Apologies for the lateness of this review. but to say that last Wednesday was a little challenging is an understatement. And things have remained a little chaotic ever since. We were up against it beforehand with one thing and another. John Richards had to make adjustments to his usual line-up as he had a damaged shoulder and his daughter Emma was poorly. Emily got lost on the way in: at one stage I was talking her in on JR's mobile! Unfortunately the evening started a little late too, so we were playing catch up from the beginning.
Nunc were without Flossy and Paul Moore was visibly poorly. John Kearney was picking up the guitar on stage again for the first time since making minor adjustments to a picking finger with a chopping knife last month. Craig Sunderland had been a little peaky too, and was still recovering from an attack of the vapours after having spent the day up a scaffolding tower. (Don't ask). None of these afflictions were Covid related however: we had all done lateral flow tests before setting out for the venue. Photo below by Ray Buckler.
Nunc were fine: in fact they sounded rather good as How Long Blues, Vigilante Man and Copperhead Road were dashed off with great aplomb. Our Sound (very sound) man Ross had spent ages getting the JRB set up but within seconds I had wrought havoc on the mike intended for Jim. It flopped in a way I found quite disturbing-so much so that I had to cling on to it through our first slot to prevent total erectile dysfunction setting in. Later I'm glad to say that it was re-erected. (Ooh Matron!).
When Nunc finished we left JK up there to have a bash at some of the songs he was planning to air last month. (Before he'd sliced his finger). There was a wistful feel to them (as their often is with Kearney compositions) and none better than "Agincourt To Abbeville" especially poignant at this time of year, when we remember The Fallen. All of them. Photo below by John B.Smith.
Up next came Bob Brooker and Craig Sunderland, sharing the first half hour slot. Bob was in exemplary form and treated us to a pair of his own songs,"Seven days" and "Coming Home," before Craig joined him for a rousing instrumental.
Craig then added a frenetic version of "John Barleycorn," picking and singing it at a speed which was truly remarkable.
The shoulder injury to John Richards gave us all the opportunity to enjoy an NFC debut from Gren Bartley. Later Gren would join the JRB and become JR's guitar sound. But his own solo spot was most enjoyable. A talented songwriter and a good guitarist-he filled the half hour and kept the audience focussed. I think he sold a few albums later too-well deserved. I certainly bought one-his stuff is available on Bandcamp. I recommend it highly.
So the JRB had needed to make quite a few adjustments but although they later claimed to have made mistakes and had been a little apprehensive, nerves weren't evident as they launched into a first half full of old favourites and newer material. John, his songs and his band(s) have earned a reputation in all our local clubs and once more they did not disappoint.
The interval came and went. Nunc shaved a few minutes off the second half by doing two instead of three-"Bring It On Home" and Three Little Birds/Wild Rover, to warm up, before The John Richards Band returned to close the evening.
Things were going swimmingly. I was enjoying my pint of Church End Boston Fat Boy immensely and singing along nostalgically to classics like "Polly" and "If you can Sing You Can Dance." Then our phones went, (on silent, obviously) and we were summoned away on an emergency: a mercy mission to take my (very) pregnant daughter to A. and E. (An old war wound: knee locked and she was immediately absolutely immobile).
So I have no idea how the evening ended, although I have no doubt JRB got a rapturous encore and "Shine On," was sung particularly beautifully by the audience and JR combined. I was especially miffed about missing that one. It's one of my favourite songs and I could look to the optimism of those lyrics sometimes when life gets a little dark. John Kearney took over as compere and I bet he was brilliant, wrapping things up. It was past 2am when we got home. A. & E. were not much use and daughter had to spend another seven hours in there later that same Thursday morning.
The hoodoo did not end there. It was great to see John B. Smith back again, recording video and still shots from his perch in the auditorium. We were all looking forward to enjoying them again later, as JBS posts them on the NFC Facebook page afterwards and send links to all artistes featured. Indeed, a few of us got a glimpse of them until a mortified JBS confessed to having inadvertently wiped the video content accidentally whilst transferring. Never mind: his photos are available for all to see.
Once again I am indebted to all the performers and to Ross for engineering them so expertly. Rich Burlingham had got not one but TWO Church End beers on. So not only is he providing us all with a cracking venue, he is promoting local Breweries whilst slaking Folkie thirst. Aaron, behind the bar, was charming, polite and attentive. As he always is.
