Concert For Judith- Photos

Our thanks to Norman Wheatley and Viv for these candid snaps of what was a great night. Pictured in descending order are: Maggie Coleman: Phutnote: LazyManzFlute: Rod Felton: Tanza: Black Parrot Seaside and, finally, The Company assembled on stage to finish the night with an emotional rendition of "Go Lassie Go." If you look very carefully you can just see Norman Wheatley's head right hand side in bottom photo. Norman compered the show,lent moral support and advice,and with Viv co-ordinated The Raffle. Thanks to to "Tanza" for providing setting up and driving an excellent P.A.

Concert For Judith 28th June 2009

Thanks to all who made it a memorable experience Upstairs at The Maudslay last night. With the heat wave on and even with the windows open, it still felt more as if we were playing Lousiana rather than urban Coventry.

The room is a good one for acoustic and semi-acoustic music, and we had stimulating sets from everyone. Norman Wheatley started us off, expertly compering and singing a selection of pleasantly summery songs. LazyManzFlute followed, and they were really excellent. Maggie Coleman provided the first solo spot of the evening, with some thoughtful and typically tuneful renderings.

Tanza finished the first half, and they were a revelation. B.P.S. were due to appear with them at the cancelled Blue Pig gig in February. We must re-arrange this, for we’d be good on a bill together. They did a wide selection of very broad material which complimented the more traditional material very well. Good musicianship and splendid vocals. Excellent!

During the Interval we had the draw for the most lavish raffle I’ve ever seen at a Folk venue. Very different to the tongue in cheek Mock Raffle we conduct at the end of “At The Septic Monkey”! (When we get most of the prizes returned by an embarrassed and slightly flushed audience!Many thanks to all those who donated such lovely prizes.

Norman kicked off the second half, and he was followed by Phutnote. We knew all about them, having seen them many times at Bedworth Folk Club. They did not disappoint. They also brought along Declan, a prize winning Irish dancer who had appeared in Riverdance. Declan’s routines were an appropriate background to Phutnote’s set, and they all received a rapturous ovation! Phutnote finished (at my request!) with Eric Bogle’s “Willie McBride.” What a haunting song that is!

Then it was time for a Rod Felton slot. A True Legend, Roddie was enigmatically Roddie. He refused to use the stage or the P.A. and sat instead, cabaret style, on a chair at the front of the hall. Which was fine for those at the front. He opened with “Thighs” (at least I think that’s what he said!) and included typical examples of Feltonesque humour and one-liners during his set. He finished with my favourite Roddie song “Curly”-another of my requests. To my surprise he performed this unaccompanied-forsaking his beloved guitar. Some inspired singing by all those present who knew the song-it’s about his baby daughter-who’s a very grown up lady now!

And then it was time for Black Parrot Seaside to close the evening. One of Judith’s last wishes before she died in February was that B.P.S. should continue to play together after her death. So it was apt that I think we played a rousing and varied set. We opened with Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm.” And followed it with “The Bonny Black Hare,” accompanied by a much longer instrumental finish. Time then for a (semi) Parrot song after that. “Albert Balls” has very quickly proved an audience pleaser wherever we have done it-and the choruses were simply roared out! “ Wee Midnight Hour” was a simple low-tempo blues, and then it was time to lift the hilarity again with “ The Bold Pirate,” and its shock ending. (The HSE ring us and get it stopped during the 4th verse). (Honestly..) We finished with “ D.I.Y “

Finally, we got the whole company up to lead them in a frankly spine tingling version of “Go Lassie Go.” Which seemed somehow a kind of emotional closure. Singing so moving, it brought people up into the room from outside, to ask what it was. (One of whom was a music producer, interested in recording it-but that’s another story!).

We all had an ace time despite the miserly input of landlord Ambrose. Having previously promised us a bar, he promptly closed it, after less than an hour of the concert. His rationale for this? Not enough people were drinking, apparently. Despite the fact that almost 70 people turned out to raise funds for Myton Hospice, and to pay tribute to Judith. You might think that kind of turnout on a Sunday night might please a landlord who we had once thought was sympathetic-but apparently not. The audience and performers had to traipse downstairs thereafter, where (oddly, given the fatuous excuse for closing the bar upstairs, considerably less than 70 people were sprinkled around in corners of the Maudslay’s less than imposing lounge.

Finally the thanks. To Norman Wheatley and his partner Viv, for the immense work they put into the event and into organising the raffle To Norman for compering as expertly as always, and for superb advice and moral support. To Tanza for installing, providing “driving” and dismantling the P.A. To Jill Gilsenan who brought along a donation from Bedworth Folk Club and helped out selling raffle tickets. As always with Jilly, she also provided encouragement for the performers by her beautiful accompaniment of backing singing.

Thanks to the audience, of course, for turning up. Some had come from as far away as Bristol! The audience was a really eclectic and responsive mixed bag-of young and old. Many familiar faces from the clubs we’ve played since reforming-thanks for that, folks!

Thanks to Pete Willow who gave the event a great write-up in Friday’s Coventry Telegraph. Thanks to all those (including Pete), who had hoped to help out but had other commitments on that particular evening. Kristy Gallagher, Malc Gurnham, Pete Grassby Chris Tobin and Keith Donnelly to name but five. There’s always next time!
Finally, thanks to the performers, who gave up their time or for free. Ladies and Gents you were all superb. I salute you. We must do all that again some time. But possibly, not at The Maudslay.

We think we’ve raised over £200 for Myton Hospice-I’ll make public the final total.

On The Road to Warwick

We had a splendid night at Warwick Folk Club last night. Because of the tragedy that had hit the band earlier in the year, this was only our second appearance of 2009 as a four-piece-and our first as a four piece since Rugby in April. Many of you reading this will know that we have appeared in all kinds of other permutations since January, but the four of us together is really our favoured format. And the best experience of the Parrot magic that an audience can hope for.

We started our feature spot there with "The Septic Monkey," our homage to the Folk Club from Hell, as they had so obviously enjoyed it when we'd done it there last time. (So much so that during the interval that night someone had scrawled out "Septic Monkey" and put it over the "Warwick" bit of their Club Banner!

I don't think we've ever started a set or a floor spot before with The Monkey-but it is turning out to be a very good interactive song for getting Folk Audiences involved and warmed up. The Mock Raffle at the end of Monkey is getting a bit scary, though. I try to make the "prizes" so vile that the audience will give them back. Increasingly we're finding that some folk are keeping them. I lost "Scratch and Sniff Halloween " at Beduff last week like that (shame on you!) and last night someone with issues hung on to an album of Barbara Cartland reading extracts from her greatest works. Val returned "Get to know Your Chinchilla" though. And the "Hitler's Birthday" DVD was left under a chair, unsealed. Incidentally-the real raffle followed ours. I won it-but I'd thrown my ticket in with all the stage stubs-so it was redrawn and compere for the night Maggie Coleman won my box of chocs instead. It just serves me right for taking the p*ss out of so many clubs.

We followed a fairly riotous version of the Monkey with "Albert Balls" and "The Odeon" and finished with " The Bold Pirate." Albert Balls isn't on the CD but it is proving to be very popular.The chorus singing was really good. I think we scared Warwick Audiences a bit at first, when we first started playing there, but they seem to really get us now.

Maggie Coleman compered, and sang. She gave Concert For Judith a big plug and so did we. There were only a couple of other floorsingers besides Maggie. Ian? was an excellent guitarist, and a lady called Sue? Sang two delightful songs. One of them was Fairport's " Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" My own personal Sandy Denny performance. That was a very brave choice but I have to say that she pulled it off and got the whole room singing.
Main Guests were Fairfield, from Bromsgrove Folk Club. Strong singing,good instrumentalism and punchy banter. A mixture of wistful songs and funny, good-feel ones.

During the Interval we were introduced to some Hotel Guests from Jersey who had drifted in as we started. They had been falling about during our spot and wanted to buy a CD-"Pirate" had absolutely knocked them out! The shock ending usually catches some audience members out but we'd done this one there before too and many were ready for it. Not the usual ending to a BPS set-we usually finish with an extended version of DIY-but it worked tonight. Onto the Maudslay on June 28th and then Newbold Rugby Club in July.

We still owe loads of venues cancelled or re-arranged bookings, and we're working on the backlog, but as we get into Autumn, availabilities should become easier. If you're a solo artist it's easier to say "yes" when an Organiser offers you a booking.
But with four of you, three working full time, that means there is a four to one chance that we can make a first offer. But we'll get there. And do more floor spots, too.

A CONCERT FOR JUDITH-JUNE 28TH

MAUDSLAY HOTEL, COVENTRY, SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2009. FREE ADMISSION. STARTS 8PM

RAFFLE AND COLLECTION IN AID OF MYTON HOSPICE

ALREADY APPEARING:

NORMAN WHEATLEY....LAZYMANZFLUTE...MAGGIE COLEMAN....TANZA.....PHUTNOTE...ROD FELTON...BLACK PARROT SEASIDE.....

A brief REMINDER here about what we (Black Parrot Seaside) are doing, and why.

Many of you know we've been around as a Folk Band since the late 1970's. ( O.k. we had a Gap Decade or two, but in 2006 we accepted an invitation to reform for a one-off Charity Fund Raiser in Brinklow). But it wasn't a one off. We got back into the swing of things,and many local venues began to book us. We did floor spots elsewhere when and where we could. Our four-way work commitments meant that we were a little more elusive than some artistes, and when there are four of you, logistics in accepting a booking are four times more difficult. But Things were going well. Festivals, Radio, a CD-it was a lovely second chance for four Old Fogeys which we never thought we'd have.

We are a close unit. We have known each other as friends for over 35 years. The guitarist and I have known each other since 1961. So we were devastated to hear at the start of this year, that his wife Judith was terminally ill. The diagnosis was sudden: the decline brutal: the ending in February of this year was swift, but very traumatic for all of us.

It looked as if we would fold again, but amongst Judith's last instructions were,
" Don't let the boys down." So he's gritted his teeth and wiped away his tears and forced himself to get back into music. Some of you may have seen us since we finally got back into public performance. We've appeared as a two-piece, a three piece, as solo artistes and as the original four piece line Vinyl up. It was really hard at times, to be honest. But several Folk clubs-and Bedworth in particular-have been VERY supportive to us.

We agreed when we got back together a third time, to organise a Concert For Judith this summer, as a Fundraiser. This would have the effect of supporting Myton Hospice where she died, and celebrating her life.

Judith's ashes are being scattered somewhere on the Roseland Peninsula at this very moment-another late pledge they made to each other. It's an odd thought. We played and entertained at their wedding only a couple of years ago-and now this.

Please help us if you can, to put something back into a very worthy cause, and to remember a really nice lady. Come along in droves, drink lots of beer, listen to some ace music and buy loads of raffle tickets.

Thanks for reading.

Keep On Squawkin'

A busy week this week. Mondays rehearsing (Yes we do, whatever people might think of our live appearances!) And Tuesday out to The Green Man at Long Itchington. It was not my first time at this pub. I rather overdid the circuit on the Long Itchington Beer Festival in 2008 there and had a little bit of Tickers Tummy afterwards. But this was our first time at the Folk Club there, and I enjoyed it. It was as you youngsters would say, absolutely rammed:packed to the gunwhales, with steam trickling down the windows. Just how Folk Clubs used to be.

A good programme, featuring Alan Sprung first and our old mates Malc Gurnham and Gilly, second. Alan turned out to be an old mate too, as it happened. We discovered we went to the same school as him. In the same Year Group in fact. A very high standard of floor singers, so we were lucky to get a spot, even having made a fifty mile round journey to get there. Being without our multi-instrumentalist Mick, we did " The Odeon" and " Requiem For Steam." Both were a bit serious for us, and in stark contrast to the superbly hyped up intro which Martin had given us. (Thanks for that Martin-we'll try to be a lot sillier next time). Both went well. There were quite a few people there who'd seen us before, so the choruses to The Odeon were particularly rousing.

Excellent performances from compere Martin (Warwick Folk Club) and Pam (host/organiser,) were followed by Guitar dexterity from Styvechale Folk Club's Rob, and Dave Fry having a bit of a knees up. Sorry Dave-I'm sure the surgery will hold up. A band new to me, "Green Man Rising " virtually filled the place on their own and did three numbers featuring so many instruments I lost count. Alan did his bit, with some thought provoking material and Maggie Coleman added her contribution.

On Wednesday I did a solo spot at Bedworth Folk Club. Geoff Higginbottom was the featured act and he was excellent. Something for everyone there. Traditional, comedy, everything from Sea Shanties to Richard Thompson. I did three Parrot Songs that don't feature that often in setlists, but which do have a place in our history.

I started with a traditional song "The Lincolnshire Poacher." We used to do four part harmonies on this, but I sang it alone and unaccompanied. "Bonio Romeo" followed-one of our own we haven't done since John Walker on electric guitar days. It was a dogged performance, even though I was terrier-fied. I finished with one of the Blues songs we do," Struggling Again." Being an Anker Delta worksong featuring Morris Marinas and monthly pay, although this has a traditional 12 bar form, the lyrics are as you might expect from a band of our genre. I greatly missed Blind Boy's Fender thrumming along behind me, and perhaps I should have brought the harmonica. Anyway it all got polite applause, and nobody walked out.

We were also able to confirm that all four of us-The Full Black Parrot Seaside package in all its glory-will be hosting BFC's Christmas Party at Bedworth Rugby Club on 16th December. You have been warned. Another Rugby club nearer home is Newbold, where we are featured on July 19th. We're at Bedduth again in a couple of weeks time, and at The Maudslay in Coventry on June 28th. Of which more on here later.

BACK ON THE PERCH

Belatedly, here is an account of our first full gig in almost five months-a rousing Tuesday night session at The Merchants Inn, Rugby. Most Parrot Bloggers will be aware of exactly why tragic circumstances had sidelined us since November, but if any reading this are not-just scroll down. It’s all here.

What a fine pub this is! That was my opinion before we played it-and it remains my opinion afterwards. Being part of their Annual Beer Festival, we were looking forward to sampling some of the wares on sale, but alas, as it turned out, three of us were driving. Ah well: another time. It’s a pub we know well!

The place seemed as busy as ever. We set up in the fag machine corner and caused a spot of consternation by shutting the external doors there and playing in the area normally reserved for those who wish to nip outside for a quick drag. We had taken the precaution this time of having someone other than us drive our P.A.-and this helped the sound levels enormously.

The crowd were noisy, enthusiastic and erm, predominantly “relaxed.” Not unlike The Tuns gig we played in Coventry last year-except there were a lot more punters here. The Merchants was also a very mixed age group whereas the Tuns crowd were predominantly youngsters. This might have intimidated some Senior Folkies, but not us. We’ve played The Cross The Dive Bar, and various University Bars. We can deal with good natured raucousness. In fact, we can give it back. Our first half set was as follows:

1. BEING NOT WELL
2. SALT OF THE EARTH
3. REQUIEM
4. BEDDUTH BANK
5. BLACK JACK DAVID
6. WAG of SHOP 14
7. HOOLIGAN’S HORNPIPE
8. BONNY BLACK HARE
9. DIRTY GERTIE
10. BLACK VELVET BAND
11. THE WHISTLER

“Salt” was a particularly good version, well received and with good chorus singing from the audience. With The Strawbs having reformed, our riposte to “Part of The Union” continues to raise wry grins, and helps redress the balance a little. After all, crushing the Unions and selling off The Family Silver didn’t really get any of us very far did it?
If the crowd did not know what they were in for, they did by “The Wag,” which we managed to do in full theatrical mode. That is, with the Ryton Spanner Dance performed out on the floor, in a sort of mosh pit between us and the Real Ale casks, and with me sitting on a chair reading the Daily Mirror whilst the boys bashed out some jigs n’ reels. “It’s like the Edinburgh Festival,” one luvvie twittered enthusiastically, afterwards. ( I wish-but very flattering!).
Spurred on by the dozens of real ales available, Black Velvet Band seemed to get the whole pub singing, and the crowd whistling in The Whistler to finish the first half wasn’t bad either. Julian from The Crown in Nuneaton had turned up to run the rule over us, and he seemed well impressed by the first half. (He’s offered us a gig there, anyway).

The second half was:

REAL ALE
MAGGIES FARM
WARWICKSHIRE LULLABY
RAILWAY MAGAZINE
AT THE SEPTIC MONKEY
THE ODEON
THE BOLD PIRATE
MANURE
ALBERT BALLS
I’M ONLY A POOR LITTLE RHINO
MIDNIGHT HOUR BLUES
COCKNEY POWER
D.I.Y.

(ENCORE)- VACUUM CLEANER

Maggie’s Farm was the first public performance featuring all four of the band and was well received. As was the rest of the material. More enthusiastic vein-busting singing for “Railway Magazine” , and “ Cockney Power “ which made a lot of people chuckle.

We did not have to play for an encore-we had earned one. By this time the audience had really latched on to the full mixture of irreverent, slightly naughty punk Folk that is vintage parrot, and they had no qualms about holding their mobiles aloft and howling along with the chorus John Peel liked so much:

“ I am a Vacuum Cleaner with the Brain of a Bird/
I’ve heard of reincarnation but this is absurd. “

(What will they think when they play that back next morning?)

Many thanks to Scott and all at The Merchants for inviting us, to Lee for his help in Sound mixing, and to the Real Ale drinkers of Rugby for giving us such support. Hope to be back soon?

Jeff Powles R.I.P.

More sad news. Jeff Powles, our second drummer,died last week. He was only 56.

After we parted company,quite early on in the Electric Parrot days, Jeff went on to become a music agent. I didn't see him for years, but then I bumped into him, in about 2005, at a Doors Tribute night at the (alas!) now defunct Nags Head in Nuneaton.

Jeff was a really nice bloke. I think he struggled at times to get his head round some of the crazier stuff we did, but some of my fondest memories of those years include him bashing away at the Kit at some classic Rock Gigs. He had quite a temper, and could fly into a rage over something quickly. At such times his mane of hair would fly around as he flounced off-hence we nicknamed him "Queenie." In fairness though, he also came out of those rages very quickly. He also had a much nicer Galunian name-Jallin N'gara-which he seemed much fonder of.

The only photo I can find featuring Jeff shows us rehearsing at The Woodlands School, round about 1976, when we all had hair-some of us lots of it! L. to R. it's Barry Ousby on base, Jeff Powles on drums, Arnold on guitar, other Geoff singing (with a fag on?) and Mick Harris on the electric piano. Classic stuff. happy days. Rock on JGP.