Monkeying around at The Anker Inn

      Though we've all dabbled collectively together in Mac Awe On Tour,January 23rd saw the second outing for a collaboration between Nunc and Blues Monkey. We first tried this out at The Nursery Tavern in November 2017 and had such fun together, we joined up again at the request of John and Ann Harris, who host the recently established Tuesday Night Blues Jam at The Anker Inn, Weddington Road Nuneaton.

    The format here is that on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, like-minded musicians and a few audience members assemble to play a whole cross section of material. It's very friendly and very informal The second Tuesday of a month sees someone take an extended set to end the first and second halves. There is an interval raffle with prizes, and as its a friendly boozer with a stage and a P.A. it turns out to be quite a good night. There are more details about it an earlier January post. Audiences and the number of musicians turning up is growing. This account is primarily about the gig on Tuesday last.

            These evenings always embrace floor spots too from other visitors and we greatly enjoyed the contribution in both halves from the JP's Dragonhead, Paul Monks, Paul Moore and John Kearney. Our hosts Dragonhead-or 2/3 of them-started events with a rousing set of Rock and Roll and "busy" numbers,and they returned later in the evening to start the second half. Their version of "Shake Rattle and Roll," is a good example. Thought by many to be a Bill Haley Rock and Roll invention,(and so arguably not a blues standard),it is a Jesse Stone song first recorded as a 12 bar blues by Big Joe Turner.

Dragonhead getting out in that kitchen

         The JP's-Paul Monks and Jane Moss gave us an eclectic and varied collection of songs,including a very bold version of "Folsom Prison," (sung along with enthusiastically0 and a saxophone solo from Jane which we really didn't expect but nonetheless enjoyed tremendously. 

           Off the top of his head (he claims) JK did a remarkable Bluesified version of "Wild Rover," which he can now add to the Traditional and Reggae versions he already does of this song. 

       Though Jon Harrington,Paul Moore,John Kearney and I had shared the Anker stage in various formats (and solo occasionally), this was a debut there for our powerful vocalist Flossy Macdougall. Added to the compliment and beefed up by a bit of extra amplification, although I say it myself, we got the place rocking.

          As I've commented elsewhere on a previous Blog post, the "Blues" handle of the Anker sessions is a bit of a misnomer. That label is more about style than content. Our own repertoire on Tuesday was not exclusively Blues or Folk based. Nuncmonkey take Country, Folk, Blues, Contemporary and Pop songs, mash them up, disassemble them, reassemble them and then add what we hope is some entertaining instrumentation to it. Here for example, is Tuesday Night's Set List:

How Long Blues     
 Vigilante Man    
 You Really got a hold on me     
 Guilty     
 Sitting On Top of The World                    
 Bring It On Home To me
Standin' Round Crying                             
  If I had Possession 
All Over Now                                              
 When Love comes to Town  
Angel from Montgomery                          
Knocking On Heaven's Door  
Jesus On The Mainline                                
Tracks of My Tears 
Rock and Roll Medley (encore)

       Afficionados of the Blues genre will have spotted originals there which were first recorded  by Muddy Waters,Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf and Leroy Carr. Contemporary writers like Bob Dylan, Bono,John Prine and Randy Newman are also covered and there is  a Soul input from Sam Cooke and two Smokey Robinson compositions,both of which were hits for the Miracles on Tamla Motown. Although made famous by Ry Cooder,Jesus on The Main Line was originally a Negro Spiritual and Vigilante Man started life as a Woody Guthrie protest song. When you add blues harps in various keys, electric and acoustic guitars and up to three part harmonies vocally-well that's Nuncmonkey.  
          Paul took the lead vocal on "Sitting On Top of The World," and Flossy's powerful voice  starred in "Guilty," (our first public stab at this song) and "Angel From Montgomery."  As for the Rock and Roll Medley-completely unrehearsed,completely spontaneous and all the more fun for that.
             Get along to this venue and give it your backing. Live, high quality, high energy music,free, midweek. Twice a month. Whether you want to play or listen or both-give it a shot. 

       

Bedduth

          I must admit I didn't fancy driving through the thick fog which suddenly enveloped my village last night but I'm glad I did, over The Wolvey Alps to Bedworth Folk Club. After I had plugged it and on a "live" interview which went out on BBC CWR at around 3.45pm, saying I was going I had little choice. And besides, any opportunity to see Bill Bates and Keith Donnelly peddling (or should that be pedalling?) their own unique brand of comedy needs to be taken.

            I'm sure that secretly, Bill must sometimes wonder about the fact that the excellently crafted  serious  songs he's written ( like "Miner" or "Over The Top Boys" )are often forgotten or overlooked amidst the mayhem surrounding his set(s). But the fact is that he is a natural comic talent. Added to which the symbiosis which occurs whenever he gets loose with Keith Donnelly renders the shared material is near genius. It's the closest thing to a Double Act on the Folk Circuit, a cross between Morecambe and Wise, Cosmotheka and The Chuckle Brothers. 

          This was a comedy vein Black Parrot Seaside mined happily for a few years, but it surely has to be so much harder work when there are only two of you to choreograph the anarchy? Technically of course, there's always only ONE of them, as Bill appears solo nowadays. However, (finger on lips, wink wink), it's remarkable how many times Keith is in the audience when Bill appears. He needs little persuasion to come out and assist/harass his mate. You cannot simulate or enact the relationship they obviously have. It is naturally, organically funny, whether the ad-libbing is from the stage, aside, or delivered deadpan from Keith sitting innocently with the audience. A running gag about a Dutchman and spontaneous bouts of sneezing for example. 

              Not all the comedy in the room was provided by these two however. Gremlins seemed to be nibbling away throughout the night. Watching Webby trying to wind a lead around a mike stand was comedy gold. So much so that Keith commended him on it. (I haven't seen such concentration since next doors cat stalked and killed a robin). I did wonder if Gill turning off the P.A. instead of an electric fire ( one which seemed to be annoying everybody on the far side of the room) was an accident or part of the act. Malc's reaction answered that. Later still he himself would make unscheduled alterations to the wall sculpture over there. His surreptitious attempts to readjust it did not go unnoticed.

        Illness and no shows meant Malc had to do some hasty rearranging of the floor spots. This had the advantage of giving us a chance to enjoy Maria Barham, so swings and roundabouts there.  Brian Phillips, the smooth old devil, had no technical  problems. He delivered two songs with the usual panache before embarking on an Odyssey about a televised combat between fighting shellfish which made me wonder what he puts in his tea nowadays. His Anker Folk  Poet Laureate Award is safe for another year. 

             Dave Fry provided the warm up for Bill's second half set. I settled down for some crooning and warbling from the Fry back catalogue,but his third one " I wanna be Bill Bates," really made me sit up. Cleverly written and masterfully delivered,it said everything all of us there present felt about the man. Keep it in your set list,Dave, it's a winner. A presentation of a special mug followed. Touching scenes. For a moment we could be on the red carpet in Hollywood.  

Dave Fry

       Bill's  25% grasp of things technical is legendary and he exploits it ruthlessly. ( Or does he..?) He clouted his beloved iPad with a guitar neck, lost plectrums,trod on several objects and nearly got stuck to the floor several times. He relies heavily on the iPad(no shame in that) and his dismay when it lets him down or Keith meddles with it is hilarious. He had so many problems with guitars that at times the far side of the room looked like an operating theatre, as Keith and Katherine Fear wrestled valiantly to resuscitate one which had developed what sounded like Rhinitis. Is this all unrehearsed? Keep it in, if it isn't! 

           Bill was genuinely suffering from the 'Flu which had already poleaxed others and yet this gave his voice an odd, gravelly timbre which was quite endearing. (Typical of the man that he brought along his own mike and stand so that he wouldn't infect anyone else). We were treated to some old favourites-tales of Car Boot Sales:Recycling:Man Flu (ironic) and some more recent ditties about Healthy diets.

         But the peerless highlight of the evening for me was their second half question and answer treatment of a Simon & Garfunkel medley. Keith was merciless as he piled on the gutteral barking out of staccato questions. Keith-" Where Are you?"  Bill- (rather nervously) "I'm sitting on a railway station," Keith "Why?" Bill  " Got a ticket for my destination," Keith "What noises are you making?"   Bill- " Hmmmmmmmm"  You get the drift. This had me in tears, and I'm not talking pathos. 

            As if this was not enough hilarity, Bill's encore was a self-penned  homage to Steve Knightley. (Poor Steve got stick from several quarters throughout the night but I don't suppose it will bother him much). This featured Bill singing along with a pre-recorded track providing accompaniment. It was outstanding. Proving that, the image of bumbling inefficiency and nervousness is actually a mask. It was technically brilliant and lyrically wicked. So much so that once again, I laughed until it hurt. And so did everyone else. 
            No exagerration to say that Bill has been to Hell and back,in several ways. Those who care for him are delighted to see him returned to public performance and on top  form. I'm sure those looking down on him last night would have thoroughly approved. 

Anker Delta Blues

Nuneaton-based John and Anne Harris (better known for their appearances in Dragonhead) have recently been bravely pioneering a new project in the town. This popular couple are well known and respected in the local music scene. They were among those trying to keep Nuneaton Folk Club running well before NFC re-opened at The Crown in October 2014. 
            So far, pretty well every floor singer and guest appearing at the Anker sessions  has also been seen at all the local Folk Clubs: Atherstone,Nuneaton and Bedworth Folk Clubs and The Fox at Attleborough. Is that a recommendation? I think so.
            Blues Open Mic Nights are currently held at The Anker Tavern, Weddington Road  Nuneaton every second and fourth Tuesday of each month.They have been fairly sparsely attended so far and deserve a larger audience.. Admission is free, it's an informal, turn up and play venue and it doesn't clash with any other local events. It is on a bus route and within walking distance of the station. It is easily accessed,with a decent car park. No stairs and clean toilets. Real Ale and Meantime Helles Lager on draught. What's not to like? The staff are friendly and hospitable,audiences are enthusiastic and the pub is a big open plan building. Get yourself along there.          
         There is a a P.A. with a stage. John and Anne are welcoming hosts. But maybe the "Blues" label puts a few people off from attending? That's a misnomer nowadays. Yes some excellent Blues can always be heard there. Country Blues,Chicago Blues, Folk Blues and plenty of other variations. But all kinds of other music is also played. 

        Frankly, I thought this cross-genre thing was a battle already won. On the monthly "Anker Folk" radio shows we've played 235 different artistes representing Rock, Pop, Country,Cajun,Traditional Folk and Singer-Songwriter bedsitter angst. Everything from instrumentals by Morbid Angel to Show of Hands. From The Dubliners to Jake Bugg. From Ocean Colour Scene to Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys. It's all in the Mix.

      "Crossover"  just doesn't begin to scratch the surface of the types of music you can hear nowadays in most "live" music venues. Certainly in Coventry and North Warwickshire anyway. And as generally happens elsewhere,besides the blues of Robert Johnson or Muddy Waters, you can also hear new or old arrangements of original work by many other artistes.  

     Specifically regarding The Anker sessions-the key question must be:is the music there any good? The answer is Yes. Categorically, "YES!"  Those appearing there so far there have included Dragonhead themselves,(obviously),Sarah Bennett,Dan Gascoigne,Pete McParland, Angus Ellis, Paul Moore, Jon Harrington,John Kearney,Max Wright,Greg Daffern  and yours truly. It's worth going along just to admire the guitars. Telecasters,Gibson Les Pauls, Martins,Dobros the lot. Mandolins,Banjos,harps bass guitars accordions and percussion items have all been employed, also. 

Paul Moore

       On Tuesday 9th January 2018 as well as Blues standards which we all  know and love we also had covers of classics originally by Travis, Steve Earle, Tommy Tucker,Bill Haley,Elvis,Buddy Holly, U2 Jimmy Knox, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. We had Bobby Womack,Hal Ketchum,Creedence Clearwater Revival and Townes Van Zandt.  Singing along becomes infectious,and the occasional hand-jive has been seen.In the past,at previous sessions, we've been treated to covers of classics by Tom Petty,AC/DC. 

     Something very popular in our area is collaborations where musicians from various outfits jam together on extended mash-ups. Thus (for example) Dragonhead, Nunc and Blues Monkey did an absolutely storming version of "Bring It On Home" last night. Even the pub dogs enjoyed it. (Did I mention those? 

NuncMonkey on stage at The Anker

                    On 29th January 2018 the Main Guests will be Nunc Monkey. That is: Flossy,JK and me from Nunc, plus Jon Harrington,Paul Moore and Dennis from Blues Monkey. It would be nice to see you there in numbers, especially as quite a few Nuneaton musicians have yet to show up there. 
        

NFC Wednesday 3rd January

        Several times in the all too frantic lead-up heading towards the first NFC session of 2018 at The Crown, I felt (again) at times like just walking away from it all. To say a small crew of us moved mountains to ensure that another very successful night took place is only just an exaggeration. We only made it, literally, within minutes of opening time. Dave Smart, Mags and I were at work by midday Wednesday, setting the sound up,preparing posters,helping to clear the room and getting the stage ready. 

       Least of our worries beforehand was the ever reliable,value for money entertainer who was our Guest-the very talented Geoff Higginbottom. Making his second visit to NFC, he is an organiser's delight. Funny,professional, with voice projection that would reach all corners of a big room like ours,amplified or not, he is a safe bet. The end of 2017 was not always kind to him but we kept in touch so I knew well before Wednesday that he was still coming and raring to go. Despite travelling from (and back) to Stockport,he was there well in time for a sound check, kept to time  and kept our audience thoroughly entertained and amused.

            There was a little bit of excitement among the other performers beforehand, with rehearsals cancelled,re-arranged or hastily reconvened.  Yet a whole host of flexible and supportive musicians co-operated to make sure that the various collaborations which had looked good planned out on paper, finally  for the most part,actually happened.

       As NuncMonkey will be featured guests at The nearby Anker Tavern later this month, we thought as an opener, we could share part of our set list with the audience. Flossy was

unfortunately poleaxed again by illness,so we had to hastily rearrange what we had planned. We did manage to assemble four of us :Jon Harrington (harp) and Paul Moore (guitar) from Blues Monkey, supplemented by John Kearney and myself from Nunc.  

NuncMonkey.  Howlin' The Blues

         With no prior rehearsals,  together we just managed to scramble on stage by 8pm We did “Bring It On Home,” “Knocking on Heaven's Door” and “How Long Blues,” sharing the vocals and choruses out in Flossy's absence, and with some sterling vocal support from a sizable audience.

             Jon and Paul then stayed on, as JK and I took our leave to thunderous applause. (Well..polite clapping, anyway).   Paul was booked to do the second floor spot. More harp blowing from Jon and excellent guitar work followed.

              Nuneaton's Dragonhead-in the shape of John and Ann Harris then arrived on stage and gave us a few energetic Rock and Roll songs including an Elvis cover. It  was uncannily like The King himself had it not been for the fact he seldom wore a flat cap. 

               Bob Brooker was also in excellent form and started his little cameo with an immaculate hornpipe which he had composed himself. That certainly got feet tapping,and Bob continued the nautical theme with a song about his beloved Whitby. He also wore a flat cap and we were beginning to suspect that some of our guests were under the influence of the Peaky Blinders. A rumour went round that Bob had a dangerous weapon sewn into the lining of his hat. A plectrum. He finished his spot with "That was before I met you." Bob later confided that, with it being such a jamming type of evening, he had previously accompanied Nunc on "Knocking On heaven's Door in several venues,and was halfway onto his feet before realising he was going to sit that one out. . He's quite right. We forgot to ask him up. 

Peaky Brookers

       Those mischievous imps Colin and Karen, aka KC Jones, followed on, maintaining the momentum with their delightful version of the achingly mournful Mary Black song, "Sunny"  One of my favourite KCJ numbers. One of Karen's own songs "Destiny" followed, before they sprang a nasty surprise on everyone in the room but me. A few days previously they had invited me to a rehearsal and suggested that I joined them as guest vocalist on the Carole King song " Will You Still Love Me?" .  We had a brief and secret run through on New Years Day, as, although it is a part of their repertoire, I've never sung it in my life before. A very game gesture on their part, I felt. So here's the proof. And I still had my hands in my pockets! 

The Old KCJ and G

      Well the audience were ready for anything now,and that was exactly what they got. Malc Gurnham. He started solo...but not for long. 

On his second song..up came John Harrington again. .And on his third number,,always keen on surrounding himself with The Ladies, Malc called up Karen Jones and Kathleen Fear to add harmonies to a new venture. And here they are.

      No wonder Malc was smiling

. The audience were  by now thoroughly warmed up and ready for Geoff's first set, the shorter of the two. He roared into his opening number and maintained a quickfire pace as he delivered songs,quips, puns, asides,stories, anecdotes and a few poems what he wrote. Suffice to say these made Brian Phillips and John B. Smith seem like W.H.Auden and T.S. Eliot. 

         There was barely time to catch one's breath, with a raffle and a beer break, before we were off again at breakneck speed with the same heady mixture. Out came Woody, the little dancing Man (and that's not a euphemism), as Geoff pounded away at his plank (and neither is that) whilst the pair of them gave "South Australia" the full works.

          We had "Copperhead Road"  "Vincent Black Lightning " and many more favourites. No wonder he got a fully deserved encore and a virtual standing ovation. His unique version of "House of The Rising Sun " featuring two Geoff Higginbottoms, was truly memorable.      

           It is a tribute to the success of Nuneaton Folk Club that in among the audience (as there often is) I counted more than a dozen quality musicians, scattered about the room. Not drawn in by a floor spot but they were there supporting a local Folk Club and just  determined to enjoy the fun. Dave Cook, Wes Hall,Kathleen Fear,Sue Sanders,Brian Jordan Alan Birkett,and Max Wright all there, for example.  Hopefully we'll  be able to entice a few more  up onto the stage during 2018. 

        Aye, it were a grand night. The photographs are courtesy of Ray Buckler,Max Wright and Sue Sanders.. Here finally, to capture the happy ambience of the evening is my favourite. Left to right,Bob Brooker,Malc Gurnham and Geoff Higginbottom in party mood. Or is it the remake of Last Of The Summer Wine?