know people who can't do any of those things solo, let alone in one fell swoop).  She also roped in a slightly different houseband featuring mandolin, harmonica and clarinet. Interesting. 

   An eclectic night, and home before 1am after a circuitous 52 mile round journey.  The things we do. eh? Tsk!