Anker Folk Cast List

"Anker Folk " on Anker Radio celebrates its second birthday on September 3rd. We've lost count of all the hours broadcast in terms of Special holiday shows, Christmas features and repeats. But for those (to quote my good friend Pete Clemons) who "like this sort of thing" here to commemorate the anniversary,is a roll of honour. Some evocative names here! 

LOCAL TALENT -Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Coventry etc Played on Anker Folk-as at September 2018

(those asterisked-have also appeared at Nuneaton Folk Club )
Paul Moore* Daisybell* Steve Adams Rod Felton Kevin Dempsey*
Bob Brooker* Dragonhead* Thrup'nny Bits* Des Patalong* 

 Allan Richardson Hedgehog Pie Paper Circus* Bill Bates* 

 Pennyroyal Maria Barham*K.C.Jones* Izzie Derry* Nick Drake

 Dave Taylor John Lee Kristy Gallagher* John Kearney*  Cliff Hands

Norman Wheatley Terry & Jan*Katherine Fear* Ian Bourne* 

Dave Parr* Nunc* John Neal*Wright Brothers* Sue Sanders* 

Glyn Finch* JAG* Matt Mallen Allen*Malc & Gill* Brian Phillips* 

Amelia Roberts* Colin Squire* Malc Gurnham*Ninepenny Marl 

Dan Gascoigne* Dave Fry* Will Pound Rob Halligan*Alkevan*

Nigel Ward* Mick Stuart Geoff and Brian* John & Elaine Meechan

Simon & Sally Anne Veasey* Rude Mechanicals

Dave & Julia Taylor Brian* & Marie Phillips 

 Malc Gurnham & Gill Gilsenan* Black Parrot Seaside* 

 Greenman Rising  Borderline Crossing

These  acts have  also appeared at NFC but as yet have not recorded (or been played) on Anker Folk  (those in bold type are local)

Wilson Wright  Wes Hall Jak Lynch Finger In The Jar

Chris Tobin Ian Bland Flaky Tarts Andrew Buckley 

Anna Ryder Sean Cannon Sly Old Dogs Hilary Wilson 

 Drunc Monkey Moses and The Ref DriftwoodThe J.P.'s 

Alyson Bushell,    Somerville Gentlemen   Comharsa 

Band On The Rum Raintown Seers Campbell & Jan Perry

Jan Richardson Tool & Willow band Max Wright Dipped Sheep 

Blues Monkey Frayed Knot Away With The Fairies

Sam Shemmell Jesse Desai Michael Luntley Lesley Wilson 

Dr.Bennett Angus Ellis Kane Foster Joe Roberts Tom Young

Tricaorach Andy Jones Blues Division Rob Oakey Dave Webb

Total Local at NFC: 70

Total Local on Anker Folk 52

OTHER ARTISTES PLAYED ON ANKER FOLK

Ed Sheeran Ralph McTell Alison Krauss Kirsty McColl  

Nick Dow Jake Bugg John Renbourne James Taylor

Molly Davies*  Loudun Wainwright Leonard Cohen

Eric Clapton Lou Monte Geezinlaws The Spinners 

Gregg Cave Jim Croce Tim Hardin Eva Cassidy Bob Dylan 
David Bristow  K.D. Lang Stan RogersJohnny Butten 

Dougie McClean  Mike Oldfield Bert Jansch Cat Stevens

Kate Rusby Joe Ely Lyle Lovett Christy Moore Sting 

Bonnie Raitt Shawn Colvin Joan Baez Judy Collins 

Vashti BunyanJohn Tams Roy Harper Doc Watson
Claire Hamilton Zeid Hamdan John Richards* Donovan 

Cosmotheka George Formby Peter Sellers Pete Seeger

Jackson C.Frank Sandy Denny  Martin Carthy

Spiers & Boden Martin Carthy Eliza Carthy Cara Dillon 

Luke Kelly Mary Black Si Barron* Phil Hare* Billy Bragg
 Shirley Collins Gerry Rafferty Peggy Lee John Prine

Johnny Cash Bonzo Dog Band Paul Robeson Nic Jones 

Gordon Giltrap Oscar Brand Jean Richie  Joel Sonnier 

J.J.Cale Dick Gaughan Peggy LeeEddie Reader Sunjay  

 Lonnie Donnegan  Krauss & Plant Jeff Beck Pieta Brown 
Charlie Drake Cat Stevens Joni Mitchell Downes and Beer 

John Martyn Simon & Garfunkel Maddy Prior  Isla Cameron 

 Geoff Higginbottom*Rosanne Cash Tom Paxton Foy Vance

Woody Guthrie Jean Redpath Rufus Wainwright Phil Ochs

Ramblin Jack Eliot Seth Lakeman Bo Carter Ry Cooder 

Bill Caddick Duncan McFarlane* Kate Wolfe Pauline Scanlon 

Bryan Ferry John C. Reilly Patty Griffin Ron Sexsmith 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe Don Williams Staid Cleaves 

Jake Thackeray  Newton Faulkner Gerry Heaney 

Glenn Campbell Mark Knopfler Sharon Shannon Leadbelly 

Clinton Ford Jimmie Rodgers Kirsty Merryn Slim Whitman

 James Morrison Lucinda Williams Barbara Dickson

Rory Gallagher Sally Ironmonger Marianne Faithful Badly Drawn Boy

Dave Van Ronk Gene Autry Damien O'Kane Emily Maguire

Maura O'Connell Jimi Hendrix Pete Morton Tom Morello Mike Vass 

John Spillane Emmylou Harris Heather Innes David Arkenstone

Tom Kines Malvina Reynolds Nick Lowe Singing Postman 

Bob Gibson Anna Massie  Bob Neuwirth Mairtin O'Connor 

Sarah McQuaid Kathryn Williams 

Duos and Trios

Joan Baez and Bill Wood Krauss Emmylou & Welch 

The Kingston Trio Danny Pedler & Rosie Butler Hall 

Richard & Linda Thompson   Gren Morris & Sam Stephens* 

 Pro Cantione Antiqua Winter Wilson* Sharp as Razors 

Peter Paul & Mary

Finbarr & Eddie Furey India Electric Co Discovery 

Port Isaac Fishermen Brendan Power & Mick Kinsella 

 Kev Dempsey & Joe Broughton The Way Out 

Ciaran Tournish & Dermot Byrne Gretchen Peters & Rodney Crowell

Cieran Algar & Greg Russell Lal & Norma Waterson

Kathryn Roberts & Seth Lakeman Bob Kirkpatrick and Ashley Hutchings 

Alison Krauss & Robert Plant Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage

Sharon Shannon & Mundy Billy Bragg & John Henry

BANDS

Steeleye Span Mr. Fox Brier The Chieftains Gryphon Capercaillie 

Prelude Pentangle Oddsods Mauric & The Minors The Red Hills 

Scarecrow Pilgrims Way Firebrand The Dubliners Amazing Blondell 

Young Tradition East of Eden  Planxty Show of Hands CSNY

 Led Zeppelin Sweeney's Men The Fureys Morbid Angel  Frigg 

The Watersons The Imagined Village Well Pennies The Young 'Uns 

WhapweaselOcean Colour Scene  The Subways The Pogues 

Folly Bridge Beggars Velvet Incredible String Band Gigspanner 

The Corrs  Three Sheets to The WindKathryn Tickell Band 

 The Carter Family Fairport Convention Woven Hand The Strawbs 

Battlefield Band Young Dubliners Allman Brothers The Highwaymen 

Brothers Four The Chieftains Belzebub The Eagles The Transports

Ninebarrow Clannad Corrib Folk New Humblebums Beggars Banquet

Cherish The Ladies Horselips Altan Clancy Brothers Brass Monkey 

Misshaped Pearls  New Christy Minstrels Coteau Dixie Chicks

Gallowgates Ceilidh Band Kim Lowings & The Greenwood* 

Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys Jethro Tull  Ladysmith Black M'bazo.

OMISSIONS SOON TO BE ADDRESSED

Ewan McColl  Alex Campbell Folk Group  Norah Jones  Dando Shaft

Taj Mahal  De Dannan  Alain Stivell Melanie The Byrds Jon Harvison 

Stephen Stills Keith Donnelly Men They Couldnt Hang  

 Dropkick Murphys Loggins & Messina

Most unusual names played 

Led Zeppelin Morbid Angel Ocean Colour Scene Allman Brothers

The Eagles Jimi Hendrix Jeff Beck Ed Sheeran Rory Gallagher 

 Sting Bryan Ferry

# You Ignored it. You Lost it

            It's a sobering thought that the first song I ever sang fronting a band was John Lee Hooker's "Dimples," and  the last song I sang, fronting one of the many collaborative sessions at The Anker Inn Blues Sessions,43 years later,was the same song. I don't suppose our paths will ever cross again now, which is a shame. I loved this venue and the musicians I shared a stage with there. Autumn,Spring,Summer,Winter.Through heatwaves,Beasts from The East and falling leaves we made our way there. As an audience member or  backed on stage by some fine musicians,the Anker Jamm Blues nights were just bloody good FUN!

Blues Jamm

         Yeah. I know. FUN! In a small Tory-returning  provincial town with airs above its station and a serious apathy problem. Not supposed to happen,beyond your four walls, is it? Fun is something you have watching Premiership Football on your Sky T.V. Or gawping at some X Men crap on your iPhone. Nibbling your Kentucky Fried Chicken or Chinese Takeaway.

Tom Young

Or noodling secretively away on one of your very expensive imported mail order guitars at home whilst singing into your hairbrush-that's FUN,yeah?   Not enjoying real "live" music played with fire and passion in a pub. Surrounded by other,living breathing people. No holograms,no transiently flickering images on an HD screen.  Just raw energy and a good laugh. 

Michael Luntley

          I met John Lee,briefly,once. Shared a cup of coffee with him. All I learned was that regardless of skin colour, if you don't have The Hurt, you can't sing The Blues. Not even worth trying. Apparently he told this to everyone he met and its quoted in all his biographies. But he was absolutely right. You can't sing or play the Blues unless you've known grief,hunger,sorrow,longing,oppression or all of those things. 

John Kearney

         Which is perhaps why dwindling audiences and a virtual boycott by musicians has finally closed the Blues Jamm. I'm going to miss it. Which is selfish,I know. I met some really good people there,and a whale of a time. So all kudos to those who DID try to support it, and Yah! Boo! to those who gave it a wide berth,presumably intent on maintaining their precious egos and fragile reputations.  

Dragonhead

             So step forward Michael Luntley,John Kearney, Anne and John Harris,Lesley Wilson,Flossy McDougal,Paul Moore Peter McParland,Angus Ellis,Jon Harrington, Simon and Sally Anne Veasey, Greg Daffern, Dr Bennett,Dan Gascoigne, Tom Young ,Miles Walker,Rob Oakey, Wes Hall,Max and Chris Wright et al. Plus the few people who just turned up like The Lone Ranger, had a busk and then slipped away again into the night. You at least, gave it a go.  And if I missed anyone out,apologies. I lost a good friend tonight and the grieving is distracting me. Message me privately and I'll add you to The Roll of Honour. 

Lesley Wilson

               This excellent venue,in a pleasant town pub, serving decent beer, survived several management changes. All those in charge did their level best to create a welcoming atmosphere and to support Live music.  The stage was fab,the acoustics were great,the P.A. was splendid,and what audiences we pulled in were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. 

            Now it's gone the rest of you can go away and drool over your Bellowhead albums. Or put your Ed Sheeran collection into alphabetical order on Tuesday nights. Or write swingeing "Dear Sir" letters to post on Facebook or Folk 21.   

Miles Walker

          

                                                               Blues Jamm

It goes without saying that the October 2018 gig there featuring Drunc Monkey is cancelled.But there is a legacy which we owe to The Blues Jamm at The Anker. For had we not all jammed and improvised and larked about together,then the band would not have morphed from that little wooden stage to become a half-decent band, way beyond Nuneaton's sunny shores. 

Drunc Monkey

A Classic night out at The Queens

         It's alway illuminating after another NFC evening at The Queens Hall  to retrospectively read the reviews,study the feedback and admire the photography. We are blessed in this region by having several outstanding photographers of the highest quality to record our venues and artistes for posterity. People like John B.Smith,John Wright,Andy Jones and Ray Buckler. Or Jon Harrington, John Kearney, John Neal,Mark Taylor and many,many more. Their work does justice to the drama of the venue. Surroundings which (as on Wednesday seem to lift performers to new and exciting heights. I have been overwhelmed by the public reaction to Wednesday. It has exceeded all expectations. Take a look at the NFC Facebook page-it's astounding-as are the portfolios of breathtaking photographs.      

DruncMonkey by Mark Taylor

       Such analysis provides pointers to what we get right on each night and what if anything needs attention It's good practice to be self critical and reflective when one shares music with the public. However small and insignificant a part we may play, it is a cog in a living machine. If we all tread blindly down a common route ,without the capacity to change, adapt, renew and innovate,then "Live" music and Folk Clubs (and consequently Folk Music) are doomed. The majority of "Folk" music is first aired,in a Folk Club or a licensed premises of some kind. Whether rearranged Trad. Arr.  songs, newly written material or the music of a thousand regions and a dozen genres, this is where a lot of stuff gets performed,

DruncMonkey by John B.Smith

             On a warm Wednesday night in August we knew beforehand that we had assembled a good line-up.  they are all good,but this one looked to be exceptional. Each one of those on the bill could be ( and indeed have been) the headline act elsewhere. Don't take my word about it. Just read what people said about them below. Rather than me tell you about it let the audience speak. At the bottom of the text there are some musings on why a few ex-regulars continue to stay away. Each to their own. 
            Those who came,(in larger than average numbers) liked Wednesday a lot. They liked the variety,  the quality of the performances and their diversity. They liked  having the choice of sitting down or standing up. They polished off sausages onions and chip butties provided by Guvn'or Richard Burlingham. They had asked for more Real Ale and they got Coffin Dodger Stout brewed by Champion Brewers Church End. They had 100% visibility wherever they were because of the elevated stage. And, after a sweaty start,the air conditioning switched in,making it comfortable for all.  
     "What a stunning night …. so much talent on stage giving a wonderful mix of styles … great sound and lighting … fine food and Church End Stout Coffin on the bar... Thanks to all."-Ray Buckler-a regular at NFC and at Atherstone. 
             Here's what our featured Guest, the beautiful and talented Kristy Gallacher had to say:
            "Enjoyed playing at Nuneaton Folk Club so much last night. Was so great to see so many faces I haven’t seen in a while, thank you for coming. All of the sets were superb. Got that music buzz again! Fabulous night! Nunc monkey on cracking form! Loved every act. Thanks for the music ."

photo by Ray Buckler

              It had been a while since we had last seen Kristy.  Check out  an independent review of her performance and an overview of the club by local writer Pete Clemons.  http://coventrygigs.blogspot.com/
            Here are the views of Hilary Wilson and John Wright. As Wilson Wright, they were making one of their last appearances locally before relocating to Scotland. :
        " Fabulous set Kristy and thanks for the wonderful music. Brilliant night. What a way to say farewell to Warwickshire."    (Hilary)
          Hilary's partner in Wilson Wright wrote:
         "Absolutely enjoyed the evening and a big thanks for all the hard work you put in to organise and run this fine club. A great venue brings out the best in you, I feel. Fond farewell, but we will visit at some time in the future."-John Wright
           They were outstanding. How we'll miss their sophisticated arrangements,Hilary's songs and John's magnificent photography.

photo by Jon Harrington

         DruncMonkey kicked off the evening. We felt good, we felt wired in fact. Starting with "When Love Comes To Town" a duo of CSNY songs segued and "Knocking On Heavens Door" warmed the audience up a little concluding our first cameo. We got a good response from them. Thanks,guys. 
                Ian Bourne followed us. He was a late call-up and (as always) he rose to the occasion with a quality perfomance. Highlight for me was his interpretation of the Gretchen Peters song Hello Cruel World. Ian writes his own material but his covers when he does them are first class. 

                                          Ian Bourne.   Photo by Ray Buckler
                Maria Barham followed Ian. The Gremlins were out for her but,as energetic and as enthusiastic as ever the stage became a little damp in places as her drink got displaced. Our Sound Crew went to work around her as poor Maria became thwarted by a malfunctioning battery in a guitar and various Knights in less than shining armour rushing to her aid. Eventually she delivered three songs of the usual high standard. As one of our audience members said:"We were definitely spoiled last night. Some great music, and laughs. Maria always make me smile."

Maria Barham snapped by Andy Jones.

            Each of the successive support acts built on a tension which was palpable, feeding from each others' adrenalin rush and enthusiasm. Unpaid, they got up on that stage and delivered powerful performances. 
                     The wonderful Paper Circus, continue to go from strength to strength based on Jennian's stunning voice and the Boys' unique instrumental support. Playing to a crowd like this was a good rehearsal for their forthcoming debut at The Cornish Folk Festival. 

Paper Circus at NFC. Photo by Andy Jones

         This week, after several years I finally enticed  Ian Bland, out to NFC whilst he was here on one of his whistle stop U.K. Tours. Visiting here on a biennial visit away from his native Oz. Ian's a popular festival turn and is in constant demand whilst over here. So it was a bit of a coup to get him out to deliver three typical songs with confidence,charisma and style. It was bonzer,mate!

Ian Bland by Ray Buckler

           And finishing a memorable first half, we at last also persuaded Rob Halligan to join us. .Another name I've been pursuing and trying to introduce to an NFC audiences since the club re-opened. He led us up to the Interval with a measured, electric performance, powering out his great songs with immense presence and bags of  confidence. Rob,besides being a prolific recording artiste,has championed Folk and Roots music in Coventry and Warwickshire,notably at The Godiva Festival and MotoFest. He is one of the driving influences behind CV21 the organisation committed to having a Folk Input into Coventry's year as The U.K. City of Culture. It was an honour to have him there.

                                              Rob Halligan   Taken by Ray Buckler.
     A tiny minoruty of those present last night see themselves as critical friends,who will always tell me candidly what needs improving. (Even though everyone working in NFC is unpaid and voluntary). So there were a few grumbles about the temperature,(it has air conditioning!) the lighting,(it's brilliant!) the sound,(our crew work so hard and are never beaten)  the Guest beer, (a potent Church End Brewery Stout) the hold-ups (it's life) and the noise from downstairs-(some bloke from Wishbone Ash,apparently)  
      But the overall consensus was that it was bloody good entertainment,for free,in a setting far more welcoming than the previous one. Here's the view of another Midlands Folk Club organiser,a first time visitor and one who has been hosting far longer than I have and whose judgement I respect tremendously: 
"Fab evening! A venue to rival the Red Lion Folk club at Kings Heath! Better stage lighting at your club and a wider stage."
           John B. Smith, one of our fabulous photographers who records everything and never misses a night wrote:
     " Absolutely fantastic. Well done for organising a brilliant night's, quality entertainment; as always really, but you excelled yourself this time."
          And yet, a few once familiar faces were again missing. (Surely they can't all be permanently on holiday or gigging elsewhere?) Perhaps  with the venue changing, they don't want to bother travelling the extra quarter of a mile round the Ringway to  the new one. People can be very perverse. What exactly is it that the absentees miss about the old venue. What are the drawbacks about attending the new one? What factors make the stayaways stay away? 

        Perhaps they resent having free food provided for them, maybe finding it patronising or invasive?  Would they prefer to buy their own?  At the old venue they didn't do  food ,so if anyone was hungry they had to walk round to Asda and buy a sandwich. Who wants chip and sausage butties, Chilli Con Carne  or ham sandwiches laid out  for them? (We do!) So thanks to Richard and Jenna for continuing to provide tasty bar snacks like they do.

         Previously, if the needs of nature called, could it be that some hardy fellows with strong bladders actually preferred the long trek downstairs and through a roomful of War Gamers before relief was at hand? Do some traditionalist diehards miss the luxury of having "facilities" so far away. Queen's Hall has that rare commodity in local pubs, running hot water and flushing toilets. Admittedly, you cannot stand and watch rainwater trickling through the roof whilst performing so I suppose  if Troopship Holds are your thing men of a certain inclination or age might miss that.  

          Perhaps those few still operating their lonely boycott prefer to pay to get in (or play!) and have gone elsewhere, on the premise that free admission is somehow common or degrading? Perhaps having clean tables, (indeed,having a clean room to sit in) is,an anathema?  I used to clean the previous room myself, on arrival,often found that  during the intervening month,no-one else had bothered.Unwashed beer glasses on the tables,food on the floor and furniture sticky with beer. I had to move all the furniture back sometimes and once or twice had to remove an entire Sound System from the stage before even being able to set up our own P.A. I took in my own broom,mop, black sacks and cleaning cloths. Personally  I don't miss that at all. 

       The stairs at The Queen's Hall are much more forgiving than at the previous venue. There are less of them and they are wider. They are definitely cleaner,and there is no view of a flat roof littered with waste material to contemplate, as you stopped and struggled for breath half way up. Sometimes I found the stairs at the previous venue barricaded when I arrived, and had to move stacked furniture away just to access them. Some people like a challenge. Me? I'm all for the easy life. Our "new" venue is not so new now,professionally run, well staffed and an inspiration to acts performing there. SPREAD THE WORD!