30th May     "Oh residents, where wert thou?"      Report by Robin

For the second time this month, the leopards had escaped from Orpington, this time making a Pig's Ear of things down near Edenbridge. So, I was entrusted with the display board and "the basket".

I'd received an email from Sue saying that the scheduled guest, J.P. Slidewell, couldn't make it as he was ill and so it was going to be a Singers' evening. When I arrived, Ralph, the host for the evening, had already set out the room for a guest singer as he didn't know about the cancellation. We decided to leave chairs and tables as they were rather than start rearranging them. By about 8:50 there was a reasonably sized audience, but only Ralph, myself and Peter as performers. Ralph was somewhat concerned as he had only prepared a couple of songs! The number of performers improved slightly when Mark nipped back home to get his guitar and we persuaded Kevin to sing some of his blues songs using Peter's guitar - but that was as good as it got. Ralph started us off with the two he had actually intended to do, then the rest of us pitched in with three songs in the first session we all did two more in the second. The audience seemed not to mind that some of the songs were less than perfectly rehearsed and there was a very pleasant and supportative atmosphere all evening. So, a big "thank you" to all the audience members for making a rather 

tricky situation for the singers turn out so enjoyably.

Thanks Robin, and sorry Ralph. I spent all week trying to phone Chris and Mo because I was convinced that Mo was hosting the evening. We had a great time at PigFest although the camping field for the performers resembled Glastonbury! Sue

 

Friday June 6th Steve O'Kane and Fiona McBain

 

A pair of rhyming guests, Steve and Fiona played to a very appreciative audience, including some faces new to OFF. Steve writes his own songs, which he accompanies with some skillful guitarwork. Fiona adds vocals, and percussion on shaky eggs. An accomplished acapella singer, she sang several traditional numbers, often accompanied by Steve. Memories flooded back of the days when they were performers of traditional music, and, judging by the enjoyment given, they will certainly do more traditional material in future. That takes nothing from Steve's songwriting. His songs are beautifully written and performed. They have been coming to OFF for a good number of years, and left us wanting more. Roll on the next gig!

Friday June 13th  Ralph Henning. What a good night you missed by not coming down to OFF! We put the low turnout down to live cricket, football, rugby, and tennis, all on tonight. Ralph was absolutely wonderful, and gave us several new songs, as well as several old favourites. Mo did a great job of hosting. The floor spots were, Mo, TDL, Robin, and Jan Henning. Next Friday, Trevor and I will be at Knockholt, leaving Robin in charge, hosting a singaround instead of a guest, and writing the review.

Friday 20th June. I let Robin off. as we didn't go to Knockholt, due to being slightly poorly pussycats. Good thing we did turn up, or the evening may have been cancelled! Eventually, there were 8 performers and one audience member. We sang mainly contemporary songs, as we  were just entertaining ourselves.Let's hope that there's a better turnout for Rosa's Daughters this Friday.

 

Friday June 27th. Rosa's Daughters.

Doug was at a business dinner this evening, so TDL took over as hosts. We arrived to find that seats had been put out, and there were a fair number of people sitting on them.Great to see Suzi's husband, Ian looking so well after his heart surgery. There was a lot of catching up to do, so we started at 8.45. Ben joined us for 2 songs, then perfoprmed one solo, before Rosa's took to the stage. Their mew member. Ju;ia joined them in some of the songs. She has a great voice, which blends well in harmony with Suzi and Marie. After the break there were spots from Chris and Mo , Andy and Barry,before the girls' second set.(Robin was absent, but had  sent a note).

Andy found Barry on You Tube. He plays electo violin and complements Andy very well. Some times they are a trio with the addition of Les Elvin on bass. Rosa's second set flew by, as all good evenings seem to do.  See you all next Friday for The Kent Carters!

Friday July 4th - The Kent Carters

I couldn't let the fourth of July go past without having some traditional American music. In the past we have had bluegrass bands - notably Monroe's Revenge. Rick Townend is now with the Kent Carters - a tribute band to the Carter Family. Rick plays A.P, Jane plays Sarah, and Jill plays Maybell. They gave us a splendid evening which was both entertaining, and educational. Ralph hosted, and the floor singers were, TDL, Robin, Norcsalordie, and Doug.

July11th Sue's Bus Pass Birthday.  A terrific night with a host of guest performers. There will be details posted on Sue's Bus Pass Birthday Page.

Next week, Trevor, Ben, and I will be having a night off, as we have been booked to support Jackie Oates at The Goose is out, at East Dulwich Tavern. The club books it's floor acts, and we, and Drohne will be playing. Robin, over to you for the review of July 18th.

Robin’s Reporting in the Absence of Leopards

Aug 8th

With it being the start of the Broadstairs Festival and the Summer Hols, attendance was, as expected, a bit thin, with Leopards of any description being conspicuous by their absence. The Hon. Chris Spindlow presided over myself, Frank, Ross, Paul & Helen and Keith. Needless to say, we all got to sing quite a few songs and we certainly enjoyed ourselves. Chris finished things off in his traditional way by exhorting us to bugger off home!

 Aug 15th

Once again, Broadstairs exerted its influence and we were leopardless. Mo was in charge tonight, having returned from Cornwall. She happily marshaled the assembled throng of Chris, Doug, Frank, Ben (Nash, I think) and myself and we managed to produce a wide range of styles ranging from a downright filthy poem from Chris to sublime ballads from Ben with traditional, blues and ex-pop-chart songs in between.

 I am assuming that the leopards will be prowling the cage once more next week. 

Thanks . We had a great week at Broadstairs, despite the mixed bag of weather. We have a great new song for you all to hear!

Sue

 

Look forward to the regular audience for The Dealers next Friday.  Sue
Friday September 5th Dealers or No Dealers!
We left a soggy field in Knockholt in atrocious weather. Returned home to news that Mo couldn't come, would we take over, then worse news, Bessie has laryngitis. An impromptu  singers night with more audience than singers, though not enough to have paid for a guest night. Must have been the weather. Tonight's brave soldiers were: Maureen, Paul and Helen, Robin, Ralph, Chris, Kevin and Del fom Tudor Barn,John and Mike, and a mega late Keith.Everyone enjoyed the evening though.

 

Friday September 12th John Clarke. Hooray ! Our guest was already here when we arrived. He promptly got his guitar out and started to play. We were slightly concerned at the choice of material, as we weren't quite expecting Teddy Bear's picnic, or Nellie The Elephant. Soon Robin arrived, taking control of the event, chatting to the guest, and seeing who was up for a floor spot. John was very entertaining, playing with style and panache, his range of material was good, and sung well, sometimes in several different voices during one song. He somewhat reminded me of The Amazing Mr Smith, who was a regular at Friday Folk before he and Viva's move to Dorset. Being somewhat ever so slightly insane, as well as very talented,he went down well with our audience. Tonight's performers from the floor were: Robin, TDL, and Ben Little.

 

Friday September 21st- Singaround.... We were first to arrive at 8.15 and optomistically put out 16 chairs and four tables. There was a special offer on Guinness so I bought it to avoid getting crushed in the rush. (There was one can left). Next to arrive, and showing a keen sense of his new responsibilities, was Peter and wife Marion. Then Robin and Chris and Mo. Good resident support!  Apologies from Andy at the weekend .Mark arrived, so Chris started the singaround. We went round a couple of times, all doing 2 each if we so wished. Keith arrived at the usual time and sang a few songs in his inimitable style.There was a good mix of songs and a good time was had by all. Come next Friday for Roger Sutcliffe, (Blues). He has dropped in and played a floor spot a couple of times and went down extremely well.

 

Friday September 26th Roger Sutcliffe. Roger secured this booking after visiting us twice as a precurser to his German tour. He arrived with an array of guitars and played most of them. TDL opened with "Rochester Town" and the Caribean version of "Foggy Dew". All the way from Basildon the mercurial Bob Cash delighted with two old favourites before handing the stage over to our guest. Roger is an amazing guitarist and singer. Ben was watching open- mouthed. After the break Robin gave us McColl's "Dirty Old Town" and Michell's "Both sides Now." Bob's chauffeur John Hare entertained us with a ballad and a parody of "All Around My Hat" - "I'm Going to Drown my Cat". As Trevor said he has a voice like treacle. Time for the second guest spot, with Roger astounding us with his ability, his knowledge, and his wit. I strongly suggest a visit to The Fox and Hounds on Monday 29th to experience the man before his return to Whitby.!

 

Friday October 3rd. Because of Tenterden we had a singaround. Like the previous one it was residents plus Mark and Keith! Ralph was in charge this time. It was good to see Andy after a considerable abscence. Peter and Marion were at Jim Radford's 80th, but with most of the residents present some business was transacted before the start of the session. We went round the room 3 times with a song each from: Ralph, Chris, Mo, TDL, Keith (only 2 because he's always late), Robin and Mark. Robin to write next week's review as we'll be in Stratford with Ben.(BBC Young Folk Semis).