Followers of this Blog (both of them) may have noticed that there has not as yet been an account of the most recent Wednesday night at NFC. That will be addressed now. It was in fact, mostly a joyous occasion. Our attendances are slowly climbing back up-we had to get extra tables out! Covid (though not gone) seems to be hitting people slightly less hard, confidence in live music is reviving and the by now ubiquitous Church End Goats Milk was typically delicious. It was also lovely to see long time supporters like Kath and Ian Peretti, John B. Smith Geoff Hardy Wes and Linda , Jak Lynch and Max Wright fit, well and back with us. Below we see Guitar Whisperer Wes Hall outlining his latest project to a captivated audience. All photos here are courtesy of John B. Smith. That's Ray Buckler lurking over by the facilities btw.
We had three bands: Nunc, The Willow & Tool Band and the magnificent Redhills. Plus Malc and Gill in tip top form . It should have been a night of celebration and mostly it was. For me personally however if was to be the last night of Nunc as a House Band. Most of them have turned out rain or shine to support the club and certainly since we left The Crown and moved to The Crew, they've added a quality to the evenings. There is no point picking publicly over the bones of the break up. It's happened and we move on-along our separate paths. I'm sorry it happened. I enjoyed those good times we sometimes enjoyed whilst we were together. You'll see the four of them playing together under a different name somewhere soon. And of course they all have other issues and side projects which they are involved in so all will remain components of the local music scene. I thought the four of us played o.k for the last time as Nunc, given the circumstances. Below is an historic picture of Nunc on stage at NFC for the last time. This photo just will NOT centre align. How spooky is that?
Nunc handed over, after kicking off the evening to Malc and Gill. They were in fine voice: as good as I've ever heard them, particularly the harmonies. Their choice of material was excellent and it was kind of them to include "Down By The Dockside Wall" a favourite of mine. This Shep Wooley song always gets an audience singing and remains an earworm for days afterwards. A special mention for Gill having the pluck and grit to climb the stairs and then get onto and off the stage without falling over. It doesn't look easy and I can tell you from offering her chivalrous assistance, it genuinely isn't. That girl has PLUCK. (And that's not Cockney Rhyming slang). Here JBS has captured them in a rare shot where they are not arguing.
The Willow and Tool Band had experienced their share of problems too. Pete Willow and Lolly had been poorly which had restricted rehearsals. It did not show however as they romped through a fine repertoire of eclectic material. Keith looks as if he is getting ready to do some Irish Dancing.
You would have thought they'd never been away and they seldom stopped smiling. The only problem they seemed to have was getting Tool's mighty double bass from the Car park to the gig beforehand and back off stage afterwards. So nice to see a band up there on stage sharing responsibilities and having fun. They all took turns singing and playing. Here's Lolly, fluting. What a classy, sassy lady she is!
Finally having The Redhills as our featured guests was one of those cancelled/rearranged things which all of us despaired of ever staging at times during the Pandemic. But due to patience and dogged determination, finally we got them all up there assembled on that mighty stage. A stage they filled: indeed they filled the auditorium too. Good to see a good electric band at NFC playing good electric folk. :drum kit: electric bass and lead: fiddle: acoustic guitars and all kinds of other bells gongs and whistles kept the audience on their toes. Literally at times, as people began DANCING! (I know!). The band were also dancing on stage during certain times: their energy and enthusiasm was infectious.
Their arrangements were clever and well thought out. The exchanges between instruments were ingenious and skilfully executed: they are all clearly excellent musicians. Their two sets were a joyful demonstration of good folk music delivered with style and aplomb. Go and see them if you haven't already. Highly recommended.
Thanks to the support acts, to John B. Smith and Max for a plethora of photographs and to sound techie Ross Tidmuss who certainly had his work cut out in the sound booth that night. Thanks to go also to Aaron behind the bar and to the rest of the Crew Staff especially Rich Burlingham. They combine to help us lots behind the scenes to ensure that quality Folk, Rock and Americana can be brought to you on each first Wednesday of every month. Here is a candid JBS snap of Aron grabbing a portion of sushi during a lull.
In June, our featured guest upstairs at The Queens Hall is Benji Kirkpatrick. Famously, he's played with Bellowhead, Faustus and Steeleye Span as well as being a virtuoso solo performer. Check out his videos on You Tube or on the NFC website. With Bob Brooker Craig Sunderland and Yonderland (Paul Monks and Jane Moss) in the mix too, it's going to be one hell of a night.
