Back In The Day

      It would be true to say that our good friends Jan and Campbell Perry have not had the best of summers. This time last year they were busy organising and then compering and hosting "Back In The Day" which is an evening concert as part of Warwick's Annual Warwick Words Festival. (See poster below). 

      This year, sadly, it proved impossible,and they were unable to do so. Colin Squire gamely picked up the baton and ran with it, taking over organisation, publicity and compering. Thus it was that we gathered last night together in The Lord Leycester Hospital Warwick to entertain an enthusiastic audience. 

This is Colin, Squire. 

     

   At the same event in October last year ,John Kearney and I appeared together as JAG. We enjoyed it so much we were crossing our fingers that we'd be invited back and as luck would have it, we were-this time as Nunc.  We had two slots, one in the first half and one in the second. We were honoured to be accorded the privilege of finishing the evening with our  final set.  To say we had a good time doing so is a massive understatement. 

      Also appearing on a star studded bill of local Folk talent were The Thrup'nny Bits, Daisybell, Allan Richardson,Highly Strung and  Colin Squire himself.

       What a venue! I've admired it often from the outside, but the hall we played in was simply stunning. It had stone walls,high ceiling and a squeaky stage. So care was needed from all of us with performing without a P.A.-but what an environment to sing and play in! The pictures here give you some idea of the size and age of the hall. With cartwheel-sized garlands beneath the ceiling lights, a lovely wooden floor and the audience seated in an attentive crescent of humanity,it looked very attractive.  

Mr. Kearney's solo spot.

         John was also invited to play a first half set solo. Which he did, admirably, reminding all of us what a great songwriter he is with "Agincourt to Abbeville" and the like.             

                 It was good to see some friendly faces in the audience as well as all those Literary cognescenti.  Most of them seemed to be having a lovely time. Although with Literary types you do sometimes look out from the stage and see an utterly inscrutable expression staring back. But Max and Marilyn followed us over from Nuneaton Folk Club the previous night
       Terry and Jan were simply time-defyingly brilliant. Both looking very elegant,and Terry seamlessly weaving my joke into his stage patter. " One of my friends asked me if I remember this place being built," he quipped, before knocking out Djangoesque riffs and runs. Jan's singing remains an example to us all. I love their CD. 

Jan & Terry getting a Swing On.

       The Thrupp'nnies delivered their usual selection of wit, wisdom and humour with elan and panache. Des, being the wise old wordsmith he is, gave the audience a potted history of each of the songs. On the rare but treasured moments when The TB's are vulgar, it is  a bit like a Great Auntie belching behind a china teacup. All in the best possible taste and delivered with a naughty twinkle in the eye. Their classic parody of "Breaking Wind Suddenly" to the tune of "Blow The Wind Southerly" got everyone tittering.. Their material encourages hearty audience singing, and I confess to belting out "The Wren," their Christmassy alternative version of the very similar "Pleased To See The King," with festive gusto. ( Blimey-Tesco have got Christmas cards on display already so why not?). 

Thrup'nny Bits. They blamed the dog. But we knew it was them

     It says everything about each of the performers on the bill last night that I have played all of their material on "Anker Folk"  and it stands alongside the other stuff well and compares most favourably. The only artiste on last night one whom  I had not seen since this time last year was Allan Richardson. I was so impressed with his material last year I brought a job lot of his CD's. So I knew all the songs he did,as I knew them all! "Moving On" is just brilliant, and deserves a wider audience.

Allen Richardson is Moving On

           I happen to know from reading today's messages that there was a little bit of a mix-up beforehand between a couple of the Daisies of Daisybell (# great name!). This meant that Ginny was there first, fresh fragrant and organised, and the others arrived a little later and I have to say looking a little flushed. Having got confused by Warwick's Gyratory system. ( It happens! Bloody nightmare!) But it did not show in either of their two excellent sets. Again, many of the numbers they sang I have aired on the wireless.  They play some fascinating instruments as well as singing so sweetly and so melodically. You might think that they were just three pretty faces but some of us know-there's a LOT more to it than that. Enjoyed "Miner's Winter" and "This Wheel Is Broken." especially. Classic songs. 

Daisybell in fine form

      And so at the end of a most pleasant evening, the entire Company assembled on or at the side of the stage and Mr Kearney led us all in a sing-song with his Irish Rover fusion with Bob Marley's "Don't Worry."  Is that the last this venerable old building has seen of us until next year? Watch this space. maybe not. 

A Place for Zoe.

     Those who know our back story will know about the events which led to us losing two newborn twin grandsons at UCH some time ago. Saying goodbye to my son's children and holding their tiny hands in the incubators troubled me greatly. At the same time  few days later, my daughter miscarried. Three lives gone. For a long time afterwards I struggled with my emotions whenever visiting UCH, which I had to do fairly often. Rob and Ray will never be forgotten. We had to register their births and attend their funeral, so their place on the family tree is assured. 
       However, there is a happy ending,as both my son and my daughter presented us with a grandson and a granddaughter respectively, arriving within a couple of months of each other in 2016. Reuben and Lily have brought back sunshine into our lives.

        Part of what haunted me at UCH as a visitor to the Neo Natal Unit over those few sad days was the looks on the faces of young parents there. Some elated:some in utter despair. For a long time I wanted to do something practical to help, and by contributing to Zoe's Place, courtesy of an invite from Hilary Wilson last Saturday, I was finally able to.

      Last weekend Nunc were part of a Charity Marathon at the Nursery Tavern in Chapelfields,Coventry. The event was to raise funds for Zoe's Place which is a Baby Hospice. Nunc and Blues Monkey combined into a six piece to open,with a set just under an hour long. We'd actually taken to meeting up to rehearse together during August. As you can see-we all took it very seriously. 

       Nunc Monkey comprised Flossy, John,Geoff from Nunc  and Monkey boys Jon Harrington,Paul Moore and Dennis. Thus we had the luxury of two guitars,percussion and Jon's multibox of harps,expertly pushed through a very useful P.A.  I was chuffed to be back at The Tav. It really is a delightful booser-one of many in this area-and although I'd eaten and had a beer before, this was the first time I'd got to play there. 

      The event was due to take place in the pub garden, with a Gazebo, but wind and rain had set in by 4pm so we drew the curtains to shut it out and played in front of the door,instead. Six of us crammed into a small stage area was a little notional. Idiot dancing was definitely off the menu. Poor Dennis with his washboard,High Hat and sundry items got trapped at the back so that all you could see of him in the photos is arms and knees sticking out. Paul, resplendent in snappy suit, white tie and Trilby,chose to sit separately on a bench seat,but even so-it got very cosy. 

       In the picture below Paul has lost his hat, what with all the excitement and all. One of the most enjoyable experiences was when we handed over the chorus singing of "Knocking On Heaven's Door" to the audience-and not only did they take it up-it spread to the other two rooms.

      We stayed there five hours, so didn't catch all the sets,but I managed to catch  Amelia Roberts, One Trick Pony, Tilt ,Dan Gascoigne,Wilson Wright, Anna Ryder and a few others. The running  list is above. One minor bit of excitement came when we were all blowing up balloons for decorative purposes and I found at the hard way that I have an anaphylactic reaction to latex! Fortunately, after the set, my lips swelled up and I came out in lumps. Fortunately I was able to carry on drinking my way through "The Tav"s fine collection of real ales. But it gave everyone a laugh as it looked like I been slapped by a cage fighter.  

      Though it was for a serious cause, we had lots of fun fund raising. Hilary Wilson and her team'family of helpers deserve the highest praise for the work they put in. Making sandwiches, co-ordinating the running order,putting up decorations, and something involving a giant marrow wearing a hat which I never got round to fully understanding. 

. For the nerdly Nunc/Monkey minded the Set list was:

1. How Long Blues 
2. All Gotta Die Some day 
3. Weather With You
4. If I Had Possession 
5. Freedom/Ohio
6. Vigilante Man
7. Perfect
8. Angel From Montgomery 
9. Knockin On Heaven's Door 
10. Don't Worry 
11. Bring it On Home 
12. Pack Up Your Troubles

Happy Third Birthday Nuneaton Folk Club

         It's been slightly longer than three years actually, October 1st 2014 to be precise, since Black Parrot Seaside clambered unsteadily onto that stage upstairs at The Crown and relaunched Nuneaton Folk Club. There had been previous NFC's in The Arts Centre and elsewhere, run by people from the town who are still working hard on the North Warwickshire circuit. But it was evident from that first night that the town was just too big to carry on without one. 

October 2014

     The centrality of the venue was a handy plus, and those big audiences just kept on coming. Some have stayed with us since that first day,others have drifted away and a few alas, are no longer with us. What many of us find fascinating is that new faces constantly turn up,and the age range of our audiences remains refreshingly mixed. Not all are dyed in the wool Folkies:personally, I think we are a lot better for that. 

        No better way to celebrate then,last night  than with a packed room, a heartily singing audience and some quality music on stage.Nine hours put in, and eight (yes eight,) miles  covered yesterday culminated in another excellent night at NFC.

         BPS were to be the original Residents,but that was their only appearance there,and for reasons it would be diplomatic not to dwell upon,they folded a month later,after nearly 40 years together. I was gutted at the time,but grateful that it kick-started me into Nunc-myself,Flossy and JK. Boy, we've had some adventures together,and we've packed more gigs into those three years than I would have got with BPS. 

Black Parrot Seaside launching NFC October 2014

         Last night we wanted a celebratory mix which would reflect the eclectic nature of what we are trying to do at NFC. Yes it is important to have quality Guests as the main Attraction, and I'm sure all would agree that we got that in spades with Belzebub. (Of which more later).   At times the stage resembled a music Shop Window and although a decent sized one, it got a bit congested at times!

        Nunc began,and did "April Morning" to remind everyone we CAN do Folk music,before a classic Nunc mash-up of two CSNY songs-"Ohio" and "Find The Cost of Freedom." We finished with a barely rehearsed tribute to Tom Petty-"I won't Back Down."  

Nunc. They WONT back down. 

     John Kearney stayed on stage to do us some solo stuff including the inimitable " I wanted to be Bob Dylan." There was also an opportunity to do another one of his songs, " The heart has its Reasons." Cracking shirt, too,JK! 

JK. Bob Dylan wanted to be him. 

Sue Sanders was there from the start in 2014 ,too,and it was nice to see and hear her back there last night, bringing a little calm with her fine fiddle playing. A lot of stuff has happened to Sue since,but,very much symptomatic of the immense talent in the Nuneaton area, there she was, even with a poorly finger and newly recovered from Shingles,a proper trouper.

Saucy Susie Sanders. On the Fiddle again. 

     Peter McParland and his gentle singing is a club favourite, and he delivered three songs with his usual charm. 

Pete McParland

              Sam Stephens has had his share of woes since he last appeared at NFC. That was in a duo with the late and very much lamented Gren Morris. I bought their excellent Album "Hymns Ancient & Modern"  at the time,little realising that poor Gren would be taken from us so soon by a ravaging illness. Sam gave us a couple of tunes and managed to shift a few of those remaining CD's-all proceeds now to Macmillan Nurses. 

Sam Stephens

    Simon and Sally Ann Veasey were there that first night in 2014 also. They were back again last night, expecting to do three songs. However,  I asked them to add a fourth to help Kevin Dempsey get his breath back after climbing all those stairs. Some songs with a local touch, others from across the Atlantic. All (I believe?) self-penned. And yes. We are distantly related. SASAV are, as I write,off to warmer climes, for a Disney Cruise, joining their son Tom who many NFC regulars will recall, was one of our finest Sound men. His dad did a good job for us last night too, holding the fort until Dave Smart arrived hot foot from his meeting. 

SASAV. We're related,you know. 

         

              It was touch and go whether Kevin Dempsey would make it. That he did and with seconds to spare,and then went on and blew the house down, says so much about the man. Such a combination of creative genius,modesty,and above all,humility,is rare,at any level in the music business. There were all kinds of extenuating circumstances which many booked to do a floor spot in (non) sunny Nunny on a wet Wednesday night would have bowed to. Not Kevin. He is a mate so I am biased,but his music is sublime and his understanding of people is unique. Gifted and grounded. 100% quality.
    

 I always love watching guitarists in any room where Kev is playing, as they inwardly implode watching his technique. And seeing the ladies softening as those golden tones ring out. Some musicians are right Divas,but not Kev. We rushed him up the stairs,he had not time to tune up, he had a wonky lead but he gave us three exemplary songs including "Wicked Polly." . Tuning, lead adjusting,guitar slapping,all in one movement, and not moaning but grinning,all the time. I swear he has more than two hands!Top Bloke!

             Our main guests were Belzebub. They were the first act I had ever booked on reputation and recommendation only ,without actually seeing them. They did not disappoint. They gave us two sets of quality music. It was good to see the cheery smile of Ian Wilson again, pumping the accordion and lashing the Mandola. (Or Bouzouki?) Two of us in Nunc had worked with him professionally, in another context in Coventry,many years ago.  

Belzebub. 

       Beelzebub put a lot of thought into their arrangements and their delivery. Loved their slowed-down version of "Step it Out Mary," for example. Accomplished musicians and competent vocalists, they got (and deserved) two encores, which on a wet, windy night says a lot. Elsewhere yesterday I read an interesting Forum debate on stayaway audiences, or those who drift away early. It says much for Belzebub that as they finished, there were still plenty left, cheering them on. 
        As I write we have a guest list booked through to October 2018 and next month's floor spots are already fully booked. 
         My thanks to Sue,Flossy,Max,JK and Paul for the photos. Onwards and Upwards.