6 minute read
October - Sam Kelly & Jamie Francis **THE CLUB’S 49th BIRTHDAY !!**
and you can see artistes relaxing and giving of their best because they know they are in safe hands. Interestingly green, the whole caboodle was solar-powered, silent and easily sufficient. I saw most of Friday, with Ben Paley’s combo in full flight and the promise of sessions into the night- some excellent flamenco from Scott Kirk too. Congratulations to James Kerry and the new team- good to catch up with all the Rules of the House too. Chickenstock, in its third year, was reaching higher- the promise of Cara Dillon and other luminaries was enticing along with local favourites Sally & Brian, Capella, Border Crossing and Triage. I’d have liked to have seen Tankus The Henge… in fact, due to the train strike and other commitments I missed the lot… reports and photos were of high quality… I also missed Jez Lowe at Faversham in July, and when Quicksilver cancelled on the 27th it was a great shock to hear of the passing of Grant Baynham, a favourite for many years across the county. Witty songs, superb and sensitive guitar and always a can-do approach, as we found in Tonbridge when our venue closed without notice: he and Hilary transferred immediately to the Punch & Judy and took the unsuspecting locals there by storm. His kind come along rarely. Festivals allow time to chat over the hay bales or into the night… to Dean Tainio at PE, a man of many talents, combos and calm, thoughtful insights. His guitar work, with silver Submarine attached, always adds quality, augmenting the singer; he must be a dream for lead players to work with. To Lisa Bradley, whose Hartley squeezebox is to be seen all over the country in sessions, always encouraging and bringing on young musicians with her generous and boundless vivacity. And to many, many friends, to relive past escapades… Congratulations to Allan Richardson, to be seen wafting a silver cup at Warwick for his songwriting… and to Morag Butler for her eclectic guest list, including Katy Carr, whose version of ‘Where Have All The Flowers Gone’ with the original lyric about Cossack soldiers going to war brought tears to the eyes in the Woodshed. Around the clubs, Deal’s Sue Watson (Friday) and Gavin Atkin (Sunday) are still Zooming for those who will- contact them for access details… otherwise most have resumed their one- or two-guest-per-month routines. Excellent to see the live pattern return, and also the sessions where tunes can be honed. Always good to find a venue where it is possible to hear the other players, as is the case in the Market Inn in Faversham on Tuesday nights. Top musos in action part 2: Danny Tonks is a familiar figure about sessions and marquees, guitar around his neck, immersed in complex and fascinating fingerpicking. He’s turned to bass and has found the enjoyment of tying things together, occupying his own deep space in their arrangements. He was astonishing when Foot Down found themselves unexpectedly a lead player less in the Albion Gardens… a truly magnificent display of melody lines against James Kerry’s melodeon… a pleasure to behold! Recently I’ve heard the phrase ‘take it to a new level’ used several times in relation to folk music… which set me thinking. Certainly the musicianship of the very top players does this, as does the ability to draw from other genres in accompanying traditional lyrics. I wonder, though, whether the virtue of simplicity might be due a return? There’s something very unifying in a chorus, a morris singalong, a shared experience…with an audience rather than at? The respectful performance of a tune which resonates down the years? A sweetness of tone? Your views welcomed! All best wishes for the autumn and may the overdue buckets of rain hold off for Tenterden!
Bob Kenward
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4 October - Sam Kelly & Jamie Francis **THE CLUB’S 49th BIRTHDAY !!** 11 October - Jackie Oates & Mike Cosgrave 18 October - Gilmore & Roberts 25 October - Harbottle & Jonas 1 November - Liz Simcock (Rescheduled from January 2022) 8 November - Bob Fox (Rescheduled from September 2020) 15 November - Sarah McQuaid 22 November - Joe Topping 29 November - Stan Graham
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Broadstairs Folk Week
A wonderful week was had by all at Broadstairs Folk Week 2022. An impressive line-up of concerts in the large Marquee with flaps left open for ventilation meant everyone could enjoy these shows. Lindisfarne was a sell-out on the opening night with the sensational Spooky Men on Sunday wowing everyone, ably supported by Dan Walsh. Other favourites included Chris While & Julie Matthews, The Magpie Arc, McGoldrick & McCusker, Show of Hands duo – still on form, The Longest Johns – lively as ever, Sharon Shannon and the long-awaited return of Spiers & Boden as a duo finished the Friday evening. Surely there must have been a concert to please everyone at some point during the week. Many dance sides attended and we were entertained royally by them in the streets. The Sarah Thorne Theatre became “Dance Central” with workshops in Country Dance, Appalachian Clog, Circle Dance, Cajun and Breton Dancing with Lunchtime Family Ceilidhs and Evening Dances for All. There were also workshops to attend for those wishing to learn or improve their skills on a variety of musical instruments, including spoons, guitar, ukulele, harmonica and whistles. Poet’s Breakfast returned in the Neptune Garden with Maggie Harris as host. The daily listing of events was sadly missing in this year’s colourful Souvenir Programme, though most events were still well supported. The Craft Marquee on the seafront had a vast array of merchandise to tempt - everything from musical instruments to jewellery, clothes and of course food and drink was on sale. The Bandstand hosted family events including the popular Hobby Horse Club every morning with Clarence the Dragon celebrating his Superhero birthday, Dance Displays in the afternoons and Music in early evenings. Some well-known faces were sadly missed, but singarounds continued daily in the Neptune at lunchtime with the ever-popular Woodshed in the Wrotham Arms overlapping. The Sailing Club was well-used this year (who can resist the refreshments?), with John & Di Cullen running a morning mini-concert, Sally Ironmonger in there at Lunchtime, Morag running a Folk Club with guests in the afternoon and the Singaround every evening. Other venues also hosting events included the Crampton which, among others, housed the entertaining Old Time Music Hall and Bob Kenward’s new show Southern Rambles – MOORE or LESS FOLK CLUB House Full! A good time was had by all - can’t wait for Broadstairs Folk Week 2023! Sue Watson Oast Community Centre, Granary Close, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7SG
MOORE MOORE (next to Rainham railway station) or LESS FOLK CLUB or LESS FOLK CLUB Live club nights due to resume on Friday 13th August, 2021 Dates: Oast Community Centre, Granary Close, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7SG (next to Rainham railway station) Oast Community Centre, Granary Close, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7SG (next to Rainham railway station)
Friday 13th August, 2021 Friday 10th September, 2021 All club nights 8.00 to 10.30pm Entrance fee £4.00 (including raffle) Friday 14th October Friday 11th November Live club nights due to resume on Friday 13th August, 2021 Dates: Friday 13th August, 2021 Friday 10th September, 2021 Live club nights due to resume on Friday 13th August, 2021 Dates: Friday 13th August, 2021 Friday 10th September, 2021
