CD Reviews

Annie Ball, Bronwen Davies-Jones, Gareth DaviesJones and Katie Tertell - Howay the Lasses – Vol 1 Self release

This interesting albums features 10 newly written songs each of which is named after and about an important woman from North East England. The artists come from diverse musical backgrounds. Annie, from Northumberland, is a classically trained professional concert pianist with a folk background and works in London. Bronwen is a singer-songwriter from Newcastle Upon Tyne with a background in musical theatre and community arts, while her father Gareth is a touring singsongwriter who has released four solo albums and specialises in songs about the history of the North East. Katie comes from the USA but is now a professional cellist living in Northumberland. The songs on the album tell the stories of mathematician Janet Taylor, artist and animator Sheila Graber who is best known for Paddington Bear, Fiona Hill who became a presidential advisor in Washington, while the title track is a tribute to all the “lasses” who have done so much to change the world for the better. The album is unusually presented in a stiff 15cm square envelope that opens up into a large sheet featuring a picture of the artists. There is also a stiff booklet with all the words to the songs and stories told on the album. A very interesting and enjoyable album.

Alan Castle (Editor)

Scene & Heard

As I write the first snows are thawing, with a promise of balmy heat for the reindeer. I’ve given up making long-term plans and predictions- can 2023 be any odder than last year? Probably…

Not much seen and heard personally through September as, like many others, a sudden loss of voice kept me from pubs, clubs and sessions. However, guest nights seem to be reviving yet around the county, with a little bird telling me that Deal might also go live in January- watch out for details. Hunter Muskett were active across the county- a trio now, still with the ebullience that cheers. The Shake Me Up Sally combo has been making cameo appearances in addition to their individual gigs- always interesting when wider horizons are tackled with three voices in harmony. Revellers’ delights Morrigan were out in full rig, their Ightham Moat and Rochester Dickens freeze-up festival appearances generating real snow… thanks guys…

Some guests necessarily called off at short notice, especially if travelling from distance- it’s worth reporting that John Kirkpatrick made an icy journey from Shropshire to Faversham, arriving 15 minutes before the club began, and delivered a truly memorable couple of winter/|Christmastide sets with his customary panache. A true professional who fully involves his audience- every song but one had some active participation, from full chorus to catch-lines to music and movement!

I’ve received many interesting comments regarding chorus singing… pretty well all favourable to the piece a couple of issues ago. There have always been many strands to folk, from grass-roots gatherings to huge-stage festival congregations- we all select as we feel at the time, indeed as we feel comfortable these days. Personally I’ve gone for sessions where there is a mixture of content and styles, shanties, mixed instruments, and anyone who’s heard Jerry Jordan or Sue Watson would make space for solo song. At the heart, though, I have greater sympathy for folksong as a recreation, as I imagine it used to be: a gathering of friends at the end of a working day, rather than a business. Quite a few agree, I’ve found; the best performers are those who capture that atmosphere even when playing to hundreds. Ralph McTell’s concert in T Wells was wonderful.

Quick trips to Black Diamond in Birmingham and Chichester Club’s 60th demonstrated how strong the smaller clubs’ residents can be, and good to record that they too are finding numbers up. Always good to venture afield… it was the Chi club’s welcome 48 years ago which switched me on to traditional song, for which heartfelt thanks… Tom Lehrer’s words come to mind (check them out as he’s put them on the net free of copyright)… you should never have let me begin…

A real sadness to report the passing of Malcolm Ward, one of Kent’s most fascinating characters. I came to know him through the Beacon and Tunbridge Wells sessionals and Broadstairs festival. He was always ready with a shanty or ballad, a traditional song, a monologue, a selection of WW1 authentic lyrics or the conclusion to the Last Night of the Proms. His fine voice he matched with a variety of concertinas which brought out the passion behind his committed delivery. It is little known that Tom Brown used him as an exemplar among other regional singers, pointing out Malcolm’s expressive qualities. A raconteur, a reservoir of questionable punchlines, he enlivened sessions like Woodshed and Travelling Folk with great glee. We shall miss him greatly. More to come from all who knew him.

This years Sweeps festival runs from Saturday 29th April till Monday 1st May with an array of bands, singers, musicians and dancers descending on Rochester for a weekend of colour, fun and celebrations of traditional folk music centred around the recreation of the chimney sweeps processions of Victorian times.

The Castle Gardens plays host to Sur Les Docks from France, Galician singers and dancers, the Fabulous Fezheadsa and all female shanty group, The Silver Darlings, amongst others while stages at Boley Hil, the City Wall, teh Crown and Eastgate Quarter have an extensive programmes over the weekend.

Pubs will also host music and the usual Gordon Hotel marquee will have evening concerts including a special Loins with the Dredgermen event celebrating the music of Chris Broderick. Sur Les Docks will play a pre festival gig at this venue on Friday 28th April. Rochester Sweeps Festival is sponsored by Medway Council and all events are free. Known Kent Festival dates for 2023 are Sweeps 29 April- 1 May; Pigs Ear 14-17 July; Chickenstock 27-30 July; Broadstairs: 11-18 Aug; Tenterden 5-8 October.

All best wishes for 2023 to singers, musicians, dancers, festival organisers, volunteers, and those who come along for the fun of it.

Bob Kenward