Happy Ninth Birthday Nuneaton Folk Club!

         We had another top night last night, with some top music and a decent turnout. Thanks to all who came: the Live Music scene generally is still in recovery post-covid and so anyone who turns out to support it is a saint as far as I'm concerned. Without your support, we would fold-simple as. There are many things that are stressful about running a Folk Club. Personally, still performing locally myself, the greatest anxiety beforehand is the fear that despite attracting the quality of performers we always strive to recruit, they will eventually arrive and play to a half empty room. There is so much competition nowadays for the same limited audience that it takes a special kind of integrity to forsake the t.v. and go out on a Wednesday night, midweek and make the effort. Those who did this last night deserve a blue plaque on their house in my very humble opinion. The room was not empty, the chorus singing was enthusiastic and it was good to see some new and old faces.

Phil Benson and I began the evening. A few months back over a pub lunch. We began reflecting on the body count and general misery levels in many Folk songs. We mused about doing something to redress the balance and cheer things up a bit. Music Hall and Comedy songs and their waning popularity nowadays were discussed. The eventual outcome was Bits and Pieces. Opening proceedings last night was our fourth public appearance. We did " The Houses in Between" originally performed by Gus Elen and then "Jollity Farm." This latter began life as a music hall response to a song called Misery Lane. Its composer was Lesley Sarony. Many years later The Bonzo Dog Band revived it and it was a much loved track on their album "Gorilla." A lot of audience participation required in this one, with animal noises birdsong and football rattles among the props used. We finished warming the audience up with "My Old Man's a Dustman," a world wide hit for Lonnie Donegan. Thought to be derived from a Music Hall song, it got to Number One when first released in 1960. [ Photo below by Johh B. Smith].

John Mosedale has appeared at NFC a few times. He has been known to be the occasional comedy song too, mixing them up with more serious ones. Last night he did an entertaining 30 minute spot which included "Conspiracies" and "Northern Lights," from his recently released mini album "Magical Music." I hadn't really twigged that title before but John before turning to Folk Clubs worked a different circuit, wowing audiences with prestidigitation. He introduced "Twenty Seven" as "a medley of my greatest hit ." Far from the truth, as his Dog with Three Balls (which he did not perform last night), is another popular audience number. Bang up to date he then performed The Crooked House a sad homage to the vandalism which illegally reduced a famous pub in Himley to a pile of rubble a few months ago. Good set, John. Light and Shade and very entertaining. [ Picture by John B. Smith].

Mick Bisiker is a talented singer musician and songwriter who has been working hard on the local circuit. As part of the band Rack and Ruin, solo or with various combinations including his new wife Deb. The combo last night was Mick, Deb and bass player Chris Radley. Producing a lovely sound, they included the wonderfully singable earworm "Ball and Chain" a few other Bisiker compositions and a glorious finish with a great arrangement of "Rose of Allandale." A beautifully paced set. [Picture by John B.Smith].

That done it was time to welcome the multi-talented Benji Kirkpatrick to an NFC stage for the first of two sets. Benji played during the course of the evening, Bouzouki, guitar, Banjo and piano. All, it has to be said, played superbly and at a speed tempo and complexity which made most of us gasp. [Picture below by Ray Buckler].

Benji was showcasing ' Roulette" a new solo album to be released tomorrow. He had a bit of fun with the keyboard, wrestling it cheerfully into position before watching the stand collapse. Once re-assembled however he soon showed that he was as good on that as he was all the other instruments. [Picture by Ray Buckler].

Benji has worked with Bellowhead and Faustus to name but a few. One of his most enjoyable albums was a fond homage to the song writing of Jimi Hendrix. From it last night, he played from it Voodoo Chile, Little Wing and The Wind Cries Mary. His latest single from his new album "Roulette" was also aired plus a touching tribute to the greatly missed Paul Sartin,"Slaves" a song once performed by Faustus. [Picture below by John B Smith].

Benji does not hold back. His songs are erudite and intelligent. He writes about things that are of now and are challenging. Clever, thought provoking lyrics seamlessly intertwined with some magical musicianship. When he does do a cover he puts his own stamp on them-as with the Hendrix material and with "The Moon Struck One," a Robbie Robertson song from a 2010 album "Boomerang." it says everything about Benji's standing in the Folk Community that on the original album track, Seth Lakeman played violin and Benji's dad John played Button Accordion!

Once again Charlie and Ross drove the sound superbly from their desk up in the Gods and thanks should also go to Jane for sterling work behind the bar.

Rich Burlingham whose NFC patronage keeps us rocking on at The Crew had somehow conjured up the Tiny Rebel/Theaksons Peculier collaboration on handfuls and I have to say, it was magnificent. You won't often catch me supping stouts or porters but Ray Buckler's photo is proof.

My right hand woman Mags was poorly last night and so she could not come. So my thanks must also go to Phil Benson organiser of Atherstone Folk Club who helped out by taking the jug round whilst I was announcing and with counting up the collection.

Finally: Here's a little tip for anyone mystified by having seen their post suddenly disappear from The NFC Stalkbook Page over the last few months. This is solely because (trust me) nothing, irritates a Folk Club organiser more than seeing helpful posts appearing and telling us who is NOT going to be there. I'm not alone in this-I've know because I've discussed it with a few other organisers. We'd be far happier reading about who IS going to be there, than learning about your eighteen venue tour of Arkansas, your next album, your idyllic holiday on Mars, your pending appearance on Blankety Blank or a Covid update. It's actually much more positive for other potential attendees to read enthusiastic posts saying how much they loved it last time and how they can't wait to attend the next one. It's lovely for you that you've had more bookings than Taylor Swift, but really-it's often just a free plug for another venue, isn't it? And we don't do them. So... " Would have loved to have been there but we were supporting Dolly Parton at Glastonbury on Wednesday, " may actually be true but the Moderator's axe will fall across it within seconds.