October at NFC

        I confess that,having flown back from the USA only 24 hours previously,my brain was still scrambled as I took to the stage at the Queen's Hall on Wednesday to welcome another throng of willing Pilgrims back to Nuneaton Folk Club.

      What followed was another evening of immense local and National talent on show at NFC  Every kind of genre of roots and acoustic music with Award winning Real Ale on Tap (Fallen Angel by Church End-Mmmm!) and all facilities immediately to hand. I continue to believe it is important to keep those who can’t make it in the loop about what they missed and well informed on what is happening and to remind folk what is coming up next. Well done to all who supported us on Wednesday and to those who performed. Mega.

         Our Main Guest was Geoff Higginbottom. A welcome return for a guy who always gives his best,works really hard and is full value in musical and entertainment terms. Of which,more later.

          Kicking the evening off as always, were Nunc. No Paul Moore,but we started with the Kasey Chambers song "We're All Going to Die Some Day," which got the audience going. I'd thought it might be rather apt having heard a lot of Country whilst in The States but no-one I met out there had ever heard of her. Mr. Kearney told me she was Australian.Well dang, that kind of explains it.  

        We followed that up with our "Three Little Birds/Wild Rover," segue: a staple favourite of both Nunc and Drunk Monkey sets. It chugged along nicely until the final section where,as usual,we handed the chorus across to the audience. Silence. This was an eerie experience: a response which we've never had when doing that before. Perhaps they all had jet lag,but eventually we cajoled them into singing the chorus solo (Phew!). Nunc finished with a version of "The Chemical Song." I didn't know it,so sat that one out.

                          Consumate professional Des Patalong followed:he of the mighty voice and mighty beard,filling the hall with his three numbers. Including a shanty I thought I'd heard on his solo album,but which Des tells me is from his Sharp as Razors portfolio. He's so prolific, it's hard to keep up with him at times. 

                  We were all excited about the NFC debut of Crybb. We'd heard so much good about them and I'd had so many recommendations,and we were not disappointed.Kate and Gary performed three polished  numbers,self-penned and with a Northamptonshire feel to them. A nice sound, and thoroughly nice people. I think they sold a few CDs too so that was nice. 

                 We hadn't seen The Stanleys for a while so it was good to welcome them back albeit in a slightly altered format. The two girls and dad Mick,complimented by John Kearney were not Comharsa so they were billed as The Stanleys. They opened with a version of "Sonny" as Mick declared they would do no Irish songs. He  lead on "The Leaving of Liverpool," which I'm sure I've heard the Dubliners do. But apparently.it originated in Manhattan  (Blimey,I've just come back from there!). They finished with a  cover of The Corrs' "Runaway," and I'm pretty sure they were from over The Water too. I'm not sure Mick got that entirely right. 

         We had enjoyed visits from Dave Fry to the other venue,but he was making his debut at the new place,and it was his kind of scene. He looked good up there and sounded good too. He finished his spot with the song I think he does best:Jon Harvison's "One Sky " Dave chose that deliberately because he knows I like it so much. The audience did too and they sang the choruses gamely with him. I honestly think Dave's version is better than the original. (Sorry Jon). 

                       Geoff came on for his first set then and he was very entertaining.He had brought along his mate Steve who besides playing Bodhran and Autoharp, turned out to be a very good paper artist too. You might recall him doing that from the Craft Stalls at Bedworth Folk Festival. One of Geoff's party pieces is "Whisky On a Sunday," with his little dancing man and all the innuendo which accompanies his appearance, as it flails around upon his knee. Classic stuff. 

              After the interval,Nunc started with "Perfect," and as Kate from Crybb was evidently having such a good time in the audience, I called her up to join in. A lovely moment. She's having a whale of a time here,look! We ended with a rousing performance of "When Love Comes To Town," which again got the audience very animated. Excellent singing,guys! 

                A very determined Steve then played a couple of tunes on his autoharp before Geoff returned to round off a most enjoyable evening. He really does do Richard Thompson songs justice.. "Bright Lights Tonight" "Vincent Black Lightning" and "Wall of Death"  were picked up and sung along with by the audience . He also treated us to one of his epic poems from the Gobshite anthologies. You could never complain that Geoff doesn't cover a broad spectrum of material. Added to his stand-up patterl delivered with a deceptively dry  humour it was a lot of fun. 

       A special mention to young Harvey, who ran the Sound desk on his own on Wednesday, in the absence of brother Tom. He was unflappable all night,reacted swiftly to adjustments and requests and remained smiling throughout. Harvey is a thoroughly likable, competent and capable young man. And applause to for Aaron,also,who stays cool and calm and cheerful whilst dispensing drinks from behind the bar and setting out furniture. He also works VERY hard. Thanks also to Ray Bucler and Max Wright for the photos here and on the NFC Facebook page.
           Next month's guests are Dark Horses. Two Folk legends for the price of one. Flossie Mallaville AND Keith Donnelly. Best come early? Before that, we have The Peatbog Faeries upstairs at The Crew October 21st and The Ragged Bear Festival is also there on the weekend of October 26th.