Newsletter No 375 26 April 2016

A smaller but perfectly formed group arrived before our first host PAUL instructed DON’T GET TROUBLE ON YOUR MIND and particularly IF YOU ARE EVER IN CALIFORNIA sang BRIAN T to which PETE appropriately commented HERE COMES THE SUN. Rising to their feet KATH & STAN then treated us to DINK’S SONG after which HELEN revealed more of her considerable repertoire for THE FOOL (a cappella) and MARK & JAN took us into Sharpe’s world with OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY so no wonder BRIAN had THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS. Then SIMON took our breath away with an amazing unaccompanied version of Thompson’s 1952 VINCENT BLACK LIGHTNING which had JO out looking for that WAYFARING STRANGER. This provided a suitable moment for WILF (guitar) & CHRISTINE (violin) to give us both their songs together, SCARBOROUGH FAIR and EL CONDOR PASA, as they were so nervous and wanted to chill out in the second half. No such problem for ROB who always has the wall for support as he went KNOCKIN’ EM DOWN THE OLD PUBS or for new comer STEVE from Bolton who was returning to folk singing after a break raising his family to sing NO REGRETS by Tom Rush. Finally our second host ROBIN closed the round by confessing I HAVE BEEN A ROVER followed by PETE who sang his own BEST IN ME before KATH & STAN took the TRAIN ON THE ISLAND. Next HELEN this time with her guitar gave us a strange experience of DANCING UNDER THE GALLOWS about a concert pianist and holocaust survivor who died aged 110 and written by Chris While and Julie Matthews. Thank goodness we were back to normal with BRIAN T who announced YOU BELONG TO ME and JO exclaimed THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE go you and I which for MARK & JAN was THE END OF THE LINE as we reached the interval.

 

With the usual bumper raffle and loads of craic we were surprised when PAUL announced MAMA DON’T ALLOW NO UKULELE PLAYING ROUND HERE but everyone joined in to put an end to that before ROB told of THE PROCESS MAN. This left BRIAN to sigh LATELY and SIMON to give us a bit of HARD LOVE (Bob Franke) as STEVE set off ALBERTA BOUND. It’s always good to see BRIAN T he then regaled us with Billy Fury’s THAT’S LOVE followed by KATH & STAN who sang about THE RIDER IN THE RAIN and HELEN who posed Dylan’s question IF TODAY WERE AN ENDLESS HIGHWAY so no wonder PETE sang TONIGHT I’M STAYING HERE WITH YOU. On the other hand MARK & JAN were out recruiting for THE BLUE COCKADE but after a night on the town ROB was ROLLING HOME and ROBIN was away with JOCK O’HAZELDEAN. Next STEVE sang GHOST STORY and YOU’LL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL TO ME in a tribute to Merle Haggard and SIMON sang about TWO LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE before KATH & STAN told us in no uncertain terms THAT’S WHAT WE DO WITH THE BABY which had MARK & JAN saying we’re LONG GONE! After a great night PAUL decided the only thing to do was a finale like Mumford & Son with everyone joining in and jumping on THIS TRAIN. Magic!

 

Newsletter No 374 19 April 2016

The first time venture of a St George’s Night celebration was kicked off by PETE with his own song BEAT THE DRUM before BANJO JOHN was more traditional with the WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER and HILARY went the same way to the SCARBOROUGH FAIR. Then ROBIN gathered his band FREE SPIRITS and set off for SHOALS OF HERRING and JO went from BOULDER TO BIRMINGHAM before ED sang about THE ENGLISH MAN WITH THE USUAL BLOODY COLD. A complete change by BRIAN was all about a lady choosing one life and then wanting another in I'VE NEVER BEEN TO ME whereas JAN went for the lovely RAVEN AND THE HAREand SIMON was traditional with IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR NELSON, IT'S QUITE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. From a Norfolk Broadside Collection KATH & STAN sang the beautiful WILLOW GLEN and PAUL went to Steel Eye Span for ALL AROUND MY HAT before KAMRAN brilliantly confessed to us all I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN. Kinkily GEOFF next said he was from the VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY as ANN chased after MR PUNCH AND JUDY MAN and JAMES responded by saying I AM JUST A COUNTRY BOY to which JANET was wary with EARLY ONE MORNING. On the other hand KATHIE T had BOBBY REID on her mind and SUE really went for ST. GEORGE & THE DRAGON before JOHN CONDY rocked it up with GIVE ME MONEY (THAT'S WHAT I WANT) and DON & HEATHER celebrated Barry’s completion of The West Highland Way with THE MANCHESTER RAMBLER leaving BANJO JOHN to comment that he must be ONE OF THE ROVING KIND. Finally ED slid us up to the buffet and Chips with AL BOWLLY.

At the same time the Raffle put the Cava in Janet’s hands, the Roses chocolates with Ken and the real Roses via Ed to Sue or else! Then rekindling the fire PETE went Kinky with SUNNY AFTERNOON before leaving RICHARD to go WALKING UP THE KING'S HIGHWAY. In memory of that great Rochdale Lass Gracie Fields BRIAN sang SALLY and GEOFF continued with IN MY LIFE leaving KATH & STAN to sing us the BALLAD OF DAN MOODY. Again in the spirit of St. George SIMON vowed to remain in the BACHELOR'S HALL and HILARY played the traditional GREENSLEEVES. An interesting story from ROBIN explained how the ROSE OF ALLANDALE is an English song not Scottish as he always thought and also interestingly SUE then sang DIRTY OLD TOWN written about Salford by Ewan MacColl born in England of Scottish parents so claiming {sic} dual nationality. Claiming to be an Englishman abroad KAMRAN went to the bar and ordered ONE SCOTCH, ONE BOURBON, ONE BEER as PAUL satisfied himself that JACK A ROE was a Londoner and JOHN CONDY entwined LA BAMBA with TWIST & SHOUT leaving JAMES to go off unashamedly with ALBERTA. Coming up to a big finish DON & HEATHER stuck with tradition and POVERTY KNOCKS before RICHARD sang his own tribute OH, ENGLAND and ED gave his personal tribute to the Queen with MONDAY 'ER DOES ALL 'ER WASHING leaving KATH & STAN to wrap it all up down in the SWEET SUNNY SOUTH for a resounding success!

 

Newsletter No 373 12 April 2016

The return of GRASSROOTS gave us a superb evening starting with them singing RIVER so no wonder BANJO JOHN announced that THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR THE SUNRISE before ROBIN took us down to THE RIVER of Bruce Springsteen. From Bob Dylan PETE chose his BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER and after KAMRAN chose came up with another Dylan, MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW, it was off north of the border for DAVE COWE with his ode TO A HAGGIS. Then we were delighted to welcome BRIAN T recovering from the winter lurgy lots of us have had and singing a great version of Ry Cooder’s ACROSS THE BORDERLINE. This still didn’t blow away PAUL’S MORNING BLUES so luckily ANN asked us to join in with her VAIR ME ORO VAN O and DON & HEATHER had us rollicking along with WHISKY IN THE JAR. Slowing the pace for a moment romantic BRIAN sang about ANGELS FLYING TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND and ED was equally nostalgic when SAYING GOODBYE TO THE SEA before HELEN, after last week’s break through, continued to delight us with THE QUEST. Also becoming a welcome regular contributor BAZ took us down DOWN IN THE VALLEY before GRASSROOTS went traditional with WHEN I WAS NOBBUT SWEET SIXTEEN. This left BANJO JOHN to warn us of APRIL SHOWERS and KAMRAN to tell us were all doomed with IT’S ALL OVER before PETE raised us up high with his Jimi Hendricks impersonation of HEY JOE which had DAVE COWE away and TALKING TO THE WALL which left us to welcome visitor GRAHAM, a canal devotee, to take us to the interval with CAPTAINS OF THE WATERWAYS.

 

After a bumper raffle in which Ann won the hand cream, Heather took the Maltesers, Vic won the Chocolate Orange and gave it to Kate, Alan won the four tins of Pate, Brian wobbled off with the wine and Pete won and passed round the Roses Chocolates JANICE & BRIAN again teamed up with YOU DON’T BUY ME FLOWERS neither having won a prize. In need of some light relief FREE SPIRITS again raised us up down at the RED ROSE CAFE before ROBIN most seriously sang SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH and ED said it was exactly the same with THE WIDOW ON THE MOOR but for ANN it was all about true love with THE FOLK SINGER. Returning with his squeezebox BAZ then had us all going with his a nice rendition of EIDELWEISS so no wonder BRIAN T followed it with I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS but HELEN, this time debuting her guitar, was more interested in the RAMBLING MAN. Again with his fine singing voice GRAHAM had us joining in with I’LL NEVER GO TO SEA NO MORE which this time had PAUL most definitely SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD and GRASSROOTS celebrating the day PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED. Still in Amerikay FREE SPIRITS were off riding the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS and ED was off to the WHIP JAMBOREE which nicely set up KAMRAN for one of Dylan’s best, MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE, and PETE to take us all down to ST JAMES’ INFIRMARY. Reaching a climax HELEN, again with guitar, asked SHOULD I FALL BEHIND WAIT FOR ME and BRIAN T was very upbeat with WHEN I’M DEAD AND GONE before GRAHAM had us lustily singing into the street with A MINER’S LIFE urging us to keep your hand upon your wages and your eye upon the scale.

 

Newsletter No 372 5 April 2016

Last night was an interesting evening with lots of variety to fill the night. The piano had been moved and was filling the space normally occupied by the hosts’ desk, so we changed the seating plan to accommodate the new arrangement. Of course, the change inspired a lot of both positive and negative comment but it is common practice in Care Homes to purposely change the residents’ seating to give them a reason to moan (and to live)!! PAUL opened the evening at 8.00 pm with a very appropriately named number, PEOPLE GET READY and they did as, following his introduction on religious beliefs, COLIN sang his BALLAD OF MARY MAGDALENE. Then JAMES sang a Mark Knoppfler version of HOW LONG before ROBIN, returning with Elizabeth following his spell of recuperation from his hand operation and obviously unable to play guitar, sang a lovely unaccompanied KILLING ME SOFTLY. Next KATH & STAN rose to play and sing Cyril Tawney’s MONDAY MORNING and ED stood up to sing his version of DOWN IN LOUISIANA and EDDIE pulled out his cello to play and sing the RAGGLE TAGGLE GYPSIES-O. Again in solo voice SIMON sang TALK ABOUT SUFFERING before and following tradition whilst Don and Heather were on vacation and out of earshot, BRIAN & SUE BENTHAM stole one of their repertoire and unbelievably sang a duet together, YOU’LL NEVER BE THE SUN written by Donagh Long. Then, even more moving, was BAZ’s harmonica playing of DANNY BOY with BRIAN on guitar followed by CARL who sang a wonderful Pete Morton song, THANKSGIVING and GEOFF, sadly without Sue who had unfortunately lost her voice, so he was solo for ONE FOR THE ROAD. Coming to the floor CHRIS, twelve fingers to his friends, sang one from his favourite Ralph McTell songs, LAST TRAIN TO RIDE and PETER  also treated us to a new song of his own, TOP OF THE WORLD before RICHARD finished the first round with the famous Rudyard Kipling poem put to music, IF. As if feeling the pinch COLIN then rose to sing one of his own songs, I’M GETTING OLDER, and in somewhat sympathetic mood ROBIN once again sang unaccompanied, DARK ISLAND before PAUL sneaked in an extra song by finishing off JOSHUA FIT THE BATTLE OF JERICHO with OH MARY DON’T YOU WEEP with everyone joining in with gusto. Keeping up the momentum JAMES gave us a Bo Diddley Blues, BEFORE YOU ACCUSE ME, and KATH & STAN performed two instrumental tunes, TWIGLET and BODMIN RISING, leaving PETER to sing his beautiful self-penned SIMPLE SONG unusually playing the ukulele. Next up was CARL with a flawless version of BAKER STREET and ED sang his popular His Worship & The Pig song ROUGH JUSTICE which brought a few smiles to new faces and set up the new duo, BAZ & BRIAN, to once more entertain us with WALKING ON SUNDAY but this time Baz sang with Brian’s guitar accompaniment. This time BRAIN stayed on the floor to sing a fabulous BRING HIM HOME from the musical Les Miserables and RICHARD sang and played THANKS FOR ANOTHER leaving EDDIE, this time with guitar, to play TEDDYBEARS PICNIC as an instrumental whilst those younger childish members of the audience sang the lyrics. As time was passing HELEN kindly offered to boost performer numbers, despite her recent chest infection, and clearly sang THE QUEST and with her lovely voice, pleasantly surprised those who had never heard her sing before. Then rather nicely GEOFF, this time with Sue not singing but playing instrumental support, sang SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES as CHRIS, keeping to his railway theme tonight, gave us TERMINUS and SIMON sang Tom Traubert’s Blues, WALTZING MATILDA (Chords by Tom Waites).

Coming to about 10.30 pm a quite different build up to the finale was started by KATH & STAN  with WINDMILLS followed by EDDIE who kindly accompanied SUE BENTHAM with his guitar at great speed and she clog danced MRS MARHOFF’S SINGLE HORNPIPE. This prompted PETER to comment NEVER IN MY LIFE and CHRIS set out to prove he has 12 fingers by responding to Ed’s request for SULTANS OF SWING with the full Dire Straits arrangement on one guitar, magic! GEOFF then started ONLY YOU but was let down by his prompter but EDDIE raised the tone of the evening by playing BOUREE IN E MINOR by BACH on his guitar which was amazing before JAMES together with PAUL brought the evening to a climax in a jug band sort of way with WALK RIGHT IN which ended a superb evening!