Happy 7th Birthday Nuneaton Folk Club

 Seven years!  Wow. It's been a long and difficult journey at times. We have survived two venues, two "House" bands, lockdowns, a Pandemic and Brexit. So to all who helped us along the Rocky Road, some acknowledgements follow. 

February 2020 :The Queens Hall

THE STAFF

I would like to thank Rich Burlingham and all the staff at The Crew for standing by us throughout. From Day One, when he first heard that we'd lost The Crown overnight, Rich was there. Offering us shelter and sanctuary. Special mention too, for Bar Staff like the irrepressible Aron and  the ever helpful Jenna, and all front of house and Sound Crews. Good job, all! 

SOUND CREW   

(Really sound!). We've always used a P.A. in both venues. Over time they've been driven by Tom and Harvey James, Tom Veasey,  Dave Smart, Liam Johnson, Matt Mallen Allen, Malc Gurnham and Phil Benson. Currently in the hot seat are Ross Tidmus and co.

MAGGIE  

My life partner. She's been there at The QH every first Wednesday. Only illness has kept her away. Not only helping out with practical tasks like organising collections and raffles and banner hanging but also in putting up with my tantrums in the days when we aren't at The Crew. It's no exaggeration to say I'd have packed it all up long ago without her. Anyone who has ever enjoyed a good night at NFC owes her a debt of gratitude. 

HOUSE MUSIC

    I would also like to pay homage to all members of NFC Resident In House band Nunc. In our various formats we have tried to warm up NFC audiences since 2016. Often at great personal sacrifice. 

PUBLICITY

We have a little army of excellent photographers who have recorded the sights (and sounds) of NFC and helped to spread the word. John B.Smith has worked tirelessly to promote the club and to support Nunc. Ray Buckler, John Wright, Max Wright, Paul Monks  and many others have chronicled the shenanigans with veritable albums of photographs. Rich and Gaj have been been very generous with time and input over producing high quality leaflets and posters. 

BBC CWR have featured us several times, including one "live" interview famously conducted on a very windswept Worthing Beach. 

The Tilting Kettle have baked us wonderful cakes for special occasions, always free of charge. 

THE AUDIENCES   

Unfair to single anyone out possibly, but I suppose we must mention Polesworth's Mick Stanley who was in such a hurry to reach NFC one night that he actually got run over crossing the road outside and ended up in hospital for some considerable time! It didn't deter him though. He was back as soon as he could walk again! Some other regulars literally go out of their way to attend. Despite disability, family illness and ridiculous English weather, they struggle in, united by the common bond of loving "live" music. 

July 2015. At The Crown

 BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN FOLK  

The Folk and Open Mic community are a close bunch. Supporting each other not just through their attendance but via advice, practical help and collaboration on avoiding duplication of bookings. The input of Malc Gurnham and Phil Benson (who first persuaded me to embark on this madness) cannot be underestimated.  My thanks too must go to friends like Pete Willow, John Richards, Ian Bourne, Karen Orgill, Steve Bentley, Rob Halligan, John Harris and Kristy Gallagher. 99% of Organisers work co-operatively together. The odd 1% still see running a live music venue as some kind of Turf War.  Strange.

THE PERFORMERS 

Too numerous to mention here, but a link to "Gallery " on the NFC Website leads you into a Pandora's box of memories. No performers= no club. Where would we be without such a rich array of talent?  https://blackparrotseaside.weebly.com/gallery.html

FUND RAISING    

Since we first  launched in 2014 NFC audiences have raised monies for Cancer Research, Nuneaton Foodbank. The George Eliot Hospital, Fireside ,McMillan Nurses and Anker Hospital Radio. 

 STAYAWAYS

Despite professing a love of the genre publicly elsewhere, a few citizens of the Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough catchment continue to boycott us. It's their choice, of course but our local stayaways could walk in from home, have a pint and help support live music in their nearest venue. We get visitors from Oxford, Leicester and Birmingham. And more people travel in from Coventry ,Warwick Rugby and Leamington than home turf. Odd.

ABSENT FRIENDS   

Some of course could not help staying away, due to alas ,their taking leave of us permanently over the last seven years. RIP Arnold Chave, Angus Ellis,  Catherine Cope,  Rich McMahon, Ted Crum and Dave Cook. Among those who once trod the NFC boards but who  won't be back. Miss you Guys!  

     I'm going to start off with a few kind words about Doreen and Patrick Tiernan. I don't want to embarrass them too much, but for me they exemplify all that is good about local Folk music.  They are hard core: loyal, supportive and appreciative. I  see them at almost all the local venues regularly.  When I first met Doreen,  Nuneaton Folk Club was based at The Crown. You could hear her coming well before she actually arrived in the room: clanking determinedly up a basically evil flight of stairs on a pair of crutches. ( I spend a few days of each year immobile and a few more unable to walk except with crutches. I know how much strength and courage that requires). Last night there she was again, bless her. 

The  stairs up to The Queens Hall are a lot easier, but even so, I know personally what effort and strength goes into her getting up them. I have nothing but admiration for her.  She puts so much effort into supporting all these venues, and I've never once heard her complain. (Patrick might advise me otherwise, but I doubt it).  

It's not much of a secret that last week was not a good one for me. I'd reached rock bottom with music-related stuff  and had already written a few sad and self pitying "farewell" letters. I've put a lot of  unpaid hours into supporting the good folk of Nuneaton. Working as an NHS volunteer at (and for) the hospital. As a Life Member of Nuneaton Borough  Supporter's Co-operative. And in trying to bring a decent level of "live" Folk music back into the centre of the town.  I don't expect an MBE for all this, but not having a deteriorating sense of self worth might be nice sometimes .Sometimes it's all very uplifting. Last week it wasn't. The turf wars and the divisions reflective as a microcosm of our society just got to me. My head dropped. So last night  needed to be good. 

Fortunately it was. I found the September attendance disappointing, even though I understand completely that some people are still very anxious about public events. Last night was better. Many familiar faces were still missing. I felt sad for the Craic I once had with those who choose to stay way ,but last night was better. Healing, to some extent. 

 The week had started more positively anyway, with a Nunc rehearsal at Flossy's on Tuesday night. Lots of laughs, a few beers and running through some good tunes in preparation for a stint at NFC. As a result our Everley's tribute went down well and it was clear early doors that the audience were up for a sing. In Nunc's second half slot, after a sublime version of Guilty we finished with our notorious Bob Marley/Wild Rover mash-up. When JK handed the chorus singing over to the audience, it was, for me, like that scene in ET when the Little Fella's heart starts to glow again. I had forgotten how good it sounds to hear an upbeat, well oiled audience singing along with something they know and love.

The Good Vibe also owed much to the support acts. For the moment we have dropped the flow of shorter "floor spots" in favour of longer sessions. This means less variety perhaps but a better opportunity to get the flavour of the artistes more fully. Importantly it also gives the Sound Crew a chance to tidy up between turns. 

Take Comharsa for example. They've been out of it for as long as the rest of us, but last night they were as good as I've ever heard (or seen) them. There were technical problems during their sound check, but the Crew family rallied round and surmounted them. By the time they followed Nunc they were sounding great. Leads were loaned and re-arranged and with the patient support of Ross and Jack they delivered an eclectic et. "Jolene" was a surprise, but a lovely one. Great song and the choruses got the audience going. Mick Stanley (legend) led his not inconsiderable band through the usual Irish drinking songs including the Inniskillen Fusiliers, but also turned in a passable Johnny Cash impression when Comharsa switched to a medley of songs made famous by The Man in Black. Grand stuff. Loved the pipes by the way, Big Man. 

Only the Thrup'nny Bits could follow that and they did, with their traditional elan and aplomb. Des had issued a complex dressing room rider beforehand so most of his wishes were acceded to. No smoke. Soft lights. Audible foldback trimmed so they could hear if the audience were singing or not. Forgot the Smarties on their table, the crates of Miller Lite and Gareth's hand rolled cigars but that aside, I think we got away with it. Loved "Bedlam" and so did the audience. What a spine tingling song that is!

And so to Winter Wilson and their first set, to conclude an excellent first half.  On stage on the first day of Autumn after Summer had ended the day before. Truly three seasons in one day. Their long journey had not diminished their fine playing or beautiful harmonies. Dave and Kip have been working on a new album," The Passing Of The Storm." . They treated us to some songs from it and some old favourites too. One of their covers was "Angel from Montgomery." Our audience took these choruses up eagerly. As part of Nunc's Set list they were well used to hearing our version. The Angry Mother was an entertaining song from Kip: a true story she was not ashamed to tell. 

You don't get to tour with Fairport Convention without being this good. An early second half song " The First To Fall" hit a nerve with me straight away. Heart achingly poignant and a tribute to the much maligned and violated NHS as they fought to contain a pandemic not everyone cared very much about. Until it touched them, of course. It's not the only Covid song on the album. In "The Passing of The Storm," Dave reminds us, "Lets make sure we don't forget. This isn't over. It isn't over yet."  How true. 

There's something about Dave's writing. He has a way of telling stories and of stringing a few fairly simple lines together and saying so much succinctly. In "All for the Coin," for example he begins:

   Oh My back it was aching, my hands were red raw: it was dreams we were building, whose dreams I'm not sure.

All too soon after a few encores which took us well beyond 11pm* it was time to pack up and go home. Kip and Dave had a long journey to make and some had work to go to in the morning. Several times during the night I looked around at the audience as Winter Wilson wove their magic. They were transfixed: taking on board the lyrics and the imagery: all combined with flawless musicianship.  I hope they'll agree to come back again one day. Meanwhile, look out for that new album. 

Thanks to all at The Crew who helped out, especially Aron doing a super job behind the bar. I think most of us made our way home feeling more upbeat and positive than when we came in. The Hall was well ventilated without being cold, social distancing was easily achieved.

 I even managed to sell another of my books. *  (Thank you Craig Sunderland!). 

Multiple photos and videos are available on the NFC Facebook page, thanks to the hard work and expertise of John B. Smith. Ray Buckler has added some cracking shots, too!

Notes * 1. Mick Stanley is an NFC legend because he got so excited crossing the busy road from the car park to The Crown one Wednesday that he got hit by a car and hospitalised for weeks. The show carried on inside unaware that the sirens and flashing lights outside were actually attending to Mick as he lay in the road outside! I think we need to start a Hall of Fame. Mick and Doreen would be first to have plaques! 

            *2  People often forget that The Queens Hall has a later bar than other venues. That enables us, with the Guest Act's agreement to run over a little. 

             *3  The Light Fandango. The anti hero moves from Beduff to Nuneaton and then on to London. I'm told it's a "Rite of Passage" novel Available by order via Waterstones, Amazon The Book farm and most Independent bookshops. Also can be downloaded in ebook form to a Kindle. 

All photos (except the one above) are reproduced courtesy of Ray Buckler and John B Smith.

 i

Bringing It On Home...finally!

      Seventeen months is a long time. It was March 2020 when we last set foot in the Queen's Hall to enjoy live music. It was a glorious, memorable occasion then, with the excellent "Bird In The Belly" Travelling up from Sussex to be the headline act. I don't think anyone present that night fully realised what would follow. Lockdowns. Masks. Isolation. Fear. Vaccines. It's a lot to take on board and a lot to forget about. As readers can see by the increasing gaps between Blog postings here, I was among those who began to lose heart. I carried on doing the Radio shows-although not from the Anker Radio studios. Every one of them since March 2020 was recorded at home.( And continues to be so).  Other than that, it felt that as far as music was concerned, there wasn't much to diarise or write about. Now the ice is broken, maybe I'll get back into the blogging habit more often. 

       So much has changed since that night. Many of us have been on painful and challenging personal journeys. For some of us it feels as if it may be time to try to approach normality again. For others it is still too soon. So it was with some apprehension that most of us approached the re-opening of Nuneaton Folk Club last night. An added burden was that always being the first in the month, we would be the FIRST Folk Club in the area to re-open and one of the first indoor venues to reconvene.  That felt like quite a responsibility to be carrying. Maybe others will find it easier now we've kick-started the whole thing off again? 

     The room had changed. Rich Burlingham had been very busy throughout Lockdown(s) with a proactive revamp of the venue. New bar, new toilets, new carpet, new interior from the auditorium to the stage. New sound deck (removed and sited upstairs in a gallery). New tech crew-and what a good job Ross and Jack made of it too, given that dealing with Folkies was a whole new ball game for them.  I liked the new, smaller  tables. It meant that there was natural social distancing and the new layout afforded more room to get around. We did not have a raffle but went for a "jug collection" instead. Which went well. A few potential raffle prizes had appeared anyway but I expect we'll see them at Beduff next week? 

      We anticipated a lower than usual turnout, and in that respect we were correct. (Good job we rearranged the advertised Mike Reinstein appearance and made it a home grown night instead?). There were things that went well last night and things that can be improved, especially as the Guests become more famous, the attendances rise and the Covid situation becomes clearer. The Air conditioning caused discomfort to some and was set too low. The Smoke machine we can definitely do without. Having spent all night compering and singing I woke up this morning with a cough, In the current climate that's a bit worrying! (I'll test!). Some people were too cold, but proper ventilation is currently the key to managing health and safety indoors. Personally I'd prefer circulating air indoors to being trapped in a hot, sweaty claustrophobic atmosphere which is a perfect environment for encouraging aerial transmission of virus spores. The World Health Authority and our own NHS agrees with me. We'll sort it for next month. 

     But the key thing of course, was the music. Having rearranged Mike's gig, it fell to House Band Nunc to try to link the entertainment and to take on board the second half.  Instead of a procession of floor spots first half we decided to try out warming our audience up (see what I did there?) with some longer feature sets. Cameos by Nigel Ward and Des Patalong preceded  a couple of half hour slots from Adam Wilson and Craig Sunderland respectively. 

          Nunc started with a shaky version of "How Long Blues," but once under way it steadied and adjusted to a racier tempo. The train (it's a railway song) effectively got up a head of steam and began to move. We followed with a second railway song "Vigilante Man," and finished our opener with the Richard  and Linda Thompson classic "Down Where The Drunkards Roll."  It was during this song that I first heard the audience singing, repeating the last line at the end of each verse. I confess, it got me quite emotional. I think I shouted over the P.A. something like "Hey! We're in a Folk Club again! And we're singing together. "

            Cov kid Nigel Ward boldly followed. He gave us some songs and tunes from his new CD "Coventry Kid (and other stories)."  This included "Coventrated," a dramatic song about the November  Blitz. Nigel got out the fiddle  to finish and delivered a rousing set of tunes which got feet tapping and the odd sedate table thumping going on as we romped along to a finish with a flourish. Stirring stuff. 

             Des Patalong, rarely backward in coming forward, had stepped into the breach at late notice, kindly deputising for the billed Steve Bentley and Andrew Wrigglesworth. Des was next up on stage and he looked comfortable as he launched into a series of songs. It was as if he'd never been away. Des has a voice which really does not need a P.A. to project. His sonorous tones filled the room and he too got the audience singing. 

          The first of our two longer sets followed that. An NFC regular, Adam Wilson did some songs from his latest album. By request, (my fault!), he did "Old Man," and "Heart of Gold." This was probably very selfish of me to ask for these, but no-one I know locally has the vocal range to deliver those songs live with anything like his authenticity. It probably skewed his set list. (Oops!)  I was humbled to hear him do "The Boy On The Beach," which we co-wrote together. First time I'd heard it "live." 

         Adam was a tough act to follow, but 'taking us up to the break' as it were, up stepped Craig Sunderland. The combination of Craig's fine voice, his ingenious musical arrangements and his superb guitar playing is always a highlight. He takes traditional music and makes it relatable. One of the attributes of Folk songs is that their originators did not mind having a dig at what they felt was wrong. So with a few slight amendments, many of the older songs are still relevant. Craig also kindly invited me to join him in a rendition of the Rod Felton classic "Curly."  We were (are) both admirers of the greatly missed Roddie's work. So it was an honour to mumble my way through the choruses as Craig delivered his own unique arrangement. The Old Rascal himself would have loved it!

   Nunc completed the second half with a selection of their repertoire. Reduced to a four piece, we still managed to rip through "When Love Comes to Town" and "Copperhead Road" with some spirit. Flossy was in particularly fine voice-her soaring vocals in of "Guilty",  "Landslide" and "Angel of Montgomery" were particularly well received. We finished with "Dark End of The Street," a fairly new addition but one which is a personal favourite. As an encore we reprised "Bring It On Home," which seemed particularly apt given the occasion. 

In conclusion, despite the frankly terrifying "tally ho" spirit of certain cavalier politicians and scientists, the Pandemic is NOT over, and we are not yet out of the woods. Nor will we ever be until people as a whole act more sensibly, and the vaccination programmes world wide are more consistent and reliable. We remain disunited as a nation with confusing ever-changing Governmental travel advice changing daily. We are too easily swayed by mass sporting events badged nefariously as "test events." There are those deniers who would like us all to believe that all is now somehow magically "disappeared." Returning to a semblance of normality is undeniably an attractive prospect. Those of us involved in the Entertainment sector must do our bit and try to move things on sensibly and safely. 

City of My Culture

 

I was born In Keresley, a mining community on the outskirts of Coventry. My family at that time lived within sight of the blitzed cathedral and the ruined city centre, but the maternity hospital had been relocated to Keresley due to bomb damage. I was born within sight of the end of the 1940’s: less than a month later a new decade dawned. The 1950’s, with all their hope, expectation and promise for the future began.

“The Village” (as Kereseley is still occasionally known) did not finally transfer administratively from Warwickshire to the City until the 1960’s. Keresley Pit, later known as Coventry Colliery, is now long gone: capped and sealed below the city. For all but the first few days of my life my childhood and adolescence was spent within the city boundary. My Primary school was surrounded by the commerce and industry which made the city prosperous. Our first family home was in central Coventry. It echoed day and night to noise from nearby factories and there was a railway yard at the top of the street. I could walk from my front door to the city centre and view the Phoenix City rising again from the ashes any time I liked.

My story was that of many Coventrians. For centuries, regardless of World Wars, Recessions or Pandemics, people have moved there and met there. Seeking a new future. And largely (but not always) the city has welcomed each new generation of Incomers. My father and grandfather were both born in Nuneaton, a town 10 miles away. Coventry and its many manufacturing industries drew them in like a magnet, along with thousands of others. My mum had run away from a Yorkshire Mill village, seeking reunion with her father, Edgar Oldfield. He had been lured away from the West Riding before the end of World War One, head-hunted for a job as an engineer. Although it was not their "home town," my Mum and Dad first met and fell in love there. Courtship blossomed through the Blitz, which they both experienced. They married there and started a family there. 

Given this background, on the day of the re-scheduled launch of the City of Culture Year, on Saturday May 15^th 2021, I was intrigued (but not surprised) to hear BBC Radio Four News referring to the city as “George Eliot’s Home Town.” This was not strictly true. In later bulletins it was rightly amended to explain that she was (in part) educated there. She (in part) also lived there and (in part) wrote there. But Nuneaton and Warwickshire (and later London) also played a bigger part in her development.

Her story in that sense is similar to mine and it is similar to many others. Where she and I differ is that I grew up in Coventry and I was educated there. After attending a College in London I returned to live there. I worked for Coventry City Council for 38 years unbroken, right up to retirement. In my spare time I too wrote stories and poems as well as songs and features for a local newspaper. And, in 2021,Coventry’s City of Culture Year, my first full length novel will finally be published. It will take me a while to catch up with Mary Anne, but my name will finally have an ISBN number.

I remain immensely proud of my Coventry (and Warwickshire) roots. I live now back in the same Warwickshire village that my Great Grandfather moved the entire family away from. In 1892 he uprooted them and moved them to the nearby Industrial town of Nuneaton. Over time that same cycle continues. The larger towns and cities of Warwickshire offer succour and support to those drawn there by better opportunities. It is a continual process. The cycle  repeats as village children (like mine) relocate once more, drawn by improved employment prospects and cheaper housing elsewhere.

I hope that the Coventry City of Culture Year reflects this diversity and shines with an Inclusivity which takes on board the heart of Coventry itself but also the migration to and from the city from satellite towns. Celebrating not just those still living within the city but also those who like George Eliot  have been touched by their connections with it over time. After all, this was the basis of Two Tone and the music which helped put the old place back on the World map again. 

Coming Home For Good?

 

Shadows Across The Moon     

              Dando Shaft    

                           Talking Elephant Records

          Some of us have been nagging some of them about this for years. And now, only several centuries (it seems) on, along comes a NEW Dando Shaft album. New to everyone outside Italy and their immediate circle of fans that is, anyway. To say that “Shadows Across The Moon” has had a chequered history and a long gestation is an understatement. The story of its evolution is a film screenplay in itself. 

        Dando Shaft evolved from a truly vibrant Coventry Folk Scene in the 1960’s. Kevin Dempsey and Dave Cooper were in at the beginning and quickly drafted in a gifted multi instrumentalist in Martin Jenkins. Roger Bullen and Ted Kay were added and Polly Bolton completed the original line up. Dando swiftly acquired cult status and a loyal following. Then as often happens, they began to drift apart and into other projects. But they were never forgotten.

         “Shadows Across The Moon”  was the brainchild of one Gigi Bresciani. He had persuaded the Dandos to reconvene long after they had finally disbanded. He dangled the appetising carrot of a recorded “live” concert in Bergamo, Italy. They agreed and with Whippersnapper's Chris Leslie guesting on violin, the live set was recorded at Sala Piatti, Citta Alta in 1989. It was a one off limited release in 1992 and never travelled much outside Italy,(where English bands like Dando Shaft and Whippersnapper have always been admired). 

         And there the story might have ended. Thankfully, it didn’t. Fast forward to 2020 and Kevin Dempsey with the aid of Talking Elephant records have finally produced and remastered a version of Shadows Across The Moon . You can still buy the original on Discogs if you’re lucky, but this new version is available to all and is accompanied by comprehensive sleeve notes. A few of the tracks are “live” versions of Dando songs featured on other albums and Cold Wind was originally a 7” single. 

         It is difficult to define this sound musically. Difficult to pin down any one genre. The instrumentation is at times as layered and as complex as anything that the Incredible String Band recorded. There are also elements  redolent of Pentangle. There are echoes of jazz, freeform and Prog. As indefinable as a shadow across the moon.  

        This is best encapsulated in the last and longest track, "Coming Back to Stay."  after a vocal start exchanging catchy harmonies the musicians plunge off into what certainly sounds like improvised solos. swapping and  exchanging the central theme expertly. And eliciting deserved applause as they do so. There's a little bit of Suite for Judy Blue Eyes about this track as it spanks along. Until the final section, when it fair rips and becomes 100% unique Dando.    

                   If you ever wondered what all the fuss was about-now you can hear in full remastered stereo. When talking to someone during the interval of  Kev’s Guest slot at Nuneaton Folk Club in February 2020 I mentioned to them that he used to be in Dando Shaft . That someone said “Who?”  Well this is who, mate! Turn it up, sit back and listen to really talented musicians at the top of their game, entertaining and improvising. It's a tough act to follow. In truth, it always was. 

          The album is available in CD format only. Copies can be ordered by contacting via Kevin Dempsey's via his web site or messaging him via his Facebook Page.

      It's been ages since I've posted anything on here. Various lockdowns and the complete close down of entertainment has taken its toll on all of us. In my case I just lost the creative urge to write anything about music any more. So I am indebted to Greengrass for inspiring me to write an album review again. Here is my first album review since July 2020. Thank you, guys!

From The Forge                                                              Greengrass

       Those of us who live in the Coventry and Warwickshire area already knew about the fine work of this band, from their “live” performances. Three talented musicians with a strong sense of the traditional and an intuitive ear for a sensitively worked cover version. In addition they are blessed with being  fortunate enough to  be able to write and create decent original material. 

            Greengrass are Keith Nickless, Lauren South and Kate McAlister, all based in Rugby. They began playing in their present line-up in January 2019 after having played together previously in a 5-piece band. On the basis of this album one can only hope they stay together for a long time.   From The Forge is a very brave attempt to capture their “live” performances. As a first venture together they boldly set about recording a “one take” session. This was  lovingly co-ordinated by Tom Gittins of Monochrome Productions at the Forge Studio in Southam. 

         There were all kinds of obstacles which could have held them back in attempting this ambitious enterprise, but the net result is a very listenable album available as a download or as a CD.  Personally I’d recommend the latter option, because the unique packaging and artwork is well worth the additional effort. Greengrass are very sensitive to environmental and ecological issues. This was reflected in my copy which arrived delightfully packaged in an ingeniously decorated brown card wallet. You had to literally undo it like a parcel (string included!). Quite a few people have already admired it as a standalone art piece! 

         Comprehensive sleeve notes were included as a separate booklet, with the same artisanal illustration and lettering. Simple, effective, and meaning that the only plastic contained was the disc it self. The booklet contains concise details and background of each of the 14 tracks. ( Going with the CD means you’d have to download Three Birds a Keith Donnelly song, via Bandcamp).   Copies in either format can be ordered via the contact details at the bottom of this review. It was released in March 2020 but obviously with Covid 19 taking almost immediate hold, promotional opportunities became restricted to virtual online performances only.

         Given the circumstances, Greengrass have recorded a fabulous debut collection of songs, beautifully played and arranged. I absolutely love covers of traditional songs anyway: it’s a personal weakness of mine. So they had me halfway hooked with the set list even before I began listening. There’s not a dud among them. Each one is different and all bring something new to the table, with adaptations of Black is The Colour, The Blacksmith, Spencer The Rover and Lord Franklin. They also handle a Karine Polwart song “Follow The Heron,” with great panache. 

          Yet Greengrass are no one-trick ponies. Besides playing old favourites evocatively, there is new material here. “Judiths Song”  is Lauren’s solo work and she and Keith combined to write “History” together.  Kate McAlister adds  guitar and harmonies and  weighs in with two of her own compositions, “The Waltz,” and “Tame Yourself.”

         Lauren plays violin/fiddle and is developing an interest in other instruments. Some of her fiddle fills are evocatively haunting. She also has a distinctive vocal style. There are a plethora of young women singers with memorable voices. I can identify quite a lot of them just by hearing them. I’m pretty sure I could pick  Lauren out now. Which adds her to a distinguished company including Kitty McFarlane, Ruth Notman, Josienne Clarke, Hannah Sanders, Kelly Oliver Cara Dillon and Laura Ward.     

        I’d seen and heard Keith playing previously in other formats.  I’m sure he won’t me saying that visually, he is both unique and unforgettable. I knew he was a good musician but I hadn’t realised that he had such a sensitive voice and a good song-writing style. Best exemplified in a song he wrote himself “Soft Words.”   Top earworm material this. Avoid it if you don't want to find yourself murmuring it later, as you varnish that canoe or stir the goulash on the iron stove.

             At the end of the day, combining all this talent, they can also knock out a good rollicking instrumental, as in “Star of The County Down/King of The Faeries."  No words to this one, but it's a Folk Club and Festival favourite guaranteed to get the  feet tapping  In summary From The Forge is an eclectic mix of old and new songs: just the right kind of cross section you want from a decent Folk album. I can’t wait to hear their first studio album. With additional instrumentation, some imaginative mixing and production, it's going to be a cracker. 

The CD is available by emailing greengrassfolk@gmail.com

The digital download is available via Bandcamp at:

http://greengrassfolk.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-forge-live

The band also have a Facebook Page

Anti Bullying is a Lifelong stance.

This week is the start of Anti Bullying Week: a commendable national event organised by the Anti Bullying Alliance, a registered Children's charity.  Today starts with Odd Socks Day, when youngsters are encouraged to  do exactly that, thereby demonstrating that individualism and difference is something to be celebrated, not something to be vilified over. There is a campaign of events and even an anthem-a reworked version of the original Sham 69 hit "If The Kids Are United."

However, if anyone imagines that bullying stops when school leaving age is reached  they are wrong. Bullying in the Workplace is rife. It is rarely physical and is often clandestine. It is secretive because the perpetrators are (rightly!) deep down ashamed of their actions. But in a mirroring of the school situation, Work Bullies hear the cries of encouragement from others and so they ignore the pain of the bullied. Their suffering only spurs them on to greater, wider atrocities. 

       Alas, when school days are over In our country, Public and Private sector employers are encouraged by the State to embrace a climate of blame and to support a culture of hate. A toxic environment  is created where "Management" means the  expectation of getting better results out of a workforce by intimidation, discrimination and establishing division. A false hope and a redundant philosophy which only undermines productivity and effectiveness. 

It is a known fact that all that these divisive methods will actually  "improve" is stress levels, absenteeism and depression. Employees subject to this treatment will not succeed. They cannot.  Their self esteem will be destroyed and their self confidence will be eroded by months-years-of negative criticism. And that, really, is the objective. Much of this antisocial and condoned behaviour is excused by "appraisal"- in itself not a bad tool, but too often one fuelled not by a desire to improve results but simply to save money. 

The most common form of this is in a profession where salary scales are capped. Rank and file employees rise chronologically to the top of a scale via "progression" -and stay there. The temptation by many managers  then is not to assist the talented and the able who are trapped at the head of this logpile, but to pick on them and criticise them. This  continues so that they stagnate. Younger more gullible (and most essentially, cheaper) replacements can be drafted in from an external source, when the victims finally crumble. 

The failure of executives remains temporarily concealed as department budgets are shored up.  Temporary because when  Workplace bullies are finally exposed their illegal and cruel barbarism becomes all too evident. They have clung on to power only by bullying. They often have no other talent. Bullies are often inadequate professionals themselves. Rather than achieving "improvement via praise, support and motivation, they coerce others into assisting in their dirty work.

I have lived with bullying all my life. I was bullied at school until I stood up to the perpetrators and exposed them. At work I was deliberately held back professionally until I acted against injustice and exclusion and helped in publicly outing those responsible.  I have had to represent colleagues in tribunals and during grievance procedures, often facing trumped up charges where their isolation and decaying self belief has been exploited by the ruthless. All those close to me have been bullied at work. Practically all my family have been subjected to it, and in many  instances, family members have had to move placements to get away from it. 

The enemy of bullying is Truth. Bullies become frightened of it and will use any means possible to try to stifle it.  The only resistance to them is speaking out. A popular anti bullying strapline became "Don't Suffer in Silence." It is still the best one I know. Resisting and speaking out is scary and collateral damage is often suffered along the way. But outing them and drawing together collectively to oppose their foul practices remains the best way of defeating the bully.    

 Bullies are by definition, stupid. They cannot see that their actions are harmful not only to their victims, but ultimately to themselves. Eventually, it will be they, the  perpetrators and not the victim who in a dreadful irony becomes the object of ridicule and derision. Unfortunately by then, too many others will have had their lives and careers ruined by deluded,  meglomania. It is tempting perhaps to pity the bully once exposed for the pathetic creatures that they are. But wrong. There is an old Viking saying "May The Sword Spare No-one." Well....quite.