The first
Wednesdays of the month have become busy days for me . Evenings are hectic at
Nuneaton Folk Club, where organising, compering and hosting the
Residency with Nunc eats up time and means I'm on my feet and
hyperactive for at least six hours. So beforehand, although also a
musical activity, the afternoon Cafe Cabaret sessions at The Larder
in Atherstone are very much more relaxed and informal. It's a bit of
a rush driving home from there, and then back into Nunny, but
worthwhile
I
cannot think of any more vivid contrast, in Folk and Acoustic terms,
than experiencing these two sessions inside ten hours. Maybe other
venues like The Larder exist-a Military themed cafe where singers
stroll amongst the diners and open and close the door for those
entering or leaving. But if they do, then I've not experienced them.
( Yet-The Larder's sister cafe in Ashby has begun
experimenting with them, too!) So all credit to Phil Benson for
innovating these friendly gatherings, which have been going on for
several years now.
Yesterday for example, saw the usual
broad range of material to enjoy with your teacakes, Bubble and
Squeak and sausage butties. A few regulars were missing. Anne and
Steve Beeson, jollying around the world: Malc and Gill wrangling
elsewhere over new arrangements and new songs. But as well as other
old faces assembled, newer ones continue to surprise and entertain.
Julia
and Dave Taylor and Elaine and John Meechan are two very different
duos, but are often found there on First Wednesdays. John and Elaine
swap the instrumentation round and combine jolly, earthy folk with a
broad range of regional variations which are sometimes harder
hitting. Dave and Julia combine fine singing and tasteful
arrangements. They often chuck in parody or comedy too, for Dave in
particular, is a master in writing a funny song, but they were
reflective and a little more serious yesterday. Indeed, we had three lovely songs
from bothduos.
Andy
Jones I've only got to know about recently. He's a deep
character,with a distinctive voice, and he too really thinks about
his material and arrangements. We had an unaccompanied ecclesiastical
piece from him for starters, and that poised a few cups of coffee
mid-air, I can tell you. Blimey!
Mick
Stanley (of Comharsa) and Peter McParland have become Larder
regulars, and their contributions were also highly enjoyable. By way of a change yesterday Mick
sang an English song whilst I did an Irish one.( I knew he could do
it!) I offered The Oul Triangle and The Odeon before making a complete
mess of “Lakes of Ponchartrain.”-a song I have recalled
from memory in public many times without a safety net. Yesterday
afternoon, having dedicated it to the late Gren Morris, that first
verse just went completely awol. I was still thinking about Gren and
his unique rendition of that fine song, so after the March morning,
New Orleans and Jackson Town and the rest of it emptied itself from
my head. I recovered sufficiently to reclaim the remaining verses and
to pay homage to Gren-but Paul Brady would have sat with his head in
his hands throughout.
And
then there was Dylan. No, not that one, another one. From Atherstone.
Having borrowed Pete's guitar strap, he did a version of “House of
The Rising Sun” which was both innovative and funny. Involving the
audience in a new version of “call and response” singing. Later
he followed with a Marc Bolan song, tastefully delivered. Top
stuff-and typical of the range you can find nowadays at a Larder
session.
