Dark Horses is a bit of a misnomer. There is nothing dark,clandestine or hidden about Keith Donnelly and Flossie Malavialle, who together make up this talented duo. They are just very good. They know it,and only those who have not seen them or heard them before know it. They brought a substantial crowd into NFC's First Wednesday in November, predominantly people who knew all about them and wanted to see even more. That this was achieved on a cold wet night,with the duo appearing in other Warwickshire venues the night before and also on the Thursday, says much about the pulling power of Dark Horses. And that's only the first of several equine puns.
Added to potential local counter-attractions, (and Keith, feel free to use this in your future patter), just down the road,Piero Lounge were celebrating their long-awaited opening night in a rejuvenated premises which had previously housed a Maplins store. A long-anticipated event finally bringing some classy catering into the town. Far be it from me to name and shame those who stayed in there,instead of staggering up to The Crew to enjoy decent music.Thereby sampling the dubious qualities of Bath Ales and having their wallets emptied by an eye wateringly pricey menu instead.
I have no doubts whatsoever that some of our audience on Wednesday attended all three local dates on the DH Warwickshire Tour. But our attendance was still gratifying. Perhaps because as well as our magnetic Main Attraction there were other appetising counter attractions from the floor. Or rather,up on the stage. Not least the unique phenomenon of having not one but two gorgeous Flossies. A treat for the few hot blooded men in the room to feast their eyes and ears upon.
We were all genuinely disappointed to hear that Kate of Greengrass had failed a late fitness test,(so Greengrass fans will have to wait just a little longer to finally see their debut on the Queen's Hall stage).(Get well soon,Kate!). I tried (unsuccessfully) to recruit a late replacement but as luck would have it, John Wright and his camera turned up just before we started and so we filled the vacancy with minutes to spare by asking him to do a couple of songs. It was a nice touch though,that Lauren,also of Greengrass, turned up in person to run the rule over the venue and enjoy the evening with us.
We were all genuinely disappointed to hear that Kate of Greengrass had failed a late fitness test,(so Greengrass fans will have to wait just a little longer to finally see their debut on the Queen's Hall stage).(Get well soon,Kate!). I tried (unsuccessfully) to recruit a late replacement but as luck would have it, John Wright and his camera turned up just before we started and so we filled the vacancy with minutes to spare by asking him to do a couple of songs. It was a nice touch though,that Lauren,also of Greengrass, turned up in person to run the rule over the venue and enjoy the evening with us.
Nunc were at nearly full strength,so we started with "All Gonna Die,"added "Bring It On Home," and finished with "Perfect." Our home Flossy laid down a few vocal markers for Flossydom everywhere,and we had a rare smile from Paul Moore to add to the list of collector's items.
Bob Brooker was next on,with his trusty Bouzouki and he gave us all an opportunity to hear some of his wonderful instrumental work. Being Bob,he couldn't resist advertising a few of his wares including recent albums and some sketches which he is currently selling to raise funds for a charity in memory of his late brother. Here you can see him mistaking the angled mike boom for his trusty tin whistle. ( You'll not get a note out of that Bob!)
What then followed was another treat. John Wright having travelled all the way down from Scotland,had come along ostensibly to enjoy the artistes and to take some of those great photographs he does so well. The collective noun for great photographers must be a plethora and we were certainly blessed on Wednesday,with John Wright,John B.Smith and Ray Buckler all present and snapping busily away to record the evening. We have all three to thank for the photographs featured here. There are loads more on the NFC Facebook page.
At very short notice,John gamely helped us out by filling our vacant slot and singing two of his own inimitable interpretations of classic songs:"Nobody Knows You" and "Ride On." The latter accompanied by Jon Harrington. Invited to play a solo,Jon proved beyond doubt (if anybody had any),what a fine harp player he is.Thanks,gents! Wonderful,emotional audience singing accompanied both these magical songs, too.
That scamp Craig Sunderland arrived next, and he chose to represent the angst of many of Nuneaton's waterless population last weekend by doing a song about drought. (Craig makes no secret of the fact that in his spare time,whilst not working as a highly proficient Folk performer and guitarist,he fills in holes for a well known Water Utility). Always entertaining,a fine musician and someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. Some of us older types are amazed by the number of song lyrics he not only learns,but remembers.
Next it was time for Malc and Gill. Gill began by skilfully deconstructing Keith's mike stand:the one he had so carefully positioned and fine-tuned earlier on,as he and Flossie were doing their sound checks. Keith is a bit taller than Gill and so she decided it needed adjusting. This made a few of us wince, as we knew Keith had been wrestling with levels before the gig started and before declaring himself fairly satisfied. I think he was out of the room at the time. But here is an action replay.
The Bedworth Folk Club resident duo then went on to perform a newish Kate Wolf song, Alex Campbell's "So Long" (and it was!) and Dougie McClean's "Caledonia." Malc was evidently having a good time. Or maybe he'd spotted someone he knew in the audience. Or he'd just remembered he was off to Lanzarote the next week.
The Bedworth Folk Club resident duo then went on to perform a newish Kate Wolf song, Alex Campbell's "So Long" (and it was!) and Dougie McClean's "Caledonia." Malc was evidently having a good time. Or maybe he'd spotted someone he knew in the audience. Or he'd just remembered he was off to Lanzarote the next week.
Having whipped our audience into a frenzy of anticipation with quality entertainment we then unleashed the Dark Horses. They began at a gallop,Flossie opening with a stunning vocal in the eponymous. "Dark Horses." It was so powerful that after they had finished this opening song, I rushed downstairs to fetch the Guv'nor up to hear her sing. Keith had by his own admission been beset with Gremlins during the sound check,and decided to exchange his guitar for Flossie's as there was still a technical hitch. This settled him down and left a few of us wondering what Flossie's guitar playing might have been like.
What followed was a storming finish to the first half,alternating serious and imposing material with excerpts from Keith's considerable comedic portfolio. Always the consummate professional,Keith takes appearance very seriously and is always immaculately turned out on stage.
Thanks perhaps to the generosity of those who had donated such ace raffle prizes, we collected a few bob during the interval. As Mags folded the tickets and prepared for the draw,Nunc returned to warm up for the reappearance of Dark Horses and to conduct the raffle draw. That done, it was time to settle back and enjoy the second half. Watching Flossie's expression as Keith ran through his various routines, each one becoming slightly more manic than the other,was priceless. My,but she's a patient and canny lass. C'est vrai,absolutement. (That's Geordie for honestly, they were dead good,like).
Time flew by and all too soon it was time to draw the night to a close. Not without two or three encores,however. I really think the audience would have stayed there all night if we'd have let them. As usual,our thanks to Aaron on the bar (Bob Brooker was almost beside himself to find his beloved Doom Bar on) and to Harvey,single handedly at times, driving the Sound Desk. The following night, a Thursday, Dark Horses would do it all again at The Tump in Coventry. Whilst simultaneously, just round the corner and only a five minute walk away, Nunc would be doing their thing at The Twisted Barrel Brewery Tap. And that's Show Business.
