Some familiar audience faces were missing last night. ( the register was taken-without an explanatory note you will be receiving a letter!)-but still a decent crowd again. This time to watch Scarecrow, return to The Crown to do us two classic sets. Entertainment typical of the boys-competent, professional, well arranged, superbly played and most enjoyable. Plus half a dozen other complimentary adjectives you could add.
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| Duelling flutes from Scarecrow |
Last night saw more debuts-four planned and one spontaneous. Taking the number of guests who have trodden that stage since we opened to 61.One debut was behind the mixing desk-young Matt Mallen Allen taking over the helm from Tom Veasey, now swanning around in the Caribbean. Good job, Matt!
Nunc kicked the music off followed by Peter McParland. Andy Jones then made his debut, and roped in another debutante from the audience-Rob Oakey from Sty Folk Club, Coventry. (I don't think Rob calls it that any more-but they are still going!). Rob was encouraged to pump a musical instrument I could not identify, to supply a background drone so that Andy could sing a rather mystical Eastern mantra to it. Rob did that well, because it was only one note he had to sustain and he's very good at droning. Typically of Andy, who always likes a challenge, he followed that up with a full version of "The Barley Mow"-delivered impeccably whilst the rest of us stuttered and stammered our way through each ever-expanding chorus.
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| Andy Jones and Rob Oakey-NFC virgins |
Then up nipped David Parr, making a welcome return, He had brought along some guests and so was on his best behaviour, declining to do any numbers from his project album "Songs of Sex and Death." We had a gospel song instead. ( You're not fooling anyone Dave!). Bob Brooker, newly thrilled by his allotted solo spot at Bedworth Folk Festival, treated us to a couple songs of impeccable quality.
John Kearney did a Lemmy Tribute with a hugely interesting version of the Motorhead song "1916" before Brian Phillips dropped a few more jaws with some subtle axework.
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| JK does a Lemmy tribute. |
Then it was time for another debut. Driftwood, all the way from Southampton. Three excellent numbers:two self penned and a lush arrangement of "Woodstock." Chris and Brian were presented with an anthology of the Bridget Jones novels, to commemorate us bridging the 60 mark. They seemed suitably nonplussed and even went on to win a Chocolate Chess set which looked familiar. What a night eh, gang?
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| Driftwood-all the way from Southampton |
Nunc returned for a couple more songs before Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan warmed up the audience for Scarecrows return. Another absorbing 40 minutes followed, including another personal favourite of mine, "Up To The Rigs," which is actually, imho better than Bellowhead's- despite involving eight less musicians.
FINALLY
On the NFC Facebook page a couple of weeks ago I was the subject of a rather petty personal attack because I removed from the Group Page, a poster, added without consent, promoting an event elsewhere. ( I think people sometimes confuse a Group Page with a Chat Room or a Forum). Our FB page exists only to promote Nuneaton Folk Club. Removing such posters is also the policy of Folk 21 ,Bedworth and Atherstone Folk Clubs, and a good few more that I know of. Their organisers have not been subject to such remarks,however. Anyway: Group members were told that I did nothing to promote and encourage Folk music in and beyond the Nuneaton area. Some people objected to that remark and asked me to delete it.
I hope that all those attending last night noticed the fliers for other events out on all our (many) tables and on the walls. Including those from Bedworth, Atherstone, Warwick and Rowington Folk Clubs. And including those publicising an upcoming event at Ansley featuring and Maddy prior's upcoming appearance at The Abbey Theatre. You can find further details of both events on the NFC website, If that's not promoting others as well as ourselves-I give up.
