September 2013

Newsletter No 246 24 September 2013

After a couple of quieter weeks they filled up every pew last night with MARK & JAN in great form starting us off with a good old singing of FIDDLER'S GREEN followed by PAUL RILEY telling us THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND and CARL CORBETT asking us to MEET ME ON THE CORNER. Sadly KATH & STAN couldn't make it as they were WATERBOUND and neither could KAMRAN because HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW and DON & HEATHER were up to their eyes in it KNEE DEEP IN A RIVER. Thank goodness for a moment of sanity when COLIN RUDD admitted that FROM THE MOMENT I SAW HER he was smitten before Poet DAVE reminded us of wars with SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS. Next JO skipped off to the SCARBOROUGH FAIR as JIM & LYNN confessed that PEGGY GORDON was their darling and IAN gave us his latest solo guitar interpretation of MOON RIVER. From his country repertoire ROBIN then filled his jug with some WATERMELON WINE as DOREEN celebrated an AUTUMN MORNING before MIKE COSGRAVE took us from GALWAY TO GRACELAND. Still in singing mode DAVE had us all trilling to KING OF THE ROAD before IAN FORSHAW took us SHIPBUILDING with Elvis Costello and DAVID COWE gave us a lesson in relativity with IN TENEBRIS by Thomas Hardy. Fresh and vibrant as ever, RICHARD KNOTT gave us his SCARECROW BLUES as JAN held up the FIERY CROSS to people invading the countryside but thankfully JOHN CONDY was on THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET and JANICE with MICK HARE sang her own autobiographical WHAT DIDN'T KILL ME MADE ME STRONGER to take us up to the interval.

After a whiff of oxygen and a lie down JAN & MARK bemoaned the passing of the THIRTY FOOT TRAILER and COLIN sang how he learned that ILLNESS ISOLATES YOU before IAN took us off to STRAWBERRY FIELDS and CARL was reminiscing about SMALL TOWNS. Poet DAVE contrasted the fortunes in LONDONDERRY while JIM & LYNN saw the whimsical side in the IRISH ROVER as did RICHARD with his philosophy when things go wrong to GO RIGHT BACK AND START OVER AGAIN. Meanwhile DOREEN was still in a DREAM sequence but KATH & STAN were off to OWENSBORO as KAMRAN was warning us about WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS as was ROBIN who questioned, YOU SAY THAT THE BATTLE IS OVER? On a different level JANICE with MICK HARE told us I THINK IT'S GOING TO RAIN TODAY as DAVE explored regrets with EMPTY CHAIRS. DAVID COWE then gave us RIDE MAN RIDE which prompted IAN to come up with FREIGHT TRAIN & BYE BYE BLACKBIRD and PAUL to lead us in RAILROAD BILL. To reach a rousing climax JOHN CONDY introduced us to WARM LOVE and MIKE COSGRAVE sang his own story of MOLLY DARCY before DON & HEATHER explained how they were glad to be back with NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT ALL to cap a great night of music and craic.

Newsletter No 245 17 September 2013

Newsletter No 244 10 September 2013 

A quieter night but of supreme quality and voted by some as the best we have ever had in Sale Folk Club. The evening was opened by FAIR PLAY singing BYKER HILL after which ROBIN was selling BREAD AND FISHES. Then, accompanied by JOHN CONDY, BANJO JOHN stirred himself to perform a great ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN leaving JOHN to tell us I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS before IAN, with cold hands, played RAG PICKING. Next up PETE told us that THE BLUES RUN THE GAME before, as if through a mist, RICHARD GRAY appeared to sing his own unaccompanied sea shanty, HEAVE AWAY HAUL AWAY when it was time for BANJO JOHN to sing again and he chose I AM BLUE. Coming up on the rails FAIR PLAY then took to their tune book for BUTTERED PEAS and WINSTER GALLOP and ROBIN sang of THE STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN followed by ISOBEL with THE RIGHTS OF MAN. Spinning round at great speed we then came to JOHN CONDY who gave us a lovely performance of BEES WING followed by IAN who both wrote and performed BLUES. PETE then told us I SHALL BE RELEASED followed by RICHARD’S own BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER before JOHN C sweetened us up with HONEY PIE whilst ROBIN and ISOBEL were at THE SPINNING WHEEL. On his third lap BANJO JOHN sang us MAME’S BLUES followed by FAIR PLAY with Graham Mile’s WHERE RAVENS FEED and PETE who gave us his song SUNSET SAYS GOODNIGHT. Then RICHARD GRAY told us about his own experience in Israel with his song ELLEN MORE before IAN finished the first half by performing his own composition THE WOP, as he calls his cat.

In the interval raffle Champagne went to Helen and Andy, the Beer was collected by Heather no doubt for Derrick, the Chocolates went home with Isobel and Pete won the scarf.

Bravely starting the second half, ANN sang the unaccompanied WIDECOMBE after a visit to the Tom Cobleigh Pub, ISOBEL played HEWLETT while IAN was HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE. Now in the mood JOHN C next gave us THE SUNSHINE OF YOUR SMILE followed by two more tunes from FAIR PLAY, BEAR DANCE and HORSES BRAWL. Performing his own composition, RICHARD GRAY was in THE LAST GREAT WAR which for PETE was in the DAYS GONE BY long before ROBIN with JOHN C and great singing from the audience gave us ME AND BOBBY McGHEE. Taking the floor again IAN told us BABY’S COMING HOME and ISOBEL played SALLY GARDENSS CHURCH STREET, BONNY KATE and ANOTHER just as RICHARD became A LINCOLNSHIRE ROVER. Then submitting a complaint PETE told us I AIN’T GOT NO HOME so ROBIN performed the LAST FAREWELL before a request had JOHN C on his feet for Richard Thompson’s PHAROAH. Then FAIR PLAY ended a cosy-friendly evening of staggering quality with the NIGHT VISITING SONG. We were few but performed five songs each and it was GREAT!!

Newsletter No 243 3 September 2013

Another good turn-out greeted hosts ED & SUE who invited FAIR PLAY aka Kath, Stan & Ruth to open the evening with THE WEAVER'S DAUGHTER followed by COLIN who sang one of his best songs THE COAST IS MY COMMANDER and IAN, the finger picking guitarist, who gave us a beautiful interpretation of IT HAD TO BE YOU. Next a good sing along came from JO in the form of BLOWING IN THE WIND and CARL also had us trilling away to Jez Lowe's BLACK DIAMONDS before KATE took the floor with her true story of FOLLOWING A COMPLETE STRANGER at 70 mph up to Lancaster when all she wanted was the pub car park in Fleetwood which had everyone aching with laughter. Another welcome sight and sound was ARTHUR with his own WHERE ARE THE PONIES NOW closely followed by ROB with old favourite GREY FUNNEL LINE and young ROBIN wishing to be a COUNTRY BOY again.  LYNN & JIM then stepped up with the WHISTLING GYPSY ROVER and LYNN stayed on to accompany ED with McCALPINE'S FUSILIERS only to be superceded by PAUL'S one man band and THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN with great chorusing. JOAN then related a lengthy story of working for the CAB and Manchester Soup Kitchens, Gay Village and feeding the homeless, followed by her song STREETS OF STOCKPORT with apologies to Ralph McTell This was swiftly followed by KAMRAN with his FISHING BLUES and then IAN FORESHAW, on his second visit to the club, who sang VAN DIEMAN'S LAND and DAVE with BACHELORS' HALL.

Round 2 again had FAIR PLAY on their feet for BLACK MOUNTAIN LULLABY and ARTHUR came ALL THE WAY FROM DONEGAL before COLIN observed SHE ALWAYS WORE BLACK. Then PETE, who at first was a shrinking violet, borrowed a guitar for LIGHT MY FIRE which he certainly did as he gave ROBIN that PEACEFUL EASY FEELING and reminded ED of the WIDOW ON THE MOOR. Picking away on his guitar IAN next had us drifting OVER THE RAINBOW while KAMRAN was off with those BIG ROAD BLUES and DAVE was musing ONE DAY. A rare Beatles song YOU SAY YOU WILL LOVE ME from IAN was short but very sweet which as well with PAUL up next PUTTING ON THE AGONY before LYNN & JIM ran off with THE HIGHWAYMAN.  

Round 3 saw ROBIN away to ROCK MY CRADLE followed by FAIR PLAY with DIRTY OLD TOWN and KAMRAN with LAZY DAYS before ARTHUR MARSHALL sent everyone home happy with his all time favourite FENCES to close the evening brilliantly.

August 2013

Newsletter No 242 27 August 2013

Despite this being holiday week the room filled up quickly with an eclectic mix of performers and audience and we were nearly sending out for more chairs! CARL started the ball rolling with SMALL COVE then JOHN CONDY sang a favourite of many, Mark Knopfler's OUR SHANGRI-LA. Then EDDIE, who we hadn't seen for a while, sang SUNNY AFTERNOON with an unusual and very pleasant classical style accompaniment, and BRIAN, another prodigal returning to the fold entertained us all with the tale of JOYCE THE LIBRARIAN. Swiftly behind came HEATHER McNEILL who was next with a beautiful rendition of Janice Ian's JESSE ably followed by "BANJO" JOHN with a modern song (for him) circa 1929, TIPTOETHROUGH THE TULIPS. Host MARK was then joined by daughter KATHIE, making a last appearance for a while before she leaves to live in Canada next Tuesday, to sing Bob Dylan's LAY LADY LAY followed by ROBIN who sang YOU CAN'T HIDE YOUR LYING EYES. With full audience participation PAUL RILEY then held us with OH SINNER MAN and MIKE COSGRAVE, playing his Weissenborn with the frets only painted on, gave us a superb version of Jay Unger's ASHOKAN FAREWELL. Next up JIM & LYNN, in their own inimitable style, sang a rousing version RING OF FIRE and Poet DAVE CINNAMOND related his currently apt and thought provoking poem, THE BOX (OF WAR) followed by JO with the contemporary AVE MARIA (Beyoncé). COLIN RUDD then came forth with MR TAMBOURING MAN and JOAN then had us all in stitches with her youthful tales of flat sharing in Liverpool and had us all joining in with IN MY LIVERPOL HOME while ROB WHITE, back home from his road trip around North America, headed off to another continent with SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Then it as the turn of co-host JAN  to team up with KATHIE for SUMMER WINE followed by ED who presented Kathie with a signed card and gifts from the Club and wished her well on her travels before taking us up to the interval with the hilarious GRANDMA'S FUNERAL.

In the raffle Anne won the Rose wine, Robin took the white wine and lucky Brian the pink chrome cat shaped massager (batteries not included) before PETE kicked off the second half with WILLING, and KAMRAN had TROUBLE IN MIND and GED amused us all with TAKE A WHIFF ON ME extolling some of the benefits of cocaine! He was followed by a brief visit from Poet MARK with his sad teenage narrative AT THE FORK IN THE ROAD and HEATHER McNEILL, with Kathie's impending trip in mind, sang her own wonderful THE MEETING AND THE PARTING SONG, which prompted BRIAN to sing IT'S WONDERFUL. We then went back North of the border with ROBIN and JOCK O' HAZELDEAN followed by CARL with SINATRA AND I, PETE with KANSAS CITY and JIM & LYNN with the STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN. Digging deep in his repertoire EDDIE then played two French Canadian tunes LA BASTRANGUE and the GASPE REEL as another farewell to Kathie. PAUL meanwhile was out wandering THE STREETS OF LONDON only to find ROB who was COURTING TOO SLOW. Again sporting his Weissenborn MIKE COSGRAVE then sang A SONG FOR IRELAND and ED alluded to Kathie's desire to work in forestry with THE LOGGER who stirred his coffee with his thumb. JOHN was next with a new song for him, Mark Knopfler's GOLDEN HEART followed by KAMRAN joined by KATHIE for ITCHING HEEL before the TAYLOR CLAN brought a fantastic evening of fun, music, song and poetry to a rousing conclusion with a rendition of SQUEEZEBOX.

Newsletter No 241 20 August 2013

It was almost a full house before KAMRAN & PETE kicked off tonight with PETE taking the lead with the Monkees IF NOT FOR YOU for which LYNN & JIM would have jailed him with the FOLSOME PRISON BLUES which ROBIN thought would make them say GEE BUT IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME. Undaunted our own BANJO JOHN set out with JOSHUA FIT THE BATTLE OF JERICHO while at home ED was TEACHING MY WORM HOW TO SWIM and JOAN told a positive story of facing your fear and doing it anyway by searching for the hero inside yourself. This made IAN all WINDY AND WARM and the TAYLOR ENSEMBLE (Jan, Mark & Kathy) all quiet with HUSH, HUSH but COLIN was sure ANYWHERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO BE to which KAMRAN retorted so WALK RIGHT BACK there with the Everly Brothers. In a sweeter mood JO sang COME KISS ME LOVE and JOHN WILLIAMS came up with JULIETTE which set the scene for MERDY to sing FLOWER OF SCOTLAND and to be presented with gift, a well wishing card and a massive round of applause from everyone at the club who hope to see him when he returns occasionally from his new life over the border. It was then good to see JOHN CONDY again so soon who came forward to sing ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE, another cover version of one of Heather & Don's songs, followed by a young woman deceptively named CHARLIE who appropriately sang MY YOUNG MAN, a cover version of a Kate Rusby song, and it was with some relief that DAVID then performed that great favourite LITTLE MUSGRAVE to bring us up to the interval.  

During the interval David had the great fortune to win the wine, John Condy annexed the Chocolates, Heather was welcomed with a bottle of Fizz and Linda won the hand cream.

The second half opened with PAUL singing the WHITEWASH STATION BLUES in his one man jug band style followed by ISOBEL who dedicated CROSSING THE MINCH to Merdy leaving ERIC all by himself by THE SEA which was not a bad place to be. JOHN WILLIAMS then gave us DRIFT while IAN was on THE ROAD BACK HOME which for MERDY is obviously going to be CALEDONIA. Watch out for the HIGHWAYMAN sang JIM & LYNN before up popped young DERRICK to say a few words of thanks for all the good wishes sent to him by the members if the club that have helped him in his recovery. ROBIN was then soon making tracks with the LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL as ED was warning Merdy about the dangers of THE HAGGIS which was a bit more fantasmagorical than THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD sung by DAVID and WOODSTOCK sung by PETE. Shortly before her departure to Canada KATHIE banded up brilliantly with MARK & JOHN CONDY for RUBY TUESDAY and ISOBEL said her goodbyes with HERR ROLLOF'S FAREWELL and PAUL again assembled his Jug Band for some JUG BAND MUSIC. Heading for the big finish the audience deserved JOHN CONDY was DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL followed by JOHN WILLIAMS playing IMAGINE on his Cello Mandolin, KAMRAN who was up that BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN and MERDY to finish us off by singing YOUR FAVOURITE SONG. MEGA BRILLIANT AND ALL THE BEST MERDY!!!!!!  

Newsletter No 240 13 August 2013

So full was the house tonight that we had to send for extra chairs. They must have known that FAIR PLAY were the hosts and would start off with the Carter Family’s WILDWOOD FLOWER quickly followed by JOHN CHILCOTT with Gordon Lightfoot’s CHRISTIAN ISLAND and CARL then asking us to MEET ME ON THE CORNER accompanied by John Condy on harmonica. PAUL RILEY then sang THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE followed brilliantly by GRACE & FREYA (Barbara’s Granddaughters) who performed THE CUP SONG with great dexterity and BANJO JOHN who took us back to the Twenties for THE CHARLESTON. Celebrating Ewan McColl, LYNN & JIM then sang DIRTY OLD TOWN followed by Ed bidding IRENE GOONIGHT and ISOBEL playing a tune many remembered but had not heard since childhood THE WHISTLER AND HIS DOG. In band format ANN then sang SUMMERTIME with accompaniment from John Brown and John Condy. ZOE who was visiting us so soon after last time then sang her own latest album title COYOTE WINGS with ADAM telling us of the WAYFARING STRANGER and JOAN telling us a Story and singing a Song of Holidays with her grandchildren. GED DARBY o the contrary sang about HARD LOVE and in the same vein SHELLEY of the Bailey Sisters was solo with a song from Sandra Kerr’s book called PITY ME but straight from his narrow boat ARTHUR MARSHALL could only sing his own song of LOVE AND PEACE. Soon to return to his homeland MERDY said he was TRAVELLING LIGHT as JUDE took off with SAM HALL and MARK ABRAHAM related his poem YR-EIFEL (The Rivals about Three Welsh Hills it transpires) as PETE pleaded for us to look for THE BEST IN ME. Then without hesitation JOHN STERLING performed THE HESITATION BLUES and STEVE LANDAMORE played and sang his own NOT WHAT YOU SEEM before CHARLES sang OLD NED and JOHN CONDY related the buzzword and cliché riddled A MODERN MAN to bring the first half to a conclusion.

We resumed with The Raffle when Jackie took the Mini Boules, Charles won the Wine, Kate got Hand Lotion and Ann collected the Chocolates. A special Star Prize, a beautiful framed embroidery Dream Catcher, was kindly made and donated by Merdy's daughter in thanks for all the good times and support the club members had given to her Dad when he had his hip replacement and won by lucky Alan.

ZOE started the second half with her song AUNT MAXINE which made IAN FORSHAW think of The Beatles SHE CAME IN THROUGH THE BATHROOM WINDOW and FAIR PLAY to play two tunes BEAR DANCE and HORSES BRAWL. Making his return, KEEP THE CHANGE BOB performed SPORTING LIFE BLUES accompanied by Mark Abraham mimicking the harmonica with his hands and he was amazing!. PAUL then told us of BLACK EYED SUZY leaving PETE to show his HEART OF GOLD followed by LYNN & JIM who related the tale of PADDY McGINTY'S GOAT. Turning to another Beatles song IAN FORSHAW told us I'M ONLY SLEEPING as JUDE said well it is THE 20th OF APRIL and GED said never mind throw A PALLETT ON YOUR FLOOR. Then ISOBEL played BLACK BUSH WALTZ and MIDNIGHT ON THE WATER which prompted STEVE to sing another of his songs ONE MORE STOP and JOHN CONDY to sing SILVER CITY by Joe Ely. Heading to a climax MERDY fittingly told us we were WONDERFUL TONIGHT and he was right, JOHN STIRLING sang that great song MENDACINO leaving ED to have us all amused with THE GROCER AND THE FLY. Finally ARTHUR MARSHALL played one of the first songs he learned BIRD ON A WIRE and then KEEP THE CHANGE BOB finished off the evening with TELL THE OLD BILL to end a brilliant night!!!

Newsletter No 239 6 August 2013

Another great evening of music, verse, song and mirth which was very entertaining for the excellent audience in Sale Folk Club last night. BANJO JOHN opened the night with YOU HAD A DREAM by Miss Etta Butler (1899) which was before everyone's time so we all pretended to know the words and mimed along! ED followed by reclaiming his stolen song ALL THE GOOD TIMES with IAN then playing an American piece by John Standofer called ALMOST HOME as a guitar solo and JIM & LYNN demanding the best chorusing for LONG BLACK VEIL. Close behind then came JO with an unaccompanied version of THE PHOENIX after which ZOE returned to sing us a song about vegetables, NO LOVE TODAY by Chris Smither with some of the unknown vegetables from the USA being queried by the audience at this point! Next we had a real treat when DAVE COWE, who we have known and seen at the club for many years during which he has never before delighted us with his poetry, recited from the early 1900’s DEEP WATER JACK by Cicely Fox Smith. KAMRAN was quick to respond with I’VE JUST SEEN A FACE by The Beatles (1965) and DAVE, with a backing group comprising Kate on Spoons, Ed on Coconut and Joan on a jangling rattle, sang and played a Caribbean number O ISLAND IN THE SUN by Harry Belafonte all of which gave CARL JASMINE IN MY MIND. In a sombre mood COLIN sang his own I WILL WATCH YOU WHEN YOU GO followed by MICK in a lighter frame of mind with DREAMER by Ry Cooder after which he was joined by JANICE for a beautiful rendition of BUTCHER BOY. To relieve the tension in his own inimitable way PETE then told a spectacularly funny joke followed by a Kate McGarrigle song CART LIKE A WHEEL before PAUL encouraged us all to join in with Pete Seeger’s IF I HAD A HAMMER and JOHN CONDY gave us his wonderful version of UNICORNS and the Poet DAVID finished the first round with THE LIGHT-HEARTED MEMORIAL. The second round was also started by BANJO JOHN with MY GAL SAL followed by COLIN with another self-penned number about the solar system STUDENT DAYS and ED with THE GAMBLER. Again having us all singing, JIM & LYNN struck up with THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL with PAUL, who was dressed accordingly, then singing BLACK BOTTOM BLUES and ZOE treating us to a song she had sung at the folk festival in New York when she was up to her knees in water, FALL DOWN AS THE RAIN. Inspired CARL then sang a new and very complicated song, ALICE, before JOHN CONDY was requested to cheer up the evening with a happy song which was not of the wrist-slitting variety and he came up with THE MIGHTY QUINN before being joined by KAMRAN for the superb GUITAR RAG. In the same mood PETE had us ROLLING IN MY SWEET BABY'S ARMS after which DAVE moved the whole audience with a quieter Beatles hit, IN MY LIFE and DAVE COWE once again delighted us with a poem this time Charlotte Bailey’s FAR AWAY from Tales From the Inn. To bring us up to the interval IAN, the guitarist, played a very clever TO BE OR NOT TO BE (Chet Atkins) and MICK completed the second round with YOU GOT YOUR TROUBLES I'VE GOT MINE (The Fortunes).

During the break, amidst round 2, we enjoyed the raffle and banter, when Alan won a real bottle of champagne (donated by Barrie & Chris), Helen won a bottle of red wine, Ann won a box of Terry’s All Gold Dark Chocs and Jackie won a box of bathtime beauty to send a good few home happy before round 3 gave us just enough time for a selected few to finish the evening. 

CARL & JOHN started by playing a magnificent STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU followed by PAUL who sang  OH MARY DON'T YOU WEEP and KAMRAN & JOHN who revved things up with STOLE RIDER BLUES. ZOE then pleased everyone by singing the old favourite LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO FOLD UNDERWEAR followed by COLIN who sang a wonderful SWEET BABY JAMES and MICK who sang the penultimate song FOR EVERY MAN by Jackson Brown which left JIM & LYNN send us into the street humming I'LL TEL MY MA. Magic!!

July 2013

Newsletter No 238 30 July 2013

A few less than last week but new faces and top quality performances kicked off by DON & HEATHER welcoming people with Allan Taylor's IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU but with BANJO JOHN warning of a STORMY MONDAY we had JO off singing HALLELUJAH. Then we had a nice new duo of LES RENSHAW & JOHN STIRLING who were soon off DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL while newcomer ALAN went all lyrical over LORD FRANKLYN as did MERDY over the PRETTIEST GIRL IN TRURO. Undaunted JIM & LYN were off down to the BELFAST MILL and CARL was off SINGING THE AGES DOWN with JUDE singing the praises of BOLD RILEY. The second banjo of the evening in TONY's hands played THREE TUNES including THE JUNE APPLE before CHARLES told us the unlikely story of how the heiress courted the poor young farmer with THE GOLDEN GLOVE and ROD explained how the ROCKET MAN was lonely out in space, a no brainer really. Next GED was out on the railroad for A DOLLAR A DAY as COLIN told us how he co-wrote LANDSCAPE FIGURES with his friend who sadly died recently before DAVID gave us his take on the SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS. Back for a second JO lamented MY LONELY SON before BANJO JOHN whooped it up with JOHNNY B GOODE and LES & JOHN both said I WISH I WAS IN NEW ORLEANS. Rising to the interval break PETE started with the story of the GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY as GED reckoned he would FLIP, FLOP AND FLY when COLIN said he would tell us a GHOST story.

In the raffle Jude took the wine, Anne got the Road Atlas before Jackie won the chocolates and passed them round leaving CARL to direct us FROM THE ARMOURY TO THE CROWN and COLIN claiming ANYWHERE'S A BETTER PLACE TO BE (Harry Chapin). Poet MARK then celebrated the cave paintings in Lescaux with BULLS as TONY celebrated getting BACK FROM LONDON with his own tune on the banjo and ALAN returned with SALLY FREE AND EASY. With one from the Who, ROD sang us MAMA'S GOT A SQUEEZEBOX as more traditionally CHARLES related THE GYPSY DAVY and JIM & LYN did the same with MUIRSHEEN DURKIN as did MERDY with BLACK JACK DAVY. On the other hand JUDE was bang up to date with AUNT MARIA by Steve Knightley as PETE set about it with BEAT THE DRUM and MARK was tracing his family tree to lace makers with his own SARAH'S LAMENT. Building up to a big finish GED kindly kicked off with the LAST MINSTREL SHOW which got its own round of applause and LES & JOHN kicked on with PARADISE (John Prine) and TAMP IT UP SOLID so it don't fall out, a mining song. This left COLIN to give us another of his best songs MR BOJANGLES and DON & HEATHER to thank everyone concerned and quietly suggest we all STEAL AWAY.

Newsletter No 237 23 July 2013 

Hosts Mark & Jan invited RUTH, KATH & STAN to open with MOONSHADOW as the room filled almost to capacity. On early CARL told the story of the blind pit ponies in GALLOWAYS before MARK sang a new song WHOEVER CHOSE followed by JAN with MOLLIANNWN. Then MERDY was picking bottles of rum from every tree in FIDDLER’S GREEN as BANJO JOHN got those BEALE STREET BLUES leaving DAVE HOWARD with the BALLAD OF LOVE AND HATE. Metaphorically DON & HEATHER were then KNEE DEEP IN A RIVER which ROBIN thought was KILLING ME SOFTLY while ROB was still COURTING TOO SLOW. A welcome visit from HEATHER McNEILL had us all singing CALEDONIA and no wonder JAN commented SHE WILL BE LOVED just before KATHIE played SI BEAG SI MOR. Obviously ROD thought this was a bit of a REVOLUTION but JOAN just said QUE SERA SERA and PAUL had those HESITATION BLUES. Visitor IAN INNES plugged in a tiny amplifier for his solo DON’T KNOW WHERE (Norah Jones) just as PETE took the LAST TRAIN AND RIDE and ED confessed I’VE STARTED LEARNING TO PLAY THE GUITAR. This all gave KAMRAN the DEAD SHRIMP BLUES as JOHN CONDY stomped on TOM PAINE’S BONES being watched by BANJO JOHN who was LEANING ON THE LAMPOST.

Trying to avoid his screaming fans ED kicked off the second half with SHE IS WOMAN and SAM dropped in for JOHNNY B GOODE just as ROD opened up his SQUEEZEBOX. Artistically DAVE HOWARD told us about VINCENT and from WW2 CARL was in the cemetery saying HELLO HANS as JAN gave us a blues version of LAYLA. Coming back IAN INNES asked us to STAY CLOSE TO ME, Tommy Emmanuel inspired, as KATH, RUTH & STAN cheekily dedicated NAUGHTY BABY to the new baby, Jillian and Dolan Daniell's new grandchild!?! At the other end of the scale PETE made the nice observation KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR but ROB was more rustic with the RAWTENSTALL ANNUAL FAIR as HEATHER McNEILL chased after THE WHITE COCKADE. Next MERDY explained why there can never be two captains in THE BELLE BALLERINA OF THE BAY followed by PAUL telling us what MAMA DON’T ALLOW which had KATHIE with KAMRAN assistance declaring I'm GOING BACK HOME. Heading to a big finish on this bumper night JOHN had THE WHOLE NIGHT SKY to go at but  DON & HEATHER went for the SPANISH BURGUNDY while JAN & MARK ended the evening ROLLING MY SWEET BABY’S ARMS and why not? 

Newsletter No 236 16 July 2013

Still hot outside and with a great bunch of people even hotter inside. KAMRAN & PETE did a brilliant job hosting a perfect evening of music, song and verse with loads of craic. 

PETE kicked off in the RABBIT HILLS while JIM & LYNN were in the COTTON FIELDS helping PAUL to look for a TWO DOLLAR BILL. After a hard day in the fields ROB was ROLLING HOME with BRIAN clearly understanding his FEELINGS and MERDY reckoning it was all part of life's rich pattern with MAY THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN. However, JO was off to the CURRAGH OF KILDARE and MIKE was somewhere in CALEDONIA while DON & HEATHER were chilled out with LET YOUR BANJO RING as was BARRY who was saying JUST WALK ON BY. KAMRAN was then extolling the virtues of FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS while TONY was off to the LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN followed by GED on the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL and KATHIE expressed her liking for JELLY ROLL. On a serious note ED related the perfidy of the Management in THE GRESFORD DISASTER while JAN idealised the life of the FACTORY GIRL and PETE claimed that it was different DOWN WHERE THE DRUNKARDS ROLL. Pretty soon MERDY had REASON TO BELIEVE that JO was soon to hit THE OLD ROAD and leave for home at the interval which was upon us.

A grand raffle saw Jackie win the New Map Book of the UK & Ireland, Heather take the wine home to Derrick, Martin collect the roses for Hilary and Vic win the Sangria before KAMRAN played us a great instrumental DARK WAS THE NIGHT COLD WAS THE GROUND. MARK, the poet who hadn't been for ages, then delighted us with the philosophical poem OUR THOUGHTS ARE FREE but JAN & KATHIE were off ROLLING IN THE DEW and TONY went all political with YOU AIN'T DONE NOTHING IF YOU AIN'T BEEN CALLED A RED. Next JIM & LYNN started off a bout of chorusing with RING OF FIRE followed by BRIAN with DELILAH and ROB with THE OLD PUBS but GED soon put a stop that jollification with EASY IS GETTING HARDER from our favourite Iris DeMent. This made PAUL get out the KEY TO THE HIGHWAY and DON & HEATHER to recall WHEN I WAS A COWBOY OUT ON THE WESTERN PLAINS and for some reason ED to remember a beach incident with the FAT LADY'S BUM. Again serious MIKE took us back to ELLIS ISLAND - Phil Coulter's BALLAD OF ANNIE MOORE who was the first Irish immigrant to the US processed there and MERDY reminded us in another way of the American approach to things with MR PEABODY'S COAL TRAIN as did JIM & LYNN with the FOLSOM PRISON BLUES. Closer to home Poet MARK gave us his thoughts of Manchester's Central Reference Library with CHERRY ON THE TOP but TONY insisted he was going to RIDE ON before GED announced that he had JESUS ON THE MAINLINE. Undeterred PAUL celebrated the racehorse STEWBALL as DON & HEATHER reminisced about the RARE OLD TIMES and KAMRAN went off in a DREAM and MIKE was off with the WILD COLONIAL BOY to round off a brilliant evening.

Newsletter No 235 9 July 2013  

We knew it was hot outside when we came in but surprisingly it became even hotter on the inside as lots of highly talented people came to perform in front of our great audience. With some new faces and many occasional visitors it was an excellent mix given a quick stir by DON & HEATHER with the requested STREETS OF LONDON and another twist by JIM & LYNN who introduced us to THE SPANISH LADY. In the CLOUDS were JAN & MARK as PAUL revved up his WHEELS ON FIRE and KATH & STAN were WATERBOUND. IF WISHES WERE FISHES was CARL'S reply as Dave MATHER & Pete ROBINSON from Salford City Radio responded with their excellent BORN & BRED before JOHN CONDY scared the life out of us with THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD. There was then a big welcome back for JONATHAN BEECH who, as usual, surprised us with YOUR SWANKY FLAGGED UP CAR (full of stickers) WON'T GET YOU INTO HEAVEN ANYMORE was followed by JOAN'S equally interesting story of her weekend trip to see THE ROLLING STONES and cheeking her way into a front seat and staying the night in an en suite Homeless Hostal?? Good on yer Joan! This prompted HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS from CHARLES and AT THE END OF THE DAY as JOZEPH, aptly put it, which left JEAN FINNEY saying I'M CONFUSED. To complete the circle ARTHUR MARSHALL sang his own romantic COLD WIND FROM THE NORTH would blow warm: the opposite of hell would freeze over, leaving JIM & LYNN to start a second lap with A MON LIKE THEE followed by MATHER & ROBINSON with another home made WHEN OUR SHIP COMES SAILING IN and DON & HEATHER with THE SPEED OF THE SOUND OF LONLINESS to take us to the interval.

In a hectic Raffle Barry was first out with the wine, Jan was a close second for the Shortbreads, Vic snook in third for the Toblerones and Ann was last but not least for the Dark Chocolate Bar before MATHER & ROBINSON were forced to sing THE LONG GOODNIGHT as Pete had to go to pick his wife up in town. Back again with us NORMAN came next with two to catch up, first THE TRICKY QUESTION OF BEDDING A GIRL & second THE GOOSEBERRY TREE before JONATHAN returned with another John Prine song HELLO IN THERE and JOHN & CARL combined to take us through THE NORTH WEST PASSAGE. Obviously to CARL it was a SUMMER BREEZE but for KATH & STAN it was more like 900 MILES as CHARLES insisted we should SAY HELLO AND WAVE GOODBYE but either way PAUL had those SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES so it fortunate that JAN & MARK had lots of LOVE AND HAPPINESS. A history lesson came next from JEAN who explained the execution background to ORANGES AND LEMONS but for JOZEPH it was enough YOU BROKE MY ACHING HEART and for ARTHUR heading for his narrow boat trip his thoughts were on THE NIGHTINGALE. 

Coming into the final straight JIM & LYNN sang I'M AN ORDINARY MAN before JONATHAN drove us all instrumental with his WINDY AND WARM and KATH & STAN were still chasing that BANJO PICKIN' GIRL. Picking up the pace JOHN & CARL pinched the Beatles great version of NORWEGIAN WOOD while JOZEPH insisted we DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY before ARTHUR put us all to bed with his brilliant FENCES and a fabulous evening came from nowhere and blew us all away. 

Newsletter No 234 2 July 2013 

Another great mix of old and new faces all sporting loads of talent before an equally excellent audience. Opening with old favourite DON & HEATHER reminded us of the tragic life of MARILYN MONROE before ROB shot off on the GREY FUNNEL LINE and JIM & LYNN rushed off crying I'LL TELL MY MA. Next DAVID from Rochdale related the story of GEORDIE with KAMRAN having the CANDY MAN BLUES which prompted PAUL to come up with WALKING MAN also inspired by hearing Seasick Steve at Glastonbury. In response PETE offered up his own LOVE SONG whereas JAN turned to Sam Sparrow's BLACK AND GOLD as DOREEN went into her garden and confessed of all her plants, I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER THEIR NAMES. In response to Jan's artistry we then turned to EDDIE, another man who plays all the right notes in the right order, and he rolled out THE SAILOR'S HORNPIPE and two others in fine style followed by POET DAVID who was wildly requested to do his DEAD DOG SCRUMPY all of which left JANICE admitting I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR. We certainly had found what we were hoping for when we saw MICK HARE walk into the room and when he sang WAITING HERE FOR EVERYMAN it brought the house down. CHARLES then told us of when I DREW MY SHIP ACROSS THE HARBOUR and MIKE COSGRAVE conducted an experiment with new song ROOTS by Steve Knightley before KEN sang Don McLean's O MY WHAT A SHAME. Heading in to the interval ARTHUR had us in tucks with POLONIUS THE BADGER as did ED with Les Barkers story of THE THREE BEARS before DON & HEATHER had everyone singing with the DIAMANTINA DROVER.

In the raffle Alan won the wine, Ken took the chocolates and Doreen walked away with the biscuits before MIKE had us back in tune with THE CURRAGH OF KILDARE. For KEN it felt like THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER but for CHARLES it was like CLOSING TIME (Leonard Cohen) as EDDIE took flight with some O'CAROLAN TUNES, SI BHEAG SI MHOR and two more. Next PETE gave us the punchy HEY JOE, what you gonna do with that gun in your hand, before JANICE with MICK told us about THE DARK EYED SAILOR and PAUL said the sky's the limit WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS and the same was true for DOREEN about the Cornwall she talked of in OCEANS. Seafarer ROB then related the tale of the ELLEN VANNIN as KAMRAN confessed he was GOING TO BROWNSVILLE and JIM & LYNN were off on THE IRISH ROVER. More traditionally DAVID was away with THE HIGHWAYMAN as ARTHUR unsheathed his concertina for MRS McGARRITY'S LAST DANCE and JANICE & MICK were HOME AGAIN. This reminded JAN that WHEREVER I HANG MY HAT THAT'S WHERE I CALL HOME and PAUL wished us all the best with MAY THE ROAD RISE UP TO MEET YOU as JIM & LYNN chased after THE MOUNTAIN DEW. Returning DAVID then sang Janis Ian's best song AT SEVENTEEN which nicely set up MIKE to lead us to the door with THE RARE OULD TIMES. Mega.

June 2013

Newsletter No 233 25 June 2013 

By 8-00pm a good number of artists had arrived including one or two previously seen only occasionally as ROBIN agreed to start the evening with A PEACEFUL EASY FEELING which made DAVID think of his poem FROM A DISTANCE. For some reason this made PAUL feel DARK AS THE DUNGEONS as FAIR PLAY, aka Ruth Kath & Stan, departed from their usual song and dance routine with two tunes, THREE AROUND THREE and WINSTER GALLOP, played with Fiddle, Whistle & Mandolin before PETE wanted TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE. Next up JO sang SALLY FREE AND EASY with chorusing from the audience before BANJO JOHN asked IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT DIXIE? which prompted JIM AND LYNN to tell us I’VE GOT STRIPES. Then CARL with his own composition confessed that he was ALL AT SEA which was appropriate since GORDON who was again visiting us from Withernseaon the East Coast decided on the unaccompanied THE GREY FUNNEL LINE. GED then told the BOOMERS STORY just as MERDY was becoming all philosophical with WHEN THESE SHOES WERE NEW leaving newcomer DAVID HOWARD to sing KIT'S TUNE, the Martin Simpson version of WHEN A KNIGHT WON HIS SPURS.  Also in serious mood ED related BOB DYLAN'S DREAM to which ROD replied TAKE IT EASY (Eagles) and BANJO JOHN reckoned he was ready for bed with MR SANDMAN. Another self-penned then came from RICHARD KNOTT who sang his song simply called THE BLUES as CHARLES prepared to tell us he was GOING TO THE MINE and PETER gave us his song WHERE THE TRAINS GO BY. Keeping up the quality, PAUL mourned for ANGELINA BAKER before CARL went to one of his favourites Jez Lowe for THE SMALL COAL SONG and GORDON, not to be outdone, responded with THE COALTOWN ROAD. Finally GED asked LORD PLEASE SEND ME and ROBIN finished off the first half with THE GREENLAND FISHERIES.

The Raffle had a plethora of prizes with a Bottle of wine each to Roselynne & David Howard, a good leather instrument strap (donated by John Brown) to Merdy, Chocolates to Lynn, Richard Knott's new CD to Heather and Sue getting a watering can with seeds. 

The second half set sail with ROD starting in the DOCK OF THE BAY followed by IAN, using a small Amp., who played FREIGHT TRAIN and BYE BYE BLACKBIRD and JIM & LYNN who gave us THE RARE AULD MOUNTAIN DEW. FAIR PLAY again rose with AIN’T NO SWEET MAN followed by CHARLES who had us all singing with BYKER HILL before MERDY talked of LEAVING LONDON. PETE then reminisced about SOMEONE LIKE YOU and PETER had us laughing with THE BALLAD OF SARAH & GUY, written for a friend's wedding, which somehow prompted ED to sing I GOT STONED & I MISSED IT. Not surprising really. Really in the groove RICHARD KNOTT then sang Guy Clark's THE CAPE which had DAVID HOWARD saying he was HUNGRY FOR HOME and CARL being requested to treat us again to Jake Thackray's ON AGAIN ON AGAIN. Coming nicely to a climax IAN next played HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE followed by ROBIN who gave us THE LAST FAREWELL and GED who confessed I LOVE MY LOVING. Still rising ROD went off on THE SLOOP JOHN B and MERDY complained THEN SHE TOUCHED ME before ED took us to the end of the night with his great version of WHIP JAMBOREE. What a cracking night!! 

Newsletter No 232 18 June 2013  

Well, SUE thought it was a brilliant night last night but she is never biased and all the new visitors were of the same opinion and there were plenty of them, particularly in the audience. In fact, there were hardly any regulars in for the singaround since the previous week Zoë had announced that she had a gig somewhere in Manchester this Tuesday so it seems some of our regulars supported that instead! As it happens it didn’t matter a jot as a new set of talent came to entertain us and they certainly did that.

FAIRPLAY commenced the evening with two numbers, BAY OF BISCAY and then BLACK WATERS followed by MIKE COSGRAVE'S brilliant Hawaiian guitar when he played and sang SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN. Returning again from pre-Christmas, JOHN CHILCOTT then sang and played a wonderful version of Gordon Lightfoot’s COTTON JENNY but he was only able to stay through the first half so this was, unfortunately, the only treat we were allowed from John. JOHN WILLIAMS, who had been to the club once before when Mark and Jan were running the evening, returned again with his wife, ALLANNE, and he sang and played guitar and gave us a beautiful rendition of Ralph McTell’s – MARY FROM DUNGLOE and THE SETTING before KAMRAN was his usual talented self with THINGS THAT MATTER followed by JAN who got up to sing a brand new piece for her, a beautiful – NOW WESTLIN' WINDS by Robert Burns. ED then interrupted the procedure at this point and preceded his song by lecturing on annunciation before singing RED-HEADED ANN or should it have been REDDEADEDANNE? Unfazed PAUL then encouraged us all to join in his popular HOW LONG BLUES as JO came forward to sing an unaccompanied TO MY YOUNGEST SON by Mary Black. She was hopeful that we would all join in with her but no-one seemed to know it. Next Famous ARTHUR MARSHALL came ALL THE WAY FROM DONEGAL and his journey was certainly noisy before MARK sang a JUG OF PUNCH and we were treated to an absolutely superb self-written FREEFALLING by newcomer GARY who had come along with John and Allanne Williams. Luckily, PETER returned for a second week on the run and also gave us a self-penned number BLUE BEDROOM which was definitely something to write home about before DAVE & SUE also returned to the club again to play and sing a very unusual and lesser known SALTY DOG by Procol Harum to conclude the first round.

Again taking to the floor JOHN WILLIAMS then gave us a very memorable ONCE AROUND THE LAKE and equally memorable were FAIRPLAY with the familiar BEAUTIUL by Barney E Warren as MIKE COSGRAVE tuned up for THE LAKES OF PONCHARTRAIN accompanied by his Hawaiian guitar. PETER once more impressed us with THE BEAT RAN WILD and we wondered if this was related in any way to his first song Blue Bedroom as JAN complied with a request to sing LAWR AR LAN Y MOR and write the title in her own native tongue. We could at least understand the kissing part and not surprisingly PAUL was inspired to come up with the excellent CAROLINA CHOCOLATE BOX. Then SUE decided to sing FAITHFUL EMMA a cappella to which KAMRAN could only respond brilliantly with HONEY WHERE YOU BEEN and GARY was also outstanding with his IS HIS REAL? Not to be outdone MARK encouraged us all to join in with his LITTLE RED ROOSTER to which ED replied with his very appropriate BANTAM COCK, which was enough to put a smile on everyone's face, and taking a hint. ARTHUR MARSHALL then had us in fits of laughter with his very amusing QUORN, a hunting song with mention of Linda McCartney! DAVE then finished the second round with Richard Stilgoe’s CATCH THE WIND. This left just had enough time for a few performers to entertain us with a third song before the end of the evening, so MIKE started with THE DUBLIN MINSTREL followed by KAMRAN who amused us with his dedicated love song IF YOU WANT ME TO LOVE YOU and GARY sang a great MR LONELY TIMES. Keeping up the momentum JOHN WILLIAMS sang WISTERIA by Richard Shindell and PETER took a quick COFFEE ON THE RUN before ARTHUR MARSHALL was to receive many requests to sing one from his repertoire in Saturday Night’s Concert so we could all join in with his hysterical WILL YOU GLOW DAISY GLOW?

With all the visitors reiterating what a fabulous evening they had enjoyed and all threatening to return in the not too distant future, which was a very good sign, we shall have to send for extra chairs next time.

Newsletter No 231 11 June 2013 

Mark and Jan hosted a memorable and entertaining evening which produced a fine quality of music and song from all who performed to our appreciative audience! There was a good turnout even though many people were away, perhaps taking advantage of the recent bout of excellent summer weather. 

PAUL RILEY started us off with DRIFTIN' BLUES and then COLIN RUDD sang his fine version of Dylan's classic MR TAMBOURINE MAN. JAN next sang WHO KNOWS WHERE THE TIME GOES accompanied by MARK on guitar with RICHARD SAILS then regaling us with a most amusing tale in the song BUTTER AND CHEESE. KAMRAN in contrast chipped in with SALLY WHERE'D YOU GET YOUR LIQUOR FROM and then JOHN BROWN was accompanied by several others jamming along with the ST. LOUIS BLUES to fine effect! IAN, a second time visitor and first time performer at Sale, guitar picked his way through a very melodic self penned piece called THE WHOP (which I understand is the name of his pet cat); his friend, DAVE HOWARD, with similar antecedents then gave us the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS and there was a comment passed that is was great to hear it performed properly which produced a giggle!. ROD was then SITTING IN THE DOCK OF THE BAY, apparently about a Coastguard monitoring shipping, followed by ED who was next up with DON'T ASK (about the eggs and the cash in the loft) followed by CARL who then sang a great version of James Keelaghan's SINATRA AND I and then MARK and daughter KATHIE then played a lovely duet, SPANISH CLOAK, with Kathie on flute and Dad on descant recorder! Then we were fortunate to be able to welcome ZOE MULFORD, fresh from being spotted playing washboard in a session with Tom Doughty, Graham Bellinger and Andy Anderson at Wirral Folk Festival on Sunday and prior to the UK launch of her new album, Coyote Wings, at the Village Folk Club, Taurus Bar, Canal Street on the 18th June who sang a new song, SPEAK OF ME. After this ROBIN then sang a favourite of many, Alan Bell's fine song BREAD AND FISHES, and Charles followed with Jez Lowe's LONDON DANNY followed by MIKE COSGRAVE, back from his trip across the Pond, who sang CARRICKFERGUS and second time visitor to the club, PETER KING, brought the first round to a close with John Denver's ANNIE'S SONG. Then Mark and Jan hadn't lined any one else up next so, despite ED pointing frantically at John Brown, he was chosen next and sang JACUZZI JOE THE GIGOLO in his own inimitable style. BANJO JOHN was indeed up next and sang a modern song, by his standards, Kay Star's 1954 ROCK AND ROLL WALTZ and a surprised ROBIN was asked next but, despite suffering from encroaching toothache, gave us the fine song, THE BATTLE IS OVER before RICHARD SAILS was again in fine voice with the WIDOW OF WESTMORLAND'S DAUGHTER taking us up to the interval. 

The raffle took place and the first ticket picked out by Jan had been bought by daughter Kathie who promptly snaffled the whisky, (not a fix) the next number drawn was that belonging to the Taylor's, (no, really, it's just coincidence) and so it was redrawn and the choccies were won by Carl and serial raffle winner, Martin, won the Maltesers! (The choccies and Maltesers were shared, the whisky was not)!

JAN AND MARK then kicked off with Jez Lowe's WE'LL HUNT HIM DOWN and COLIN RUDD was then a DESPERADO followed by IAN who excellently picked his way through a CHET ATKINS TUNE (he couldn't remember what is was called probably due to the distraction of the choccies being passed around whilst his hands were full! PAUL RILEY was then in skiffle mood with a rocky version of the GOLDEN VANITY and CHARLES was WALKING THE LONG MILES HOME before ROD kept us rocking on with JUMPING JACK FLASH. ZOE then sang another of her new songs HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN with ISOBEL already warmed up o play two tunes, DUSTY MILLER and WILLAFJORD and RICHARD GRAY sneaking in after the interval to sing a HARD YEAR FOR MANY. DAVE HOWARD was up next with Louden Wainwright's WHITE WINOS and this was followed by KAMRAN and KATHIE renewing their partnership for DO RIGHT BY ME. PETER KING was then THE BOXER followed by MIKE COSGRAVE with YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE HARLAND ALIVE and CARL who gave a lovely rendition of HERE'S A HEALTH TO THE COMPANY. To round off an excellent evening JAN & MARK went recruiting for THE BLUE COCKADE.  

Newsletter No 230 4 June 2013 

Another great night hosted by KAMRAN & PETE and kick started by PETE who was WILLING and BANJO JOHN who certainly wasn't reluctant as ANNE joined him for I COME FROM ALABAMA WITH A BANJO ON MY KNEE. Next ROBIN threatened I'M GOING TO BE A COUNTRY BOY AGAIN but CARL was off digging for BLACK DIAMONDS which FAIRPLAY claimed was IT'S THE ROAD TO ELDORADO. Some would disagree. JO then told us T LIVE NOT WHERE I LOVE which ED claimed was ON THE SIDE OF A HILL near to SAMMY'S BAR reckoned newcomer NORMAN. Definitely A MODERN MAN reckoned JOHN CONDY as KAMRAN took off with THE UNIVERSE SONG which gave GED DARBY the DEEP ELLUM BLUES. Not to be confused GED GASKELL suddenly unfurled a tune of his own followed by A DORSET FOUR HAND REEL to end the first round. Rising again FAIRPLAY immediately took a CENSUS as BANJO JOHN took off to THE RED RIVER VALLEY as JO wandered over to THE SCARBOROUGH FAIR. THE LODGER, however, was on CARL'S mind as we came up to the break.

The usual socialising and raffle saw Pete take home a bottle of wine as did Anne and Helen grab some nice soap before PETE took everyone ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER followed by GED GASKELL with THE BALLAD OF SPRINGHILL (McColl) and NORMAN with a TIN OF SARDINES. THE NORTH WEST PASSAGE was then traversed by JOHN in the company of CARL but ROBIN was solitary along THE ROAD TO DUNDEE before GED DARBY gave us his FRAY BENTOS SAGA to which KAMRAN retorted that's NOBODY'S DIRTY BUSINESS. Then GED GASKELL gave us THE PLAINSMAN as ED returned to confess I MISS MY MIND THE MOST. FAIRPLAY were then off to South America for EL CONDOR PASA and CARL was SAFE IN THE HARBOUR (Bogle) and NORMAN was up in BOLTON'S YARD. PETE then had everyone chorusing with CORRINA CORRINA as did ROBIN with COME BACK PADDY REILLY and JOHN with THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. All KAMRAN could reply was NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU 'RE DOWN AND OUT which gave GED DARBY the BIG LEG BLUES to which ISOBEL responded with HEWLETT and to sum it all up ED told us that ALL THE GOOD TIMES ARE PAST AND GONE as we left to get on with our lives.

May 2013

Newsletter No 229 28 May 2013

Slowly but surely the place filled up with DON & HEATHER first being requested to sing FLOWERS ON THE WATER in celebration of the life of Heather & Derrick Kenyon's friend in Corfu. BANJO JOHN then lifted the mood with a join in SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES only for it to become serious again with STEVE'S own WHEN YOU LEAVE A GIRL before MIKE COSGRAVE told us the uplifting story of the surprise birth in his family of the WONDER CHILD. Still on an upper JAN & MARK were off whale hunting on THE BONNIE SHIP THE DIAMOND but JUDE was more at home with BONNIE SUSIE CLELAND while KAMRAN was curious as to WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT. ROD, however, could only retort BUT YOU WEAR IT WELL as ROBIN reminisced about OLD DOGS & CHILDREN & WATERMELON WINE leaving JIM & LYNN to leg it with the HIGHWAYMAN chased by ISOBEL's 100 PIPERS. CARL then came up with Gerry Rafferty's NIGHT OWL and POET DAVID combined THE WHITE PRINCESS & THE LIGHTHEARTED MAIDENS in his celebration of Ireland before DAVE hit the nail on the head with IF I HAD A HAMMER. Again in serious mood ED sang Keith Marsden's CITY LAMENT as GED became more fanciful with FIDDLER'S GREEN and just when we thought he wouldn't PETE did with I AIN'T GOT A HOME IN THE WORLD ANYMORE leaving BANJO JOHN to tie up the first half with BYE BYE BLACKBIRD.

Much socialising and a big raffle later saw the wine go home with Jude, the chocs and shortbreads smuggled out by the two Jackies and Sue take off with the room perfume. Then starting seriously again DON & HEATHER told their story of the STREET CHILD as MIKE went on with A BRIGHT BLUE ROSE from favourite Jimmy McGovern and STEVE sang his recently recorded THE DRIVER. We didn't believe that KAMRAN could be MY FUNNY VALENTINE but he certainly could if JIM & LYNN could be GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY. ROD was sure it was all down to a TEQUILA SUNRISE as JUDE grounded us all with Dylan's half inched GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY and JAN & MARK plagiarised ON ILKELY MOOR B'AT HAT to the House of the Rising Sun. With Manchester City just having defeated Chelsea twice on tour PETE had to go with BLUE MOON but ROBIN's comment was that IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HOME AGAIN and CARL delivered the lesser known ALICE from the pen of Jez Lowe. Still with Jimmy McGovern and having told us he used to be a jockey MIKE then sang RIDE ON but where ED got the FAT LADY'S BUM from we shall never know but certainly JIM & LYNN got the FOLSOM PRISON BLUES from Johnny Cash and DON & HEATHER ended a very enjoyable night with The McCalman's very appropriate LAY DOWN THE BORROWED GUITAR. 

Newsletter No 228 21 May 2013

The weekend atmosphere carried into Tuesday as ROBIN & HEATHER KENYON coaxed some great music, song and craic from the many talented performers who entertained a packed house in excellent style. ROBIN started the ball rolling with JOCK O' HAZELDEAN just as ED was climbing up into his IVORY TOWER and FAIRPLAY were shooting off to OWENSBOROUGH. That didn't stop ROB sailing off to SOUTH AUSTRALIA but STEVE was more reticent with WHENEVER THAT MAY BE. On a jolly footing GED DALE treated us to  LIVERPOOL JUDIES to which BRIAN retorted IMAGINE before on his very welcome return GED gave us the saga of BARBRY ALLEN. With another of his gems ARTHUR told us about hearing THE NIGHTINGALE and MERDY extolled the virtues of the CONNEMARA COAST but JO warned us that HARD TIMES can be just around the corner. Then in celebration of Sunday's boat trip PETE ROBERTS was of a mind to sing BARGES but LYNN & JIM decided on a trip on the BLACKPOOL BELLE before BARRY blew everyone away with his debut song CALEDONIA. CHARLES then surprised us with the rare DOWNEASTER ALEXA as did DON & HEATHER with their own ROMANY JACK and ARTHUR with another one of his finest ALMOST ROMANCE. As we rolled towards the interval we heard PETE's tale of drowning his sorrows in MADAM WHISKY with GED DALE trying to cheers him with THREE RUSTY SWORDS & DUSTY MILLER and ROB giving another solution with the LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL.

A bumper raffle in the break saw Ann & Mike win the Wine, Alan take the Perfume, Bob win a Club T-shirt, Arthur grab the chocolates and Isobel get the mystery prize before ED kicked off again with the send up of MORRIS DANCERS. Now warmed up ISOBEL triple tongued around the RABBIT MAN & HENRY'S CAT but FAIRPLAY were off on the GOODNIGHT LOVING TRAIL while to a tumultuous reception BARRY took us WALKING ON SUNDAY. BRIAN could only reply it was SOMETHING and STEVE's response was that it certainly is a BEAUTIFUL WORLD as MERDY went off to see it with LEATHER ON MY SHOES. On a different plain GED was off WORKING ON THE RAILROAD for a dollar a day as PETE warned HERE COMES THE SUN to which DON & HEATHER replied it's the same for the DIAMANTINA DROVER. In their own inimitable style LYNN & JIM then sang the SPANISH LADY and ISOBEL wrapped fingers around DANNY BECK & the ROPE WALTZ before the FAIRPLAY Band explained there's NO TELLING what a love song can do. ARTHUR was more blase in reckoning it could be a TRICK OF THE LIGHT as ED threatened TREAT MY DAUGHTER DECENT as ROBIN, DON & HEATHER to us to a big finish with MINGULAY & THE WILD MOUNTAIN THYME. A great night! 

Newsletter No 227 14 May 2013

ROBIN, DON & HEATHER were certainly not singing to a room full of NO HOPERS, JOKERS & ROGUES when they opened the evening for MIKE COSGRAVE to keep it lively with MICK RYAN'S LAMENT and BANJO JOHN to invite everyone to band up for ME & BOBBY McGEE. PETE then took us back to SHOWER THE PEOPLE (James Taylor) and ROB invited us to PULL DOWN LADS as the circus took down the tent and moved on as CARL contemplated ALOYSIUS Jez Lowe's dog that didn't bark. JO next reckoned THE CARNIVAL IS OVER and JUDE even more seriously warned MAIDS WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG never wed an old man before ED's  LIVERPOOL LULLABY warned of the consequences of a intemperate relationship. PAUL then took off but got the FISHING BLUES while ARTHUR wallowed in WHISKY, BEER, BRANDY & GIN, his latest You Tube offering and COLIN said GOODBYE MOMMA GOODBYE TO YOUR TEAPOT. Just as he walked through the door MIKE stayed on his feet to give his TRIBUTE TO ALEX BARRASS and ROBIN, DON & HEATHER rose to theirs in tribute to the RAMBLING BOY while BANJO JOHN remained seated for Fats Waller's AIN'T MISBEHAVING & WHEN SOMEBODY THINKS YOU'RE WONDERFUL. On a harder note PAUL urged DRILL YE TARRIERS DRILL whereas ROB gave us a glimpse of matrimonial negotiations with COME WRITE YE DOWN and JUDE, in celebration of her father who lived to 97, shared I THINK I MUST HAVE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN. Not surprisingly PETE swore to spend his WHOLE LIFE THROUGH coming to Sale Folk Club before equally surreally ARTHUR hilariously celebrated SHORT SHIPS as against tall ships.

In the interval we celebrated some excellent new chips and in the raffle Helen and Jude took home bottles of wine and Marian got the chocolates as CARL reminded us of Pete Morton's songwriting skills with FURTHER. In the same class COLIN gave us his own take on FOXHUNTING before MIKE celebrated THE SACRIFICE OF YOUNG JAMES KEOGH and many others who died in the Spanish Civil War. ED, however, gave us some practical advice with THE GAMBLER and MIKE COSGRAVE reminisced about PADDY'S GREEN SHAMROCK SHORE as did ROB with FRED THE SLUG. We were a bit surprised when PETE insisted TONIGHT I'M STAYING HERE WITH YOU and even more surprised when JUDE explained summer is a coming in with HALANTOE but not so when MIKE explained there is JUST ONE (passenger) TRAIN TO DENTON in order to satisfy the regulations to keep the line open for freight. In different transport ROBIN, DON & HEATHER set sail on THE ERIE CANAL whereas CARL hallucinated with the MAGICAL SKY he once saw before COLIN demanded a week of RIO FERDINAND'S WAGES to make better use of. MIKE COSGRAVE then mused over the view through MY GRANDFATHER'S EMIGRANT EYES as did ED over a potential visit to the Queen with MONDAY 'ER DOES ALL 'ER WESHING before ARTHUR gave us the climax we deserved with his own very funny TRUE STORY OF WINNIE THE POOH and WE COULD WALK FOR EVER before our eyes were even dry. Magic!! 

Newsletter No 226 7 May 2013

A great evening starting on a high and finishing even higher as hosts FAIRPLAY (Kath & Stan) led us off with BANJO PICKING GIRL as MIKE COSGRAVE quickly took us off to a LITTLE TOWN IN KERRY, his own composition about a place he loves, and DON & HEATHER said you might as well take a FREIGHT TRAIN. JIM & LYNN decided to take along PEGGY GORDON and BANJO JOHN said what about LITTLE OLD WINE DRINKER ME and MERDY adamant about taking BONNIE BESSY LOGAN. This nicely set up the brilliantly original newcomer MICHAEL BURNS for his own tribute to the TAMESIDE LADS and COLIN to reflect on A BETTER PLACE TO BE when you are lonely (Harry Chapin) as PAUL set off GOING DOWN THE ROAD FEELING BAD. On a brighter note RICHARD SAILS gave many reasons why he fancied OLD BROWN’S DAUGHTER before JOHN CONDY cooled him down with OCCADIAN DRIFTWOOD and STEVE contributed his own thoughts with TINY LITTLE BOX. EDDIE treated us to a guitar solo MARGARET’S WALTZ from The Shetlands and ROBIN exposed the cynicism in America with NOW THE BUFFALO’S GONE by Buffet St Marie and DAVE SLATER revealed the true story of the mill workers in THE BOLLIN VEIL. CARL was also critical of the Beeching Plan in his wistful THE 1710, one of the trains on a condemned line. Then, all the way from Leicester, SUE & DAVID pleaded DANCE ME TO THE END OF LOVE (Leonard Cohen) to which BANJO JOHN replied THAT’S AMORE. COLIN was then that SUNSHINE SUPERMAN as PAUL related the events behind the BLACK VELVET BAND and MIKE COSGRAVE explained how people can be raped by work with YOU’LL NEVER LEAVE HARLEM ALIVE.

After a great raffle was the springboard for SUE & DAVID, who didn’t win anything, to plead BUDDY CAN YOU SPARE A DIME and MERDY to go off to sea with HAUL AWAY MY LADDIE-O, an Archie Fisher song, before CARL gave us a cracking rendition of the all time great BAKER STREET. FAIRPLAY came back to us WAYFARING STRANGER leaving MICHAEL BURNS to take us off to a funeral with his own Oh MARIE as JOHN CONDY & CARL set off on the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. RICHARD SAILS was next busy MOWING THE MEADOW, allegorically speaking, and JIM, without and with glasses, & LYNN took off after the STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN before EDDIE celebrated May with the tune HASTE THE MAYPOLE. STEVE then insisted it is WHO I AM followed by ROBIN who sang ROCK MY CRADLE made famous by Jimmy Rodgers before DON & HEATHER raised us up with the Club’s Anthem CHILD OF MERSEYSIDE (Up Sale!!) COLIN, however, was insistent on warning us of THE CURSE OF ANNA’S STARE and MERDY was bemoaning the plight of THE DEPORTEES before EDDIE had us up and dancing at MARIES’S WEDDING & to the DASHING WHITE SERGEANT. MICHAEL again regaled us with another of his creations IMMIGRANTS TO DURHAM before JOHN CONDY headed us to a finish with WILD MOUNTAIN THYME and DON & HEATHER took us to the airport as we were LEAVING ON A JET PLANE.

April 2013

 Newsletter No 225 30 April 2013

Another great party night, this time for Ann, was brilliantly organised by ED & SUE who launched the evening with BANJO JOHN who started out with the Sheik of Araby followed by RICHARD KNOTT who played and sang a song from his new album Reboot, which will be available next week, COMING BACK FOR MORE and the tracks are available at www.soundcloud.com/#richard-knott-songs. PAUL then came up to sing CORRINA CORRINA and ROB sang COURTING TOO SLOW accompanied by peals of laughter when he arrived at his ‘clapped’ part. We then had a new singer and guitarist whom Jo brought along. He was GERRY, a relative of hers and a first-time visitor to our club, and he sang a song about a football match between the English and German soldiers during the First World War, CHRISTMAS EVE 1914. COLIN was in anti-religious mode when he sang STAND UP FOR JUDAS and PETE kept the miserable theme going by singing HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN and ROD sang WILD HORSES written by The Stones. Fortunately JIM & LYNN cheered us all up in time with THE IRISH ROVER and KAMRAN continued the fun and games by making us join in with electrical sounds during the chorus of OVERBECK'S REJUVENATOR, which was self-penned. We were now in the mood and  we all joined in with gusto with JO and almost drowned her out in WE SHALL OVERCOME. ROBIN then sang STREETS OF BALTIMORE and JEAN treated us once again to NORMANDY ORCHARDS before finally ED dedicated his song NOW YOU'RE KNOCKING SIXTY to ANN and we took the opportunity of compensating her for that embarrassment by giving her a beautiful bouquet of flowers from all her friends at the club.

 At this point we had a break to celebrate Ann’s birthday by eating chips and sandwiches and conducting the raffle before BANJO JOHN commenced the second round with BILL BAILEY. PETE then came KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCKING ON HEAVEN'S DOOR and PAUL sang BOTTLE OF WINE followed appropriately by LIFE WILL GET YOU IN THE END from KAMRAN. COLIN had repented by this time and astonished us by singing a very religious WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS before JEAN told us about her wonderfully talented father who made an attempt at everything, even knitting and sewing, in her own song MY DAD. This prompted ROBIN to roll out his SPINNING WHEEL and GERRY to delight us again with ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN which we all knew and sang along with as RICHARD sang another from his new EP called ZERO. JO stayed later tonight and unusually sang a second number COME KISS ME LOVE and ISOBEL arrived just in time to play a lovely slow tune THE LARK IN THE CLEAR AIR as ED set out to exercise our laughing tackle with RICKETY TICKETY TIN. ROB then took us up to GRANDDAD'S ATTIC leaving ROD to have us all singing along with his blast from the past, RUN-AROUND SUE which just left enough time to start a third round but unfortunately not fit everyone in before the close. ISOBEL started the round as she hadn’t had a second turn and played an extremely fast tune STOMACH STEINWAYMAN, very tricky. PETE came up and gave us FRIENDS, KAMRAN sang STONE RIDER BLUES and RICHARD sang GUESS IT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE written by Paul Anka which was another blast from the past and set all the oldies singing again. In the same vein ROD continued the vintage theme with BAD MOON RISING and JEAN tickled us with her very funny LA DI DAH as did ROB with a Trevor Morton favourite MILL OUTING. Finally a great party night was closed on a high by JIM & LYNN with MOUNTAIN DEW. Happy Birthday Ann!! 

Newsletter No 224 23 April 2013

St. George's day saw a good turnout for the weekly sing around at in Sale Folk Club and Hosts Mark and Jan did a great job in presenting a good eclectic mix of contributions. In the absence of dragons to slay JIM & LYNN kicked off with 40 SHADES OF GREEN and then MARK lamented the virtually complete disappearance of the UK mining industry with Dave Roger's LAST PIT IN THE RHONDDA quickly followed by ED who sang LAKE CHARLES, a Lucinda Williams song, and MERDY with the popular BALLERINA OF THE BAY. JAN was next with Cyril Tawney's amusing ditty, FIVE FOOT FLIRT after which RICHARD SAILS came up with a song from his own neck of the woods THE SHOEMAKER'S KISS. TONY made a political reference to a recent bereavement with Rob Johnson's song DING DONG THATCH before JO had everyone singing the old favourite, BLOWING IN THE WIND (Dylan). At this point we welcomed a new face, JOHN WILLIAMS, who is a resident at the Hungry Horse Folk Club in Ellesmere port sang the LAST FARE OF THE DAY accompanied by the lovely ringing modal tones of his cello mandolin. JOHN CONDY then gave a fine version of WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL followed with BANJO JOHN BROWN with O HAPPY DAY after which DAVE, our poet, then recited Valleys of the Shifting Whispering Sands in a reference to conflicts in the Middle East. Then Ruth, Kath and Stan with a new name, FAIRPLAY, sang MOONSHADOW followed by two lively flute tunes, DRIBBLES OF BRANDY and THE BUTTERFLY, played by KATHIE TAYLOR. ROD came next with the somewhat less traditional but equally popular GIRL OF MY BEST FRIEND followed by PAUL RILEY, who was back in fine form with his tale of JACKEROE, and PETE ROBERTS looking ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER. If he had been looking for ZOE MULFORD he just had to turn around and she was there back from hibernating from the cold with the lovely and appropriate song THE SNOWS THAT MELT THE SOONEST to conclude the first round and provide the moment when we could present a Birthday Card to Ann who is looking forward to the special day on Sunday with the Folk Club Party Time next week! Then suitably on with the singing as BANJO JOHN entertained us with WHEN YOU'RE SMILING followed by TONY with LET ME COME HOME by the Felice Brothers before RICHARD SAILS took us up to the interval with a music hall song THE FUTURE MRS HAWKINS, (with reference to Jan often being referred to by her spouse as the "Current Mrs Taylor")!

After a most exciting raffle where seemingly the sewing kit and pamphlet of poems did not want to be won, THE TAYLOR FAMILY (yes, Kathie as well) sang a traditional Newfoundland song, LUKEY'S BOAT, giving way to JOHN WILLIAMS for THE BALLOON MAN and ZOE who sang ANSWER THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR. This set up JIM & LYNN for the ever popular BLACK VELVET BAND and PETE ROBERTS who was dragging someone by the hand around THE STREETS OF LONDON followed by MERDY who was lusting after THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN TRURO. The still new FAIRPLAY then gave us THE WEAVER'S DAUGHTER swiftly followed by ROD who was a SUBSTITUTE and ED who was absolutely FED UP WITH THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY. KATHIE then teamed up with JOHN CONDY for a very hastily, but effectively, rehearsed version of Dylan's TANGLED UP IN BLUE and when alone at last JOHN sang WHAT'S SO FUNNY ABOUT PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING to which JOHN WILLIAMS responded with Richard Shindell's CHE GUEVARA T-SHIRT. Finally and not a reference to anyone who performed tonight, FAIRPLAY sang LAZY JOHN before MARK & JAN rounded off the evening with RUNNING LIKE A TURKEY THROUGH THE CORN which sent everyone home happy after a wonderful evening.

Newsletter No 223 16 April 2013

A great evening everyone was still saying the day after and no wonder as PETE kicked off with a joke about Morrisons and then sang Mike Chapman's RABBIT HILLS leaving BANJO JOHN to fight his way through A FAT SWALLOW MEDLEY (Fats Waller) and ROB to be that CHEERLY MAN as we all sang along. MERDY was next up with the traditional Scottish FAREWELL SHE, ridding himself of a false hearted lover, and JIM & LYNN were equally with FULSOME PRISON BLUES as was Poet DAVE with his BOX CALLED WAR. This all had COLIN swearing to look at BOTH SIDES NOW and ED delivering Richard Thompson's AL BOWLLY'S IN HEAVEN with conviction before KAMRAN hit us with M J Hurt's LONESOME VALLEY. Then we had to welcome newcomer STEVE with his own song MAKING A MESS followed by ROBIN with a Chris de Burgh song the SNOWS OF NEW YORK. The other MIKE COSGRAVE then blew us away with his Hawaiian lap-style guitar, because he had left his cittern on the drive, and THE LAKES OF PONCHATRAIN but ARTHUR was still DANCING ON MARGARET'S GRAVE which left it to BANJO JOHN to return us to sanity with the good old ROCK ISLAND LINE. Not slow on the uptake MERDY recruited MIKE on slide guitar for FIDDLER'S GREEN with lots of chorus after which PETE could sense a STORM RISING as we went into the break.

 In the raffle Merdy took the wine, Lynn the daffodils, Derrick the room fragrance set and then we were delighted to see Jill Daniels to take the biscuit as they say before COLIN bemoaned making the SAME MISTAKE again (we didn't agree) and STEVE was TIRED OF FIGHTING and ROB was tired of working in the Chemical Industry as THE PROCESS MAN. THE MANCH also certainly got the better of ED and JIM & LYNN couldn't cheer him with THE LONG BLACK VEIL until ROBIN announced that THE BATTLE IS OVER. All reverent now ARTHUR pleaded BLESS ME FATHER as MIKE set of on the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS leaving KAMRAN with DELIA and ISOBEL with the STOMACH STEINWAYMAN. Another newcomer KEN, a friend of GED, then told us BLACK IS THE COLOUR as GED himself stepped up with THE WORST OLD SHIP before MERDY told us about the LIFE OF A MAN. Appropriately COLIN singled out ONE OF THE PEOPLE as MIKE set out on RAGLAN ROAD followed by STEVE who confessed he was a CITY ANIMAL. This left US THREE (Ken, Ged & Isobel) to build up to the climax with two tunes MOLLY THE WOOD and FOX & GEESE on which ROB capitalised with the rousing SOUTH AUSTRALIA to sing us into the street. Top drawer!

Newsletter No 222 9 April 2013  

A good night with some new talent was started off by ROBIN with his LAST FAREWELL and in seconds COLIN set off to SET THE TARGETS HIGHER to which JIM & LYNN responded with their IRISH ROVER. BANJO JOHN then raised the bar further with I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY with PETER shooting off with THE ST JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES which prompted Poet DAVID to come in FROM A DISTANCE. ARTHUR responded to this by taking the EARLY TRAIN but RICHARD SAILS was all SWEET LEMONY and JOHN CONDY urged us to KEEP ON LOVING. No wonder KAMRAN then came up with ROMEO AND JULIET to which JO replied with ALL MY TRIALS and RUTH, KATH & STAN reckoned we should LET THE MYSTERY BE. Any way up MIKE COSGRAVE forecasted that YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE HARLEM ALIVE which newcomer RICHARD said it was all part of THE JOY OF LIVING to which another newcomer JAN declared his intentions by singing STAY. GED then sang CATCH THE WIND as CHARLES skipped away with Steve Tilston's SLIP JIGS AND REELS and ISOBEL played THE TWO SAINTS with BANJO JOHN completing the set with CAROLINA MOON.

 Starting up the PETER took off with THE GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY but COLIN reckoned she was being free and her heart was hollow just like the CACTUS TREE before RUTH, KATH & STAN added to the conundrum with THE FORSAKEN MERMAID. Getting off that subject JIM & LYNN told us about the other sex with A MON LIKE THEE and RICHARD SAILS was off on manly THE BOLD PRINCESS ROYAL before CHARLES returned with THE LADIES GO DRIVING AT WHITSUN. It won't make any difference WHEN THE LEVEE BREAKS reckoned KAMRAN and certainly where the rights of man have gone had JOHN CONDY dancing on TOM PAYNE'S BONES before JAN returned us to sanity with JUST TO TALK TO YOU AGAIN. ROB also did his bit in that respect by having us chorusing with THOUSANDS OR MORE followed by ROBIN & ISOBEL with PLAISIR D'AMOUR and ARTHUR with SEVENTEEN MILLIONAIRES. This set up the grand finale from GED with two English folk tunes from the Playford manuals NEWCASTLE and PORTSMOUTH followed by MIKE COSGRAVE with THE BALLAD OF JACK DOLAN.

Newsletter No 221 2 April 2013

Rapidly filling up the room they came under the gentle guidance of KATH, STAN & RUTH for a top quality night of music, song and verse. DON & HEATHER, much o Derrick's delight roused everyone with John Prine's SPEED OF THE SOUND OF LONLINESS and JIM & LYNN kept the ball rolling with THE GYPSY ROVER to nicely set up RUTH, KATH & STAN for a brilliant new rendition of the BLACK MOUNTAIN LULLABY. Cracking! RICHARD SAILS then unsheathed his nice guitar for the first time ever and surprised us with his vocal and digital dexterity on OLD SLEW FOOT and hopefully we shall hear more soon. Unaccompanied but not unaccomplished MERDY then sang the beautiful BONNIE GLEN SHEE followed by MIKE COSGRAVE with RAMBLES OF SPRING and EDDIE with Sydney Carter's JOHN BALL. Otherwise engaged, Jan then missed MARK TAYLOR telling us to DON'T THINK TWICE IT'S ALRIGHT and JO having THE IRISH BLUES before ROBIN was that finger picking good MR DREAMSELLER. Back in harness GED was one of the DESPERADOS WAITING FOR A TRAIN before ARTHUR had us all singing about SPRING...BOING....BOING and DAVID musing on the meaning of THE SHIFTING WHISPERING SANDS. KATHY TAYLOR then joined KAMRAN to give us a new combination for the blues, ITCHING HEEL and TONY was equally serious with OPERATION IRAQI LIBERATION as was ED with LEARNING TO PLAY THE GUITAR. Then ROGER took the floor with JOHNNY COME LATELY and he was followed by DAVE SLATER, long time no see, with his own SONG OF THE SPINNING JENNY and GED GASKELL with SCARBOROUGH FAIR and TWO MAGICIANS. Next DANNY BECK and THE ROPE WALTZ were played brilliantly by ISOBEL to which PETE replied SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS as RICHARD SAILS unveiled THE THRESHING MACHINE just before the interval.

Some spontaneous music with fiddles, pipes, banjo, cittern and guitar and much chat led up to the two JACKIE'S winning the wine and chocs and DAVE SLATER taking the third prize before RUTH, KATH & STAN again gave us another brilliant version of RIDER IN THE RAIN to start the second half, MARTIN then came in with Hank Williams' COLD, COLD HEART which was enough for GED to get JESUS ON THE MAINLINE and ROGER to go to John Hyatt's ICY BLUE HEART. To lighten us up ED told us of his troubles ON MY WAY TO WORK but having none of it MERDY retorted THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVING ME before KATHY & MARK TAYLOR had us away with THE BELLE OF BELFAST CITY. Still chasing that BLACK VELVET BAND we were next singing it with JIM & LYNN which EDDIE followed with two MEDIEVAL TUNES leaving ROBIN to again pick his way brilliantly through FOUR STRING WINDS. For some reason this gave KAMRAN THE CHUMP MAN BLUES before ISOBEL raised us up with HARVEST HOME and the IRISH WASHERWOMAN and PETE became the TROUBADOUR. TONY next came up with THE IRON WHEEL with DON & HEATHER sailing off to SOUTH AUSTRALIA as GED, ISOBEL, EDDIE, MIKE etc banded up for CONSTANT BILLIE and THE BLUE EYED STRANGER. DAVE SLATER then gave us another of his own CHILD OF THE LOOM as ARTHUR had us sentimentally singing Tom Waits' PICTURE IN A FRAME with MARTIN pleading TRY TO SLEEP and MIKE off with THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY to close a magic evening.