A (Second) Hair of The Dog

      The Sunday Night Shenanigans out at the aptly named Willey proved to be every bit as good an evening as the first one. Last night at The Wood Farm Brewery Tap, many there I think, had spent a merry family Sunday, and everybody except the bar staff was on holiday. 
    I had been to a Fancy Dress Party until 3am Sunday morning (see below) and then after a few hours of sleep we later indulged various sons & daughters all day Sunday in an orgy of Pinot Noir, Real Ale, Roast Lamb and Lindt. (Though not all at the same time). During a boozy afternoon a greyhound and a tractor were bought online, we had a guided tour of The Wormery and AC/DC's "Back In Black" proved to be an odd start to a bout of spontaneous community singing. It was frankly a relief when Kearney Taxis drew up outside at 8pm and whisked me away from all this mayhem to a saner, gentler kind of merriment.

Ready to sing some gentle Folk Music

     The Orchestra itself was depleted-no Paul Kelly,no Nigel Ward and no Martin Bushnell. This had little or no effect on the output over three halves. We still got-and sang-all the old favourites, and travelled from Allendale to Mourne ,from Carolina to the North Sea and back. Paco, looking ten years younger since retirement from The Bell, even travelled "Up The Hill" to play spoons on " Gypsy Laddie-O" 

        Bob Brooker  seemed miffed because John Kearney and I duetted together early doors on " Dublin in The Rare Ould Times," which he claimed loudly afterwards was his song. I thought Pete St. John wrote it, so you live and learn. Bob retaliated coquettishly by doing "Black Velvet Band" which is my song. Everyone knows The Dubliners pinched it from me. I get more requests for that than he has had for "Close The CD Case,Now,Bob." 

      Talking of audience requests,John Kearney did "Dont Worry/ Irish Rover" and "DownTown"  both of which are popular wherever he goes.  Max Wright had brought in family reinforcements and he sang us an excellent version of "Putting On The Style."   

The audience enjoying Colin Squire's opener. Well I am. 

     Someone who I only know as Tim from Rugby sat next to Allan Birkett. Tim sang a self-written song about a Fishing disaster in King's Lynn in the old days. Allan sang a couple including "The Spinning Wheel"  Someone else I only know as a different John,with a clear, well-defined voice, sang a couple of traditional unaccompanied songs flawlessly. One of which was a good version of "John Barleycorn."   Elizabeth Ryder hit notes none of the rest of us could as she duetted with Richard on Fear a Bhata. Easy for you to say.

Drunkard's panorama from the bar

      John McIntosh ( seemed to be a room full of Johns last night),told two jokes,neither of  which were remotely politically correct,  but one of  which was actually  quite funny. ( A Collector's Item which caused quite a stir). Richard Ryder brought along his giant bell-end and blew deep farty noises out of it. Impressive-though he seemed a bit breathless on the long sustained note in the showpiece instrumental. ( Pass The Port and Cigars?) 

M4M

   And so now on to two worthwhile causes this week, both of them more fund-raising for Music 4 Matt. (Bates).  Tomorrow  night I'm out and about with Nunc at Stockton Folk Club. (No not that one-though it's an easy mistake to make!).  Along with  Norman Wheatley, Rik Middleton, Away With The Fairies,John Kearney and Dan Gascoigne.
    On Wednesday, at Bedworth Rugby Club,Anna Ryder tops a star-studded line-up including Brian Phillips, Bob Brooker and John Kearney. £5 admission with lots of fun and included. See you all there.

Catching Up

    To my shame, I see it's been three weeks since I've updated these pages. I'm sure all those who avidly follow the Mac Awe On Tour Blog are awaiting news. Both of them. Well: there's plenty of it here. Firstly: what's to come?

Sly Old Dogs and Friends at Wood Farm Brewery Tap 27th March

Last month's Sunday Night gathering saw a huge turnout at this new venue,just up the hill from Monks Kirby, (where the SODs had previously been kennelled). Besides the SODs Ensemble, John Kearney, myself, Max Wright, Rob Halligan, Cheryl Ning and many  more got the vast audience singing. And £250 was raised in a collection for Music 4 Matt (see below).  If that many turn up this Sunday, they'll have to get extra staff on! 

Sly Old Dogs at Wood Farm Brewery

Music For Matt

 Our local buddy  Bill Bates, The Leamington Nightingale himself,  is a popular figure at many Midlands  Clubs. He has been less visible lately, and this is because the Bates family has been devastated by illness. Bill's son Matt is really poorly. The Folk Community has been rallying round to assist in financing some additional treatment for Matt.  So here are two up and coming events:

Next Tuesday 29th March at Stockton (Warwickshire!) Folk Club, is  a Fund raiser for this very good cause. Topping the bill there is Norman Wheatley.  The Support that night is virtually Nuneaton Folk Club on Tour. John Kearney, (again!) Nunc, and Dan Gascoigne, all NFC regulars, will be sharing a car. Flying the flag for the Home Side are  Rik Middleton and Away With The Fairies.

Next Wednesday 30th March

   The following night, several of us will be going to an evening supported by Bedworth, Atherstone and Nuneaton Folk Clubs. Held at Bedworth Rugby Club, The Featured Guest is Anna Ryder, with support slots from John Kearney (yet again!) Bob Brooker (he's a Sly Old Dog ) and Brian Phillips. Host Malc Gurnham promises games,prizes, and an Auction of a Black Parrot Seaside Vinyl E.P.  Admission is £5 and an American Buffet is included. 

Mac Awe On Tour to Tour? 
     Well no. Not exactly. But the loose collective of musicians sheltering under this umbrella have been asked to return for a third time to Nuneaton Beer Festival in June. Playing for free beer they were unlikely to refuse. This gig will include some of the musicians who have in the past taken to the perch, and maybe a few new ones. More news on dates and times later. I hate to mention this, but as well as yours truly, the ubiquitous John Kearney will be part of the NBF line-up. 

What else has been going on?

The Hawkesbury Trawlermen  17th March. 
      Sadly, the launch capsized in the end. The brilliant name, thought up by Bonne Vivante and Raconteur Dave Webb, was to include some of the doyens of the North Warwickshire Folk Scene, and they were scheduled to make their debut as a Landlocked  Shanty Crew at The Lord Hop, a fabulous new Micro Pub in Nuneaton. There was excited talk beforehand of corporate logos and future designs for t-shirts. ( A furious debate followed on a local Facebook Page about "uniform" which ended in tears). An enormous list of Shanties was produced and issued by Webby. Excited punters inquired about times and dates,and a few even turned up on the day.Then, due to ill health, and at the last minute, the debut was curtailed, leaving only yours truly to sidle round from The Felix Holt to The Lord Hop to explain the postponement to pub guv'nor Barry. A dirty job but someone had to do it. I had to have several glasses of Laughing Juice to settle my disappointment. I also got a free bag of crisps from Bazzer, so no hard feelings, obviously. (Result!)  Oh well. Next month, perhaps? 

 ( As far as we know, The Hawkesbury Trawlermen is one of the few Folk Projects John Kearney is not involved in. Too young by far. But give him time.....)

Some of The Hawkesbury Trawlermen limbering up prior to shipwreck.

JAG at Church End

     At Atherstone Folk Club on the 17th March, John Kearney (yup:him again) and I made our debut singing together here, after,ooh, hours of rehearsal beforehand. Of the extensive list of songs in our repertoire as a duo, we did "The Rare Ould Times" a Buddy Holly segue of "Everyday" and "Rave On" and a tribute to hangover Sufferers everywhere-" Help Me Make It Through The day." Duncan McFarlane and Anne Brivonese headlined, and there were other floor spots from Dan Gascoigne and Sarah Bennett, Blues Division, Peter McParland and Brian Phillips. 

 Nuneaton Folk Club snippets

   Sean Cannon headlines on Wednesday 6th April at The Crown. Floor spots already booked include Terry and Jan Wisdom, Bob Brooker, Nunc and Hilary Wilson.

2017 (Yes..I know!) Kev Dempsey and Si Barron are already booked for next year. Also hoping to get Duncan McFarlane and Anne Brivonese to return to the area after an excellent slot at Church End earlier this month. 

And finally: Last Night: Beduff RFC Festival Fund raiser

   Last night was a Fund Raiser for Bedworth Folk Festival at Bedworth Rugby Club. The guests were Tom Patterson and Dave Morton. They did two quality sets of mostly original material. However the highlight for me was a solo recitation of a holiday piece " The Charabanc."  Expertly done, the theme was not unlike BPS's version of "Beside The Seaside " in tone and content. Written by Ivor Bigun, who, as well as touring with his band the Red Nosed Burglars, eventually ended up ignominiously assisting Esther Rantzer in his alter ego of Doc Cox. 

      Having sung " What a Folking Liberty" there last time I thought I might try to set the good taste barrier higher by performing " The Bold Pirate," which was on our last album. And following it with " Manure" a homage to all things muck-spreading. (Which wasn't!). Some of the audience, despite themselves, began chuckling at some of the more unpleasant and vulgar images in these songs. One or two stared at the floor but the majority sang along, naughtily.  
       Maria Barham, always a good turn,swinging her guitar neck about with the usual aplomb and also giving us a lovely rendition of " A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square." 

       There was a lot of ill health about. A clearly suffering Brian Phillips seemed devastated by being unable to finish his first song, as his voice went awol. He then blew every guitarist in the room away with a version of "Greensleeves."  So not all was lost, Bri!  Malc was on his own, as Gill has also been proper poorly. He too was struggling a little, as he experimented with singing soprano.  Also performing were Dave Webb,Rob Oakey and Max Wright. 

        And then there was Daisybell (great name!), They were, I thought, simply brilliant. New 'Belle Anya fitted in as an eminent replacement for Sally Anne.The arrangements and vocals were excellent. The harmonies in "Ring The Bells " were particularly enjoyable. A splendid night. 

Haunting moments in Nuneaton

      An early morning snowstorm had already taken many of us by surprise, and various pernicious lurgies (great name for a band?) had already knocked a couple of regulars out. So even though many regulars were missing, it was refreshing to see the hall relatively full for the March session of Nuneaton Folk Club last night.

    It was cold outside and not exactly sub-tropical inside as the night finally began. I'd been reading a newly published book beforehand, about the history of Nuneaton pubs. I won't spoil it for anyone interested, but The Crown features prominently, and is by all accounts haunted. This might explain the frequent temperature changes, the instruments playing hard to get sometimes, and the butterflies which have landed on performers' faces during midwinter. Or it might not.

      There were certainly a few Gremlins about as once again there were a few minor logistical problems, but the unflappable and rapidly acclimatising Matt Mallen Allen steadily steered a hybrid combination of leads, DI boxes, mikes and accessories into full and glorious action. One more month and we'll have to stop referring to Matt as “new.”

      The running order was fluent before, up to and during the performance, which is always a little challenging for an organiser. We started, only a little late with Nunc. We did "All The Good Times" (appropriate) and " Cold, Haily Windy Night." 
      Then, as advertised, we had  Paul Moore returning, having passed  a late fitness check.  Paul had found our animal magnetism too hard to resist, and he did one of his songs and a Steve Earle number. It was his birthday too, and he didn't tell us. Naughty boy. 
    I was really juggling to fit everyone in, and so it all got a bit random after that as John Kearney, Brian Phillips, Maria Barham and Dan Gascoigne all followed on to the stage. The order may have been a bit erratic but the quality never dipped below outstanding as one would expect from these accomplished musicians.

What are we going to do about Maria?

      Parts of the first half had a slightly manic air of 'Ello 'Ello about it. John Kearney's Hawaiian shirt set the tone and there was a resonant clang as I clouted a mike with a music stand. I got another round of applause as I dropped a decent looking DI box on the floor. Performers appeared as if by magic from behind one of Julian's massive rock cabs, where they had earlier stowed their guitars.

John Kearney in holiday mood

     “ It's like a panto!” I shouted to a lively audience. “ Oh no it isn't!” they retorted merrily and without breaking stride. “ Where's Brian Phillips?” I quipped waggishly, turning my back on him, lurking behind that giant speaker. " He's behind you!” the audience shouted back delightedly, as he approached, on cue.

         It fell to Thrup'nny Bits to precede a first half set from our Featured Guests, Raintown Seers. The TB's performed a capella in the round (semi circle actually) on the floor,scorning the stage and the P.A. System. They were in good voice, and as we were back on schedule, they managed to sneak three in. One for each bit, as it were.

Thrup'nny Bits. (We think Gareth might have nodded off,at this point). 

       Raintown Seers, from all parts of the compass in the Derbyshire/Cheshire borders, brought us songs of Sex, Death, Tragedy,Woe and Wichita. (I think it's near Buxton). A pleasing combination of base,guitar, banjo, mandolin and cultured vocals. We happily sank, drowned, got hung and fell off mountains as they drew an epic first half to a close.

The Seers at work

         The treats did not end there. Flossie and I fulfilled a life's ambition as part 2 got under way by hijacking Kevin Dempsey into backing us on “Bring It On Home.” ( Kev was rubbish, but we were really rather good). Then the maestro himself blew everyone away with three songs. Culminating in his startlingly good “ All For You.” Jaws fell open around the room, and several guitarists resolved to pack it up there and then. The Poltergoose was hard at work as Kevin added to all the other tricks he does in this showstopper by tuning up and down without breaking rhythm. Only ever seen Hendrix do that before.

Nunc and Kevin Dempsey. Bringing It All On Home.

     Then it was time for The Raintowns to finish the evening off with a longer second set. This included an interesting arrangement of "The Diamond, " and an angry tirade at fishing quotas via “ The Boat.” As an encore, they did a fine version of Glen Campbell's “Wichita Lineman.”

     We had one or two distinguished visitors in last night, all of whom seemed interested in the diversity of performers on view. Folk Monthly's Helena Gates joined us, and was interested in how clubs like ours (and Bedworth/Atherstone) manage to put on such a high standard. I told her it was because we all work so co-operatively together. (I think she bought it). And it was lovely to see some of Linda Dickson's family joining us. Linda's days of performing alas are long gone. What a beautiful voice she had, solo and in Pennyroyal.

       It was a good night all round. The Crown's Bar below was newly decorated and very busy. Mac Awe got a gig, The 'Seers got an encore and George Van Ristell won the raffle. Not all of it, obviously:Brian Phillips carted away a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. ( This is Nuneaton-we don't have any rubbish round here). Des and the TB's sold loads of CDs. There were more chairs than we've ever had before (courtesy of Simon Winterman) and so everyone who wanted to sit down could do so. Best of all, when we all finally got outside, it had stopped raining. Result. 

Footnote: Warwick Folk Festivals' Fliers displayed, as requested. We pride ourselves on being an all-Inclusive Folk Club. 

Hark! 'Tis the First call of The Crested Gloater

      The Running Gag about me not getting an invite to Warwick Folk Festival is an annual tradition, an irritation as time-honoured as the Wroth Silver ceremony or Maundy Thursday. People look out for it, like they wait (alas in vain nowadays) for the first cuckoo. I like to time it with the first breathless Braggadocio of those honoured enough and in vogue enough to get on the guest list. They could of course, just go along and enjoy the experience themselves, but no, they have to rub it in. So, call me an Imp and a Court Jester, I like to puncture their bladder on a stick occasionally. Once it's out in the open, I'm told Dick Dixon can then sigh contentedly and sleep sounder at night. (I don't believe a word of it!)   

       Long ago, I used to apply, but I understand all the protocols now, and I no longer bother.I don't blame Dick and his chums at all for being selective-it's their bloody festival and they can do what they like with it. 
   

             "Buy a ticket" someone advises, as a surefire way of getting in. Erm,no. I happen to think that attaching a big price tag to an event is not always an automatic guarantee  of a high quality experience. No disrespect, but having  looked at the 2016 WFF running order so far, there  is nothing advertised which is of interest to  me as an audience  member, so why should I? I get a far bigger buzz out of watching (and playing with) artistes at grassroots  level than I do whacking out dosh to worship someone “In Concert."  Having said that, the "vibe" I have experienced in fringe events or just mooching round the town that weekend is undeniably infectious and attractive. 

  "It's not for local performers."

              After (139?) years, well, quite!  Most of us get that! You would have to be pretty stupid not to understand this, but even so, in our part of Warwickshire, I happen to think that there are as many talented performers as in any other region of Britain.
        There are those who would make the accusation that some festivals are just a MateFest: run by and dominated by the individual egos of their organisers or committees, rather than for the Common Good.   Having been  abused by a tiny minority for exercising (what they saw) as the same kind of monopoly at Nuneaton Folk Club, I have some empathy with that.       

        Since we started up In October 2014, we have showcased 62 different acts, 90% of whom have been local, We have also been fortunate enough to have offered our viewing, listening and participating public, all for free, artistes of National status as well as local heroes.  Kim Lowings, (twice) Sean Cannon (twice) Kevin Dempsey, Scarecrow, Phil Hare and Winter Wilson,for example.  Yet for some-this is still not enough.Those who have not quite yet made the luxury hospitality of The Crown's "Green Room, " can still get very bitter about  it. 

     You can have as good a night at Bedworth, Atherstone or Nuneaton Folk Clubs (and elsewhere) for free, as you can anywhere else. This is an ongoing folk festival in itself-a  feast-in the truest sense, rather than a one off . And, (although clearly I am biased) if you are going to pay, then you won't find anywhere, a more homely, V.F.M. fun, grass roots, "proper Folk " Folk festival than Bedworth's three day  bash in November Plus-if you  get wet, you've been very unlucky. 

     So it's over now. From hereon in I tend to block all the Gloaters on Facebook, (a) because their smugness riles me and (b)it can make more important or interesting messages very difficult to find. 

    Hope that's cleared that up for everyone? 

Folk On Tap

    With Sly Old Dogs moving their latest Craic Base even nearer to my home, (just eight fields away, on a moonlit night), it would have been foolish (and churlish) of me not to have gone along to support their debut at my local, Wood Farm Brewery Tap, last night.

     Sited aptly, (for the jokes last night were a load of old Cock) at Willey, (the most regularly stolen village sign in Warwickshire)  the Wood Farm is already well known to many of us. Mainly for its pleasant Webb Ellis bitter,  its Pork Pies, beer Festivals and its sausage and onion batches.  

      I wondered though, as The Kearney Mobile whizzed us along Coalpit Lane, if the Wood Farm owners really knew what was about to hit them. For, last month, SODSAF had relocated temporarily to The Denbigh Arms in Monks Kirby, following the retirement of their best ever Spoons Player, Paco.  It was quite touching in there, watching the gaffer, Seb,bravely attempting single-handedly to staunch the thirst of dozens and dozens of Folkies. The place was heaving last month. The Tap was heaving last night. Quite a contrast to those Sunday nights when I have driven past at 8pm with the doors locked, rollers down and their lights off. I suspect a few of those at the bar last night had set out for The Sarah Mansfield or The Blue Pig. They must have thought all their Christmases had come at once!

         Fortunately, up the hill from the Denbigh, they had enough staff on to cope. They looked a little tired when we arrived, as Wood Farm is Rugby themed and I think the Egg Chasers might have given them a busy weekend already. Unusually, several pump clips were turned round, but there was still something there for everyone. 

       The Car Park filled, the main room filled-the gallery above filled.It was a good turn out, on a par with some of the best Sundays in The Bell. The SODs were light on fiddles, with Nigel Ward and Martin Bushnell the only absentees from the regular line-up. As for the Friends, there was yours truly, Max Wright, John Kearney, Cheryl,  Rob Halligan, Campbell and Jan and many more whom I recognised but could not immediately put a name to. SODs sessions are very informal, and guests rarely go beyond first names.

       The room proved to be good for acoustics, as the SODs treated us to many of their usual repertoire, Either playing collectively, as the ensemble, or featuring solo numbers from Bob Brooker,Paul Kenny,Pete Willow, Colin Squire or Richard Ryder. The Friends took it in turns, and a large audience returned choruses with panache and great enthusiasm.  There were music stands, scoresheets, instrument cases,iPads galore. And that was just amongst the audience. 

     At one stage, a tremendously pungent  cloud of malty aroma filled the room, and everyone looked accusingly at Bob Brooker, until they realised-this is a Brewery.  Those of us who use the place often knew that they were just venting their latest batch of Whatever,to  be dispensed, via their hand pulls next week.

      With Steve Smelt and Martin Gilder heckling from upstairs,Babs from Hinckley Act dropping in, and a big Cov. contingent, there was an almost International feel in the room. What with  Paul Kenny forgetting his words, Bob "mentioning" his CD's and Tool telling jokes of Industrial mediocrity, it was as if we'd never been away. 

    A spontaneous collection for the Bill Bates Fund reached £260 easily. Bill is well known to many of us, and respected by all on the Folk Circuit. A series of Fund Raisers around the Midlands will be going towards helping his son fight a pernicious strain of cancer. 

Getting stuffed at NFC

    Some familiar audience faces were missing last night. ( the register was taken-without an explanatory note you will be receiving a letter!)-but still a decent crowd again. This time to watch Scarecrow, return to The Crown to do us two classic sets. Entertainment typical of the boys-competent, professional, well arranged, superbly played and most enjoyable. Plus half a dozen other complimentary adjectives you could add.

Duelling flutes from Scarecrow

   Last night saw more debuts-four  planned and one spontaneous. Taking the number of guests who have trodden that stage since we opened to 61.One debut was behind the mixing desk-young Matt Mallen Allen taking over the helm from Tom Veasey, now swanning around in the Caribbean. Good job, Matt! 

    Nunc kicked the music off followed by Peter McParland. Andy Jones then made his debut, and roped in another debutante from the audience-Rob Oakey from Sty Folk Club, Coventry. (I don't think Rob calls it that any more-but they are still going!). Rob was encouraged to pump a musical instrument I could not identify, to supply a background drone so that Andy could sing a rather mystical Eastern mantra to it. Rob did that well, because it was only one note he had to sustain and he's very good at droning. Typically of Andy, who always likes a challenge, he followed that up with a full version of "The Barley Mow"-delivered impeccably whilst the rest of us stuttered and stammered our way through each ever-expanding chorus. 

Andy Jones and Rob Oakey-NFC virgins

    Then up nipped David Parr, making a welcome return, He had brought along some guests  and so was on his best behaviour, declining to do any numbers from his project album "Songs of Sex and Death." We had a gospel song instead. ( You're not fooling anyone Dave!).  Bob Brooker, newly thrilled by his allotted solo spot at Bedworth Folk Festival, treated us to a couple songs of impeccable quality. 

   John Kearney did a Lemmy Tribute with a hugely interesting version of the Motorhead song "1916" before Brian Phillips dropped a few more jaws with some subtle axework.

JK does a Lemmy tribute.

 Then it was time for another debut. Driftwood, all the way from Southampton. Three excellent numbers:two self penned and a lush arrangement of "Woodstock." Chris and Brian were presented with an anthology of the Bridget Jones novels, to commemorate us bridging the 60 mark. They seemed suitably nonplussed and even went on to win a Chocolate Chess set which looked familiar. What a night eh, gang? 

Driftwood-all the way from Southampton

       This led us directly into Scarecrow's first set, opening as they often do with their rumbustuous interpretation of "Gallows Pole" . Oxfordshire's finest then romped through a delightful 30 minutes or so, before Matt and the audience were briefly given time to catch their breath and calm down.

       Nunc returned for a couple more songs before Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan warmed up the audience for Scarecrows return. Another absorbing 40 minutes followed, including another personal favourite of mine, "Up To The Rigs," which is actually, imho better than Bellowhead's- despite involving eight less musicians. 

FINALLY

   On the NFC Facebook page a couple of weeks ago I was the subject of a rather petty personal attack because I removed from the Group Page, a poster, added without consent, promoting an event elsewhere.  ( I think people sometimes confuse a Group Page with a Chat Room or a Forum). Our FB page exists only to promote Nuneaton Folk Club. Removing such posters is also the policy of Folk 21 ,Bedworth and Atherstone Folk Clubs, and a good few more that I know of. Their organisers have not been subject to such remarks,however. Anyway: Group members were told that I did nothing to promote and encourage  Folk music in and beyond the Nuneaton area. Some people objected to that remark and asked me to delete it. 

   I hope that all those attending last night noticed the fliers  for other events out on all our (many) tables and on the walls. Including those from Bedworth, Atherstone, Warwick and Rowington Folk Clubs. And including those publicising an upcoming event at Ansley featuring and Maddy prior's upcoming appearance at The Abbey Theatre. You can find further details of both events on the NFC website, If that's not promoting others as well as ourselves-I give up. 

Eating for Victory-Folk in The Larder

   The first Wednesdays of the month have become busy days for me . Evenings are hectic at Nuneaton Folk Club, where organising, compering and hosting the Residency with Nunc eats up time and means I'm on my feet and hyperactive for at least six hours. So beforehand, although also a musical activity, the afternoon Cafe Cabaret sessions at The Larder in Atherstone are very much more relaxed and informal. It's a bit of a rush driving home from there, and then back into Nunny, but worthwhile

    I cannot think of any more vivid contrast, in Folk and Acoustic terms, than experiencing these two sessions inside ten hours. Maybe other venues like The Larder exist-a Military themed cafe where singers stroll amongst the diners and open and close the door for those entering or leaving. But if they do, then I've not experienced them. ( Yet-The Larder's sister cafe in Ashby has begun experimenting with them, too!) So all credit to Phil Benson for innovating these friendly gatherings, which have been going on for several years now.

    Yesterday for example, saw the usual broad range of material to enjoy with your teacakes, Bubble and Squeak and sausage butties. A few regulars were missing. Anne and Steve Beeson, jollying around the world: Malc and Gill wrangling elsewhere over new arrangements and new songs. But as well as other old faces assembled, newer ones continue to surprise and entertain.

    Julia and Dave Taylor and Elaine and John Meechan are two very different duos, but are often found there on First Wednesdays. John and Elaine swap the instrumentation round and combine jolly, earthy folk with a broad range of regional variations which are sometimes harder hitting. Dave and Julia combine fine singing and tasteful arrangements. They often chuck in parody or comedy too, for Dave in particular, is a master in writing a funny song, but they were reflective and a little more serious yesterday. Indeed, we had three lovely songs from bothduos.

     Andy Jones I've only got to know about recently. He's a deep character,with a distinctive voice, and he too really thinks about his material and arrangements. We had an unaccompanied ecclesiastical piece from him for starters, and that poised a few cups of coffee mid-air, I can tell you. Blimey!

     Mick Stanley (of Comharsa) and Peter McParland have become Larder regulars, and their contributions were also highly enjoyable. By way of a change yesterday Mick sang an English song whilst I did an Irish one.( I knew he could do it!) I offered The Oul Triangle and The Odeon before making a complete mess of “Lakes of Ponchartrain.”-a song I have recalled from memory in public many times without a safety net. Yesterday afternoon, having dedicated it to the late Gren Morris, that first verse just went completely awol. I was still thinking about Gren and his unique rendition of that fine song, so after the March morning, New Orleans and Jackson Town and the rest of it emptied itself from my head. I recovered sufficiently to reclaim the remaining verses and to pay homage to Gren-but Paul Brady would have sat with his head in his hands throughout.

    And then there was Dylan. No, not that one, another one. From Atherstone. Having borrowed Pete's guitar strap, he did a version of “House of The Rising Sun” which was both innovative and funny. Involving the audience in a new version of “call and response” singing. Later he followed with a Marc Bolan song, tastefully delivered. Top stuff-and typical of the range you can find nowadays at a Larder session.