March 2013

Newsletter No 220 26 March 2013

A surfeit of great talent washed up on the shores of Sale Folk Club tonight and it was skilfully guided to maximum effect by ED & SUE complete with new sign board to razz up each performer in turn stating with the eponymous BANJO JOHN who had us all playing along with THERE’S A TAVERN IN THE TOWN before PAUL made us all a TEQUILA SUNRISE. Inspired by a trip to hear Pete Morton, COLIN then sang his impressive GANDY which had MARK dashing about LOOKING FOR MY WALLET before JAN advised the ladies to beware of A DANDY MAN and KATHERINE completed the family trilogy with Billy Connolly’s A LITTLE OF YOUR TIME. Next PETE was in search of CLAUDIA as MIKE was chasing after DANCING MOLLIE and ROB was looking ahead to taking his boat back to Anglesey with THE ALABAMA. Newcomer DAVID then brought his lovely voice to bear on THE NORTH COUNTRY MAID and CARL had us rocking to another Pete Morton song, the BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR, which made JO think of THEDAK EYED SAILOR. The SWEET SONGS OF YESTERDAY brought MERDY to his feet before ROGER explained that GREY’S THE NEW BLONDE as KAMRAN sang the humorous, despite the title, I LOST MY LEGS IN A MOTOR WRECK. With no encouragement ROD then was the STAR MAN as MARTIN told us it was NO LONESOME TUNE and HEATHER & DON reckoned anything goes as long as SHE WEARS BLACK CLOTHES. Having turned up with his concertina ARTHUR then took a ribald look at Folkies with his PEWTER TANKARD SONG leaving BANJO JOHN to take us up to the interval by leading us in a band up for WORRIED MAN.

Roger won the wine as Martin took the Shortbread Biscuits and Alan had the Chocolates before Michael went home with the CD to complete a bumper raffle as ED explained the consequences of stalking MARGARET to which ROGER replied STONE ME (Van Morrison). Still nautical ROB took us on THE GREY FUNNEL LINE while MERDY was off chasing BLACK JACK DAVY which left one man band PAUL with TROUBLE IN MIND. Back with his pink ukulele MARTIN sang about SWEET JANE followed by THE TAYLOR CLAN who insisted MAMA’S GOT A SQUEEZE BOX which had PETE off KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR. This DAVID back to his feet with his own SEND ME TO HELL as THE BLACKSMITH went to the other place courtesy of CARL and ROD had us all pleading with JOLENE. All of this gave KAMRAN the RICHLAND WOMAN BLUES and had ARTHUR off ADMIRING THE VIEW which certainly LITTLE MUSGRAVE was not as COLIN made clear. With no more ado MIKE then set off after an IRISH SESSION as DAVID urged us to SING SUCCESS TO THE WEAVERS before DON & HEATHER wrapped it all up with their song about loss, FLOWERS ON THE WATER to end a great night of music. 

Newsletter No 219 19 March 2013

A wonderful evening with hugely talented people just erupted as the room filled within minutes. It reminded HEATHER & DON of the Nanci Griffith hit ROSEVILLE FAIR but to BANJO JOHN it made him think of THE GREEN LEAVES OF SUMMER after hearing about the death of Gordon Lightfoot and MERDY immediately thought of WINDS. In fine voice RICHARD led us all in DIDO BENDIGO and JIM & LYNN took up the baton to continue with heir a cappella version of THE NIGHT VISITING SONG, with twin bodhrans, leaving JOHN CONDY to sing the lovely RUBY TUESDAY. Leaping into action GED DARBY told us he had the HONKY TONK BLUES whereas ROBIN was soon at the WATERMELON WINE but GED GASKELL was dancing away to THE CUMBERLAND and THE WESTMORLAND waltzes. This left ISOBEL to play DAYFLOWER, short and sweet, and PAUL to have us TELL IT TO THE MOUNTAIN before KATH, STAN & RUTH shot off to SCARBOROUGH FAIR. Next VINCENT was sung by COLIN in response to a request from ED a year ago followed by MARTIN with his quiet version of ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES before CARL with JOHN CONDY claimed they were STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU. In a quieter vein ED was SAYING GOOD BYE TO THE SEA before MIKE COSGROVE blew us away with Danny Thompson's WITH A MEMORY LIKE MINE and ARTHUR MARSHALL remembered St Patrick's Day with ALL THE WAY FROM DONEGAL TO BUILD YOUR ROADS. DAVID completed the round with a joke before BANJO JOHN took us for a ride on the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL prompting PAUL to continue in the same mood with THIS TRAIN before RUTH, KATH & STAN calmed us down with JOHN LOVER.

A great raffle and a good time later saw Jackie take home a nice wine, Vic win the chocolates and Ruth receive a presentation box of scissors, always handy before RICHARD SAILS roared into the second half with DADDY FOX. Then it was welcome back time to KEEP THE CHANGE BOB who also blew our minds with the great anti-war song I'D RATHER BE DANCING by Jim Page based on letters written home by Rachel Corrie before she was crushed by a tank as she was trying to stop the Israelis demolishing a doctor's house in Palestine. GED GASKELL then bid FAREWELL TO TARWATHIE and MARTIN took us BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE before MERDY then delighted us a chance to sing CALEDONIA and fellow Scot ROBIN was moved to sing JOCK O'HAZELDEAN leaving ISOBEL wandering in the SALLY GARDENS. Stirred by Bob's great song, JOHN CONDY got up to sing Dylan's MASTERS OF WAR to which Poet DAVID suddenly replied with his vision of the Iraqi war with SHIFTING, WHISPERING SANDS. Also commenting on life in a different way JIM & LYNN recounted the story of the LONG BLACK VEIL as did CARL with BLACK DIAMONDS and GED with JOHN CONDY with LONG JOHN. By way of a change ED then gave us the hilarious monologue about JONOTHAN BURNTBLACK to which ARTHUR MARSHALL retorted YOU'RE SAFER ON THE GROUND WITH NOTHING AT ALL and MIKE COSGROVE took us FROM GALWAY TO GRACELAND. Rising to a climax RUTH, KATH & STAN rode us off to HORNCASTLE FAIR and then BOB was still on his anti-war theme with FRANK, DENNIS AND ME before, to finish an incredible evening, MIKE was in a similar vein with THE TOWN I LOVED SO WELL and ARTHUR explained IRELAND IS A STATE OF THE HEART. 

Newsletter No 218 12 March 2013

Cold outside but red hot in the Club with MARK & JAN in complete control of a highly talented bunch of performers numbering several newcomers as they kicked off with the COLLIER LADDIE. Certainly the packed audience responded brilliantly with some excellent singing and great craic as we approach St Patrick's Day. PETE was definitely WILLING as was CARL who sang big favourite WILLIE McBRIDE and BANJO JOHN who was off chasing Petula Clarke DOWNTOWN. Next Poet Dave told us his thoughts on the SHIFTING, WHISPERING SANDS but ROD reckoned we should all TAKE IT EASY and with a GAVOTTE by J S Bach EDDIE took his advice. ISOBEL, however, soon raised the tempo with BLACKTHORN STICK & the KESH JIG followed by GED with the BOOMER'S STORY and CONTRABAND with a trip to the SOUTHERN SKIES. COLIN then dug into his great repertoire for the BERKELEY WOMAN and suddenly RICHARD was that GRENADIER GUARD before JIM & LYNN told us the story of PADDY McGINTY'S GOAT. ED then took off with Kris Kristofferson's THE PILGRIM: Chapter 33 (Hang In, Hopper) as ROB gave the thumbs up to COURTING TOO SLOW before GED GASKELL himself took off down the RADCLIFFE HIGHWAY. KAMRAN then took the floor to surprise us with another new one THE BALLAD OF PATCH EYE AND MEG which set up newcomer MIKE COSGROVE for a brilliant rendition of CALEDONIA followed by MICHAEL BRACKEN who blew us away with a wonderful medley of GREAT DAY FOR THE IRISH, DID YOUR MOTHER COME FROM IRELAND, PEGGY O'NEILL and WILD IRISH ROSE. There was still time for CHARLES to set off WALKING THE LONG MILES HOME and another newcomer ROGER to debut with Jean Ritche's THE L & N DON'T STOP HERE ANYMORE before BANJO JOHN returned to take us up the break with THE OLD RUGGED CROSS.

A suitably large raffle saw the wine find a good home with Stella, Ged took the chocs, Marie the biscuits and Alan the photo album before we came to order for the second half as COLIN gave us a reality check with the POOR MAN'S HOUSE suitably followed up with ED'S comment on law and order FLOG 'EM, FLAY 'EM AND HANG 'EM. Next and close to St Patrick's Day EDDIE'S rendition of DANNY BOY was interesting with its English lyrics to an Irish tune before CHARLES confessed he was TIED TO ONE and JAN & MARK insisted YOU AIN'T GOING NOWHERE. KAMRAN then concluded THAT'LL NEVER HAPPEN NO MORE but arguably it did to Peter Green who wrote MAN OF THE WORLD sung by ROD before we all lashed into NEW YORK GIRLS well led by RICHARD. However, JIM & LYNN couldn't wait to be LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL and we all wanted to leave town when we heard MICHAEL BRACKEN'S incredible version of HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE, thanks for sharing it Michael. Undaunted, GED ripped into DEATH COMES CREEPING IN YOUR ROOM and GED GASKELL played PEGGY RYAN'S FANCY followed by JOHN RYAN'S POLKA leaving ROB to bemoan just one more day on THE GREY FUNNEL LINE. For his second song ROGER unveiled his own song IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME before ISOBEL gave us HERR ROLOFF'S FAREWELL and MIKE COSGRAVE gave us the recipe for COLCANNON. That just left time for PETE to say IF NOT FOR YOU and CONTRABAND to take us to THE VILLAGE ON THE SAND and then send us home singing to STEAL AWAY.  

Newsletter No 217 5 March 2013

A lively night was guided with great skill by KAMRAN & PETE although we had a few qualms when HURT was PETE’S first song and JIM & LYNN followed up with FOLSOM PRISON BLUES and BANJO JOHN gave us the POSTMAN’S LAMENT. Fortunately ROD soon lifted our spirits with LAY DOWN SALLY and KATH READE, born in London, celebrated her life in THE NORTH COUNTRY before GED explained what happened ON A MONDAY. JO then had us going again with the FIELDS OF ATHENRY as did PAUL READE with his own very apt HOUSE OF MUSIC and MARK with a trip down FIDDLER’S GREEN. Not to be outdone, JAN had us all singing in Welsh with MOLIANNWN as did JEAN with the FOUR LOOM WEAVER and RUTH, KATH & STAN with the CENSUS from about 1850. Then we had a treat from KAMRAN who sang his recent You Tube hit WITHOUT LOVE which even received plaudits from it’s famous composer before JOHN told us WE’RE ALL WORKING FOR THE PHAROAH and ED warned of THE SILVER TONGUED DEVIL. Back to basics for CARL who reminded us of hard times with NEARER TO NETTLES and DON & HEATHER who, with RARE OLD TIMES, showed that difficult times can even come with progress before BRILLIG consisting of GIN, PETE, PHIL & ROBIN, sang us to the break with a fine a cappella CAPE’S IN VIEW followed by MY LADY’S A WILD FLYING DOVE with guitars.

In the raffle Jackie won the Alpine floral display, Joan took the Bordeaux and Gin claimed the Rose bush before KATH, STAN & RUTH claimed they were LEAVING ON A JET PLANE as ROD rocked on with THE WEIGHT and CARL went even FURTHER. Going even further afield JIM & LYNN said goodbye to MUIRSHIN DURKIN on the way to California before in contrast GED dished out some HARD LOVE while MARTIN insisted we take THE BEST OF MY LOVE. Next MARK & JAN were LONG GONE as was KAMRAN who was IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW but PAUL responded with his extremely funny OH NO NOT AGAIN (IT’S THAT MOANING GIT) which prompted many to ask if they could get it as a ringtone. Still in a cappella mode JEAN sang us the poignant TESTIMONY OF PATIENCE KERSHAW with ED giving us some light relief with SH.. and PETE singing his own song dedicated to the person who brought out THE BEST IN ME. Taking us back in time JOHN sang about the HIGHWAY MAN after which MARTIN invited us to TAKE A TRIP IN MY AIRSHIP before KATH READE sang about her GRANDMOTHER and then about her conflict between HEART AND HEAD. Heading towards a big finish DON & HEATHER swore YOU WILL BE THE LIGHT before taking us all down to the RED ROSE CAFE after which BRILLIG raised the rafters with JOHNNY I HARDLY KNEW YOU before inviting us to A PARTING GLASS.  Magic!!

February 2013

Newsletter No 216 - 26 February 2013

A great mix of regulars and new faces made a spicy recipe for KATH & STAN to serve up to a pleasantly full house starting with their SLEEPY DESERT and soon taking off on THE BLACKPOOL BELLE with JIM & LYNN. Bursting forth BRIAN told us I HAD TO SAY I LOVED YOU IN A SONG and even BANJO JOHN agreed with I WANT A GIRL JUST LIKE THE GIRL THAT MARRIED DEAR OLD DAD. On the other hand ED couldn't wait to be off ON THE VERDIGRIS and ARTHUR was even more "left field" with his hilarious Viking Saga ERIC THE PINK quickly followed by RICHARD'S twist in the tale of THE SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER. Next GED insisted I GOT MINE before newcomer DAVID beseeched FREE MY SOUL with his own song in memory of his friend who had served in Afghanistan. In a lighter vein PAUL told us about the life of the SHOESHINE BOY whereas ROBIN remarked HEY IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN before CARL took us off to the BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR, his own song. ERIC then returned with his JOJO followed by ISOBEL with THE LARK IN THE CLEAR AIR and JO with THE MYSTICS DREAM. COLIN was then LOOKING FOR LOVE before GED played his own composition RUE DE PARIS. This left PETE to take off in his RAMBLING SHOES and DON & HEATHER to have us huddled round that LITTLE POT STOVE before BANJO JOHN asked WHO'S SORRY NOW and newcomer DAVID took us to the interval with THAT'S NO WAY TO SAY GOOD BYE (Cohen).

Much chat later a grand raffle saw Pete and Geoff each take a bottle of wine, Baz the Chocolates and Lynn the Room Perfumer before KATH & STAN set us rolling again for the next NINE HUNDRED MILES. We were then urged to GO TO SEA NO MORE by GED and stay behind with THE BOLD DRAGOON courtesy of RICHARD to listen to ARTHUR play a couple of tunes with his violin BIDDY FROM SLIGO & CONNAUGHTMAN'S RAMBLES. GED next urged her to KEEP ON TRUCKIN' MOMMA before ROBIN  took off on a his Hank's trilogy with PRETTY FRAULEIN, BLACKBOARD OF MY HEART & HONKY TONK ANGELS leaving ERIC to take us down METAPHOR STREET. Then ISOBEL led us a FAIRY DANCE as JIM & LYNN explained the twists and turns of THE ORANGE AND THE GREEN leaving PETE to take us off to BARBRIGGAN FAIR with his own great song. SINATRA AND I was the interesting title of CARL'S next song about a dog with blue eyes to which BRIAN replied YOU GOT IT and DON & HEATHER said just LET YOUR BANJO RING. Rolling towards a big finish ED started by saying IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE DAYS to which DAVID replied it must be COMING ON CHRISTMAS and RICHARD roared off to FAKENHAM FAIR to which GED reckoned it must be the MOON GOING DOWN. All too cheerful for ARTHUR who took us off to THE FUNERAL of the man who wasn't dead yet and, not to be outdone, ROBIN paid tribute to the actual dying soldier with ROCK MY CRADLE before DON & HEATHER took us over the top and into the street with GOODNIGHT IRENE. Another cracker!

Newsletter No 215 - 19 February 2013

This was another supremely enjoyable evening with ROBIN & HEATHER steering a fairly full house towards a very satisfying conclusion and starting us off in the THE GREENLAND FISHERIES. Next up PETE told us about TOM MOORE digging for gold while KAMRAN, after knowing it only 24 hours, gave us THE BED SONG which sent MARK off whistling O'Carolan's CARRICKFERGUS. Although without Kath & Stan, RUTH went solo with the lovely LADY MARY after which ED rebelled against Robin pinching his songs by singing FLOWER SCOTLAND whereas RICHARD, another welcome returner, jealously remarked that his sister had flown to Chile on holiday but there were different ways to get there with AROUND CAPE HORN. JAN the treated us to the beautiful RAVEN & THE HARE but ROB shot off on the GOOD SHIP CALABAR and COLIN was away on ENGLAND'S MOTORWAY. JIM & LYNN then gave us the classic PEGGY GORDON and JO celebrated with Mary Black's MY YOUNGEST SON CAME HOME TODAY before the welcome sight of old friend MICHAEL rising to his feet muttering, "Can anyone lend me a guitar?" to sing THE MAN WHO COULDN'T CRY. It was obviously catching as next GED rose with Ed's 12-string for JESUS ON THE MAINLINE before ANN C listed many Scottish inventions in WHO'S LIKE US. To complete the round DON & HEATHER echoed Pete's song with FAREWELL TO THE GOLD before PETE came back with OLD MAN who JIM & LYNN felt must have been AN ORDINARY MAN. Back again RICHARD was down in the far South West at THE BELL RINGING before CLAIRE stunned us with an amazing rendition of THE KING OF ROME leaving MARK & JAN to take us to the interval on THE BONNY SHIP THE DIAMOND.

A bumper raffle for a bumper crowd saw Joan's friend take the Chocolates, Helen grab the Wine, Chris run of with the Shortbreads before one of our newcomers take the Room Perfume Evaporation kit.

To start the second half COLIN had us dancing with MR BOJANGLES and MARTIN celebrated how OLDER GUYS were around to show the youngsters how to have a good time to which KAMRAN replied DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? ED gave further support to the theory with THE TRAVELLER before GED took us off to THE MINSTREL SHOW. Before his throbbing thumb took him home early ROB had us PULL DOWN LADS and MICHAEL confessed MY NAME IS FRANCIS TOLLIVER and CONTRABAND whisked us away to a DARK ISLAND. JIM & LYNN next admitted they were always glad to see A MON LIKE THEE before CLAIRE was again all regal with MY FATHER IS KING OF THE GYPSIES leaving ISOBEL to delight us with a couple of tunes DUSTY MILLER and WILLAFJORD. MARTIN then gave us a dose of Glaswegian life with COD LIVER OIL AND THE ORANGE JUICE before RICHARD became a BRISK YOUNG COWBOY and MARK & JAN were off to the ROUT OF THE BLUES. Heading for a big finish KAMRAN took us through the week with MONDAY FIRST TIME ROUND before GED, in cheerful mood, told us when DEATH COMES CREEPING but PETE refused to be down and shot off to KANSAS CITY for some crazy little women. ED was also in awe of the fairer sex with I LOVE MY WIFE before DON & HEATHER had us lay down the borrowed guitar for ALL THE TUNES IN THE WORLD to close an excellent evening. 

Newsletter No 214 - 12 February 2013

Strangely quiet with the February Blues in town but more than three dozen happy souls turned out for a very enjoyable evening with ED & SUE at the helm. BANJO JOHN kicked off with the ST LOUIS BLUES but OMAR was off to SCARBOROUGH FAIR as EDDIE played us the HEN'S MARCH TO THE MIDDEN. ROBIN next swore I'M GONNA BE A COUNTRY BOY AGAIN (Buffy Marie Saint) as PAUL lamented the fate of FRANKIE & JOHNNIE to which KAMRAN replied AIN'T WE CRAZY. ANN C then marvelled at the changes we have had in the last century with WE'RE SURVIVORS before JIM & LYNN warmed up for Valentine's Day with BLACK IS THE COLOUR and PETER remembered the old Four Seasons' AIRPORT SONG. TONY delved into Tom Waits' CHOCOLATE JESUS before ARTHUR MARSHALL explained what YOU AND ME could get up to if only. COLIN then told us that between a man and a woman there is NO NEED TO EXPLAIN but GED's answer was to STEP IT UP AND GO while ED was off to the Palace with MONDAY HE DOES ALL HER WESHING. Also in a Valentine mood BRIAN then sang LATELY (Stevie Wonder) and DON & HEATHER also agreed with their I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY while CARL celebrated an old friendship with his THE OLD ENGLAND IN YOU. Bursting towards the break BANJO JOHN was soon JUST OVER IN THE GLORY LAND while young OMAR took off WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.

A bumper Valentine's Day raffle saw JACKIE take home a dozen RED ROSES, JIM & LYNN walked off with the BUBBLY, PAUL won the CHOCOLATES, LIN & BAZ left with the STORAGE BOX and ED was pleased to win the PANCAKES since he hadn't had any earlier.

To start the second half EDDIE's Violin accompanied by DON's guitar took off to MARIE'S WEDDING and danced to the DASHING WHITE SERGEANT but COLIN was close behind with MR TAMBOURINE MAN but TONY was left enquiring WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON (Florence Reece - Tom Morella version). PETER reminisced with his own KERRY but ED refused to be serious as he told us of JACUZZI JOE THE GIGOLO WITH THE FUNKY CONCERTINA. Still over on the Emerald Isle JIM & LYNN had us singing along with the FORTY SHADES OF GREEN before BRIAN sang his only folk song THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE (Phil Oakes) but this still left GED GOING DOWN THE ROAD FEELING BAD. PAUL, however, preferred the NEW RIVER TRAIN to walking but back to St Valentine ROBIN sang the lovely ANNA MARIE as KAMRAN set off on the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. CARL was next requested to be THE LONE BADGER and ARTHUR was a bit tongue in cheek with JOY whereas JIM & LYNN were completely explicit with the SPANISH LADY. Coming round to a big finish EDDIE took us to the CURRAGH OF KILDARE while DON & HEATHER provided the FIRE AND RAIN leaving ROBIN, who rose to join them, to invite everyone to TAK' A DRAM AFORE YE GO. 

Newsletter No 213 - 5 February 2013

Another very enjoyable evening was hosted by DON & HEATHER who opened with the classic line "Friends I can count on" from KNEE DEEP IN A RIVER. The message was continued by RUTH, KATH & STAN who with banjo, guitar and mandolin sang the beautiful WILD WOOD FLOWER easily equalled by MERDY with BOGIE'S BONNIE BELLE. Back with a cut eye from ice-climbing in Italy, ROB then treated us to I WISH I WAS BACK IN LIVERPOOL (sung in our club as The Centipede Song) followed by ROD who regailed us with THE RHINESTONE STONE COWBOY (often sung in other places on Karaoke Nights as The Nine Stone Cowboy) before PETER returned with the mystical RABBIT HILLS. BRIAN then went into his French song book for YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG which had PAUL exhorting PEOPLE GET READY before DAVID waxed lyrical about the LIGHTHOUSES OF LARNE. For KAMRAN it was more simple with IF YOU WANT ME TO LOVE YOU and for JIM too with A SONG FOR IRELAND but GED was still enraptured with the girl on the TRAPEZE. Back to basics ED next had us all chorusing with the sinking of THE ROYAL CHARTER as JOHN shot off to his paradise on SANIBEL but even more grounded was CARL who said plainly I LOVE A GOOD BUM ON A WOMEN. MARTIN was even more risque with the extremely humorous ANDREW IN DRAG. Heading toward the interval MERDY was suddenly LEAVING LONDON (T Paxton) and ROB was off even further to SOUTH AUSTRALIA as we sang our way towards the waiting chips ordered for 9.30pm.

After HELEN took away the WINE the QUALITY STREET went home with BAZ & LIN and MARTING HAD THE perfume FOR HILARY before KAMRAN revved us back into action with STOLE RIDER BLUES and JOHN was off in his FLYING SHOES. Slowing the tempo KATH, STAN & RUTH played and sang the haunting classic EL CONDOR PASA aqnd BRIAN was equally lyrical with ON MY OWN as was MARTIN with GALWAY AND HAWKEYE but GED was still off down Box Hill on his VINCENT BLACK LIGHTENING. Then in a flash it all changed with the rafters rattling JIM's SWEET SIXTEEN, CARL & JOHN giving us a dose of NORWEGIAN WOOD, ROD pleading SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME and PETER telling us all the things you could be DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL. Still in a time warp ED then gave us a retrospective view of Burns' Night with his JOCK McCREA the HAGGIS HUNTER to which there was no answer. Instead Scot MERDY replied by calming everything down by singing YOUR FAVOURITE SONG and JOHN celebrated HERE COMES THE SUN  but GED reckoned thatif you are stuck somewhere you don't want to be you might just as well have the FORT WORTH BLUES. All you need is a spot of THE RARE OLD MOUNTAIN DEW claimed JIM or alternatively ROLLING IN MY SWEET BABY'S ARMS solved it for KAMRAN while RUTH, KATH & STAN were still lamenting over the WEAVER'S DAUGHTER. This left CARL to capitalise on a great evening and lead us in singing HERE'S A HEALTH TO THE COMPANY, very appropriate.

January 2013

Newsletter No 212 - 29 January 2013

They came from near, they came from far, they filled up every pew as Keith Marsden wrote and JAN & MARK managed a massive 30 performers with aplomb after they had kicked off with a new song I TAKE MY CHANCES (Mary Chapin Carpenter) quickly followed by ED who was in great voice with THE GRESFORD DISASTER and KATH, STAN & RUTH who gave us great interpretation of MOON SHADOW. Then EDDIE played THE VICTORY from the film Pride and Prejudice so no wonder MERDY remembered WHEN THOSE SHOES WERE NEW but CONTRABAND were off earning wages on THE ERIE CANAL to which KAMRAN retorted BRING ME SOME MONEY TOO. Appropriately STELLA then told us IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU as BRIAN said FIND ME and COLIN pleaded DO NOT FORSAKE ME. JO took on a new lease of life with SCARBOROUGH FAIR and TONY was equally joyous with OH SUSANNAH leaving ANDY, DAVE & PETER to lament the STARS ALL FELL DOWN. Guitar BRIAN then sang BRING HIM HOME from Les Mis but newcomer MARTIN was busy DOWN IN DIXIE and JIM & LYNN were after the SPANISH LADY. JEAN FINNEY's monologue then explained the danger in THE GIFT OF SHOES and RICHARD KNOTT's new song SCARECROW BLUES was a belter before we welcomed long time no see GED GASKELL who Melodeon-ed with the MOLE IN THE WOOD & FOX & GEESE. After a raft of lively songs and tunes ARTHUR suddenly went all romantic with his I SAVED THE LAST DANCE FOR YOU and GED was also emotional with ANGELS LAID HIM AWAY so a couple of tunes from ISOBEL in BLACK BUSH WALTZ & MIDNIGHT ON THE WATER led us nicely to JOHN who had BOATS TO BUILD during the interval.

Much socialising and a big raffle saw Merdy take the wine, Andrea the Ross chocolates that she handed round, Joan the biscuits, Alan the fudge and Heather walked away with the Bird feeder before we started the second half with JIM & LYNN telling everyone I'LL TELL MY MA. GED then gave us a soulful BARBARA ALLEN followed by EDDIE with MR BEVERAGE'S MAGGOT before COLIN went all socio-political and told us I DON'T GIVE A TOSS ABOUT YOU. This almost had STELLA & BRIAN LEAVING ON A JET PLANE and RUTH, KATH & STAN telling us that it was much worse in 1851 according to the CENSUS. Again MARTIN unsheathed his Pink Ukulele for A SONG FOR FREE followed by RICHARD KNOTT with another of his songs, THE SHORTEST DAY, before ANDY, DAVE & PETER unleashed a McColl special, THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE, JOHN replied with Richard Thompson's BEESWING and GED GASKELL took us off to HIGH GERMANY before TONY had us in the USA for the OHIO WALTZ & STEPHEN. JEAN, however, was SAVING UP MY MEMORIES and KAMRAN had a dose of the HESITATION BLUES before ARTHUR reckoned there AIN'T NO PROFIT IN THAT to lift us close to the climax of the evening. This was provided by CONTRABAND who had us all singing our heads off with THE MINGULAY BOAT SONG and JAN & MARK closed with us all RUNNING LIKE A TURKEY through the corn.

Newsletter No 211 - 22 January 2013

A bit of a general slowdown with the weather reduced us to only 36 but had no effect on the enthusiasm for the performance and the enjoyment of the audience as PETE started with his interpretation of MAY YOU NEVER. Keeping the ball rolling DON & HEATHER wet rural with SONNY and still from the Emerald Isle TREVOR reckoned ONLY THE RIVERS RUN FREE before BANJO JOHN crossed the Atlantic for THE TENNESSEE WALTZ. Coming quickly back MERDY then took us to the CONNEMARA COAST to which TONY replied OVER MY DEAD BODY and JO related the story of a German POW in England with HELLO HANS. Next CARL was THE SODA MAN and then newcomer FRANK told us in a poem that NOT UNTIL MUCH LATER that he started to realise the terrible effects of war which will hopefully begin to dawn on Prince Harry as soon as possible. Then KAMRAN recounted how he gave up the guitar for five years before picking it up again to sing THREE LITTLE FISHES to his son leaving EDDIE to give us a little medley of SCOTTISH TUNES in anticipation of Burns' Night but ED was unemotional as he had NO TIME TO CRY. It had been a long time no see for PETER who sang us an unusual love song COFFEE AND CHEESECAKE to which ROD answered I'M A BELIEVER too but COLIN reckoned it's not all it seems to be with THE BALLAD OF CURSED ANNA. Anyway up JIM & LYNN were calling out BYE BYE LOVE as PAUL was SINGING MY BLUES AWAY and BRIAN insisted on singing SOMETHING STUPID.

In celebration of HEATHER'S birthday a Chip Buffet was produced as a good raffle saw some great prizes taken and MERDY passing his winning chocolates round at the end.

Kicking off again EDDIE next produced an IRISH POLKA MEDLEY as MERDY proclaimed I'VE GOT LEATHER ON MY SHOES and PETER confessed HER FATHER DIDN'T LIKE ME ANYWAY. Then we had a gem from the pen of Jake Thackray when CARL treated us to the sad but true tale of THE HAIR OF THE WIDOW OF BRIDLINGTON and very aptly ROD came up with I SHALL BE RELEASED and TREVOR also empathised in his way with LEAVING NANCY. Getting into the swing of things FRANK next got up to sing STARDUST, PETE gave us BLUES RUN THE GAME and ROD, shock horror, sang a folk song BLOWING IN THE WIND prompting COLIN o stay with Dylan for DON'T THINK TWICE IT'S ALRIGHT. Still in the same frame of mind KAMRAN told us THE GREEN GRASS GROWS ALL AROUND and in sympathy ED recounted the story of THE HERMIT but PAUL was all serious with NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT.  That's what happens when SMOKE GETS IN YOR EYES reckoned BRIAN and you'll be PAST THE POINT OF RESCUE AS WELL said DON & HEATHER even if you are THE URBAN SPACEMAN that JIM & LYNN piped up with next. FRANK, on his first visit, then told us an AMUSING STORY ABOUT DATING, BRIAN insisted he was ONLY SIXTEEN and CARL kindly proposed A HEALTH TO THE COMPANY before PAUL pleaded TICKLE MY HEART. This sent PETER off saying I'LL TELL MY MA and MERDY telling us about IN MY TIME before ROD jazzed us up with JOLENE. This left DON & HEATHER to suggest we should STEAL AWAY before sending us dancing into the street on a high note with a GALWAY GIRL.

Newsletter No 210 - 15 January 2013

A cold and frosty evening did nothing to dampen the spirits as another full house warmed itself on the great atmosphere in Sale Folk Club tonight. MICK HARE & HEATHER SIDDALL kick started the proceedings with his ORSON STREET GIRLS before EDDIE went all matrimonial with JESU, JOY OF MAN'S DESIRE and MERDY was even more traditional with JOCK O' HAZELDEAN. JIM & LYNN were next off to the CITY OF CHICAGO while PAUL told us to TELL OLD BILL and DAVID the poet waxed lyrical about this WONDERFUL LAND. Next PETE surprised us with his own celebration of life DAYS GONE BY but ARTHUR was more ironic with his summary of health care, AIN'T NO PROFIT IN THAT, whereas DON & HEATHER went to John Prine's honest assesment of a relationship with THE SPEED OF THE SOUND OF LONLINESS. For those who remembered him, ANN C then paid a wonderful tribute to TREVOR MORTON with one of his favourite poems, SARAH. KAMRAN then advised SO RELAX before ED himself reminded us of the debt we owe THE FLUSHERS and CARL revisited the last disastrous miner's strike with the BALLAD OF JOHN COLLIER. The irony was not lost on ROBIN who responded with one of John Denver's best songs, YOU SAY THE BATTLE IS OVER, and GAVIN commented that people don't always mean what they say with YOU KNOW THAT WAS THE LAST THING ON MY MIND all of which totally scrambled RICHARD GRAY'S brain as he explored 12 songs before confessing he couldn't even remember one in totality but it was a great journey. ISOBEL then jumped up with HARVEST HOME & THE IRISH WASHERWOMAN before a A BIT OF BANDERSNATCH took us up to the interval with IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR LOVE and YE JACOBITES.

Much socialising and a great raffle later MICK again pitched up with YOU'VE GOT YOUR TROUBLES and CARL took it even FURTHER, by Pete Morton, before GAVIN headed for FIDDLER'S GREEN. It's like SMOKE THROUGH AUTUMN TREES reckoned KAMRAN whereas ANN C reckoned it was more like ON TAKING THE DOG TO THE CINEMA all of which made RICHARD GRAY cry out WHO KILLED DAVY MOORE. ROBIN'S retort was COME BACK PADDY REILLY as PETE slithered off to WOODSTOCK and PAUL decided to STEP IT UP AND GO. Then in all seriousness EDDIE sang about MICKEY MOUSE'S SON & DAUGHTER as did ARTHUR with his own LOVE IN ANY LANGUAGE and JIM & LYNN with THE NGHT VISITING SONG. ED then had a terrible cold with the BRONCHIO-DILATED BLUES as ISOBEL went off to SYDNEY SMITH'S and MERDY remembered the PLANE CRASH AT LOS GATOS with The Deportees on board. DON & HEATHER suddenly found themselves KNEE DEEP IN A RIVER and dying of thirst, metaphorically speaking, as they led us to a climax with A BIT OF BANDERSNATCH closing with TURNING AWAY, THE WEIGHT and AIN'T NO GRAVE GONNA HOLD MY BODY DOWN to crown a cracking great evening, 

Newsletter No 209 - 8 January 2013 

A great night for MARTIN'S 60th BIRTHDAY was led by RUTH, KATH & STAN with their customary alacrity starting with their new song THE WEAVER'S DAUGHTER. O'CAROLAN'S DRAUGHT was then what EDDIE delivered before DON & HEATHER took us off to Australia to reclaim the DIAMANTINA DROVER and MERDY told us the story of the sinking of the BELLE OF THE BAY when the two equal owners of the boat fell out. JIM & LYNN next warned of PADDY McGINTY'S GOAT before MIKE played and sang a flawless version of ADIEU SWEET LOVELY NANCY and JO again extend her repertoire with THE PHOENIX from the singing of the long gone Pennine Folk Group. CARL then reminisced with his own KNIGHTS ROUND THE TABLE as our one-man band PAUL gave us Robert Johnson's WALKING BLUES with guitar, harmonica and cajon before it took five of us, ROBIN, JOHN, LYNN, HEATHER & DON, to band up for a very creditable ME AND BOBBY McGEE. Back in festive mood PETE treated us to a NEW YEAR'S SONG which sent COLIN off to SAIL ON SEVEN OCEANS and JOHN CONDY away chasing UNICORNS. On the other hand ARTHUR was much more seriously predicting the end of the world with his second coming of NOAH where access to the arc was on a financial basis so no animals and hence the end of human life when they all starved after reaching land which KAMRAN reckoned that it would be a bit like WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS. Next, in a tribute to MARTIN on his birthday and as a thank you for the buffet and chips he was providing, ROB sang MARTIN SAID TO HIS MAN followed by ROD with Knopler's ROMEO AND JULIET and MARK who brought us to the interval with O'CAROLAN'S DOCTOR'S CHOICE. 

A rousing "Happy Birthday" and much social interaction later including another bumper raffle CHARLES started the second half with ON THE BANKS OF THE NILE followed by BERNICE with the SPEED OF THE SOUND OF LONLINESS with JOHN CONDY which left LORRAINE feeling like a MOTHERLESS CHILD. ERIC'S response was that the HEART HAS ITS REASON as KATH, STAN & RUTH led us singing DIRTY OLD TOWN and MARK was off chasing that LITTLE RED ROOSTER. It will be all sorted on JUDGEMENT DAY prophesied KAMRAN and PETE had similar sentiments with you're a BIG GIRL NOW but without a care ISOBEL was away with 100 PIPERS. On a serious note COLIN sang his CHILD'S SONG about kids leaving home and MIKE had another sad tale with RUE as did ARTHUR with his very poignant EVERYWHERE I LOOK. Equally wistful was JIM & LYNN'S song WHEN YOU AND I WERE YOUNG. MAGGIE and for that matter was SAM HALL from the melodeon and voice of EDDIE but PAUL had only RAMBLING ON MY MIND. It's the WILL OF THE PEOPLE we need reckoned JOHN but MERDY was still chasing after THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN TRURO and ROD was even more brazen with IF I SAID YOU HAD A BEAUTIFUL BODY would you hold it against me. Coming to the boil nicely ROBIN tested his New Year Resolution to play more guitar with a resounding ROSE OF ALLENDALE which set up BERNICE with WINDY HARBOUR and LORRAINE to bring us to a climax by throwing her BLANKET ON THE GROUND.    

December 2012

Newsletter No 208 - 18 December 2012

Even though not a Party Night the place was again pleasantly full with over 20 performers rising to the occasion and almost completely ignoring the proximity of Christmas to give the large audience some great entertainment. Kicking off with another great place to be DON & HEATHER opened with RED ROSE CAFE for which BANJO JOHN provided ALEXANDER's RAGTIME BAND and PAUL laid on the BITTER, LAGER, CIDER, ALE & STOUT and we were off. Providing the mood KAMRAN gave us all a BLUE CHRISTMAS while JO sorted the weather with IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER before GAVIN returned to normal service with the STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN. The ever romantic BRIAN then changed the mood with THREE TIMES A LADY to which ROBIN gave the LAST FAREWELL and IAN suggested to the MOVING ON SONG. Getting down to the nitty gritty ARTHUR MARSHALL reckoned the true story was summed in his RUDOLPH'S BLUES and equally telling was COLIN's SONG FOR VAN GOGH as was ED's relevant and funny SCARLET RAY GUNS, John Conolly's skit on Scarlet Ribbons of course. Next MERDY picked another John Conolly song FIDDLER's GREEN as CARL celebrated another phenomenon with his MAGICAL SKY but JIM & LYNN couldn't wait to leave MUIRSHEEN DURKIN and head for Americay to dig for gold when they had already found it in Sale Folk Club. ROD then came up with The Stone's DEAD FLOWERS after which PETER wanted to MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE before RICHARD GRAY took us off in THE GOOD SHIP ENTERPRISE. GED was then the JELLY ROLL BAKER before JO broke her record and got a second song in with AMAZING GRACE as did BANJO JOHN with a joining in BLUES to complete the first half.

A great raffle bolstered by a wine pack brought by MARTIN saw MERDY get the CAVA, LIN get the belt bag and MARTIN took the chocolates and immediately passed them round.

SIMON opened the second phase with LITTLE BOXES and newcomers RUTH & KATIE were accompanied by RICHARD GRAY for Louden Wainwright's ONE MAN GUY leaving Poet DAVID to mull over the SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS of the Iraqi war. BRIAN was next WITHOUT A SONG as GAVIN took us to the FIELDS OF ATHENRY and ROD was off on THE SLOOP JOHN B. COLIN was still in serious mood with 1982 about the Falklands war before GED gave us his very funny Dylanesque SPIDER AND THE FLY and PETER urged TAKE IT EASY. Back in serious mood MERDY told us he got LEATHER ON MY SHOES before another mood swing by JIM & LYNN saw us off with the URBAN SPACEMAN, but it was only briefly as CARL became philosophical with Bogle's IF WISHES WERE FISHES we'd all cast nets in the sea. Definitely on the funny side ED boasted of his exciting life to which we all replied SHURRUP YA BLOODY LIAR as PAUL begged O MARY DON'T YOU WEEP and KAMRAN openly confessed I'LL BE GLAD WHEN YOU'RE DEAD YOU RASCAL YOU. In true reflective mood ARTHUR  admitted SOMETIMES I DREAM  and then confessed IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MOUNTAINS which had SIMON heading for the airport and LEAVING ON A JET PLANE before ROBIN, HEATHER & DON aka CONTRABAND hauled him back saying TAK' A DRAM AFORE YE GO, a suitable sentiment to end a great evening before Christmas and New Year. All the best everybody!!! 

Newsletter No 207 - 11 December 2012

Within half an hour we thought the place was full and still more managed to squeeze in to break the 70 barrier for the second time in three weeks. ROBIN started in great style with his newly developed picking technique backing his fine singing of BREAD AND FISHES followed by fellow Scot MERDY who treated us to BLACK JACK DAVY. Next KATH, STAN & RUTH sang an excellent version of an old New Year Carol Levy Dew or Levez a Dieu with cittern, whistle and violin which has been anglicised as RESIDUE to which PAUL replied GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN. Not to be outdone COLIN gave us his own very amusing parody with THE 12 DAYS OF MAN U vs MAN CITY but away from the festivities KAMRAN introduced us to THE CHUMPMAN BLUES after which, following an e-mail rehearsal, normally a cappella JO suddenly became accompanied by DON's guitar for THE SOUND OF SILENCE. She was just PUTTIN' ON THE STYLE next sang JOHN as ANN C set out across THE WELL MOOR before ARTHUR MARSHALL broke out into a HIPPY CHRISTMAS CAROL. Enough of that reckoned ROD with MAGGIE MAY and GED followed suit with TROUBLE IN MIND as did RICHARD KNOTT with his brilliant instrumental version of HEARTBREAK HOTEL. This led GAVIN to reckon CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER WHERE I'M BOUND to which PETE replied DON'T THINK TWICE IT'S ALRIGHT as EDDIE set off with a guitar instrumental of THREE CHRISTMAS TUNES. Next DAVE was on his feet at the GARDEN PARTY but BRIAN was off drinking WHISKY ON A SUNDAY before ROB amazed us when he stood up with his guitar round his neck to sing Johnny Cash's RING OF FIRE accompanied by John Condy's delayed action harmonica. Finally, after we had stopped laughing, we came to THE CLOGGERS - SUE, LYN AND ANN C dancing A WALTZ to ARTHURS's MELODEON to take us up to the buffet and bumper raffle in aid of THE RAINBOW TRUST.

The £83.00 raised was quickly made up to £100.00 by the Club and dispatched the following morning as this is being written with lots of people taking an extra Christmas present home.

Long time no see ALAN GRACE opened the second half with THE CHRISTMAS GOOSE leaving ED to tell us it can all be down to SENIOR MOMENTS as ISOBEL played AWAY IN A MANGER twice. Luckily they were different tunes. PEPPER STREET then took us to THE DUSTY DIAMANTINA before we were regaled by 3 DRUNKEN MAIDENS singing THREE DRUNKEN MAIDENS and DON & HEATHER reminded us of the plight of some people trying for a better life ACROSS THE BORDERLINE. CATHY & JAN then gave a great impersonation of HOT FROGS ON THE LOOSE after which JUDE sang the CHERRY TREE CAROL and MERDY sang A FAVOURITE SONG OF MINE. Then taking us off to OWENSBORO were RUTH, KATH & STAN after which PETE got emotional with MY WHOLE LIFE THROUGH and KAMRAN with RICHARD KNOTT explored the meaning of DITTY WAH DITTY. ARTHUR then took us to DINGLE'S REGATTA, GED wondered about WHEN YOU COME and EDDIE played a CHRISTMAS MEDLEY on the melodeon. ROD then pleaded DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD to which DAVE replied I WALK THE LINE and PAUL told us about THIS TRAIN which left JOHN CONDY to remind us of the REBEL JESUS to send us home with a good thought.

Newsletter No 206 - 4 December 2012

In about 10 minutes the place was full as Ed & SUE brought us to order for BANJO JOHN to start appropriately with AMORE swiftly followed by RUTH, KATH & STAN with JOHN LOVER and DON & HEATHER with IT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT. JO as next on her feet with BOTH SIDES THE TWEED (Gaughan) and equally wet was COLIN with LET IT RAIN before PETE hit us with HURT (Trent Reznor). ADIEU SWEET LOVELY NANCY cooed ROB next and CHRIS GILL felt the same about LILY OF THE WEST before IAN BRUCE brought s back to earth with his WET WEATHER GEAR. It was then nice to welcome ANN C with SING JOHN BALL before GED warned us of CARELESS LOVE and ZOE was equally interesting about HOLDING DOWN THE COUCH. With another weather warning PAUL sang LET IT RAIN but without it CARL'S lady mariner really would have been ALL AT SEA and RICHARD GRAY would have been up ELON MOR. Next JIM & LYNN were wondering about NANCY SPAIN but ARTHUR MARSHALL told them WHEN LOVE IS GONE it's gone as surely were the rock stars in the plane crash that caused DON McCLEAN to write AMERICAN PIE next sung by newcomer TONY DARLINGTON and this made KAMRAN think of TROUBLE IN MIND. Finally JOHN CONDY walked on TOM PAINE'S BONES (Gaughan) and ROBIN sang a Chris de Burgh Song to take us to the interval.

A bumper raffle later we hit the ground running with best wishes for the birthday trio and ED particularly dedicated THE OLDEST SWINGER IN TOWN to John Condy before CARL returned us to sanity with his customary elan for BOYS OF BELLY ROW and COLIN took us to MINUS ZERO NO LIMIT. After that PETE ROBERTS was WILLIN' but for GED it was EASY GETTING HARDER EVERY DAY, however we fortunately had RICHARD GRAY who old us WE'RE BIGGER THAN THAT. ROB then gave us a SEA SONG and CHRIS GILL responded with the blues BEFORE YOU ACCUSE ME take a look at yourself which prompted PAUL to take THE LONESOME TRAIN. Next IAN BRUCE was off on a VOYAGE OF DELIGHT which made ANN C think of WHEN I WAS SINGLE and KAMRAN to retort THAT'LL NEVER HAPPEN NO MORE. It obviously touched a nerve for JIM & LYNN who went off in search of some WHISKEY IN THE JAR while KATH, STAN & RUTH were bemoaning the fate of farmers with BLACK WATER on their land to which ZOE responded IF I HAD A BOAT. All this had no er er effect on JOHN CONDY who was off to ATLANTIC CITY as ARTHUR MARSHALL pleaded forgiveness for his sins with a rabble rousing BLESS ME FATHER before DON & HEATHER had us all confessing to be both SAINTS AND SINNERS as we hit the road home after another great night. 

November 2012

Newsletter No 205 - 27 November 2012

They came from near, they came from far, they filled up every pew and they all had a great night well stewarded by JAN & MARK who started the ball rolling in fine style with THE 30 FOOT TRAILER (McColl) and JIM & LYNN kept up the momentum with THE STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN. PAUL then returned to last week's theme of strong women with JACKAROE to which GED replied LORD SEND ME and GAVIN soothed THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND. A great a cappella song SUMMER WINE then came from KATHIE TAYLOR which prompted BANJO JOHN  to come right up to date with IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT DIXIE from the 1940s and CARL to sing one of Jez Lowe's humorous observational songs ALOYSIUS. Next RUTH, KATH & STAN fell back on HARD TIMES and with JO off BLOWING IN THE WIND (Dylan) KAMRAN came up with the idea of LET'S TALK DIRTY IN HAWAIAN. BOB DYLAN'S DREAM was next on ED'S mind as ALAN set out on some TUNES before TONY gave us SAVE THE HAMMER FOR THE MAN. Hot off the press ARTHUR updated us on his back garden travails with HARRY THE BADGER before COLIN observations were more human in THE MIDNIGHT WATCHMAN before BRIAN played NAGEELA. In fine picking form ROBIN then went back to his roots for JOCK O' HAZELDEAN but ROD must have gone on holiday for IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO but any way up GUITAR BRIAN said I'LL BE WATCHING YOU. Heading toward the interval ROB hauled up the sails to BLOOD RED ROSES until DON & HEATHER reckoned we were PAST THE POINT OF RESCUE.

A big raffle for the huge crowd interestingly saw a few prizes go to people with the free raffle ticket which shows you have to be in to win as we embarked on the homeward journey a climactic finish. First JAN & MARK mocked the American's failure to teach about evolution with HUNT HIM DOWN, i.e., Charles Darwin, before RUTH, KATH & STAN invited FOLLOW ME HOME and TONY was hoping it would lead to A PAIR OF BROWN EYES. Then suddenly GUITAR BRIAN was that DESPERADO but the other BRIAN just quietly played AND I LOVE HER (Beatles) before PAUL sang and played ANGELINE THE BAKER which he informed us is what all Banjo players cut their teeth on. ISOBEL in her turn then played a couple of tunes, SCALLAWA LASSIES & the HALTING MARCH, leaving JIM & LYNN to cut loose with BLACK VELVET BAND with full choral backing from the crowd and ROD kept them at it with IF I WERE A CARPENTER. There was no let up as chorusing was also the order of the day as CARL sang another Jez Lowe song, OLD BONES. KATHIE TAYLOR then unsheathed the flute for DENNIS MURPHY'S and MERRILY KISS THE QUAKER before GAVIN sang FAREWELL CISCO FARE THEE WELL, which was new to most of us, as GED fired up the VINCENT BLACK LIGHTENING (Thompson). Too noisy reckoned ROBIN who said COME BY THE HILLS and KAMRAN who invited us to come SELLING ICE CREAM IN THE AUTUMN, a parody of Messing about On The River. In a much more sombre vein ARTHUR told us JOHNNY AIN'T COMING HOME before ROB headed us for the close with COME WRITE YE DOWN but that didn't stop ED from TEACHING ME WORM HOW TO SWIM before under instruction to provide a big finish DON, HEATHER, ISOBEL & LYNN banded up for GALWAY GIRL soon to be heard on You Tube. Mega!! 

Newsletter No 204 - 20 November 2012

Another cracking evening with Ian dropping in on his way back to Middlesbrough, and him a Sunderland supporter, Gavin having just found us on the internet and lots of regulars and irregulars for that matter. Mick and John hosted and in the form of PEPPER STREET kicked off on a high with a great song of Mick's, ECHOES OF THE CIVIL WAR, Back from their tour of Lanzarote JIM & LYNN were definitely not wearing a LONG BLACK VEIL and goodness only knows where GED had been to come up with GET YOUR BIG LEG OF MINE but it was self evident with ROBIN'S excellent rendition of the MASSACRE OF GLENCOE. Next ED related the story of the POOR DITCHING BOY which made IAN think of Kieren Halpin's GOD HAS NO PLAN but looking on the bright side BANJO JOHN soon had us singing along with BYE BYE BLACKBIRD from 1926. As usual BRIAN was in a romantic mood with I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ME before DON & HEATHER took us off to THE WESTERN RANGE courtesy of Huddie Ledbetter, Leadbelly to his friends, while PAUL was sad about the fate of GEORDIE. KAMRAN, playing brilliant slide guitar on his knee, declared AIN'T GONNA BE TREATED THIS WAY while ARTHUR confessed YOU ARE STILL ON MY MIND but JO told us THE CARNIVAL IS OVER. Next ROB dedicated MARTIN SAID TO HIS MAN to Martin, a no brainer really, and newcomer GAVIN went to Tom Paxton for I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER whereas more forthrightly PEPPER STREET dedicated DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL to that well known teetotaller, Rob. Hurtling toward the interval BANJO JOHN got a second go with MEAN TO ME, which we are definitely not, followed by ROBIN with NOW THAT THE BUFFALO'S GONE and IAN with BLAKEY RIDGE about that lovely place high on the North Yorkshire Moors where the pub does great food before PAUL sang us to the break with  BLACK VELVET BAND.

A good raffle saw Derrick win the wine, Jim & Lynn won the bottle of bubble, John won the chocolates and where the Christmas cake went is a mystery as we started the second with JIM & LYNN singing THE GYPSY ROVER. BRIAN was still all smoochy with FIELDS OF GOLD as KAMRAN vowed WHEN I LAY MY BURDEN DOWN before ED stopped the show with MYRTLE THE TURTLE. DON & HEATHER could only respond with Tom Paxton's greatest hit RAMBLING BOY and GED answered the call by banding up with KAMRAN & JOHN for LOST JOHN whereas GAVIN turned to the WHISKY IN THE JAR. ROB then played safe on THE GOOD SHIP KALABAR but ARTHUR was down ON BLEAKER STREET before PEPPER STREET gave us Mick's application for Geordie status, TAKE ME TO THE BRIDGE, CONTRABAND aka ROBIN, HEATHER & DON then invited us to TAK' A DRAM while IAN was down looking for BLACK DIAMONDS and it was no wonder that ARTHUR reckoned THE POOR GET NOTHING AT ALL. All this just made PAUL want to STEP IT UP AND GO as ROB bemoaned the demise of THE OLD PUBS where ED reckoned he must have been HAPPY AS A PIG IN S***. On a higher plane JIM & LYNN sang in praise of THE SPANISH LADY before GAVIN sang the Irish National Anthem, FIELDS OF ATHENRY, with a respectful salute from some in the crowd, before KAMRAN reckoned it was all 50 SHADES OF SH***. Thankfully GED returned to cap it all and end a great night with the sad story of the girl on the TRAPEZE.

Newsletter No 203 - 13 November 2012

A pretty full and sublime evening with Ruth, Kath & Stan guiding us seamlessly through it after they had set the tone with Scarborough Fair. John Chilcott then reckoned we were in The Hazy Shade Of Winter (Paul Simon) while Rob had us all Fathom The Bowl before The Taylors (Cathy, Jan and Mark) were in fine form both instrumentally, guitar, flute, harmonica, percussion, and vocally with Wagon Wheel. Then there was a big welcome for John Muskett who asked the New York Girls "Can You Dance The Polka?" as Arthur Marshall bemoaned the Fat White Men In Suits and Jo elucidated All My Trials Will Soon Be Over. Carl was surprised to be called next but immediately reminisced with his own great song about the 1710 train while Paul had Trouble In Mind and Zoe remembered climbing Re-Union Hill (Richard Schindell). Giving us a rousing chorus Don & Heather then went back to The Rare Ould Times and Joan followed suit with In My Liverpool Home whereas Kaman was almost unintelligible with his brilliant rendition of the poem Jabberwocky (Lewis Carroll). Keeping up the high standard set, Ed dedicated his song To Ramona (Dylan) and Brian was equally poignant with Jessie (Janis Ian) but Ann C went straight for it with Can We Afford The Doctor, Mitt Romney's campaign song. Thus inspired Ged also got right to it with How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times As This before Pete sought to lighten things up by Trying To Catch The Wind (Donovan) before Kath, Ruth & Stan said Let The Mystery Be and John Chilcott took us back to our Roots (Show Of Hands), Jo announced that she was Leaving On A Jet Plane and The Taylors proclaimed Momma's Got A Squeezebox as we hit the interval.

In a good raffle Dave from The Services Club won the wine, Ann & John got the Christmas Pudding and the Box Of Biscuits went to the Mystery Man before Carl sang Nearer To Nettles by his hero Jez Lowe. Up from London Charlie then played Eanach Chuin on the whistle with Don as the safety net before Ged took off for some Hard Love and Brian played us the out take from Abbey Road with all those big chords of his. As we all know Pete next had a Heart Of Gold (Neil Young) which nicely set up Isobel, coming in after choir practise, for a rousing cheer after Harvest Home and the Irish Washerwoman followed by Ed having us falling about with his monologue Albert And The Wild Morris Men. No wonder Kamran next turned to the White Rabbit and John Muskett had the Good Morning Blues (Leadbelly) backed by Paul, Kamran, Zoe, Don et al all of which left Arthur Restless In The Morning. Getting us back on track Ann C told us Love Is Pleasing and Don & Heather agreed with The Galway Shawl as did Thousands Or More when sung by Rob. Well in the mood now, Zoe gave us a great version of the Gentle Arms Of Eden (Dave Carter). Despite this Paul was off on the New River Train to which Kath, Stan & Ruth replied Beautiful before Isobel danced us off with Danny Beck and The Rope Waltz which left Arthur to send us out into the street singing his own Ireland Is A State Of The Heart. It doesn't get much better than that!!

Newsletter No 202 - 6 November 2012

Smaller than last week but more perfectly formed were both the audience and the performers who all enjoyed one of the best quality and most humorous evenings in Sale Folk Club co-hosted by the new combination of Kamran & Pete. Pete opened with both a funny story and James Taylor's Shower The People before Don & Heather reminded of the proximity of Armistice Day with Calling Doon The Line which prompted Banjo John to remind us that there was little difference between the soldiers in WW2 with both sides singing and enjoying Lili Marlene or was it Marlene Dietrich? Ged was having none of it as he shot off at a tangent with Ring Tailed Tom and Jo led us all in Sally Free And Easy before Arthur Marshall sang his beautiful Footprints In The Sand. Rob then quickly lowered the tone with The Rawtenstall Annual Fair before Robin reminded us the The Battle Is Over and Eric provided his own perspective with The Man At The Door. Kamran was then the anchor man into round 2 with Whiskey Lullaby as he handed over to Banjo John who opened with Baby Wont You Please Come Home followed by Arthur with Fish Finger Disaster and Jo with Hard Times. In need of something extra Ged urged us to Take A Whiff On Me with the Cocaine Blues as Rob took us up to Granddad's Attic and Pete had us off to the North Country Fair before Don & Heather took us up to the break with Knee Deep In A River.

Much socialising and chips later City had pulled back to a draw as in the raffle Helen took the wine, Kate won the box of Toiletries and David grabbed the Chocolates which he promptly handed round which was nice.

In the second half Kamran went all psychedelic with See Emily Play followed by Eric's account of Dr Steve Jones' theory that The Healing Power Of Lust will solve all our problems to which many must have considered that the end of the planet will happen the sooner. Undaunted, Robin brilliantly picked his way through Spinning Wheel which reminded Emily of the other Tap On The Window. Arthur then announced I'm Going To Drown My Cat making Rob ask but Who Killed Cock Robin and Ged to moan Easy's Getting Harder. Pete with an even funnier story then set off into Sunsets before Robin, Isobel, Heather & Don as Contraband explained the meaning of The Vacant Chair before Ged returned With Trouble In Mind. Rob was then requested to take us all on Trevor Morton's Mill Outing and Isobel played two waltzes, Danny Back and Rope Waltz, before Pete took us All Along The Watchtower. Next Arthur again had us in tears with his Walking The Bulldog skit on Waltzing Matilda for which Ged reckoned we'd need Boots Of Spanish Leather before Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms from Kamran. Clearly reaching a climax Heather & Don sang their South Australia for Kas who was visiting from Adelaide and then with Isobel & Robin again became Contraband for All The Good Times Are Past And Gone for obvious reasons.
 

October 2012

Newsletter No 201 - 30 October 2012

Well, the Club's 4th Birthday Party went with a bang when more than 70 souls jammed into the room as Robin opened with his parody on It's Good To Be Back Home Again after his trip to China. He and Sue went on to conduct the packed house with great skill as Brian first took us all off to the Dock Of The Bay before Jim & Lynn livened us up with Ordinary Man as a prelude to the return of Banjo Man who with John Condy's harmonica had us all singing to Cheatin' Heart. All the way from Southend on sea, Kate Denny and Charlie then kept up the tempo with William And The Boat before our door person Kate's grandson Omar treated us to When The Saints Go Marching In and How Graceful. Next we were all certainly under Carl's Magical Sky, one of his best songs, followed by Ellie's I Will Always Love You and Ged with Steve Goodman's Ballad Of Penny Evans. Stella then led us with Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah as did Merdy with Paul Simon's Leaves That Are Green and Peter with Bob Dylan's I Shall Be Released. In sympathy with the beleaguered New Yorkers, Paul sang Dirk Powell's Waterbound and Colin was also in America with John Stuart's Mother Country before Kath & Stan sang the traditional Waterbound. Arthur then gave us our first heads up with Armistice Day before Kamran sang a blues, So Relax, and John Condy reminded us of Halloween with Werewolves Of London. Rod was next off to Itchy Coo Park as Zoe sang the traditional wedding song, The Water Is Wide, to take us up to the interval Buffet and Chips which was well received.