Orpington Friday Folk
Reviews Page 5
Friday February 29th - Fan McGillivray and Mike Burke - It's Chris's turn for the lurgy - so Trevor took on the hosting from Mo who'll be in charge next week. We opened the show with two old favourites, then we had Les Elvin, for once in a quiet shirt.His second number was in tribute to Tony Horncastle - nice touch. Then it was time for the guests. Fran and Mike took us on a musical journey, visiting their own haunting songs, through the blues to Ry Cooder, then to the very taditional Renardine. Other floor singers were: Ralph, Robin, Andy, Susannah, (organiser of Tiverton Folk Club). A very successful evening.
Friday March 7th Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner. Mo kicked off with one song to warm us up before introducing Barry Reeves who performed two songs. Barry would like a booking at Friday Folk... let me know what you thought about him. Barry took TDL's spot tonight so we got a rest. Then it was the guests' turn. Most people were glued to their seats as Lynne and Pat joked and sang their way through self-penned and traditional songs a-plenty. The bar was very busy tonight and there was a queue at half-time. Floor singers in part two were: Chris, Ralph, and Robin. There followed a most enjoyable second set from Lynne and Pat before we all had to go home. See you all again next week for John Ward
John Ward March 14th. Not the crowd that I'd hoped for tonight, due in part. no doupt, to Sports Relief on the box.Our genial host was Doug who was an excellent opener for the night. Robin followed with his usual linked theme set.Then it was time for the guest. John was as new to the club, since it's been many a year since his last visit. Prior to joining up with Mario Price even! John certainly didn't dissapoint, giving us his own delightful songs, interspersed with some very traditional songs. What a joy to hear "No Dogs" again. There were some songs from the new album which I look forward to listening to. Floor spots from Doug, TDL and Peter preceded an excellent second set from John that culminated in a highly charged, foot tapping,bodhran accompanied Irish song, one of my favourites, Star Of The County Down". Absolutely amazing!
The Amazement continues. Good Friday, March 21st saw the largestr turnout for a singers night ever. Well over 20 people. Some were visiting us for the first time, some were residents, some were occasional visitors to OFF. I was somewhat unprepared having only brought an Easter Egg and some After Eight in case anyone showed up. The bar added thwe usual bottle of red to the spoils and we had a profitable evening.There was a good diversity of songs and tunes- a most enjoyable evening. Everyone is welcome back any time. Thanks- you make the club what it is guys and gals.Next week - Landermason.
Friday March 28th Landermason
Fiona and Paul pid a second visit to FF, their first having been March 2006. As promised, they were a little less red this time.(They have a lighting rig.) They played two stunnng sets, including several numbers from their latest album, which demonstrates just how they mix up folk and jazz. Unbelievably, this really works, as shown in their renditions of "Lampton's Worm", and "When The Boat Comes In." There were a few jigs, and some really funky jazz. The audience loved them and can't wait for their return. The host was Robin, and spots came from Andy, TDL, and Doug.
Friday April 4th Phil Hare. Firstly, I have to ask, "Where were you all?" We had twice as many on Good Friday. Doug waited for the charabanc to arrive without success before kicking off at nine with a Phil Hare song, "Cast Iron", then introduced Phil for his first set. Everyone sang along to songs old and new. After the break were spots from Robin, TDL, and guest floor singer, Almond Greenaway.Phil's second set contained the song in which Phil gets in as many names as possible, associated with the club. This time he'd included a Tone Deaf Leopard CD. Well, what rhymes with leopard? The make up a song on the spot round wasn't a challenge this year as there weren't any imaginative people in . Time passed all too quickly, as it does with someone as entertaining as Phil. He will be back next year folks.Friday April 111th Dave Ellis and Boo Howard. It being the second week of the so-called Easter hols. I warned dave and Boo about the possible lack of audience. A few of the regulars were missing, but the Dave and Boo fans were out in force, and there were a few new faces too. Good to see Ralph back after holidays and sickness, also Chris, whom we 've not seen for a while. Ralph opened in fine style, followed by TDL. Then it was guest time. Dave and Boo are two of the most popular guests at Friday Folk, as can be attested to by the jokes, the heckling, and the hats
(If you need an explanation, come next year).There were some new songs amongst the old favourites all played in fine style. Second half spots were from Chris, Ben, and Robin. Dave and Boo's second set was another great success, with the audience literally screaming for more at the end. See you next year guys!
Friday April 18th - Derek Gifford. We arrived to find the hall laid out, and guest awaiting us, together with Paul and Linda Sirman, and Kerry and Mandy. Great start, where was the audience? They started to arrive, as did our "geniial" host, Chris.I'd been contacted by a temporary visitor from Middlesborough, Jeff Walker, to whom we gave our spot. Chris kicked off,accompanied by Linda,with that Willie and Nancy song, then Robin did 2, one being the Pendle Witches song, which Giff had on the list. Jeff did two nice unaccompanied songs.
Time for Giff's first set. He had not been here for five years! A fine mix of songs, both unaccompanied, and with guitar kept us royally entertained. After a very short break Chris kicked off again with Linda.s favourite "Chinese Bum Boat Man".He messed it up (twice). Kicking himself, he put on Kerry and Mandy who belted out a fine pair of shanties. Paul Sirman followed, given his usual build up for this great ex-resident. Giff's second set was extremely enjoyable. We didn't get to hear "When All Men Sing"- oh well - maybe next time (not five years hence though).Friday April 25th The Beaumont Brothers
Geoff and Andy are originally from the Orpington/Sevenoaks area but now reside in Yorkshire and Wales respectively. They played with The Ginger Jug Band the night before, at Orpington Folk Club.There was an audience of about 20 tonight, about average these days. The evening was hosted by Andy Smythe who tried out a new song to get us underway. He then introduced Robin who gave us his Anzac Day song "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle, followed by an unaccompanied version of "Lilli Marlene". Andy then introduced the Beaumont Brothers who had an array of banjos and guitar. Geoff is left-handed and has a very unusual style of playing that is, nonetheless very melodic. The boys played a good selection of Americana, interspersed with their self-penned songs, and not a small ammount of humour. After the break Andy opened with another of his original numbers, then it was TDL time. At last we were able to invite Geoff to join us on our psychotic deliverance of " Banks Of The Ohio", which we followed with "Salt of the Earth". Ralph followed us on, then, after the raffle, the second guest spot. The evening was over only too soon.
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