Afternoon: Larking at The Larder
The clouds glowered,the temperatures plummeted and the rain continued to fall in stair rods as two Folk events were played out yesterday. None of this diminished the enthusiasm of two very different audiences, in two very different Warwickshire venues. With two largely different sets of performers. The only common denominator performance-wise being yours truly.
Afternoon Cafe Cabaret continues in the Bohemian Quarter of Atherstone on the first Wednesday of each month. In The Larder to be accurate, a delightful and atmospheric WW2 themed cafe in the main street. Here, shoppers, diners, and yes, even a few customers who are actually seeking out the music, pop in for a cuppa and a butty. Each month they are entertained by a broad diversity of acts. This was until recently, a unique experience. That is, until later this month, when another newly-opened Larder Cafe, in Ashby, is going to be subject to the same experience.
These original sessions have been going now for something like two years, so we must be doing something right. Expertly hosted by Atherstone Folk Club doyen Phil Benson, the music swings effortlessly from table to table. Those of us who are the more experienced performers there have learned new tricks of the trade, like standing in the doorway to prevent customers leaving during our songs, ( or swivelling expertly mid-warble, to admit new audience members waiting in the street outside). Singing on the move like this-avoiding pots of tea incoming, or body swerving, Jimmy Greaves style those who wish to pay their bill, is almost like indoor busking.
We had an eclectic mix performing in there yesterday. AFC Residents Finger In The Jar, their singer-songwriter/raconteur/bon vivant Steve Beeson (flying solo): Comharsa's Mick Stanley: John and Elaine Meechan, myself, and a nervous newcomer, Nick Gravestock, from Ashby. Between them, they provided instrumentals, unaccompanied and accompanied traditional and contemporary songs from all kinds of backgrounds and eras: and a self-penned Magnum Opus from Steve. A long homage to the RAF boys in the Battle of Britain, in the middle part of which, Steve announced wistfully " I've cut an awfully long middle section out here." A good job, as we'd have been driving home in the dark.
If you will forgive the continuing aeronautical metaphors, I flew by the seat of my pants and trialled three new songs. Making their debut were, Bowling Along," "Impromptu Irish Band" and " Dixon of Duck Green." Really well received, with the choruses sung enthusiastically.
Evening: Nuneaton Folk Club
And it was only a couple of hours later, having briefly nipped home, that I was back on the road, on my way into downtown Nuneaton, to open up the top room at The Crown, for another fun-filled night. With the help of Sound Guru Tom, Jules the gaffer, and my Good Lady, albeit a little breathless, we had the place looking and sounding shipshape by the time the first punters were climbing up the stairs. Our Main Guests were Thrup'nny Bits. Ably supported by Nunc, Colin Squire, Hilary Wilson, Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan, Daisybell , John Kearney and Christ Tobin.
Nunc kicked event off with "After The Goldrush,"and "Bring It On Home. " Second half, they did "We Can Work It Out" and " Black Jack David."
 |
| Nunc can work it out |
Chris and Colin were making their debuts-I already knew their work well, and their assured singing and playing went down well with our NFC audience. We'll get them both back soon. John Kearney was coming along anyway, as a CD salesman, but did not know, until 6pm, that I'd drafted him in as a late sub. You wouldn't have guessed it, from his seamless rendition of " We Shall Overcome," and " When I Needed a Neighbour." The latter so apposite in terms of Current Affairs, with some nations more inhospitable than others nowadays. The former, I had missed him doing last month, when Dave Wilson of Winter Wilson had afterwards described it so graphically on Facebook. The combination of John's confident, measured anger, and the audience's solid, defiant backing, was as exactly as Dave had previously described it-truly moving. ( Must be a "Live " track for the album, JK?). With "Jolly Boys" sandwiched in between, it was a clever juxtaposition of light and shade. " We Shall Overcome" was a song many of us hoped we would one day not have to sing any more. Some hopes!
Malc and Gill had received slightly more notice. 24 hours or more! Having compered for us last month, they tapped into the mood with a lovely Kate Wolf song, and a new arrangement of John Richard's hymn of hope "Shine On." An inspirational song I've started doing myself lately. For a little light relief, they added John Prine's "What In The World," Again: powerful vocals, with classic audience singing.
Hilary Wilson, a regular visitor, once more had the audience mesmerised. Many NFC-goers have commented on how audiences here can belt out inspirational lyrics and then settle down to listen to beautiful paced songs the way Hils does them. She got the audience murmuring along with an intelligent interpretation of a Fleetwood Mac song as an intro, and then you could have heard a pin drop throughout two others including the haunting "Belladonna." Hilary had forgotten to bring and sell her own CD. A pity. She'd have shifted a few.
Daisybell finally launched their CD, and combined measured harmonies with competent instrumentation. I liked all their stuff. I liked Katherine's new style Irish dancing, as she strove to untangle the leads from her feet. I also liked Sally-Anne's unflappability upon losing her accordion lead, her fond maternal teasing of young Tom as he set the girls' sound up, and "Ring The Bells" provided the night's earworm for me. We'll get them back to share a Feature Night.
 |
| Belle Power |
Chris Tobin worked the audience well before the Bits' second Set. He has a great voice, has a red guitar which he plays supremely well, and a boyish charm which is frankly disgusting for a man of his age. He is kind of a Mac Awe, having strummed along with me at Rowington many years ago, and I'm delighted that we got him along. We shall see him at The Crown again, no doubt.
Running late, I felt cruel hustling the Thrup'nnys on. They did two sets, with music of all kinds, wisely arranged and delivered with the ease and good heart they are famous for. I wonder if they know they have a fan in Julian, the Crown's guv'nor, who left the bar and popped upstairs especially to watch them?
Channelling gifted artistes like this through a rigorous schedule proved more than a little taxing. Whilst also remembering to plug their CD's, their next appearances,and Club Nights and Festivals elsewhere. I am as ever, indebted to the artistes, the audience members, those who donate raffle prizes, Julian, Sam and staff, and Tom, who I fear we will be missing soon, as he has been snaffled by a Higher Source. And of course Mags, who carries, totes, shifts, sells and keeps me supplied with iced Diet Coke. ( Product Placement there?) .
Oh: and Jon Harrington: thanks for the Badge. A kind person. You are a nice person too, and I hope you'll sit in with the harp on a few blues on the 30th September?
