So here we are at NFC, with September 2017 now ticked off and approaching October next,with us celebrating our third birthday. A slightly smaller audience than usual, but no less enthusiastic in their chorus singing and as generous as ever with applause and encouragement. They also proved to have deep pockets when it came to buying raffle tickets and CDs and even though they were spread out a little more than usual, the room was still filled right to the back of the hall.
Lots of reasons why attendance was slightly lower this month. Those regulars used to moonlighting as teachers or Education Assistants (poor loves), had just started back to work after richly-deserved Summer Holidays. Many were physically and emotionally shattered. Others, taking advantage of their misfortune (and reduced travel prices once the schools go back) were off abroad, junketing in the sun. Up the A5 at Hinckley Act we had the counter attraction of Tool,Willow et al ,greedily trying to beat their own record for appearing in as many venues as possible during one week.
I had been into The Crown already at dinner time, to hang up the NFC banner, unload the P.A. and set out chairs and tables upstairs. My most immediate logistical problem however was using a bear hug to manoeuvre a large man-sized packing case (allegedly containing a fridge freezer) from the centre of the dance floor, to the side of the room in a less conspicuous place. As the evening got under way rumour spread that John Kearney was not actually in Atlanta,Georgia, but was hidden in this mighty cardboard box, secretly checking out just how well Paul Moore was filling in for him. Mischievous NFC regulars immediately christened this combination as "Punc."
Speaking of which, starting off the evening and joined by, (at JK's suggestion), a slightly anxious Paul Moore,he Flossy and I ground out a few tunes from the regular Nunc repertoire. We had furnished Paul with chord charts,song sheets, You Tube clips and MP3 files,and of course,Paul had accompanied us all previously at Astley Castle and as a member of Mac Awe On Tour. We started with "Bring It On Home", added a fine version of "Angel From Montgomery" (which we knew the real JK would be visiting), and finished with the wonderful Richard Thompson song "Down Where The Drunkards Roll." Paul was fine. We knew he would be.
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| Nunc ft Paul Moore |
Des Patalong, a man of many shades,hats, hues and allegiances, was actually there on Wednesday as a token representative of shanty boys Sharp As Razors.Consequently, he led us in us three vibrant hollers, including the eponymous "Sharp as Razors" which was a good way to get the audience singing straight away. Des had a new Razors CD with him,which he had recorded and mixed himself. Most impressive.
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| Des Patalong. He's Sharp as Razors |
We do like to have our debutantes at NFC but it was of interest to note that, despite appearing in different combinations previously, all our guests this Wednesday had appeared on stage at The Crown before. Take Simon and Sally Ann Veasey for example. Their son Tom (currently outrunning hurricanes in a Disney Cruise ship) was our first Sound Man. His dad Simon appeared early doors partnered with Paul Moore and Sally Ann of course was a founder member of Daisybell. All of them had appeared en famille as The Veasey Family, but I think I'm right in saying that as a husband and wife duo our audience had not seen them previously. Only the week before we had recorded them in this format at the Anker Radio "Live Lounge" sessions, for a birthday Special of Anker Folk. We eventually aired both catchy songs "Moonlightin' Man," and " I'll Catch you Later " on the radio show. I was delighted to hear them repeated at The Crown along with a clever song about how Nuneaton got its name. (The real one, not "Treacle Town").
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| Simon and Sally-Ann. They'll catch us later |
Also recorded and broadcast in both those Live Lounge sessions, another class Nuneaton-based performer, John Neal, made a swift return this Wednesday and gave us three songs: "Passing Day," the seasonal "September Grass" and the powerful "Song for Lennon" with an evocative hook line.
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| John Neal |
We just can't get enough of the excellent Paper Circus at the moment. Talent, Youth and glamour. Not always a in regular supply at some folk clubs. It was good to see them back in the original line up, with Jennian joined by Jim and Siraj. Jim proudly showed me his new cello which had a "proper" pick up, meaning he could finally use a DI box. The days of angled boom mikes were finally over. Jennian in his first week at a new job and fresh from Uni with her two degrees (get YOU girlfriend!) was, as always in fine voice. No, "fine" won't do it,actually. "Beautiful" voice is better. Always good to see jaws dropping when Jennian unleashes those astonishing vocals. Two versions of "Amazing Grace" and "Go Lassie Go" got the classic Circus treatment. Magical. Good sound, guys!
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| Paper Circus. Go Lassie,Go. (And lads) |
With the audience (and Scarecrow) visibly knocked out, and Wilson Wright,invited to follow that did so,admirably. John and Hilary, sounding better than ever. Besides including a song Hilz had previously performed on radio 4 they finished by putting a WW slant on a haunting version of "Fotheringay " which really did justice to such a great song and showed off Hilary's voice to perfection. John Wright's contribution should not be overlooked. His guitar work and vocals are sometimes underestimated. So glad these two got together as a duo.
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| John and Hilary. Wilson Wright are all right |
When you have fellow musicians who turn up knowing that there is no chance of a floor spot you know you are getting somewhere. So it was good to see Jak Lynch, Pete McParland Max Wright and Katherine Fear among others just the enjoying the music. And as Scarecrow stepped up to give us a first taste of their excellent multi-skilling,we all knew we were in for a treat. They'd had lots of requests beforehand and managed to fit them into this first set and the longer second one with not one but two encores.
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| Scarecrow whistling up a storm |
So, besides any newer stuff, it was good to hear again their outstanding version of Fairport's "Too Close to The Wind" and to see (and hear) the audience joining in with "New York Girls" and "Down To The Rigs" Scarecrow's musical competence and versatility is astonishing. Flute duets. Bagpipes. Good spirited Folk vocals. Unique and original instrumentation. Numbers featuring light and shade with introductions middle sections and properly arranged endings. And the occasional good old hanging added for good measure. All this, and absolutely no side or "Big Time Charlie" about them. No wonder they are playing support to the great Dougie McClean at Banbury Festival next month. But get that second album done quickly, chaps!
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| All this and bagpipes too. |
