May you live in interesting times...
H
appy New Year to everyone out there in ‘Unicorn Land’ – we hope you had a relaxed and fulfilling Festive Season! 2018 was certainly a year of interesting times for many of us, and it looks like 2019 will continue that trend. Amidst the concern, indecision and general uncertainty that many of us find the current climate is generating, it’s always reassuring that see that the folk scene continues to act as a stable and welcoming ‘comfort blanket’ for us all...
Although a lot of clubs, sessions and Morris sides are still facing a relentless and ongoing struggle to remain viable, profitable and wellattended, the overall health of ‘the scene’ seems to still be relatively positive. A quick skim through this issue will demonstrate the large number of excellent folk music and dance events (both large, small, professional and home-run) still being hosted throughout our area of coverage. Indeed few fans would fail to find a session, gig or
dance if they needed one, on pretty much every day of the week – not always the case with many ‘niche’ musical forms. We are always delighted to receive news of a newly formed act, an up-and-coming superstar, another tour from a well-loved stalwart, an innovative workshop programme or simply a recent CD release. The array of talent in our area never ceases to amaze, and as long as there is a gig to cover, a CD to listen to or a snippet of news to impart, we hope at Unicorn Magazine to be here to do so. The changing climate of 2019 may well bring a few changes at our end of course, but we’ll be in touch regarding this as / when they happen. Until then, see you around the clubs!
Clive & Sandra
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Editorial
3
Folk Bloke
Contents
3
Diary
Chatterbox
7
Club Index
Round the Clubs
7
Gig Review: The Ballads of Child Migration 27
Sessions
9
Strumming & Dreaming: New Youth
29
Shall We Dance?
10
31
Gig Review: The Rag House Band
12
Feature: The Kimpton Music Machine Plays On
Feature: Folk on Foot
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Tune: The YMCA Sessions At Sidmouth
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Feature: St Albans Folk Festival 2019
17
Gig Review: Show of Hands, with Alden, Patterson & Dashwood
19
24
Gig Review: Mishaped Pearls Gig Review: Kerr Fagan at Kimpton
© Unicorn Magazine 2019
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Editorial Team: Clive Batkin 07771 822414 clive@cbatkin.plus.com unicornmagazine @hotmail.co.uk Sandra Lawes unicornmagazine @hotmail.co.uk Contact address: 2 Hill Close, Harpenden, Herts AL5 5JE Once you have finished with your copy of Unicorn Magazine, please recycle it responsibly... (or simply keep it forever!)
We take great care to ensure all elements of Unicorn Magazine are accurate. However, we accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes that appear. The views and opinions expressed in submitted articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Any personal views expressed in submitted articles are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Unicorn Magazine editorial team. It will be assumed that any letters sent to the magazine are intended for publication unless otherwise obviously stated. We reserve the right to edit any material sent to us for style, content or length. Please note we cannot print material previously published in other publications without express written permission from that publisher. We reserve the right not to publish certain elements of free listings information if it appears elsewhere in the magazine, or where space restrictions do not allow.
Visit our website at www.unicornmagazine.org Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
33 34 – 36
CD Reviews
Front cover: “Meet on the ledge...” Photo by Al Rogers • Instrument courtesy of Chuck Silverman
CB1491 • January 2019
21 – 23
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New Roots 2019: The call is out to young musicians under the age of 25 who sing or play traditionally based music to enter for New Roots 2019. Whether your style is traditional or contemporary folk, roots or world music, whether you perform traditional material or write your own, the organisers would like to hear from you. There are two categories, under 18 and 1824. New Roots has been running since 2000 and the standard rises every year. The list of judges for 2019 has now been finalised. Between them, John Dipper, Anna Tabbush, Andy Stafford and Valmai Goodyear represent a wide spectrum of insights into the folk scene. Their task will be firstly to listen to the entries sent in and select the performers who will take part in the final on Sunday April 7 2019 at Trestle Arts Base in St Albans. On the day they will give constructive feedback to performers. There is no overall winner and everyone who makes it to the final will win one or more performance opportunities. The aim is to match the performers to the opportunities at folk festivals, clubs and other events which are offered to New Roots finalists. At folk clubs, opportunities include support slots, featured spots on singers’ nights and full bookings. Performers who want to enter are invited to complete the entry form on the New Roots web site and email it to info@new-roots. org.uk. In reply, they will get an email telling them how to upload up to 15 minutes of their music. The closing date is 31 January 2019. For further information see the web site www.new-roots.org.uk This also has a form for event organisers who wish to offer performance opportunities for young musicians. Further details from www.new-roots.org.uk email: info@stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk or ring 01727 852111. A Playford style tea dance will be taking place on Sunday March 10th at the Bede House Higham Ferrers NN10 8BT. 2.00pm – 6.00pm. Music by Childgrove. MCs will be John Green and George Hearnden. Dress costume or smart dress preferred. Please bring picnic tea to share. Contacts 01933 622827 / 397767, ghearnden@tiscali.co.uk. Tickets £6.00. Please note changing facilities very limited.
Watford Folk Club is pleased to welcome Martyn Wyndham-Read, Doug Jenner and Roland Taylor on 18th January with their show “Henry Lawson (1867– 1922): Voice of a New Nation”. This presentation traces the life of the important Australian writer Henry Lawson, tracing his life through his stories,
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
humorous recollections and musical settings of his poems. Henry Lawson’s writing captured and helped define the essence of the Australian character, described by one observer as “laconic, egalitarian and deeply humane.” This goes a long way to explaining why his writing enjoyed such popularity in his day and why, almost 100 years after his death, musicians and performers continue to set his words to music. It is testament to the universal power and relevance of his work. WFC are also trying a new venture at the Club – they have asked local songwriters to not only perform but also talk about how they write their songs. Their first Songwriters Circle is on 25th January with Liz Lawley , Richard Stewart and Ray Owen with the second one on 29th March with Alison Raymond, Lizzy Hardingham and Vernon Stanbridge. It’s great to have songwriters explain a little about a song at a singaround or as a floorspot, but this will give them the opportunity to interact with their peers and give the audience an insight into the songwriting process. They hope that the Songwriters Circle will become a regular feature in their programme. Northampton Ceilidhs: After a very good season of dances last year involving some excellent bands and callers – not to mention some very good interval spots – Northampton Ceilidhs is now in its 10th year of reinvigorating what is already a very vibrant local folk dance scene. Their 10th season started by bringing back their first ever band, the redoubtable Aardvark with Pete Grassby calling, complemented by a beautiful interval performance of English folk song from the renowned Jenkinson’s Folly. The second dance (October) featured the wonderful music of The Occasional Few with a fine selection of dances from Bedford caller Adrian Besant and a spooky tale centred around folk dancing from local story teller Sue Martin. The season is set to continue with Bubbles calling for Jigalot accompanied by Royal Oak Morris in November and John Weaver for Sleeping Moggy on New Years Eve. This will be with assistance from John Green and Bubbles calling a couple of dances and performances from anyone who wants to entertain us with a song or story. The New Years Eve party dance includes food (they ask everyone to bring a small plate of food to share). Simon Loake, All Strung Out and Queens Oak Morris are in January followed by other great bands, callers and interval performers through the rest of the season ending on The Glorious First of June with a Contra Ceilidh led by John Turner. Prices are £9 each (with a group discount for 6 or more). See their advert on page 20, of this issue, find them on Facebook or at www.northamptonceilidhs.co.uk.
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We would strongly suggest checking with the venue / organiser before attending any of the below since unfortunately we can’t be held responsible for the accuracy of the information
Sunday Lunchtimes
S TONY STRATFORD • Vaults Bar, High Street (Weekly, lunchtimes): Jane, 01908 566407
Sunday Evenings
M ILTON KEYNES • see www.mksessions.blogspot.com (Weekly) M ILTON KEYNES • New Bradwell Sports Club, New Bradwell (1st): Patsy, 07932 157610 S T ALBANS • Great Northern, 172 London Road, AL1 1PQ (28th October, 25th November, 30 December, 6.00pm). Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 L EIGHTON BUZZARD • The Swan, Northall (1st) Richard Chatterley, 07790 023220 MARSWORTH • Red Lion, 90 Vicarage Rd, Marsworth, Tring HP23 4LU (2nd) 7.30 – 9.30pm. Slow and steady folk tune session for beginners and improvers. Louise, 07791 651199
Monday Evenings
A SHWELL • Rose & Crown (1st): Ian Chandler, 01462 743091 CHATTERIS • Chatteris Folk Club, Honest John, 24a South Park St, PE16 6AR (3rd), Acoustic music and song: Keith Cheale, 02354 652868 SOHAM • Cherry Tree, Fordham Rd (3rd): Claire White, 01353 720550 S TEVENAGE • Our Mutual Friend (2nd): Gary Moyle, 07960 953778 T OTTERNHOE • Old Farm Inn (8.30pm, bi-weekly): Andrew Marlow, 07771 780341
Tuesday Evenings
A BINGTON PIGOTTS • Village Hall, SG8 0SH (8–10.30pm, 3rd, admission £2 per person): George Norris, 01763 853062 AMPTHILL • The Albion, Dunstable Street (2nd): Rod Ward, 01763 852 377 B EDFORD • Burnaby Arms, Stanley St, MK41 7RU (last 7.30pm, tunes) Mike Bliss, 01234 308449 DUNSTABLE • Globe, Winfield St (Weekly): Maureen, 01582 512300 DUNTON • March Hare, Dunton, nr Biggleswade (1st): John Pritchett, 01767 448093 (pub) G T WILBRAHAM • Memorial Hall Social Club (3rd): Dave, 01440 783280 H EMEL HEMPSTEAD • Leverstock Green Cricket Club, 24 Bedmond Road, HP3 8LJ (1st Bluegrass and oldtime songs and tunes): Chris Lawrence, 01442 215826 H ISTON • Boot, Histon, nr Cambridge (1st): Dave Benford, 01223 880553 MARCH • Georges Folk Club, 61 High Street, PE15 9JJ (1st), Acoustic music and song: Mark Gibson, 01354 652868 R ICKMANSWORTH • Conservative Club, Bury Lane (2nd): Michael, 01923 770425 TEWIN • Rose & Crown. (3rd evenings). Acoustic, vocal, instrumental. Kit Burgess, 01438 869435 T RING • Kings Arms, (8.30, 1st, trad Irish songs & tunes, led by Chan Reid/fiddle, John Devine/pipes, Neil Stanton/guitar): Rob Muirhead (landlord), 01442 823318 W OOTTON (Beds) • The Cock MK43 9JT (8.00pm, broad acoustic & folk): Mike Carter Jones, 01234 768555, Pub (Karen), 01234 930034
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Wednesday Evenings
B ARTON-LE-CLAY • Waggon & Horses (8.30pm, fortnightly): Ann, 01582 560815 B ENINGTON (Stevenage) • The Bell (1st): Kit Burgess, 01438 869435 C AMBRIDGE • Six Bells, Covent Garden (8.30pm, 2nd, Bluegrass & Old Time): Jim, 07803 158084 C HINNOR • Chinnor Methodist Church, 62 Station Road, OX39 4PZ (2.00pm to 4.00pm, 2nd , slow and steady but fun): Liz 01844 351565 E LY • Town Folk, The Town House PH, Market St, Ely. (2nd and last): Liam, 01353 659614 or 07468 240798 debrunliam@outlook.com H ITCHIN • The Bucks Head, Stevenage Road, Little Wymondley, Hitchin, SG4 7HY (9.00–11.00pm, 1st, 9–11pm, Ramrugge Clog Morris): Kerry 07877 930201 M ARCH • March Folk Club, Royal British Legion Club, Rookswood, 27 West End, PE15 8DP (3rd), Acoustic music and song: Keith Cheale, 02354 652868 M OGGERHANGER • Moggerhanger Village Hall (7.00pm for 8.00pm, 1st): Chris Bashford, 01767 640242 R ADLETT • Cat & Fiddle, Cobden Hill, WD7 7JR (8.00pm, 2nd): Nick, 020 8207 3057 S T ALBANS • The Robin Hood, Victoria Street, AL1 3TG (8.30pm, weekly): Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 S T ALBANS • White Swan, Dagnall Street (8.30pm, weekly, Traditional Irish Instrumental): Rick, 01727 852976 T EBWORTH • Queens Head, LU7 9QB (4th, free food): Richard Chatterley, 07790 023220 T OWERSEY • Village Hall (7.30 for 8.00pm, 3rd): Andrew Leleux, 01296 615160 W ELHAM GREEN • North Mymms Social Club, AL9 7PQ (2nd): Alan Francis, 07774 859758
Thursday Evenings
H ERTFORD • Great Eastern, Railway Place (1st): K IMPTON • The Boot (2nd & 4th): Doug, 07973 751039, jennerdouglas@me.com T OWERSEY • Three Horseshoes (last): Grant, 01844 212322 WOBURN SANDS • Royal Oak (2nd & 4th): Vic Longhorn, 01908 582660
Friday Evenings
A YLESBURY • Queens Park Arts Centre (1st, 3rd and 5th): Amanda Diamond, 01296 424332 S T NEOTS • Chequers, St Mary’s St, PE19 2TA (Second Friday: no session January, 8 February, 8 March ): Sarah, 07857 311834, ssennett@theiet.org S TEEPLE CLAYDON • Prince of Wales MK18 2NP (2nd, Open Mic): Charlie, 07925 145062 W ELWYN • Brocket Arms (7.30pm, 3rd) Doug, 07973 751039, jennerdouglas@me.com
ORGANISERS PLEASE NOTE: FROM THIS ISSUE ONWARDS WE WILL NOW CONTINUE TO PRINT ALL DETAILS AS SHOWN UNLESS WE HEAR OTHERWISE. MANY THANKS... www.unicornmagazine.org
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JANUARY Tuesday
1
Saturday
5
Monday Saturday
7 12
Monday Monday Saturday
14 21 26
Monday
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FEBRUARY Saturday
2
Monday Friday
4 8
Saturday
9
Monday Monday Saturday
11 18 23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
MARCH Monday Friday
4 8
Saturday Monday Monday Saturday
9 11 18 23
Monday
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The Forest Band Caller Andrew Kellet & Steve Russell • WFDC New Year Dance, Howard Ballard and Kelly’s Eye 7.00–10.30PM • CFA Club Night • SFDC The Forest Band Caller Sue Needham • WFDC Club Night • SFDC Club Night • SFDC Ceilidh with Simon Loake, All Strung Out & Queens Oak Morris • NC Club Night • SFDC
Spring Dance with Rhodri Davies and Kelly’s Eye at St Ippolyts Parish Hall • SFDC Club Night • SFDC Urban Folk Theory with caller Barry Goodman • UC The Forest Band Caller Brenda Goodrich • WFDC Club Night • SFDC Club Night • SFDC Ceilidh with Ivan Aitken, Kelly’s Eye & Old Mother Redcaps Morris • NC Family Dance, Ted Morse and Toucan Play, 2.30–5.30PM • CFAV Club Night • SFDC
Club Night • SFDC The Pigeon Swing with caller Andy Rouse • UC The Forest Band Caller Sibby • WFD Club Night • SFDC Club Night • SFDC Ceilidh with The Cock and Bull Band, Caller TBC & Brackley Morris • NC Christmas Party • SFDC
W
hen sending in your electronic attachments and submissions for either this column, Sessions, the Diary, Morris Diary or your Adverts (i.e. basically anything you send us via email!) please remember to include your club / organisation name in the file name (and ideally the issue number if possible) so we don’t miss anything / get entries muddled up.
Organisers & venues
CFA Chiltern Folk Association Amersham Community Centre, Chiltern Avenue, Amersham, HP6 5AH Joyce Stace, 01494 727512, www.chilternfolk.org.uk CFAV Chiltern Folk Association Amersham Common Village Hall, 24 White Lion Road, Amersham, HP7 9JD Joyce Stace, 01494 727512, www.chilternfolk.org.uk SFCD Staplers Folk Dance Club St Ippolyts Parish Hall, Waterdell Lane, St Ippolyts, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG4 7RB Cecilia Mills, 01582 881966 NC Northampton Ceilidhs Christchurch Hall, Christchurch Road, Abington, Northampton, NN1 5LL Gwynneth Moore, Secretary, 01604 711342 www.northamptonfdc.wordpress.com SFDC Staplers Folk Dance Club St John’s Community Centre, St John’s Road, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 9JP Gill Goodman, 01462 456811, gillagoodman@hotmail.co.uk, www.staplers.org.uk UC Unicorn Ceilidhs St Mary’s Hall, Church Street, Baldock, SG7 5AE Alan Creamer 01582 724261, 07946 439095, alan@creamer.me.uk, www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk WFDC Winchmore Folk Dance Club Trinity Church Hall, Church St / Gentleman’s Row, Enfield, EN2 6AN John 0208 926 7293, Gillian 0208 360 6226, Joyce 0208 886 2696
Please note that due to space restrictions in this issue, if a dance listing appears in The Diary (pages 21–23) then we have not necessarily duplicated it in this section (unless we were specifically asked to do so). If you don’t see a particular dance event here therefore, do check the Diary!
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ater on in 2019 we may be revising the way we ask for and process certain bits of information, so please keep an eye out for our notification emails on that subject. All of these changes are designed to improve our ability to get the magazine out on time, with as much accuracy as possible and with the greatest level of efficiency, so please bear with us during any changes.
Also, if you prepare your ad in Word, please save it as a PDF and send it to us in that format (and don’t forget to delete the background template / don’t include any box outlines).
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Fridays from 8pm
Jan 3rd
Mark T plus floor spots
Jan 10th
Open Stage featuring Lizzie Hardingham
Jan 17th
Ninebarrow plus floor spots
Jan 24th
Open Stage
£2.50 p performers / £4.50 0 non-performers// £3.50 concesssions
Jan 31st
Ranagri plus floor spots
Feb 7th
Open Stage featuring Pembroke Tenneson
Guest Nights
Feb 14th
James Brothers plus floor spots
Feb 21st
Open Stage
25 Jan – Fife & Strum
Feb 28th
Zoe Wren plus floor spots
Mar 7th
Open Stage
Mar 14th
John Ward plus floor spots
Mar 21st
Open Stage featuring Crayon Angels
Mar 28th
Tom McConville plus floor spots
Folk in the A Annexe 11 Jan, 8 Feb b, 8 Mar
£13.50 / £11.50 cooncessions
22 Feb – Stevee Tilston 22 2 Mar – The Ask kew Sisters
ALL OTHER THURSDAYS ARE OPEN STAGE NIGHTS
THURSDAYS 8.00pm – 10.45pm
! "" #
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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H
aving reviewed ‘Instamatic’, the debut recording from The Rag House Band in the last issue (Issue 144, page 39), we were delighted to be invited to the recent official launch party for the CD. The venue for this launch was The Loft, a relatively new restaurant (appropriately) high up in the eves of one of the 600 year old buildings that can be found hidden away on the historic George Street in St Albans’ city centre. It made for a really interesting and intimate venue for a musical event, with the ancient beams (which at 6 foot 5 inches I found a bit challenging to say the least!) lending a perfect atmospheric setting for the music. The band played a selection of songs from their new recording, and the overall sound was excellent – never loud or brash as can often be the case in such a small space. The mix of instruments was very clear, allowing the clever arrangements and thoughtful lyrics to come across very well. Steve’s ukelele sounded great (a complex-looking floor preamp was being used to great effect, I suspect), as did the bass guitar and bass ukelele from Andy. Steve’s daughter Rachel sang beautifully,
and her voice harmonised very nicely with her father’s. Rachel also played the harmonium, which added some interesting sonic textures, as did her and Andy’s shared use of a very modern looking keyboard instrument for additional ‘sound scapes’ (apparently this is a Seaboard – check it out in the links at the bottom of the page if that kind of ergonomic MIDI controller is your bag). The prosecco flowed, canapes were consumed and the after-show food from the restaurant kitchen looked lovely. I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and the band had clearly put a lot of time and effort into organising the perfect launch for their product! I look forward to seeing them go far... More details on the band, where to see them and how to purchase their CD can be found at their website as below: www.raghouseband.uk www.loftstalbans.com https://roli.com/products/ seaboard Clive Batkin
photos BY ESTHER WRAGG 12
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
The Old Bull Inn 56 High St (car park Market Hill) Royston SG8 9AW 7:30 for 8pm till 11pm
www.roystonfolk.org Concert Nights Last Friday of EVERY Month
Nights
Friday 25th January 2019 £15 (£13 in advance) £2 under 25s Sam Kelly & The Lost Boy .. .. Jamie Francis The foot tapping young folk heroes repertoire is built around Sam and banjo player Jamie so we can expect an exciting concert from the duo…
Support by The Winner of the Royston Folk Club Young Musician of the Year 2018
THURSDAY 7th February 2019 £17 (£15 in advance) £2 under 25s Phill Beer (of ‘Show of Hands’) One of the most popular ambassadors for acoustic roots music. We are very lucky to capture him ‘mid flight’ for a solo show at Royston Support by Kaszak and Afifi
! Friday 29th March 2019 £13 (£11 in advance) £2 under 25s Oka Vanga Award winning Folk & Roots duo Angela & Will return for a long awaited update
Support by Chris Fox Youngsters… if you like George Ezra give yourself a much more intimate treat because you will love meeting, in person, Chris Fox
Showcase Nights Second Friday of EVERY Month Friday 11th January 2019
Nights
Jeremy Harmer and Josh Lynch Andy Lefevre (pic) Karuna Bob Hines Karl Hunter
Friday 22nd February 2019
Pitmatics (BAND) Phillip Rundall and .. .. Mike Thompson Roswell Primakova (pic) Colin Frid
Friday 8th March 2019
The Long Nights (BAND pic) John Meed Michael Chapman Mike Excell Dom Prag
Showcases hosted by Mark Gamon or Brian Harvey entry is £4 (£3 performers) £2 under 25s Just arrive and pay on the door MARK IS NOW BOOKING SHOWCASE SPOTS FOR 2019
CONCERT NIGHT TICKETS FROM THE OLD BULL OR ON THE DOOR (or reserve 01763260556)
“For FOLK Music read … GREAT Music” Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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FOLK ON FOOT
T
he innovative ‘Folk on Foot’ podcast is the brainchild of well-known radio personality Matthew Bannister (if you are a regular listener to Radio 4 then his voice will instantly be recognisable to you). This new venture from the seasoned broadcaster (and folk fan) very neatly encapsulates three of his favourite things – folk music, walking, and the production of stories in sound . The essence of the show is deceptively simple – Matthew recruits an eclectic range of folk artists, all of whom share his love of walking. He then accompanies them on an individual trek of their choice, using the opportunity to chat to them, learn more about how their love of a particular landscape influences their creative endeavours, and captures them playing and singing en route. A quick glance at the podcast website shows the breadth and quality of the artists involved, and a lot of the top names on the scene are already featured. I found the differing array of locations to also be particularly fascinating – from urban landscapes and little-known hideaways, to the more traditional idyllic areas. If you want to know what setting inspired Jon Boden to come up with the concept for his ‘Songs From The Floodplain’ recordings, then look no further than the ‘Jon Boden in the Loxley Valley’ episode... Fancy a more urban journey with Stick of the Wheel, then listen in January 2019 to their trip around Epping Forest... There is even a future episode set in a swimming pool! (Kerry Andrew / You Are Wolf at Brockwell Lido)... In addition to the podcast, the website also includes some interesting film snippets showing the recording process and featuring some intimate performances from some of the musicians in their chosen locations. Each episode is clearly extremely labour intensive to produce for Matthew and his small team of producers – travelling to the numerous, and often outlying, locations featured in the episodes takes a great deal of
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time, effort and money alone. Factor in the very high production values and the tricky process of making accurate recordings in the English countryside in all weathers, and you have a idea of what must be involved in taking each episode from concept to broadcast. The podcast is currently privately funded, but you can help Matthew carry on his work and make more content by donating via the Patreon funding site at www.patreon.com. Do head over there and help Matthew continue his valuable and innovative work if you see fit. The podcasts can be listened to directly via the website, or subscribed to via the usual sources such as iTunes or Podbean. Season 1 of the show had over 20,000 downloads, and Seasons 2 and 3 are already set to exceed this. I for one look forward to each new episode and am sure the site will grow in the years to come. Excuse me, I’m off for a walk... www.folkonfoot.com Clive Batkin
JON BODEN & Matthew Bannister
Matthew Bannister & Kerry ANDREW
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
at The Pump House, Local Board Road, Watford WD17 2JP
Folk and Acoustic Music at its best Fridays 8pm – 11pm Jan 4th
Singaround
£5
Jan 11th
Warp & Weft
£7
Jan 18th
“Voice of a New Nation” -
£10
Martyn Wyndham –Read ,Doug Jenner & Roland Taylor (featuring stories, poems/songs of the great Australian Poet ,Henry Lawson)
Jan 25th
Songwriters Circle with Liz Lawley,
£5
Ray Owen & Richard Stewart Feb 1st
Singaround
£5
Feb 8th
Bernard Hoskin
£7
Feb 15th
Singaround
£5
Feb 22nd
Kelly Oliver
£10
March 1st
Singaround
£5
March 8th
Steve Turner
£10
March 15th
Lizzy Hardingham
£7
March 22nd
The Foxglove Trio
£7
March 29th
Songwriters Circle with Alison Raymond,
£5
Vernon Stanbridge &Lizzy Hardingham Website : watfordfolkclub.co.uk Email: WatfordFolkClub@outlook.com Find us on Facebook: Watford Folk Club
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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Copyright A.L.Raymond 2018
The YMCA at Sidmouth THE sessions YMCA SESSIONS AT SIDMOUTH
ALISON RAYMOND Alison Raymond
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Copyright A.L.Raymond 2018 We’ve not had a tune for several issue – many thanks to Alison Raymond for sending in the above excellent example! Do remember to send us your news, for either ‘Chatterbox’ or ‘Round The Clubs’, and we’ll endeavour to feature it in the next issue. Apologies if you have sent us a CD and we have yet to review it – we are still inundated with submissions but will try to clear the backlog early in the New Year. Do keep sending them in to us, of course...
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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t Albans Folk Festival is moving back to the end of June in 2019 and will take place from June 28-30. The main events on will be on Saturday June 29, with an open evening at Friday Folk Social Dance Club on June 28 and sessions and singarounds on Sunday June 30. During the day of June 29, there will be a Day of Dance in the city centre. After the opening massed dance display outside the Alban Arena, the space will be used for activities for children. This year, there will be free music showcases in five city centre pubs, Waterstones bookshop and, now the old Town Hall has reopened, the old Court Room which is now a cafe. There will also be traditional and Old-Timey sessions and a singaround. A major innovation this year is that the evening Festival Concert will take place in the Roman Theatre at Verulamium. We have been invited to hold it there as part of a summer season of events run by Ovo Theatre, which also runs the Maltings Arts Theatre. Our guests will be the iconic band, Flook. With the flutes and whistles of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly, Flook is known for
weaving and spinning traditionally rooted tunes into an enthralling sound. After becoming a major name nationally and internationally, Flook took a break in 2008. The band started to return to the scene four years ago and is now back, launching a new CD, Ancora early in 2019. Flook still does a limited number of bookings, but as Sarah Allen comes from St Albans, the band has been persuaded to play for us. Tickets will be on sale by the time you read this, at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo. St Michael’s Street folk evening will be on Wednesday July 3 and this year it will also be the opening event of the St Albans International Organ Festival Fringe Festival. There has been a question mark hanging over it as the Council has discovered legislation which requires the organisers to spend £760 on diversion signs which are more suited to major roadworks than a two hour street festival. As everyone performs for free and no collections are taken, the organisers have no funds, this is a problem, but a solution will be found one way or another to ensure that the event goes ahead as usual. Alison Macfarlane
FLOOK, photo by Naoki Fujioka Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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If you fancy dancing North East Rapper or Yorkshire Longsword or Medieval Buffens join us on a Tuesday at 8.30-10pm in the Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage, SG1 1UP or email bagman@stevenagesword.org.uk
Wednesday 16th January
The Shackleton Trio £12 (£11 advance)
Wednesday 13th February
Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer £12 (£11 advance)
Wednesday 13th March
Luke Jackson £12 (£11 advance)
Spring 2019 If you enjoy a lively barn dance, you'll find Friday Folk is a great way to meet like-minded people and have fun. Newcomers are always welcome. And there's no need to bring a partner. Meeting Fridays from 7:45 to 10:00 pm at The Church Hall, Marlborough Road, St Albans, AL1 3XG. www.fridayfolk.org.uk – 01727 856508 Standard Friday admission £4
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4 Jan Paul Garner 11 Jan David & Rebecca Capron and Friday Folk Band 18 Jan Club callers 25 Jan Bob Barrett 1 Feb Andrea Stodell 8 Feb Mike Bennett and Spring Greens 15 Feb Colin Hume and FF Band 22 Feb Bob Lilley 1 Mar Wendy's Birthday with Mark Elvins and Jump the Vortex 8 Mar Friday Folk Band 15 Mar Red Nose Day with Suzanne Farmer 22 Mar Mike Ruff and Spring Greens 29 Mar Club callers 5 Apr Friday Folk Band 12 Apr Patricia Donnithorne 19 Apr Closed for Easter
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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his gig was a highlight of my November. I’ve seen both bands before of course, and attended numerous performances at The Arena, but this night was a particularly excellent combination of all three. Norwich-based Alden, Patterson & Dashwood were on terrific form, and seemed undaunted at both supporting the mighty Show of Hands and filling the surprisingly large stage of the Arena. Previously I’ve seen them at much smaller venues, but I was truly impressed at the way their full sound and unassuming manner filled the hall. Their harmonies were very tight, their musicianship of a very high standard, and their chatting between songs both funny and engaging. I think this was the best support performance I have seen for a while, and I am sure the band will fashion a growing audience in the future. Show of Hands had something a bit different to reveal to us at this show. With Miranda Sykes having some time off from touring due to the birth of her baby, the well known duo of Steve and Phil was this time joined by percussionist Cormac Byrne (probably best know for his work with the Seth Lakeman band). The band sounded superb with the new line up, and the addition of percussion gave them an opportunity to present some new takes on old songs, as well as highlight the crossover feel of a few of their newer tunes. Included on the night were a set of three of Phil’s instrumental tunes, which again were brought to the fore by the addition of Cormac’s playing. Steve informed us of a forthcoming gig that will feature both Miranda as well as Cormac – I am sure that fuller line up will be a superb creation, and I hope I’ll one day get a chance to see or hear it! As ever the Alban Arena proved to be an excellent location for this big gig – the sound and overall atmosphere were both very good, and all the support staff were particularly helpful and pleasant – all in all, a fantastic Friday night out! Clive Batkin
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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Advert Unicorn Jan - Mar 19:Layout 2
8/11/18
16:48
Page 1
Dance the night away . . . it’s a barn dance – or is it a ceilidh? A ceilidh (say
kayley) is your chance to dance English folk dances with others. The caller explains all the moves and walks them through – the band starts – and a great time is had by all! There’s usually a dance display in the interval and a raffle. Singles and groups are welcomed – just come and enjoy dancing to great music from top bands. Tickets only £10 - singles & groups welcome.
See www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
with caller
with caller
barry Goodman
Dan Bones (acoustic guitar, bouzouki), Mark Jolley (bass, fiddle), Phil (accordion, bass), Rosie Butl Wilcox (fiddle), Will Allen or Simoner-Hall Care (melodeon), Nick Haynes (dru cussion, bass and track com ms, perposer), Cate Haynes (fiddle, vocals and combine to make a sound that caller) ceilidh music into the 21st cenbrings tury! Barry has a huge repertoir dances, and has called withe of great the best.
andy rouse
FULL BAR with REAL ALE
Christchurch Hall, Christchurch Road, Northampton NN1 5LL MON, 31 December, CEILIDH
mike courthold
Gareth Kiddier (piano) has been the folk dance scene for over 15 playing on years and is a passionate dancer. He also play The Watch, PolkaWorks and othe s with sional line-ups. Linda Game (fidd r occadolin) has been playing folk basele, mand music for over 20 years since she escaped from the Classical world! Mike has been calling since 1981 also the Dance Director for Chip , and is penham Folk Festival.
Tickets now available on line see website for details
Doors open 7.30 p.m. Dancing 8.00 to 11.00 p.m.
American Contras in Ely Hayward Theatre, The Gallery, Ely, Cambs With “The Stingrays”, caller Lisa Greenleaf
Sleeping Moggy with John Weaver Interval: Come All Ye
SAT, 26 January, CEILIDH All Strung Out with Simon Loake Interval: Queens Oak Morris SAT, 23 February, CEILIDH Kelly's Eye with Ivan Aitken Interval: Old Mother Redcap _______________________
Dancing from 8pm to 11pm (NYE 00:30) Adults £9; Student £5; Accompanied under 16s FREE ; Group of 6 ( paying) one free
Saturday, April 6th and Tuesday, April 9th 2019, from 7:30pm to 10:30pm Registration is required to attend by emailing: geebee219@gmail.com £10.00, £8.00 concessions 12 minute walk from railway station, nearby parking on Barton Road.
Free Car Park
John 07760 197921 Ruth 01933 397767, www.northamptonceilidhs.co.uk
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with caller
The Pigeon Swing plays lively traditional Québécois dance tunes with English style to get your feet really tapping! All the band members have been involved in many influential English dance bands, including The Old Swan Band, Flowers & Frolics, The Oyster Band, Gas Mark V, Edward the Second and Tiger Moth. Andy is an enthusiastic caller & dancer, and always transforms the evening into a memorable occasion!
Northampton Ceilidhs
Licenced Bar
english contra dance band
the pigeon swing
Urban folk theory
St Mary’s Hall, Church St, Baldock SG7 5AE
FRIDAY 12TH APRIL
FRIDAY 8TH MARCH
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www.contraholiday.net Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Wednesday 2 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers Thursday 3 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced Thursday 3 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • New Year Singaround Sunday 9 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Barry Goodman & Friends Thursday 3 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Mark T and floor spots Thursday 3 ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots’ style tuition in singing, guitar, fiddle, penny whistle – see website for details Thursday 3 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing Friday 4 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance Friday 4 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Open Stage with Lester Lloyd Reason Friday 4 FOLK AT THE MALTINGS • The Town Musicians of Bremen and Megan Wisdom Friday 4 FRIDAY FOLK • Paul Garner Friday 4 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround Sunday 6 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • New Year-themed Open Stage Sunday 6 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Bary Goodman & Friends Monday 7 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Magpie Lane Monday 7 HERGA AT THE CASTLE Singaround, free Monday 7 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night Monday 7 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 8 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Glymjack (trio) Wednesday 9 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris Wednesday 9 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Junkyard Dawg Jug Band Wednesday 9 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers Wednesday 9 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm New Members Especially Welcome Thursday 10 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced Thursday 10 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night Thursday 10 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • OPEN STAGE featuring Lizzie Hardingham Thursday 10 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing Friday 11 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Pat Crilly & Greg Camburn; Chris Fox; Three Years Younger Friday 11 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Showcase Session feat. Jeremy Harmer and Josh Lynch Friday 11 FRIDAY FOLK • David & Rebecca Capron and Friday Folk Band Friday 11 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Warp & Weft Saturday 12 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Cambridge dance out Sunday 13 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Sunday 13 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Edwina Hayes plus Daria Kulesh Monday 14 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers Monday 14 HERGA AT THE CASTLE Singaround, free Monday 14 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night Monday 14 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Featuring Lizzy Hardingham Tuesday 15 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Wednesday 16 ELY FOLK CLUB • The Shackleton Trio (support Ward & Parker) Wednesday 16 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Wednesday 16 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Guest Caller Marlene Harrison-Jones Wednesday 16 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm, New Members Especially Welcome Thursday 17 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced Thursday 17 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Local Singers and Musicians
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday
17 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Taster Session, 8pm–10pm 17 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Ninebarrow and floor spots 17 ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots’ style tuition in singing, guitar, fiddle, penny whistle – see website for details 17 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing 18 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance 18 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Mentes Maskent 18 FRIDAY FOLK • Club callers 18 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • “Voice of a New Nation”: Martyn Wyndham-Read, Doug Jenner & Roland Taylor 20 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB• Robbie Burnsthemed Open Stage 20 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris 20 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Amy Wadge & Luke Jackson (ticket only) 21 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers Featuring Petrichor 21 HERGA AT THE CASTLE Singaround, free 21 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 21 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround 22 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Daria Kulesh & Marina Osman 23 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 23 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Kelvin Davies 23 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 23 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm, New Members Especially Welcome 24 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced 24 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 24 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm–10pm 24 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 24 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing 25 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Newcomers’ Showcase with John Meed & friends 25 FRIDAY FOLK • Bob Barrett 25 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Concert – Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys, plus Young Artist winner 25 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Songwriters Circle with Liz Lawley, Ray Owen & Richard Stewart 27 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Katie Doherty and the Navigators 27 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Bully Wee Band 28 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers 28 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free 28 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 28 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround 29 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • AGM & Round the Room 30 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 30 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 30 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm, New Members Especially Welcome 31 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced 31 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 31 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm–10pm 31 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Ranagri and floor spots 31 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing
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Friday Friday
1 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance 1 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Open Stage with Rebecca Mills Friday 1 FOLK AT THE MALTINGS • Alison Frosdick & Jack Burnaby Friday 1 FRIDAY FOLK • Andrea Stodell Friday 1 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Annual Woodside Ale by invitation. Please contact for details. Friday 1 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround Saturday 2 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Spring Dance with Rhodri Davies and Kelly’s Eye at St Ippolyts Parish Hall (note alternative venue, please) Sunday 3 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Sunday 3 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Ninebarrow Monday 4 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers Featuring Lizzie Hardingham Monday 4 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Rosie Hood, £8.00 Monday 4 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night Monday 4 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 5 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Rosie Hood Wednesday 6 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris Wednesday 6 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers Wednesday 6 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm Thursday 7 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced Thursday 7 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night Thursday 7 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm Thursday 7 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage featuring Pembroke Tenneson Thursday 7 ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots’ style tuition in singing, guitar, fiddle, penny whistle – see website for details Thursday 7 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing Thursday 7 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Concert: Phil Beer, support by Kaszak & Afifi Friday 8 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Showcase: Kelly & Woolley; I Claudia Friday 8 FRIDAY FOLK • Mike Bennett and Spring Greens Friday 8 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Bernard Hoskin Sunday 10 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Sunday 10 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • 10th Phil Beer (Ticket only) Monday 11 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers Monday 11 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free Monday 11 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night Monday 11 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 12 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Mairi Campbell Wednesday 13 ELY FOLK CLUB • Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer (support. Frog on a Bike) Wednesday 13 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Wednesday 13 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • John Mead & Rhys Wilson Wednesday 13 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers Wednesday 13 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm Thursday 14 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced Thursday 14 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Local Singers and Musicians Thursday 14 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm Thursday 14 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • James Brothers and floor spots Thursday 14w ROUNDABOUTERS • Club night, country dancing Friday 15 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance Friday 15 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • The Cyriacs CD launch; Glymjack Friday 15 FRIDAY FOLK • Colin Hume and Friday Folk Band 22
Friday Sunday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday
15 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround 17 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Valentine-themed Open Stage 17 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris 17 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Steve Knightley (Ticket only) 18 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Granny’s Attic 18 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free 18 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 18 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Guests Alison Frosdick & Jack Burnaby 19 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Rosewood 20 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 20 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Guest Caller Mike Ruff 20 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm 21 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced 21 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 21 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm 21 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 21 ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots’ style tuition in singing, guitar, fiddle, penny whistle – see website for details 21 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club Night, country dancing 22 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Karen Tweed 22 FRIDAY FOLK • Bob Lilley 22 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Showcase Session feat. Pitmatics 22 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Kelly Oliver 24 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Sarah Jane Souten 24 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Knight & Spiers 25 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers 25 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free 25 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 25 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround 26 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Round the Room 27 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 27 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Graham Hine 27 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 27 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm 28 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: To be announced 21 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 28 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm 28 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Zoe Wren and floor spots 28 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club Night, country dancing
don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE TO both OUR BLOG and our mailing list FOR revised gig dates, news & UPDATES BETWEEN ISSUES... A VERY happy new year to all our readers!
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Clive & Sandra
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Sunday
1 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance 1 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Open Stage with Tom Conway & Joel Halcomb 1 FOLK AT THE MALTINGS • Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyle 1 FRIDAY FOLK • Mark Elvins and Jump the Vortex 1 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround 3 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 3 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar plus Kirsty Merryn 4 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers Featuring Flibbertigibbet 4 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Martyn Wyndham Reed & Doug Jenner, £8.00 4 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 4 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround 5 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Harbottle & Jonas 6 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris 6 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 6 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm 7 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: to be announced 7 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 7 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm 7 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 7 ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots’ style tuition in singing, guitar, fiddle, penny whistle – see website for details 7 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club Night, country dancing 8 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Jinski 8 FRIDAY FOLK • Friday Folk Band 8 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Showcase Session featuring The Long Nights 8 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Steve Turner 10 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Megan Wisdom & Saul Bailey 10 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Churchfitters 11 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers 11 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free 11 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 11 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround 12 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Richard Digance £10 & £12 13 ELY FOLK CLUB • Luke Jackson (support tba) 13 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 13 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Jeremy Harmer & Josh Lynch 13 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 13 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm 14 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: to be announced 14 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Local Singers and Musicians 14 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm 14 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • John Ward Trio and floor spots 14 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club Night, country dancing 15 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance 15 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Showcase: Alan & Lynne Hempton: The Larks 15 FRIDAY FOLK • Suzanne Farmer 15 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Lizzy Hardingham 17 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • St Patrick’s Day themed Open Stage 17 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris 17 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Steve Tilston Plus Tinderbox
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Sunday Sunday
18 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Reg Meuross 18 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free 18 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Club Night 18 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround 19 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 20 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 20 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Guest Caller Wendy Harrup (tbc) 20 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm 21 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: to be announced 21 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 21 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm 21 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage featuring Crayon Angels 21 ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots’ style tuition in singing, guitar, fiddle, penny whistle – see website for details 21 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club Night, country dancing 22 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Brooks Williams 22 FRIDAY FOLK • Mike Ruff and Spring Greens 22 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • The Foxglove Trio 24 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 24 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Thriplow Daffodil Festival 24 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham (Ticket only) 25 CHESHAM FOLK CLUB • Singers 25 HERGA AT THE CASTLE • Singaround, free 25 STAPLERS FOLK DANCE CLUB • Christmas Party 25 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Guest Si Barron 26 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Round the Room 27 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country 27 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Rosewood 27 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 27 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice, 8pm 28 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Caller: to be announced 28 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 28 DEVIL’S DYKE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm–10pm 28 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Tom McConville and floor spots 28 ROUNDABOUTERS • Club Night, country dancing 29 CAMBRIDGE CONTRA DANCE • Dance 29 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • The Portland Brothers: Dan Wilde 29 FOLK AT THE MALTINGS • Gren Bartley 29 FRIDAY FOLK • Club Callers 29 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Concert: Oka Vanga, support by Chris Fox 29 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Songwriters Circle with Alison Raymond, Vernon Stanbridge & Lizzy Hardingham 31 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Richard Digance 31 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage
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[ Listed alphabetically by location ] BEDFORD • Bedford Folk Dance Club Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB Contact: Ron D. Law, 01234 825574 www.bedfordfolkdanceclub.com
Milton Keynes • Roots School Community Centre, Britten Grove, Old Farm Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK7 8QU Contact: John Timpany, 07587 562 282, roots-school.co.uk
BEDFORD • Bedford Folk Music Club Kempston Hammers Sports and Social Club, 134 High Street, Kempston, Bedfordshire MK42 7BN Tel: 01234 853262 Contact: Mike Blair, 01525 404513 – see us on Facebook
REDBOURN • Redbourn Folk Club Old School Room, Hollybush PH, Church End, Redbourn AL3 7DU Contact: Jenny McNaught, 01582 793164 www.redbournfolkclub.org.uk
BLACK FEN • Black Fen Folk Club NCI Sports and Social Club, 1 Holland Street, Cambridge CB4 3DL Contact: Pete Barrett, Petebodhran@yahoo.co.uk www.blackfenfolkclub.com
ROYSTON • Royston Folk Club Old Bull Inn, 56 High St, Royston SG8 9AW Contact: Mark Gamon (showcases) 07738 183158, Chris Walls (concerts) 01763 260 556, www.roystonfolk.org
CAMBRIDGE • Cambridge Contra Dance St Andrew’s Hall, St Andrew’s Rd, Chesterton CB4 1DH Contact: Hugh Stewart, 01223 368641, www.cambridgefolk.org.uk/contra CAMBRIDGE • Cambridge Folk Club Golden Hind PH, 355 Milton Rd, Cambridge CB4 1SP Contact: Marion Treby, 01638 603986 www.cambridgefolkclub.co.uk CAMBRIDGE • Devil’s Dyke Morris Men Bottisham Scout Hut, Cambridge CB25 9BB Contact: Randall Scott, 01223 208253 www.devilsdykemm.org.uk Chesham • Chesham Folk Club White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham HP5 1AG Contact: cheshamfolk123@gmail.com www.cheshamfolkclub.org.uk ELY • Ely Folk Club (no bar) The Old Dispensary, St Mary’s Street, Ely, Cambs CB7 4ER (no bar) Contact: Ruth Bramley / Andy Wall, 01353 740999 / 01353 664706, www.elyfolkclub.co.uk HARROW • Herga at the Castle The Castle PH, 30 West Street, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3EF Contact: Tim Brooks, 01923 264536, www.herga.club HERTFORD • Four Rivers Folk Club (formerly The White Horse Folk Club) The Hertford Club, Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT Contact: Pat Crilly 07971 804418, patcrilly@hotmail.com HITCHIN • Hitchin Folk Club Sun Hotel, Sun St, Hitchin, SG5 1AF Contact: Maureen Jones, 01462 812391< goodmusic@hitchinfolkclub.co.uk www.hitchinfolkclub.co.uk HITCHIN • Staplers Country Dance Club St John’s Community Centre, St John’s Rd, Hitchin SG4 9JP Contact: Gill Goodman, 01462 456811, gillagoodman@hotmail.co.uk, www.staplers.org.uk HITCHIN • Staplers Anniversary & Christmas Dances St Ippolyts Village Hall, Waterdell Lane, St Ippolyts, Hitchin SG4 7RA Contact: Gill Goodman, 01462 456811 gillagoodman@hotmail.co.uk, www.staplers.org.uk
ST ALBANS • Folk at the Maltings The Maltings Arts Theatre, Level 2, The Maltings, St Albans AL1 3HL Contact: Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk ST ALBANS • Friday Folk Social Dance Club Methodist Church, Marlborough Rd, St Albans AL1 3XG Contact: Bob Barrett, 01727 856508, 07762 085629 www.fridayfolk.org.uk ST NEOTS • St Neots Folk Club Priory Centre, Priory Lane, St Neots PE19 2BH Contact: Roger Pitt, 01234 376278, www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk STEVENAGE • Roundabouters Country Dancing Club Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage, SG1 1UP Contact: Lorna Sharpe, 01438 727 293, roundabouters@live.co.uk, www.roundabouters.org.uk WALTHAM ABBEY • Waltham Abbey Folk Club The Angel PH, Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1EJ Contact: Jan Ayres, 01992 613987, www.walthamabbeyfolkclub.com WATFORD • Woodside Morris Men Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre, Local Board Rd, Watford, WD17 2JP Contact: Nick Wilson 07860 663033 or pete@iw2.co.uk http://www.woodsidemorrismen.com WATFORD • Watford Folk Club Colne River Room, Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre, Local Board Rd, Watford, WD17 2JP Contact: http://watfordfolkclub.co.uk
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LINSLADE • Linsleighders Folk Dance Group The Forster Institute, Waterloo Rd, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2NR Contact: Elizabeth Corser, 01525 378010, Elizabeth.corser@btinternet.com LUTON • English Miscellany East Hyde Village Hall, Southern Rise, East Hyde Luton, Beds, LU2 9QB Contact: Eileen Heylin, 01442 255862 www.englishmiscellany.com 24
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
I
t’s not often you see audience members in floods of tears at a folk concert. But this was no ordinary folk concert. A packed Cambridge Corn Exchange audience sat entranced as some of our finest singer-songwriters and musicians told the moving and often harrowing story of Britain’s forced child migration. Exquisitely crafted songs written and performed by Chris While, Julie Matthews, Jez Lowe, Boo Hewerdine, O’Hooley & Tidow and John Doyle, told the dark story of how more than 100,000 poor or orphaned children were sent overseas, to Australia, Canada and other former colonies with the promise of a better life. Many of them found only hardship, physical and sexual abuse and loneliness.
a strong character and had managed to escape and build a life for himself. Not everyone had been so lucky. Brian King. Kimpton Folk Events
The child migration programme ran from the 1920s to the 1970s, involving children aged from three to 14, mainly from deprived backgrounds and already in some sort of social or charitable care. Many were taken against their will, separated from their siblings and often falsely told that their parents were dead. Song after song raged against the injustice of the policy and told the plaintive stories of individual children who had suffered. Accompanying the singers on stage were master musicians, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and Andy Seward and the evening, which included recorded interviews with people who had been forced to migrate as children, was narrated by Barbara Dickson. The underlying message of the event, part of a short nationwide tour, was that although governments and other authorities have apologised for the harm done by the policy, little has been done to help or compensate the many people still suffering the consequences of being separated from home and family. During a question and answer session with some of the performers, a member of the audience told how his brother had been forced to migrate to Canada and been brutally treated. With voice breaking, he explained that his brother had been
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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St Andrew’s Church Hertford Friday 14th June 7.30pm
Tickets £18.00 www.ticketsource.co.uk/st-andrews-church
Abbots Langley Winter Acoustic Concerts http://www.oldtimetim.com/alwac.htm
Afternoon of Sunday 10th February 2019 at 3pm - £12.00*
Rosie Hodgson and Rowan Piggott
Rosie and Rowan perform mostly traditional material, both a cappella and accompanied. Rosie is a singer/songwriter from Midhurst, West Sussex. Rowan is a fiddle-singer, writer and tunesmith who grew up in the foothills of the Burren on the west coast of Ireland.
Afternoon of Sunday 10th March 2019 at 3pm - £12.00*
JIB Jim Mageean with Ingrid and Barrie Temple are three of the finest North East singers. They are justly respected for their great stage presence and deep understanding of the songs and music of the North of England. Not to be missed!
Abbots Langley Community Centre Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots Langley, Herts, WD5 0AP
* Ticket includes tea or coffee & cake in the interval advance reservation recommended
Enquiries to ALConcerts@gmail.com Or call Tim and Lesley Brooks on 01923 264536
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
New Youth: how oldie musicians are doing it for themselves
M
y Cambridge 105 Radio colleague Julian Clover and I were chatting to Neil King of Fatea at Cambridge Folk Festival back in the summer. Neil was saying that Fatea aims to promote up-and-coming artists, particularly those not at the young end of the scale but at the age when they have the time and opportunity to pursue their music, plus with a wealth of experience to bring to the songs they write; he mentioned Marina Florance in particular.
Marina is just one example of older performers from our region making headway on the local and national folk scene. Marina is slightly different in that she didn’t start performing in public until she was in her late forties. A more common phenomenon is that of musicians who played in bands in their youth but gave it all up to focus on family and career. Now that the children have flown the nest and they are close to retirement age, they have the time and a bit more disposable income to devote to the passion that never left them – music. I’m thinking of the Boxwood Chessmen, Thursday’s Band, Kelly & Woolley, Cambridge Walker, Two
Coats Colder, or even my own band, Red Velvet. And that’s just the start of a very long list of performers that I’m calling the “New Youth” movement, since these are musicians enjoying a new youth in music. Tony Phillips, who is touring the UK acoustic music sessions / venues for his ‘Rolling On’ project (a book and a film celebrating the “New Youth” movement) agrees that members may have disposable income, but “they also have something much more valuable – experience and the ability to organise. So whether it’s mentoring, providing recording spaces, marketing, festival organising, club / session running, sound or, in my particular case, the provision of community ‘Greenstages’, grey power is in evidence wherever you look”. So there you have it, age is the new youth and, as Tony sings, “the music keeps rolling on!”. Les Ray www.fatea.co.uk • www.marinaflorance.com • www. tonyjphillips.org.uk/the-rolling-on-project/4590311354
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First Quarter 2019 Wed 9th Jan - Junkyard Dawg Jug Band Wed 23rd Jan - Kelvin Davies Wed 13th Feb - John Mead & Rhys Wilson Wed 27th Feb - Graham Hine Wed 13th Mar -Jeremy Harmer & Josh Lynch Wed 27th Mar - Rosewood
THE KIMPTON MUSIC MACHINE PLAYS ON...
T
he music-loving village of Kimpton, still reeling from a night of musical mayhem from John Otway and Wild Willie Barrett, will be the venue for more brilliant but eccentric entertainment when the Churchfitters arrive on Saturday, February 2nd.
Mike Harding has described the Churchfitters as ‘totally brilliant and beautiful’. Expect high-octane and often hilarious entertainment, featuring exquisite harmonies and startlingly original songs accompanied by foot-stompingly fast fiddle, mixed with infectious funk-rock bouzouki.
The concert is a fundraiser for the 2019 Kimpton Folk Festival on Saturday, July 6. Among the artists already booked for the village’s fourth festival are Nancy Kerr and James Fagan / Melrose Quartet, Edgelarks, Megson, Gilmore and Roberts, Alden, Patterson and Dashwood and Mishaped Pearls. More names will be announced soon, including top bands for a new dance-till-you-drop evening concert in the Memorial Hall. For more information and tickets for the Churchfitters and Kimpton Folk Festival, go to: www.kimptonfolk.uk
Virtuoso musicians, Rosie Short, Chris Short and Boris Lebret strut their stuff on stage, regaling audiences with flutes, banjos, guitars, dulcimer, scrap-metal bass guitars, the musical saw and every percussion instrument known to humankind.
Brian King Kimpton Folk Events
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Cambridge Junction
Sat 12 Jan
New Routes
Sat 19 Jan
Megson
Sat 08 Feb
New Routes Feat. Max Bianco & the Bluehearts
Mon 18 Feb
Kathryn joseph
Fri 01 Mar
Ward thomas
Feat. Annie Dressner
Mon 04 mar
COVEN: O’HOOLEY & TIDOW,
Sat 09 Mar
New Routes
Tue 19 Mar
THE RHEINGANS SISTERS
Sat 06 apr
MÀNRAN
Mon 08 Apr
Mary COUGHLAN
Wed 10 apr
Skinny lister
Fri 12 apr
Cc smugglers
Sat 13 apr
LADY MAISERY & GRACE PETRIE
Feat. Honey & The Bear
COCO AND THE BUTTERFIELDS
Cambridge junction, clifton way, Cambridge cb1 7gx
Junction.co.uk | 01223 511 511
H
aving reviewed the Mishaped Pearl’s CD ‘Shivelight’ in Issue 143 (even making it my Editor’s Choice for that issue) I was delighted to be invited to hear them live at a uniquely intimate gig recently. Originally this was due to be a ‘house concert’, but when news of the gig got out the number of attendees rose dramatically, so a new venue had to be sourced. This proved to be the fantastically-chosen Kingsbury Barn, a hidden gem in the very heart of the Roman Verulamium district of St Albans. The barn (a beautifully restored example of a 14th century timbered construction) is rarely used as a music venue, mainly due to complications with nearby residents. It is also open to the elements in places (a purposeful part of its design and construction) which rules out much of its use in the winter months. It was certainly chilly on the night in question, but luckily the band seemed immune to the cold and played on unaffected (most of the audience had come well prepared so it was a generally comfortable night!) The atmospheric setting of the weathered barn, some intimate lighting and the band’s own subtle PA system resulted in a magical night of music. The band’s eclectic range of instrumentation and clever arrangements, coupled with their haunting melodies and clear accompaniments all served to give the audience a wonderful night of entertainment. They even had Pete Flood (percussionist extraordinaire with bands such as Bellowhead) as a dep on the gig, which was a surprising and interesting addition.
The band furnished us with two sets of music, and were joined on two tunes by the organisers of the night, local folk geniuses Chuck & Ange Silverman, to rousing applause! The aforementioned noise restrictions of the location dictated that the concert finish by 9pm, at which point most of us retired to the warming atmosphere of the excellent Six Bells pub in St Michael’s, where the band joined us for chats and drinks. Overall, I can’t think of a better way of spending a late Autumn evening... If you have not seen or heard the band, do check out their website for details of upcoming gigs and go see them at your earliest convenience (www.mishapedpearls.org). Clive Batkin PS: There have been hushed murmurings from the inner folk sanctum that this concert may mark the start of other similar events in The Barn – I am not sure if these will come to fruition but you may rest assured that I’ll keep my ears open for developments and share them with the readership as appropriate.
The band’s lead singer Manuela Schuette has a unique voice, and I was delighted to learn from chatting to her over dinner that she had lived in Gurney Court Road in St Albans for a few years back in the 80s – that fact alone giving her the right to be featured in Unicorn Magazine!
MISHAPED PEARLS Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
KINGSBURY BARN PHOTO BY CLIVE BATKIN www.unicornmagazine.org
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’Great Pleasure’ | Dave Ellis & Boo Howard: This is the new 14 track recording from the well known duo of Dave & Boo (we reviewed their previous release ‘Facebook Friend’ way back in Issue 133). The new CD features a wide selection of both old and new material, all delivered with their usual charisma and aplomb. Dave’s guitar playing is typically fantastic, and I’m a sucker for the chorused guitar sound he employs on some of the jazzier tracks. Their voices work excellently together, and at a single listening you just know that these guys have worked, written and played together for a great number of years. The CD has a fun cover (they clearly spend a lot of time driving to gigs and parking the car!) and comes complete with a useful book of lyrics. They are busy touring around the UK promoting this new album at the moment, so I heartily recommend going to see them at a venue near you as soon as you can. More information on the CD and their other activities from their website: www.daveandboo.com. | CB 2
’Martin & Me‘ | Paul Cherrington: Paul is the guitar playing half of Northants-based Cherrington & Ward. This new recording however is a solo affair from Paul, designed to showcase his excellent finger style playing (Martin of course is his cherished M36 Martin & Co. guitar!). Anyone that knows me will be aware that I love an instrumental guitar CD – I’m no expert in alternatively tuned finger picking of course, but I know what I like! The 14 tracks on this CD are a truly varied mix of styles – some of Paul’s originals (which I liked best, to be honest) plus a few arrangements of traditional and well-know tunes (by the likes of Scott Joplin, the Rev Gary Davies et al ) thrown in for good measure. There is even a Christmas Carol on there! The recording quality is excellent, and the notes ring out clearly and true. I like the very natural style of the playing and album sound – lovers of this style of music should check out his website for more details and to buy the album, www.cherringtonandward.co.uk. | CB
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’True North’ | Philip Henry: So if one solo guitar-based CD is good, two must be doubly excellent... As is true in the case of Philip Henry’s new solo release, True North. Many will have seen and heard this slide guitar maestro‘s work with Edgelarks (with Hannah Martin), but this new release really shows off his mastery of the instrument to the full. It’s a wonderful album, which also features the 22 string Chaturangui instrument (an invention of his original slide guitar teacher, Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya), not to mention his voice (in my ignorance I didn’t realise he sang as well!). The content – a mix of originals, traditional arrangements, a song from one of his mates, other writers etc – is a very interesting mix which kept me fascinated throughout. The beautifully designed CD cover comes with notes that explain the origins of the songs, and the inclusion of the guitar tunings used on each piece will delight the guitar nerds outs there in their droves. If you didn’t think that slide guitar was for you (and I definitely once fell into that category) then this album may well sway you over to the ‘dark side’ of this instrument. More information of Philip, his work and the CD can be found at his website: www.philliphenry.co.uk. | CB 4
‘Miner’s Eyes’ | Kelly & Woolley: This is the second CD by this duo from Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds, and differs from their first – ‘Papers in my Shoe’, released in 2015 – in that it is built around their own compositions, whereas the previous one predominantly contains their versions of traditional songs and tunes in a cajun and bluegrass style. What the two albums have in common is very pared-down, simple (in the nicest sense of the word) arrangements, with just two voices, Gary Woolley’s guitar and Matt Kelly on fiddle, viola or mandolin: very much what you hear here is what you get when you see them live. Gary takes most of the songwriting credits here (8 out of the 11 tracks), with the key themes of his contributions being industrial decline (‘10,000 Stevedores’, ‘Cairo
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
CB | reviewed by Clive Batkin LR | reviewed by Les Ray
to Vincennes’, ‘Miner’s Eyes’) along with perhaps a more general sense of melancholy at passing time and loss (‘These Country Lanes’, ‘Walk Right Out the Door’). Matt contributes a tune to end the CD, an experimental song without rhyme (‘The Same Way’) and ‘Slow Toast’, a bittersweet song that also appears in a different version on a CD by Thursday’s Band. How to sum up this CD in a few words? Fine songwriting, excellent musicianship, delightful harmonies. I couldn’t review ‘Miner’s Eyes’ without mentioning its very striking cover, the picture of a miner called Lee Hipshire by renowned US photojournalist Earl Dotter. Gary explains how they came to use the photo: “After explaining to Earl who we were and why we wanted to use the photo he agreed we could use it as long as we sent four copies to him, one for him and the rest for Lee’s surviving family. We had an initial email from Earl to say he really loved the CD but in October we received an email from Lee’s son to say he loved the music and it had helped them a lot recently as their mum had also passed away”. | LR 5
‘Never Enough’ | John Meed: Although I’ve been a fan of Cambridge-based John Meed’s music for several years now, in my view his seventh album ‘Never Enough’ is possibly his finest work, finding him totally in control of his palette of words and ideas. John is a consummate wordsmith whose stories from today’s cityscapes are in turn punchily political and deeply personal and existential. Oh, and he writes great choruses too. As regards the political, a luscious yet moody introduction sets the tone for the opening track ‘Side by side’, a plea for tolerance and understanding amid the Brexit-fuelled madness of these times. “When she returns dripping sunshine and wine, will whatever makes them different make them shine, side by side?” A beautiful, sadly necessary song. Perhaps reflecting our sense of rootlessness today - Brexit again - John’s are songs of journeys, written in stations, constantly travelling. As in the mysterious ‘La Fayette’, which was written at the Gare du Nord amid businessmen coming and going. As I mentioned, John writes great choruses, and this album has ‘Never Enough’ (which begins with the Cohenesque “I bought her tulips from Haarlem”), and ‘Blackbirds’ (“We are all singers, just like blackbirds”). The album closes with ‘Bordeaux’, where the influence of chansonniers from across the “sleeve of sea” such as Brel and Brassens can perhaps be detected, in lines such as “the evening light turns the limestone into wine”. For ‘Never
Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
Enough’ John has called on the services of some of Cambridge’s finest musicians, such as Matt and Lucinda from Thursday’s Band, to name but two. As ever, the CD has been expertly produced by Rhys Wilson, who also plays on several tracks. | LR 7
‘Tablelands’ | India Electric Company: This is five track CD, this time from the unique ‘masters of fusion’ duo India Electric Company. The recording instantly grabbed my attention (the opening bars of the first song Only Waiting reminding me heavily of the sound / feel of an Esbjörn Svensson Trio vibe) and features some superb playing and arrangements. Being a fan of complex tunes, I have no idea how these guys reproduce these tunes live (I have yet to see them perform, I am sad to say), but I’m guessing some sort of technology / looping may well be involved (I’d welcome feedback on this, of course). Cole Stacey has a great vocal style, and is also responsible for the percussion aspects of the band (he’s even credited as playing ‘gravel’ on one tune!). Joseph O’Keefe handles a wide range of instruments effortlessly, and produces both exotic, classical and folk sounding melodies, all with equal ease and aplomb. The music styles are very diverse, but I thoroughly enjoyed this, never quite knowing what was to come next? The tunes are generally quite short, but not enough to ruin one’s enjoyment. This CD is the third in a trilogy, and I am really looking forward to obtaining the other two, plus seeing what the band comes up with next. They have just finished a special tour of their music in conjunction with The Churches Conservation Trust, performing mostly unplugged (maybe my thoughts about technology in their shows are wrong, therefore?), candle-lit concerts in historic churches that are no longer in regular use. I was very sorry to miss this tour, but will aim to go see them as soon as I can. More information on them and their music from their website, www. indiaelectricco.com. | CB
More reviews to come in the next issue – apologies if we haven’t got round to yours as yet...
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DCBatkin | reviewed by Debbie Catt CB | reviewed by Clive SL | reviewed by Sandra Lawes EB | reviewed by Ed Broadbridge BP | reviewed by Bill Pardon
‘Avalanche’
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‘Strawman’ | Martin Olyett: This selfproduced five track recording from Martin is a terrific offering. Martin is well-known on the local scene (particularly in the Watford area) and this new production (we reviewed his last offering not so long ago in Issue 139) again features both his compositions and playing / singing at their very best. Nicely recorded by Alison Raymond (see a tune from her on page 16 of this issue), the tracks demonstrate Martin playing some tasty finger picked and strummed steel sting guitar, singing thoughtful and well-articulated lyrics, and even a bit of harmonica on one of the tunes. The cover is simply yet stylishly produced (by Martin himself, I think) and has his contact details on there should you want to book him or obtain a copy of the CD. | CB 8
‘Late Cut’ | Steve Turner: This is Steve’s eighth solo recording, and a real gem it is too! It heavily features Steve’s excellent voice and English concertina playing, but also has a plethora of top names (Martin Simpson, Sam Carter & Eliza Carthy to name but three) and top notch performers to back him up. The CD has a wonderfully ‘authentic’ sound to it, as befits a recording that is part of the ‘Tradition Bearers’ record label – a project that aims to bring to the fore the role of the current generation of traditional singers and musicians. Steve has selected and arranged a wonderful range of material from very well known to lesser heard songs, but all are utterly enjoyable and listenable. I really enjoyed the recording style throughout, and the CD stands up very well even after repeated listenings. The title is apparently a cricketing term (who knew?), meaning a clever shot that is executed with great skill, and I can’t think of a better summation of this CD, to be honest! Check out Steve and his other work at his website www. steve-turner.co.uk, and the Tradition Bearer’s site at www.thetraditionbearers.co.uk. | CB
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More reviews to come in the next issue – apologies if we haven’t got round to yours as yet...
Ímar
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f the first track, Deep Blue, from this new CD doesn’t make you a fan of folk music, then absolutely nothing on this great and wide planet will... If it still leaves you sitting on the fence, then track eight (The Third Attempt) should hopefully push you firmly over the edge. If not, there is simply no hope and I wash my hands of you... This recording is about (see my final comment below) as flawless as I have heard this year. The tunes are all fantastic compositions, the playing is virtuostic in just the right way, and it simply enriches my soul to have it on my CD player. And why shouldn’t it – all the musicians have a rich and hard-won pedigree, and clearly they have played together long enough to get a rhythm and flow to their playing that is second to none. I’ve never seen them live but would love to do so – a few snippets on YouTube gave me a idea of what to expect, but I doubt that any of these match up to a truly live performance. Oh, and they have also been both nominated for, and won, loads of awards between them, both as a band and as individuals! The compositions really shine on this recording, and have an interesting variety of both rousing anthems and soulful tear jerkers. A few additional musicians (including Donald Shaw on piano and string arrangements) have been drafted in to add other voicings here and there, but these never cloud or intrude on the fundamental band sound. The cover is slightly sparse in terms of its design and background content to the tunes, but it may be that is intentional, letting the music speak for itself . The only thing that I found slightly strange is that, to my ears at least, the recording has been mixed or mastered to be slightly ‘toppy’. This may be just my copy, my ears, or maybe my sound system, of course, and even so in no way reduced my enjoyment of this truly great recording. Let’s face it, even if it made my ears bleed I’d still listen to it... Check out more about the band here: www.imarband.com. Clive Batkin
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Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
N
ancy Kerr and James Fagan doing a live album recording in an old church? ‘Yeah. Could work. Let’s do it,’ we thought, ‘it might just be a bit good.’
So we did it. And it was, in fact, among the very best things we’ve ever put on at Kimpton. I guess that’s not surprising when you look at what this really was: two of the UK’s finest folk artists at the top of their game. Individually brilliant, but together – with that special husband / wife chemistry that exists between them when they perform – something that is much, much more than the mere sum of parts. You always suspect that for James and Nancy there has never been a kind of ‘ho-hum, here-we-goagain’ type of gig. It seems that at any performance, they’re absolutely on their mettle. But add other factors, like the crystal, ringing acoustics of this ancient church and the adrenaline whoosh from recording in front of a packed house, the music
promises to scale even higher levels of perfection. And that’s what this music did! Nancy Kerr’s finely crafted songs, pure musical poetry, deftly and sensitively lifted by James’ exquisite bouzouki were counterpointed by James’ songs, with many moving intimations of the Australian folk culture that has obviously had such a strong influence on them both. And then there was Nancy’s fiddling – sweetly sensitive, dazzlingly dexterous. And what of her fiddle singing? It makes jaws drop in folk clubs the world over. How do you belt out a finely ornamented reel and sing a different song over the top? If you were at this event, you’ll know what I’m talking about and I’m sure you’ll always feel a part of the album, every time you listen to it. And if you weren’t, buy the album too, and you’ll hopefully get some sense of just how special this concert was. Doug Jenner
Photos by Juliet Morton Unicorn Magazine: ISSUE 145
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SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019 8PM AT KIMPTON MEMORIAL HALL Tickets: from www.kimptonfolk.uk Starts at£12 6.15pm ( Bar opens 5.30pm )
Tickets on the door: £15 Bar open: 7.30pm