Nothing to Fret About

       Last night was a first for me and (I suspect),for quite a lot of other people. For the first time ever, I was privileged to be invited to a Film Premiere. I'd hooked up with local Film Producer Lee Price, whilst he was still filming Frettin'-his second full length feature film. No spoilers, but it is shot entirely locally and features an exclusively local cast. One or two of whom I already knew to talk to or nod at and a good few more I recognised on my first preview screening.

      Still keeping it local, John Kearney and I were delighted to be invited by Lee to contribute a little music clip to the soundtrack. Which we did. Part of "Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy," recorded in my living room. No spoilers,but thanks to Catherine Nellany's sumptuous acting,not a dry eye in the house last night as that particular bit of film rolled by.

Lee had also asked me beforehand to rustle him up a Shanty Crew. So,on one hilarious December day the (landlocked) Hawkesbury Trawlermen recorded "Blow The Man Down,"live upstairs at The Lord Hop in Nuneaton. ( Told you I'd make you famous, Barry!).

     The Hawkesbury Trawlermen are exclusively drawn from The Nuneaton and District Elderly Gentlemens' Binge Drinking Society (Folk Club Section). Our monthly meetings are held in The Felix Holt which is now the town's only Wetherspoons. On that afternoon, we had held our annual "works do" previously in another hostelry,and we arrived for the recording at The Hop in (shall we say?) a relaxed state. Suffice to say that at least one Trawlerman fell asleep during part of the recording. 

    Quite how Lee then mixed this up to the very high standard full-blooded soundtrack version broadcast last night, God knows.

       Lee had also persuaded Nunc to provide a half hour of live music before the show. As they are  The Nuneaton Folk Club House Band and The Crown's gaffer had a part in the film,this seemed quite appropriate. Plus, John Kearney lives in Whitestone and Flossy and I being related,had parents, grandparents and other relatives born in the town. Entirely sensible then,with all the local involvement, that the Premiere was held in Nuneaton's Abbey Theatre.

      For me therefore,a little bit of a personal ambition was achieved last night. I'd played the Arts Centre before, long ago, and the Theatre Foyer last November. I'd also seen some of Simon Winterman's excellent productions there. Finally getting on that stage with a big audience in front of us was an ambition fulfilled and a real honour. Make no mistake,The Abbey is an absolute gem of a venue. The sound system is a dream. The lighting is fully professional. The front of House staff are always helpful and pleasant. The bar always has plentiful stocks of Church End Fallen Angel available-surely one of the best Real Ales produced in the area?Inside,The Abbey has a generous stage with a wide apron, and the seats are cleverly tiered. It has been properly designed,and the acoustics are ace.

Nunc at The Abbey Theatre

      Whilst in Black Parrot Seaside, I only ever played a few theatres. Theatre On The Steps in Bridgnorth springs to mind as a memorable gig and I think we once did another one in Lichfield. I've always found them iconic places. Possibly because I read Drama at College,and then taught it for many years. ( Nunc followers may have noticed that, judging me on my stage shirts alone, I always like to make my presence felt when performing. I wore two shirts last night:one under the other. Just to be safe).

      We put quite a bit of planning and rehearsal into this appearance beforehand, concentrating specifically on timing. You cannot muck theatricals about. I am delighted to say that,as planned, we opened on time as the audience began to filter into the auditorium, and we finished bang on time,right on cue, as it were. Leaving a slightly nervous Lee to introduce his Pride and Joy in person, just after we said "Adieu to Sweet Lovely Nancy." As the opening titles rolled I checked my watch. 7.01pm.

      The audience were more than up for it, bless 'em! Perhaps it was the Fallen Angel, but they sang the Choruses gamely,although I bet quite a few hadn't come across that much Folk and Country previously. For the record ( alas,not literally. Not yet anyway).. we did:"Twas On an April Morning", "Weather With You," "When I Get To The Border," "All Gotta Die Someday," "Down Where The Drunkards Roll," "Angel from Montgomery," and " Bring It On Home," before leaving things to Nancy. We had a great time: the Adrenalin was really pumping.

      The film was very clever. (Didn't Frettin'look good on the Big Screen!) I hope Lee won't mind me describing it as a kind of Comedie Noire set in Warwickshire. An unlikely couple are drawn together by tragedy and broken dreams and shadowed by a larger than life irascible rogue, the mysterious Nancy. They endure a sequence of scrapes,some comic,some not so.

      The film has some classic moments which only those born within the Sound of Camp Hill will fully appreciate. There is laughter,there is pain and pathos. There is a lightly optimistic ending which comes as bit of surprise after all the trauma, and leaves it wide open for a sequel. If you like the work of Sean Hughes you'll enjoy this.

      I bet there was a riotous backstage party afterwards, but being proper Rock and Roll,we had already decided to support The Sly Old Dogs in their nomadic quest for a new home. Having carelessly lost The Bell and The Denbigh Arms in Monks Kirby,and the Wood Farm Brewery Tap, their March 2017 session was to be held in the home of The Tump Folk Club at The Humber Hotel in Coventry. A venue,in many guises, we have played many times. I hope, given the SODs recent track record,The Humber is  insured against sudden closure.        

Max Wright takes to the floor

     We proved conclusively that, with a headwind, clear traffic, and entirely within the law, you can travel from Central Nuneaton to downtown Coventry in 15 minutes. So anyone from Cov who has not yet been to Nuneaton (or even Beduff) Folk Clubs just because it's "too far!" or it "takes too long ...well...just...meh!

      We arrived at The Humber just as the first of three halves were ending. Later, replenished with appropriate beverages we sang along with a classic SODs (and Friends) repertoire, endured a slightly above average joke from Tool, and contributed a few songs ourselves. John did "Do Wah Diddy Diddy"( a fine old Traditional Folk Song) and together we did "Di Di The Ice Cream Man," (one of mine) and "Dont Worry/The Wild Rover" (one of his). Paul Kenny led the assembled company in "Whiskey In The Jar" as a fitting finale. The SODs are now off to sample another new kennel, out Brandon way at the end of April. I hope the Club Committee have a back-up plan!    

Nunc at Tump Folk

       Last night(Thursday) Nunc completed a busy week as the featured Guests at The Tump, nowadays based in The Humber Hotel,Coventry. Previously, it was homed in other venues including the original setting in Brinklow ,Warwickshire. (Hence the name). Always a friendly club,wherever it was, with a loyal cohort of regulars and presided over regally by Karen Orgill.  It was an honour and a privilege to play this venue again as the Main Guests. (The first time I did so was with Black Parrot Seaside, many years ago now).

     It had been a busy six days for us, with a set at the (nearby) Twisted Barrel Brewery Tap last Friday, a little cameo from John Kearney and I at the final Sly Old Dogs at Wood Farm on Sunday, and our stint at Nuneaton Folk Club Wednesday night. Frankly, I wouldn't want it any other way. What Nunc are doing is a whole new departure for me,and although we work hard on rehearsals (yes..we do,Karen Orgill!), the end result is an absolute blast for us, and increasingly, audiences seem to like it. This is absolutely no reflection on the various BPS members, but I'm having more fun now than I ever was-and it seems, doing  gigs more regularly too. That's not a criticism-just evolution I guess.  Though we mostly do covers and rearrangements of other people's work nowadays, last night we managed to include one of my songs and one of my sisters. Both well received. 

      The Humber holds lots of memories for me. I grew up in the area and as a kid I played on the park just round the corner. Later, in a brief period working for The Parks Department of Coventry City Council, I mowed all the parks and grass verges in the area-and there were plenty. I spent my last night as a single man drinking in the Humber with workmates. My dad and my Uncle Bill worked across the road in the massive,long since demolished assembly shops and factories of  Stoke Works of The Rootes Group. 

      Nowadays the area is a mix of old artisans houses and newer stock. Many are Student Lets, as Coventry University is just a short walk away. Where steam locos once shunted and assembled goods trains at Gosford Green Depot, the tracks are long gone and a Primary School stands on the site. 
         The Tump in its current home is a lovely club. In recent memory I've seen it absolutely rammed:a big concert room, filled to overflowing:the stage piled high with guitar cases and music stands.  The car park congested and the streets around full of customers' cars. That was for a Rod Felton Memorial Night,when  I had the honour of singing the Great Man's lovely song "Curly",accompanied by BPS and David Parr.

      Last night was a much cosier occasion. I knew all but a few in the room,and even in their previous format,Nunc had already done an extended floor spot here. So it was like a home from home. Very informal with a high standard of banter and heckling. The beer was good, and reasonably priced. The radiators were on,and the bar staff were friendly. The Tump is a little jewel and it deserves more support, more regularly. 

       Besides the two sets we did, music was also provided by Campbell Mckee, Max Wright, Nigel Ward, Rob Oakey and the wonderful Terry and Jan Wisdom aka "Highly Strung."   Max had brought his banjo and did a few songs including "Putting On The Style. " Campbell was extraordinarily upbeat-I think his overseas trips are doing him the world of good. He did Donovan's "Catch the Wind," and Lal Waterson's "Mole in a Hole." 

     Nigel sang a song and played some lively instrumentals on his fiddle. Rob Oakey too was in lively  mood and good voice. He did "Homeward Bound", a Woody Guthrie number and "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde."

      Before performing second half,, Terry and Jan proudly handed me their DVD (which I'd been looking forward to playing since they first told me about it). Alas, as yet I have been unable to play it!  I had hoped to feature their work on "Anker Folk" so as to bring their talents to a wider audience.Terry's sparkling guitar work is always complimented by Jan's immaculately timed rhythm guitar and her immaculate pitch. Terry is approaching 80 this year and he's bloody annoyed about it, but it is always lovely to see these two. Long ago once gave up Folk but thankfully were persuaded back into it again. They are  still cutting the mustard and putting some of us younger performers to shame with their energy and enthusiasm.  At my request they did "One Meatball," and also gave us a few other treats including "Rocking hair."

        Thanks to Max Wright we may well be sticking our first effort up on You Tube soon. Over the two sets we sang 18 songs-and still they wanted more. So we finished with our Irish Reggae version of "Dont Worry/Irish Rover."  Making it nineteen at all. We tried to mix it up a little, with some Trad.Arr. some comedy and Flossy's gorgeous rendition of "Ae Fond Kiss" thrown in to stimulate the tear ducts. ( Campbell has been known to break down playing or listening to certain songs-I thought we had him for a moment, but his eyes were only watering because he had trapped his little finger in a ring pull. 

 

Full Set List

First Half:

Twas on an April Morning 
Black Jack David
Downtown
Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy
After The Goldrush 
The Call 
Albert Balls 
John Ball 
Cold Haily Windy Night 
When I Get To The Border/Soldier Soldier

Second Half;

Down Where The Drunkards Roll

Weather With You 

Ae Fond Kiss

All Gotta Die Some Day 

Angel from Montgomery 

Bring it On Home To me

Perfect 

All The Good Times 

Don't Worry/Irish Rover 

         

March of The Sound Men

Watching Paper Circus.

             Another First Wednesday and another First of the month to mark Nuneaton Folk Club's March session.Our featured guest Kevin Dempsey, is always a welcome visitor and always pulls in a good crowd. As you would expect with an artiste of his calibre the latest  NFC evening at The Crown was another high quality occasion. It would be difficult, given the added bonus of a talented squad of  support acts to go wrong,really. So we didn't. Kevin delivered a typically high quality performance, admirably supplemented by a strong support cast, all of them returning. 

Part of Wednesday's audience 

     After a tricky changeover at the start of the new year, the Sound arrangements are still in flux, but are stabilising now This is largely due to the way in which half a dozen folks have worked co-operatively together to make sure that all our performers are ably supported on Wednesday nights. This entails several of us putting in a shift on Tuesday night,as work commitments are now limiting the amount of time we can spend on a Wednesday evening, before our 8pm start, setting up.  

     I make no apologies for putting our sound team first in this account,as without them, the quality of performance (which our audiences continue to praise and enjoy), would not be the same. So it's thanks to Simon Winterman of Impulse Theatre for allowing us early access to their rehearsal room and to Julian Harkins The Crown's Guv'nor for storing the sound gear securely between Folk nights. And thanks also to three of our own: Matt Mallen Allen, Liam Johnson and our latest incumbent Dave Smart,for their work together beforehand and at the desk on Wednesday. It only needed Tom Veasey and the whole team would have been reunited for one night! 
      Matt 's new career in High Finance has impacted on his degree of input, but he,Dave Smart,Julian,Liam and myself put in time on Tuesday night to ensure that Liam, (who was taking the helm first shift),could conduct the sound checks and get us under way. Dave Smart took over the desk eventually and helped us stow the gear away afterwards. Without all this behind the scenes work, the show literally could not go on.

Matt and Liam look on as Dave Smart contemplates the sliders. 

        Nunc began with   " When I get to The Border" and "Weather With You" and the cheerfully philosophic Kasey Chambers anthem, "We're all gonna die some day." The audience were obviously already in a good singing voice , as they returned each of the  choruses right merrily.  

Nunc are heading to The Border. 

           Then we put Matt Mallen Allen (literally) on the spot.  Matt arrived in time for us to Pressgang him into giving us a turn on stage.  With characteristicl unfazed cool, he have us a couple of songs including a very fast tempo cover of "Down Under"- a hit for Men at Work. The audience enjoyed that too  which was a portent of things to come. They sang all the choruses and parts of the verses with enthusiasm. We could have been in a back street bar in Melbourne.

                                                      Man at Work:   MMA-style Cool.
           Paper Circus captivated the  audience with their unique style. They blew us away on their first appearance at NFC and repeated that feat again this time. Great musicianship from the boys laying down the perfect canvas for Jennian's gorgeously textured vocals. One of the nicest things about an NFC crowd is that they will sing like a choir of angels when requested to but when someone of Jennian's timre sings "She Moved Through The Fair" you could  hear a pin drop. Well done you lovely people-that's so appreciated by performers, getting such respect for what they do.

 Paper Circus

       Brian Phillips was visibly disappointed to find that his recent William McGonagall Prize  for Services to Poetry was a virtual one only.  However he  was still persuaded to air a brief rhyme about a misunderstanding in a Bedding Department before treating us to three songs and an update on The Worst Ever Lurgy known to mankind. Classic.

Bri is just a Rambling man. or is he just Ramblin'?

      The assembled company then enjoyed  three songs  from Wilson Wright.  John Wright, (who took most of these magnificent photographs and many more), was not 100% unlurgied himself. However,he  declared himself well enough to perform  after a late fitness test. Accompanied by Hilary Wilson, in a magnificent pair of lace up boots, (obviously she wore other stuff as well-but those boots were made for stompin'). Wilson Wright took us through a dreamy sequence of images and melodies.Their version of "Ride On" was once again particularly memorable, with choruses again thundered back enthusiastically by the audience.

Wilson Wright. Maybe Wright and Wilson?

      Jan and  Campbell Perry had the unenviable task of following Wilson Wright  and of softening us up further before Sir Kevin strolled on for his first set. They opened with a lament about long-gone shipping lines and followed it up with one of their own, the delightful "When Billie Sang The Blues."  Sensibly, they harnessed that Audience roar again in their final number, and unleashed  "Rolling Home" : a drinking song which seemed somehow kind of apt in one of the Town's CAMRA Flagships. 

Jan and Campbell

                Kevin Dempsey then came on for a brief cameo,giving us a taster  of what his  second half stint would bring us in more depth. After an Interval and a Raffle Draw, Nunc returned to the stage to perform " Angel from Montgomery." They were then  joined by Kevin on a version of " Bring It On Home" which unsurprisingly featured not one, but two instrumental verses. (Rude not to). This was, obviously, a pinnacle in a long and illustrious career. Kevin has always wanted to appear with the three piece version of Nunc and now that ambition can finally be crossed off his bucket list.

A  dream fulfilled for Kevin Dempsey, as he joins Nunc

        Kevin was then left alone, to melt under the spotlights, as  he  took the audience through a delightful selection of his repertoire. Culminating in the usual pyrotechnical version of " All for You."  As the whoopin' and hollerin' and cries for "More" rang through the building, we knew it wasn't the end really. As an encore, Kevin treated us to memorable versions of "All Shook Up " and " Postman Pat."  ( Very canny, as he knew an audience singing like this lot had been, couldn't resist joining him). 

The Maestro at work

      Kevin's natural modesty belies the fact that he is an immensely talented musician, a vocalist with a style and projection that is instantly identifiable, and just an all-round good egg. He underplays the earlier work he did in Dando Shaft and Whippersnapper, but it should not ever be forgotten or underestimated. His recording background puts the rest of local artistes in the shade. Maybe a few have eclipsed him in record sales, but the sheer depth and range of material he has contributed to,  on around 53 different albums speaks for itself,and is virtually unbeatable. When The Specials or The Enemy or King or The Primitives have notched up that many album credits, they can claim to be on a par with him.  Until then, regardless of genre, they will walk in his shadow. 

       

Sent To Coventry

             Yeah, it's an old joke,that one in the title. But some of us had no choice and Philip bloody Larkin couldn't wait to get away. It's a joke I'm entitled to crack, as I grew up there. I was born in Keresley (now within the city boundary though it wasn't then-the city still had a wall round it.Ho Ho.)  I went to school there,lived there for over thirty years  and although I've lived in Warwickshire since 1987, I worked there for 38 years after I came home from a brief stay in London. 

      Today I felt I paid off some of my music dues. I finally got round to visiting Coventry Music Museum. It's roughly halfway between the two houses where I spent my childhood and just up the road from where Black Parrot Seaside first noodled away at composing their first original song. Previously I'd seen a very interesting display in the City's Herbert Art Gallery, featuring some of the current exhibits. At the time I'd resolved to go along and take a closer look. But stuff happens. Today I finally made it. It was fantastic.

       Since I was old enough to bop around the living room in Northfield Road to Theresa Brewer, I've loved music. All music. Pop. Rock. Classical. Country. By the time I was eight I'd sung my first solo on stage in a pantomime ( It was Snow White-and **** you all,  I'm damned if I'll tell you which ****** dwarf  I played.)  The Primary School I attended is now a nightclub,and the church where I was once a choirboy is now just a patch of grass. 

        It is an important patch of grass though, because my mum and dad got married there.  it's in Far Gosford Street, close to where The Enemy's Tom Clarke wrote one of several corking Cov. anthems-"We'll Live and Die In These Towns." Something he'd read on a urinal and found rather apposite at the time. It is also within one minute of The Twisted Barrel Brewery Tap where, tomorrow night once again, the band I am currently singing with, Nunc, will be returning for another session of live music. It's within walking distance of where Chuck Berry recorded that epic departure from R & B My Ding A Ling.

         There was once a record shop opposite the church. I bought my first single there. Buddy Holly-" It doesn't Matter Anymore."  I bought my second and third there. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight " by The Tokens and " Because They're Young" by Duane Eddy. ( I still have them!). I was already listening to Elvis and Bill Haley on the family Regentone. But these singles were mine. 

      Coventry Music Museum is a compact but detail-filled walk back through nostalgia. It reflects musical development in Coventry and Warwickshire, from the beautifully haunting (and ancient) Coventry Carol,right up to the present day.It is a multi-cultural set of stepping stones through the city's multicultural heritage. Yes, it features the bigger names, known and remembered fondly world-wide. The Specials:Frank Ifield: King:The Primitives:The Enemy. Panjabi MC. But it also pays homage to other back stories. Lieutenant Pigeon's fall from the perch:  From Bhangra to 2-Tone: from Dando Shaft to Punk. If it had a connection to the City it's there. The bench John Lennon and Yoko sat on when they planted an acorn in the grounds of the new Cathedral. Delia Derbyshire's Tape Recorder-possibly the one she mixed the Dr Who theme on when composing it? 

        Founded by music historian Pete Chambers,it is an Aladdin's cave of treasures and memorabilia. People who don't know the Town well or think it is part of Birmingham could learn a lot by wandering round here. As my own collection of 45's grew,my horizons widened and I learned that not all music came from across the Atlantic. In the 1960's I saw and loved local Pop bands like The Mighty Avengers,The Sorrows and Jigsaw. The city was awash with venues where you could pick up Rock,pop and later Prog, Soul and Ska bands from beyond the city.  I saw The Applejacks at the Football Ground. Led Zeppelin in the Locarno Ballroom. Chicken Shack in the Hotel Leofric. Fairport Convention and Fleetwood Mac at The Lanchester Polytechnic. Bert Jansch at The Mercers Arms. All part of my musical education.   Speaking of which,I attended Caludon Castle Comprehensive. So did Pete Waterman, Paul King, The Pigeon's Steve Johnson and at least five members of Black Parrot Seaside. 

        Ah::The Parrot! What a tiny part we played in the City's musical history,but what fun we had as we did so. Firstly as a daft,madcap 1970's rock band, singing about fighting, and Mr Unusual: about vacuum cleaners and deranged Field Mice. Bringing the Golden Cross to a halt with a simulated fight scene. Then later as a Folk outfit.  Eventually taking gap years..Then gap decades. Bouncing off the edge of Punk ending up attached to the same label as Hazel O' Connor's brother Neil and his band The Flys. Going down to Pathway Studios in Stoke Newington,to record on vinyl ,with Siouxsie and The Banshees booked in before us, and Desperate Bicycles in afterwards. 

      Once we did a CND benefit in The Colin Campbell. Bit of a coincidence-both the Campbell Brothers from UB40 turned up and followed us on stage. We got a management, recording and publishing deal but nothing came of it. Even though our single was on the jukebox in a pub in the High Street. Good reviews in the NME but Squeeze and Kate Bush released their first singles on the same day. No Payola for us. Some airplay on John Peel's Late show on Radio One before we went back to concentrating on mortgages,jobs and bringing up families. Probably for the best. 

       I wandered about today, looking at the posters and ticket stubs and record sleeves,and the memories came flooding back. I guess most visitors have a similar experience. I had a crush on one of The Orchids. They went to Stoke Park-a nearby grammar school, and so to a spotty adolescent like me,they were unattainable. The city was like that-big enough to have a great diversity of music but compact enough so that you were often bumping into someone you knew. Even when they finally made it, few true Cov kids became aloof. 

        There are gaps of course-space is limited and you can't have everything on display. I'd like to see more on  Folk. Swarbrick is rightly featured,but Rod Felton was a proper legend. Kevin Dempsey still gets immense acclaim wherever he plays and Martin Jenkins was an unsung hero and a prodigious talent. I remember Jimmy Jimmy busking in the precinct ( I once owned their single on vinyl). 

         So well done Pete Chambers and co. And your research team. More power to your styluses. I'll be back. 

www.covmm.co.uk

Happy Valentines Day

                  Always You and Me

Before the garden and the garden gate

Before Hard Brexit and Watergate

Before X Factor, before First Date

There was always you and me

CHORUS: 

You and me, you and me

You and me it will always be

You and me you and me

There was always you and me

Before the pushchairs, before the prams

Before the M6 and traffic jams

Bendy buses and one man trams,

There was always you and me

Before Referendums and HS2

Before The Shard and before 02

Before East Enders and Twycross Zoo

There was always you and me

                 CHORUS 

Before the mortgages, before the Loans

The Internet and Mobile phones

Before U2 and The Rolling Stones

There was always you and me

Before the weddings and exchange of rings

The funerals and the christenings

Before the Fat Lady gets up and sings

There is always You and Me.

                   CHORUS 

When all the relatives have all moved on

When all our memories and friends have gone

There'll still be us: we'll still be one

There is always you and me

When the family bedrooms are quiet and cold,

The Bedtime stories have all been told

We will still both have a hand to hold

There is always you and me. 

                      CHORUS 

A sound event

      We pulled out all the stops to ensure that last night was another very successful one for Nuneaton Folk Club. When I got back, I wrote on the  Facebook Group Page "Humbled by the attendance, (on a filthy night) ,the audience singing, the behind-the-scenes hard work and the sheer excellence of performers all combining to make Feb 1st at NFC truly memorable. It seemed the Fates were conspiring to put obstacles in our way at times, leading up the event. But They were utterly thwarted."   

      I am going to leave paying tribute to the artistes until last. No reflection on the quality of performance, but because firstly, I want to thank all the volunteers who put in time before, during and afterwards. Without their input  the evening would not have gone ahead at all. That it  it did so is down to them.

      Since NFC began we have been blessed by talented Sound  technicians. Why have a P.A. and a desk at all? Because it is a big room, with a decent stage and we often get a big turnout. The majority of performers are well versed to playing acoustically,unsupported by amplification. However, given those circumstances, a P.A. enhances audience appreciation if those right at the back can hear as well as those at the front. 

     How do I know? Audience members tell me this during and after each Folk night. Tom Veasey stepped in to assist at the start of 2015,when the sound was a little ragged. He stabilised the experience,both for audiences and for musicians.Unsurprisingly,Tom eventually secured a job with Disney,travelling the world on their ships. Our loss, their gain

Tom Veasey at the desk

.     When Tom left us, Matt Mallen-Allen followed him. Another capable young man recommended by Tom.  Matt's unflappable nature, calmness in a crisis and an ear for good music immediately endeared him to everyone. He also invested in the club, buying (like me),his own additional gear to supplement what was already available.When he was not free to mix he took steps to ensure that a capable deputy like Liam Johnson could step in. Liam's debut remains legendary. On the night, everything was thrown at him yet he followed the example of Tom and Matt,calmly piloting the evening to a successful conclusion before confessing he had only ever mixed music at home previously. Nuneaton is fortunate to be able to unearth intelligent young men like these.

Matt and Liam at another desk

          It is no surprise that Matt has recently secured himself a full time job with Barclays. Hours are long and he has to commute so the usual 6pm start at the Crown on the first Wednesday of every month is no longer possible. This left us a dilemma to say the least. Previously when Liam Matt or Tom were not available, we  relied on the good nature of  pub Guv'nor Julian or other Folk Club Organisers like Phil Benson and Malc Gurnham from Atherstone and Bedworth respectively.  

     It was clear that with Matt still keen but unable to commit to being there all the time, we were going to need a rethink. Which is why on Tuesday 31st January with the full support of Julian, (and also that of Simon Winterman who runs drama workshops in the NFC room Tuesdays), several of us gathered at about 9.30pm  to see what we could do to keep the P.A. facility running. 

        To cut a long story short, we got all the gear out,set it up,and tested it. So far so good. But taking this forward for me is like asking me to fine tune the valve clearances on a Dodge Hemi.  Even though we had the old Black Parrot Seaside amp and speakers forming part of the set-up, Matt's technical breakdown was over my head. Dave Smart was nodding though, and  agreed to give it a go. We left everything set up. Turned it all off, locked up and went home.   Last night, Dave Smart took the helm, and lived up to his name. Well known to Tom and Matt (he is literally,The Godfather!), I think it is fair to say that, despite being a great fan of Folk Music, a Cropredy veteran and a musician, his knowledge of setting up and driving a Sound system was (like mine) centred around standing on a stage and asking for a bit more reverb.              

          When I got back there last night, to my surprise, I had remembered enough  to get it all powered back up again by 7pm. I even ran a Sound check and had all the house lights on! When Dave joined us, he slipped into the driving seat and sat at the controls like Spock at the dashboard of Starship Enterprise. It was the difference between Stig and Mr. Bean. Away we went. 
      When I was up on stage second half, I could see him rocking away at the desk, singing along with all the songs and flipping the sliders like a good 'un. Welcome, Dave! And when everyone had all gone home, Matt,Dave and myself were all there to break the equipment down. Julian will store it securely on site until 28th February when we will go through the same exercise. Will it work a second time? We shall see. I certainly hope so. 

       Finally, a thank you also to people like Michael Luntley, David Henderson and Chris Wright, all of whom have also offered previously to lend input and expertise. When you see and hear an event like last night,as a newcomer (we had at least ten audience members new to NFC and Folk Music yesterday), it might look easy to get all that working. It isn't. Gentlemen, I salute you. 

          Onto the night itself. Maria Barham ,our advertised Guest is always an  attraction. Her appearance always puts a few extra on the door. She has appeared at NFC several times. Bags of energy and commitment she exemplifies all that is good about local artistes. A talented singer and songwriter, she is no diva. An honest performer who will entertain the crowd and then stay behind to help take empty glasses back to the bar. She turns up even when she knows she is not singing, to support all the local clubs and artistes. 

Maria shows where the exits are during a previous NFC appearance

      So I was gutted to hear fairly late on, that she was too poorly to appear. And I  did hear just how poorly she actually was,when she 'phoned me up. She has been laid low for a while now by the pernicious bug attacking throats and respiratory systems. We were still hoping she might make it, but by Tuesday I could tell how bad  she was. Out of the question for her to risk permanent damage and ill health.  We'll see if we can squeeze her back onto the roster later in the year. The show must go on. I tried a few other NFC regulars,but none were available. It rapidly became clear that the headline guests the next day would be Nunc. Fortunately I had gathered together a fine back-up cast of support singers and musicians. John Kearney had a chance to open for us and he did not disappoint. He even got his harmonica frame out for " I wanted to be Bob Dylan"  and treated the audience to "Jolly Boys," which got them singing early.

John Kearney wanted to be Bob Dylan

The Wright Brothers, Max and Chris, next took up the baton. Or rather guitar and banjo with some whistle added. No aviation jokes from me as their spot flew by. (Sorry!)

Straight outa Kittyhawk. The Wright Brothers

           Bob Brooker had got the better of the public transport system this time,and he gave us three songs accompanied by some fine instrumental work. His version of Kate Rusby's "Wild Geese" was requested (by me) and duly performed. Bob himself has been a little poorly,and missed us last month, but rose to the occasion yesterday. 

Bob Brooker

          Paul Moore, like John Kearney, Sue Sanders, Dragonhead, K.C. Jones, John Neal The Wright Brothers, Simon and Sally-Ann Veasey and a host of others, is one of a pool of Nuneaton-based musicians we have called upon in the past. Paul was drafted in late, after an impressive debut  as one of the Friends of Sly Old Dogs last Sunday night. NFC audiences have seen him before solo, duetting with Simon Veasey and appearing only last month, in Blues Monkey.  He played three accomplished songs. Excellent stuff. 

Paul Moore 

        Last month we had five acts making their debuts. Continuing that theme, and still mining the rich vein of talent found at The Twisted Barrel Open Mic sessions in Coventry, I persuaded Izzie Derry to come along last night. Like Paper Circus (who wowed the crowd last month).I had first seen her at Fargos.  Izzie is only eighteen and probably thinks I make a bit too much of that, but it is lovely to see youngsters joining in with us grizzled old fogeys to entertain people. Long may it continue. She looks as sweet as apple pie but when she opens up and lets that voice rip, she has  remarkable projection. 

Izzie Derry

      She too had been under attack from The Lurgy,but got the punters singing along with a Bob Dylan song before introducing one of her own, " Walking." This has become a bit of an earworm for me. (Cheers,Izzie!).  You can see the video on the NFC Facebook page, and hear it on next Mondays "Anker Folk" on Anker Radio. On the (very high) notes she goes for in the chorus,her throat turned to sandpaper and her voice went awol. It came back for "Big Yellow Taxi" and then, as it tried to sneak off again,the audience empathised and sang,not just the chorus but the entire song along with her. Brilliant. A deserved ovation. We'll definitely get her back soon. 
         Des Patalong then provided a vivid contrast between the young and beautiful and er...the mature and er..interesting. Great Uncle Des,often mistaken for Womble in chief Bulgaria, warhorse of many a singalong and Festival, shared some collectors' items from his own burgeoning repertoire. His Neo Liberal anthem was apt indeed,and like the shanty he finished with, it got everyone singing. 

Des Patalong

            Bringing the first half to a close, we saw the welcome return of Glyn Finch. It is Glyn who selflessly runs the Twisted Barrel Open Mic Sessions, cajoling a conveyor belt of diverse acts into drowning the noisy hubbub of drinkers on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. He has a remarkable stage presence and is a damn fine guitar player. As soon as people knew he was returning, they pre-requested his unique rendition of the " Pink Panther Theme." A pyrotechnic series of licks tucks and tricks, accompanied by wittily observed gestures and grimaces. It is pure magic. 

Glyn Finch

           After the Interval and The Raffle draw, there was nothing for it but for Nunc to take us home. Wonderful singing from the audience throughout:in a couple of numbers they sang not only the choruses but all the verses as well. I think we are getting somewhere with this.

Don't worry. It's Nunc

Without going into detail-here's the Set List:

Twas on an April Morning

Black Jack David

 Downtown 

Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy

After The Goldrush 

Down Where The Drunkards Roll

All Gotta Die Some day 

When I Get To The Border 

Angel From Montgomery 

Bring it On Home to Me

Weather With You 

Perfect 

Don't Worry/Irish Rover 

       Next Month-March 1st specifically and health permitting(!!)-we have the wonderful Kevin Dempsey as our Guest. Already booked in to play floor spots we have Paper Circus, Brian Phillips and another debut from a Leicestershire three-piece, Whale.