Happy Birthday, Nuneaton Folk Club

     So : the NFC's first 12 month anniversary finally came round yesterday. It became obvious, approaching this landmark date, that our planned Birthday Bash was going to experience a few pitfalls. So much had happened in the intervening months. We lost Rich McMahon, and nearly lost Comharsa's Mick Stanley, after he took on a vehicle outside and came off second best. I lost a band, and two grandchildren. We had to bar only a couple of punters, and otherwise, a procession of brave, good, poorly, happy, outgoing, fun-loving people traipsed up and down those stairs every month. A few left with expressions of disbelief, but most left whistling or singing a tune they would not get out of their head for days afterwards

   I'd spent ages on Posters, promotion, networking and advance publicity for this event, but in the intervening seven days between The Rich McMahon Tribute (at the same venue), and yesterday, it became obvious that stamina, resources and ill health were going to be key factors on the night. The plan originally was to try to recreate our Launch Night last October, by hurrying as many floor spots as possible past a startled audience as quickly as time would allow. But the advertising had been in vain. One by one, artistes fell by the wayside. Beaten by fatigue, exhaustion, or a curious bronchitis-style throat and chest infection, which was knocking them down like ninepins.

    Mac Awe On Tour had swelled to a seven piece last Wednesday, for example, but by last night, it was clear that they would be an early casualty,lying in the Grit Tray at the bottom of the cage and pining for the Fjords. Nunc fell at the water jump, too, and sadly, Dave Webb, Dave Parr, and Chris Tobin were also unable to do their solo spots. It proved impossible to draft anyone else in at late notice, so to say there was some hasty last-minute re-shuffling was quite an understatement.

   Our remaining cast however, were proper Troupers, and they did not disappoint. I was delighted to see the same size audience as last week turn up again for another evening of free entertainment. Sure, over the 12 months, we've had bigger (and possibly slightly smaller crowds in), but the seats had all gone by around 9pm, despite the counter attractions of two other Warwickshire Folk Clubs on the same night , a major road closure, and some tripe about Baking on television.And a special mention for one of the two female Mac Awes, Sue Sanders, who has been proper poorly. With help, she was there, and though unable to play, sang her heart out. 

        I promised the audience that they would never forget Joe Roberts opening for us, and I bet they never will. He swung his pants energetically, as he plunged into a song which was either by Hank Williams or about him. Difficult to tell sometimes, with Joe. He followed that with a second energetic number, The Singing Postman's “ Ha' You Got a Loight Boy?” The NFC audience, renowned for their enthusiastic singing, were a little nonplussed by this initially, but bolstered by Joe's beaming enthusiasm, they soon got the hang of it.

   Brian Phillips had experienced a harrowing day including a hospital visit, but still came along, and delighted us with his lovely version of Fleetwood Mac's “Never Going Back Again,” and John Martyn's “ Fairytale Lullaby.” He also donated one of Brian and Marie's CD's to the Raffle. Thanks, Bri. A popular prize!

    John Wright had been along previously as an audience member, and was due to play next month, but Hilary Wilson wisely persuaded him to join her on stage, before next month's advertised appearance. What a lovely sound they produced together. A haunting version of "Ride On," one which for me eclipsed all the other recent ones I've heard. Kate Wolf's "Across The Great Divide" and " When All You Got is a Hammer." Rounded off by one of Hil's own, the haunting " Where Wild geese Fly."

John Wright and Hilary Wilson

     Finger In The Jar were fresh from entertaining diners in The Larder that lunchtime. Phil, Steve and Anne painted us a broad canvas, with U2's “ I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For,” ( a new venture for them I believe) their starter. A traditional song and audience-pleaser “ Jack Ashton,” followed, with  another from the O Brother Where Art Thou back catalogue, “ I'll Fly Away.”
    Bob Brooker and his Bouzouki, admirably plucked, enraptured us with Kate Rusby's “Wild Goose,”  sensitively played and sung. He added his own composition “ I never knew me Grandad,” Leaving not a dry eye. Bob enthused about the Young 'Uns before performing “Stockton Town.” Which is not a football club, but one of their compositions. I hadn't the heart to tell him, as he came off stage that the reason Malc Gurnham wasn't there last night, was because he had been sunning himself out in the Algarve. Watching The Young 'Uns 'live'. Hah! 

Ranzo me boys, Ranzo!

   John Kearney then had the room shaking with Dylan's greatest, " The Times They Are a'Changin,"  and " Where have All The Flowers Gone."  People sometimes forget what it is like to have a room full of people of all ages and backgrounds singing along with timeless, angry songs like these. Thanks for reminding us, JK. 

    With both interval and raffle promptly dispensed with, Thrup'nny Bits left Spangle in the tender care of Sarah whilst they ran through a couple of songs with an ornithological theme. “The Magpie,” and “The Wren.” They finished with a stirring anthem “ Bring Out The Banners.”

    K.C. Jones followed: they have been good friends to NFC , regularly delivering appetising little packages of vocal and musical excellence. Karen's voice has an amazing range, which the duo's rendition of Joni Mitchell's “ Big Yellow Taxi” and a Chaka Khan hit " Ain't Nobody" showcased admirably. 

    There's always a lot of discussion about covers but as I said over the P.A. last night-without them-where would Traditional Folk be? I see no distinction between Trad. Arr. and cleverly arranged versions of The Kinks, Beyonce or anyone else. Light and Shade in artistes' song choice adds to the enjoyment, for me. At Long Itchington on Sunday, I heard Fall Girl do Free's rocker,“ The Hunter,” from their first album ' Tons of Sobs.' A unique and courageous project, and I loved it, because it suited her raunchy voice so well.

     By 10.30pm we had arrived at the time when Mac Awe On Tour should have taken to the stage, but it was left to two lone survivors from last week, John Kearney and myself, to close the evening instead. We had hastily scribbled down a set list during the day. We started with our version of The Drifters hit “ On Broadway,” dedicating it to the closing Tory Party Conference. Only the second time we'd done it. Went o.k. But I think we'll lose the key change next time!

    We did “Rave On” together, en masse,  before calling Max Wright up to join us on “ Black Velvet Band.” John had generously brought along a spare guitar for Max to play, so he had no excuse for not joining us. Indeed, (as last week), he was up on stage like a whippet and appeared to have a great time. (We have photographic evidence).

GMJ doing Black Velvet Band

    We then alternately plundered each others' solo set lists,John doing “Come Lay Your Burden Down,” and his 'Irish Reggae' version of “ Don't Worry.” His throat was starting to strain a little by then, so I led on “ All Over Now.”  The intention behind this list was to get the audience singing again, and yet again, they rose magnificently to the occasion. 

    As a Finale, all those assembled belted out “ Go Lassie Go”-the Alex Campbell version. Mercifully it was time to go home by then, as I think our tonsils had collectively just about been communally sandpapered.  
   Many many thanks to the performers, to the audience,  to Tom on the Sound desk, and to Julian for setting everything out for us beforehand. Without you...well...you know the rest..... 
   Onwards and Upwards.

Farewell Rich McMahon

    Not so long ago, at a packed Tump Club in Coventry, I was honoured to be invited to co-compere a Farewell Concert celebrating the Life of the (then) recently departed Rod Felton. Rod was a musician and writer greatly loved and admired, not only in his home town, but far and wide, Home and Abroad. That evening was a poignant mix of joy and sadness. I can remember singing one of Rod's most-loved songs, “Curly,” accompanied by Dave Parr and Arnie, with all of Rod's family in amongst a huge audience. It was for all of us, an emotional experience.

    Rod enjoyed a “ long innings” and was still performing well into his 70's. Rich McMahon was not much older than my son when he died,in May 2015 but it was evident from seeing him in person, and checking out his music online, that here was a talented, charismatic figure from that same Felton mould. It all seemed so sad when I heard of Rich's sudden death. Compounded, for me, by the fact that I was at a very low point myself, having just suffered personal bereavement-not once,but twice.

   Rich was born in Coventry and later lived in Brum, but North Warwickshire was very much on the periphery of his activities. Nevertheless, he had begun to develop an interest in clubs like ours. Those of us who had caught but a glimpse of him were only too pleased to honour one of our own last night, and to say goodbye properly, like we did with Roddie. It just seemed the right thing to do.

   Last night was so good, I don't know where to start. I'm sorry that a few performers missed it through illness or other commitments, and I'm sorry that we could not fit everyone who wanted to play into a jam-packed running order. With the good folk of Nuneaton institutionalised into expecting Folk entertainment at The Crown on the First Wednesday only, it was always going to be a bit of a gamble trying to cajole them into turning out two nights in a month. So although the crowd was decent, I was a tiny bit disappointed that the room wasn't full.

The banners of the three North Warwickshire Folk Clubs, together on stage

   But that is the only negative. The rest was fantastic. I was immensely proud of everything else we did together. The singing was as ever, tremendous. In numbers as diverse as “Jolly Boys” and the Finale, John Richard's “Shine On.”  Roared out with a mixture of defiance and pride that must have blown Rich's hat off, wherever he was. Three local Clubs, coming together to do good, raise funds for Charity, have a good time and acknowledge the contribution of one of the Good Guys. Phil (Atherstone) and Malc (Bedworth) had been in with me on this project from the start:I cannot praise their contribution highly enough. As performers, as comperes, and helping out with publicity and sound on the night.

     We were joined last night by Rich's widow Maggie and his sister, Sam. It was lovely to meet them in person. We were introduced to SIFA Fireside before starting, and then Nunc kicked off with “ When I Get To The Border “ and “ After The Goldrush.”

Nunc

  Dave Webb gave us a couple of recitations featuring Albert being eaten and Sam having a wobbler over his musket. Webby had learned them in the trenches of The Boer War, apparently. Bob Brooker stepped up with his Bouzouki for two rousing numbers, and then Katherine Fear, solo, and without Daisybell, gave us a couple of lovely songs with her Uke.  Managing the trailing spaghetti of leads masterfully, given her claim that she is amongst the most unco-ordinated performers on the circuit. 

    Band On The Rum made their debut-a Shanty crew from North of the A5. Accomplished, loud, and nice chaps. Lovely to hear “Donkey Riding" again. We'll get them back to The Crown asap.

Band On The Rum

   Finger In The Jar, AFC's residents, treated us to three songs, including a brave adaptation of an Incredible String Band number. It was about all the colours packed into a painting box, and having seen what Steve packs into his pipe I bet he has seen all of them? 

Finger in The Jar

     John Kearney put in a spellbinding shift that won him deserved applause. John has been proper poorly recently, and was nervous about doing a Rich McMahon song. But he had got Maggie's full blessing beforehand, and he did it proud. He followed it with one I'd written, “Tiny Lights” and you could have heard a pin drop. ( I would say that, wouldn't I?) Then he finished with “Jolly Boys” and the room relaxed, rolled up their sleeves and had a knees-up. 
    KC Jones were as accomplished as usual, delivering three cleverly arranged songs and nicely weighted vocals. Including one about Poaching, and one of Peter Griffin's favourites. I think Mum won the whisky, so a good night all round for them?   Malc and Gill (Bedworth FC Residents/Hosts) completed an epic first half, and got the audience singing with the Blue Cockade.  Which always looks rude, whenever I type it.

     Already well behind schedule, after the briefest of intervals, we hurtled through a raffle which, thanks to donations, had some fabulous prizes. THREE boxes of chocolates: FREE tickets to Bedworth Folk Festival, CD's, t-shirts and a bottle of whisky! Thanks to that and the efforts of the ticket sellers, we were able to hand on £242 to Rich's favourite charity.

   Brian Phillips then gave us two and a half songs, whilst Dave Parr very generously sacrificed his own floor spot to join us in giving Mac Awe on Tour a better run at an already truncated set to finish off the evening. 
    The Mac Awe is a very fluid beast, ( a “loose collective”, based around earlier BPS Big Bands ) At various times, the line up last night comprised myself, Dave Parr, Brian Phillips, John Kearney, Malc Gurnham (on his Size isn't Everything bass Uke). Filled out with guest appearances from Jon Harrington and Max Wright-cajoled back up in front of an audience after a long time out of the saddle. With the additional support of Phil Benson, driving the mixer, from behind a speaker the size of a mini-bus, and adding to the harmonies! 

   Late running, we managed only five of the numbers planned, with the highlight being a seamless segue of Robert Johnson and Lennon/McCartney in “If I had Possession/You Can't do That.” ( Kind of weird-but it seems to work! ) Had we done “ Black Velvet Band” a little more quickly, (I have never sung it in waltz time before) we might have squeezed another in, but all too soon, with the bar staff run off their feet and the taxis revving up outside, it was Finale Time.

Max makes a guest appearance with Mac Awe  during Black Velvet Band

    Malc Gurnham wound up the bellows, and with a volume that could break windows,he led The Company in John Richard's inspiring and anthemic “ Shine On.” Nothing so satisfying as finishing a momentous evening with the lungs wide open and the light fittings shaking. What they made of it downstairs or in the Bus Station, I cannot think. It must have registered on the Richter Scale. 

    Thanks are due to Julian,Sam and Nell at The Crown, for going that extra mile with getting the room ready yesterday and offering Mac Awe a room to rehearse in: to Malc Gurnham and Phil Benson for all their support, moral, technical and audio:to my wife and Niece for roadie duties and flogging and then folding all those raffle tickets: to all those who generously supplied prizes: to our audience for their singing: and to each and every performer.

     If you enjoyed last night, or were disappointed to have missed it, or if you came all the way over from Brum-next Wednesday we meet at the same venue to do it all again. It is the usual First Of The Month Nuneaton Folk Club. Marking our first twelve months at the venue. No guest as such-just a bit of a party, with a procession of bands and singers. With a slightly different line-up. but still featuring many of those you have come to know and love. Why not join us again?

KC Jones

Jon Harrington

John Kearney