UMISTITNOW! REVIEW PAGE 7

A new page for a new era!

Friday October 24th: Singaround... It has now become the norm.. the lineup for our singarounds, tonight  we had, Chris, Mo, Robin, T.D.L. , Ben , Mark, Keith, and Norman. I announced  that Ben is to be a resident to help him gain the experience he needs to pursue his chosen career in Folk Music.

Mo was in charge of the evening and started with a Les Barker poem. She then decreed that we should each do two songs, (well some of it was poems of the Les Barker variety). We went round twice without a break and finished more or less to time. Norman sang a couple of Tom Bliss songs which he'd learnt from one of Tom's c.d.s.  bought after Tom's appearance at Maidstone Folk Club.

 Ghosts at Halloween next Friday! Ron Trueman-Border    Paul Sirman October 31st

The hall was made suitably spooky with pumpkin, and skeleton bunting, and spider covered cobweb. pumpkin and skull lanterns, we even arranged a buffet for this special event which brought resident Ron, and ex resident Paul back to the club as guests. We had a nearly full compliment of residents, apologies received from Andy Smythe. Chris, Mo, and Peter opted out of singing on order to give Ghosts the maximum time to play. We were fairly late in starting as we waited for the audience to appear. As it tuns out there were  around 20 people. Robin was our host and came with his skeleton guitar of course . Trevor and I followed Robin. Ghosts then did a stonking first set of songs old and new ending with Kerry and Mandy joining them in the last two songs. We were running well late by this time and had a short break at 10pm. The second half began with a minute's silence in memory of our good friend, Brian Bruvce who pased away earlier in the weeik. More on that on a new page.

Robin introduced Ralph, whom we'd not seen for a while . Two very nice songs from him before the raffle which had  five prizes! Ghosts returned to the stage for more good old RTB numbers, that aren't played by Ron so much when he's solo, ending in a totally new song for which Kerry and Mandy were unexpectedly co-opted  as backing singers. Well, if Ghosts can't be wicked, who can?

They gave us a choice of encore, "Closing Time", or "Ghosts on The Dance Floor." We chose the latter, well, I called for it, and it  was a good finish to a fun, though a  tinged with sadness occasion.

Paul will be back next week when we have Graeme Knights, a great traditional singer.

November 7th- Graeme Knights.. You can tell a good singer from the number of singers that turn out to see them. Graeme is  a great singer, and Chris did well to see that everyone got to sing. There were nine spots, each of us getting one song. As is customary, TDL followed Chris's introductory song. We performed a song that we had developed specially for our Robin who has a big birthday this week. Originally sung by another Robin, it was "Halfway Down The Stairs", but, being TDL, not to the original tune, but to Jagger/Richards' "Paint It Black".

It was then time for the first set from the guest. Interspersed with jokes, Graeme gave us a great selection of a'capella songs from the sea, and the land, and from life. He had us all joining in right from the start. We really needed no encouragement.  After the break everyone else got one song.Chris, Mo,Robin, Peter,Kerry and Mandy, Paul Sirman, (nice that Chris still treats Paul like a resident- he's cheeky to him too!), and Ploughman's Lunch (Clive and Linda). Well done to you all! This would have made a great concert! Graeme then gave us another fabulous set with lots of choruses, but all too soon it was all overwith everyone screaming for more. Graeme duly obliged.

November 21st.. Dave Gibb

With Trevor tucked up with the telly and 2 Robert Johnson DVDS, I felt it safe to return to the club. I had barely time to put out 2 chairs before the guest leapt into view together with his two fans with whom he stays. All three of us set about putting out tables and chairs, and I set up the box office. Soon the audience began to arrive, a goodly turnout for a much liked guest ! Ralph was tonight's host,  starting the evening with Stan Rogers' "Lies", and Dougie McLean's "Garden Valley". He then introduced Dave Gibb. Dave started  with Lindisfarne's "Lady Elenor" launching into his own songs. Dave is a gifted writer and guitarist, and has an eclectic range of styles. I believe everyone loves his comic songs most of all. We were short on resident performers having only Ralph and Robin  in attendance, luckily Kevin was in the audience, so we were treated to two of his blues numbers.Dave's second set flew by and soon it was time up. Another excellent OFF night. Singers night next week.November 28th Singers Night. I arrived at the club to find a small circle not singing but chatting. They obviously didn't want to start without me. There was Andy, host for the night, Peter and Marion, Robin,and Frank. We were soon joined by Mark who is a regular at our Singers Nights, and Keith, half-way through the evening. We did one song each in turn. It seemed a bit of a serious session, so I did all funny stuff as a light relief. I realised towards the end, that it was the last sing around of the year. We have only 3 more meetings in 2008, all guests. That leads very nicely into next Friday when we have our very own RTB.

Friday 5th December Ron Trueman-Border... We had  a good turnout of both singers and audience,for Ron's solo gig. We were treated as usual to a varied menu of songs, lots of old favourites including "Crime Don't pay" which hasn't been out for years. There were a couple of new songs, the stand out being  "Molly Darling", a bravely written song about Child Abuse. One of the things Ron and I agree with on is that no subject should be taboo. Unfortunately it's part of life and Ron has to sing about it. Sometimes songs are the only way to get through to people.

Chris was our M.C. and followed his introductory song ,"Pleasant and Delightful", which got us all singing with an introduction to Robin complete with insult. Having been kind to him on the last wio occasions, Robin was pleased as he feels more at home when Chris isn't being nice to him. Peter followed Robin, , one song each tonight because of all the singwers. Then it was time for Ron's first set. Ron was joined in the last three songs by either Paul Sirman, or Kerry and Mandy.After the break there were performances from Mo, Stuart Pendrill,and Paul,Kerry and Mandy. Another brilliant set from Ron featured Robin Black on mandolin, ended with Paul, Stu, Kerry and Mandy joining him for the last  song "One More Round" It brought the curtain down on a terrific evening!

December 12th... Robin Slater.... Chris and Mo couldn't be with us so Peter bravely stepped into the MC's shoes, and what a good job he did!  Robin arrived complete with heavy cold  and his little p.a. system. Peter was recovering from 'flu. Lot of it about at the moment. A very small audience, mostly singers, supported our penultimate night of the year.  Peter kicked off  the evening, followed by Sue, then Robin took the floor. Despite his state of health, Robin was on good form, interspersing his songs with his usual dry, Northern wit. A good selection, and very enjoyable.  Having sold very few raffle tickets there was only one prize. I suggested that it should be the Batchelors' CD which has been in the box for at least a year. Frank declared he fancied it, so I gave him it.... the number of times Frank has won, and never taken it before. The lucky winner was Paul Green . Time for the second half, and to save Robin's voice, Peter and Sue did one more each, then Dick did a couple, and Ralph was our final floor spot giving us three.Robin then gave us a super second set and an encore before we all went home.

Friday 19th Dec... Guests Pigs Ear!

With Trevor still in recovery, it was still a leopard-free zone, but there were many good wishes expressed for his recovery. Not totally animal-free though, someone let in four Pigs ! The Rule family have to be Kent's favourite folk band, and they are an annual event, a must have at OFF. As is often the case, one day you're the star, next you're hosting the evening, and Robin is no exception. I thought he did an excellent job, buoyed up by the fact that it was also his last day of work. His introduction to Chris Spindlow was an absolute gem. Along the lines of "you've all heard of Scrooge, this is Friday Folk's Resident Miserable Old...." wish I'd wtitten it down.  There were two songs from Chris, one being "The Cutty Wren" which we all joined in with, and two from Andy. Pigs Ear's first set kicked off with John Barden's  "Lady Gray" given the Pig treatment. It's now a popular part of their repertoirre. They gave us an excellent and entertaining set, much enjoyed by all, especially those who hadn't seen them before.(Is there any such you ask.. yes.. people from Essex!) The buffet that I'd put on was then enjoyed before the Grand Raffle Draw. Eight mysterious parcels, two of them bottle shaped. There were still lots more singers to put on, so it was one song each. My memory cannot remember all of the songs, but Ralph sang his midwinter song about King Arthur, Peter, having rushed back from Dorset, one of his Eric Bogles, Ploughman's Lunch, "The Gloucester Wassail". There was a song each from Linda Smith and Mo,before our guests returned to the stage. They scattered several Christmas songs throughout their sets, including a crackling good rendition of the Boar's Head Carol, and "Gaudite" which they did as an encore. What a party, and what a way to end 2008!

January 2nd 2009 Singaround... TDL were up and running, albeit slowly, for the first night of the New Year. We were pleased to have a good turnout. Songs a- plenty from Andy Smythe,Peter Twydle, Doug and Mary Field, Robin Slater, and Keith, whose surname escapes me.We were pleased to have a  new face amongst us. David, a regular at Croydon Folk Club plays exquisite South American inspired music on guitar. He bropught along his wife, who is Peruvian.  We were all impressed and I have invited him back to play at the next singaround, on the 16th.

Friday January 9th - Stuart Pendrill..... Considering the bitterly cold weather we had a good turnout for Ramblin' Stu's gig. .Visiting us for the first time, and videoing his performance was Jen from the Wrotham Arms in Broadstairs. Ralphv was our MC, opening the show with two of our favourite songs. He then introduced  Kerry and Mandy to sing a couple of stonkers before Stuart's first set. which was just what was needed  to ease us into a new year- his songs are very bucolic and make you think of sunshine.  We had some more great floor spots in the second half, Robin, Sally Ironmonger Trio, and Paul Sirman.  Then followed another set from Stuart with backing singers Kerry and Mandy on a couple of songs. The encore was a rousing version of Shep Wooley's "Down By The Dockyard Wall" with everyone in full throttle in the choruses!We have a singaround next Friday, and hope to see you all again for BEN LITTLE's gig on Jan 23rd!

Friday January 16th.. Singaround hosted by Chris. A great turnout of performers ! Chris chose the "Mo method" of running things. Instead of everyone following the person sitting next to them, it was mix and match. It was nice to see Dave from Croydon again with his South American music, great to see the return of Paul Steele and Mark, also Ben. We also had aongs from TDL, Robin, Frank, Mo, Paul Green and Keith. There were 34 "songs" performed. See you all next Friday,23rd, when our Ben has the star spot.!

Friday January 23rd - Ben Little.... It's been a while since we had such a large audience, and we had to put out several extra chairs. Andy Smythe, once our youngest resident, was our host for this landmark event. Almost every resident was there to support our Ben who had worked very hard learning new songs especially for tonight. He gave a very good account of himself with two very professionally performed sets which included songs and tunes from 3 of his heroes, Chris Wood, Martin Simpson, and our own Ron Trueman-Border. He was joined on occasion by our harmonica playing friend Steve Holbrook from THe Fox And Hounds. There were also representatives from Fab Club in the audience, Ben's between song patter was both  interesting and informative. He gave a mature and confident performance for a 15 year old, and had the crowd screaming for more at the end.

Floor Singers appearing were : Paul Steele from Sheppey, Charlotte and Spong from Brighton, and our residents, Ralph, Robin, and Peter as well as some songs from Andy, our  MC.

January 30th - Singaround - Peter was in charge this evening . We had put out 16 chairs and, spookily, 16 people - most of them oerfirmers- turned up. It took an hour to get round the room the first time. Peter employed the "Mo Method" of randomly selecting the next performer. There was a method, an attempt to mix accompanied with unaccompanied songs. David brought along his charango and played some gorgeous Andean tunes. Ben also played some tunes as well as songs. Other singers were: Del, Frank, Robin, Ploughman's Lunch, Mark,, Doug,  and TDL.

Friday 6th February - Not Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke............. For the first time... (unless you know better) the weather has beaten us, and I sit here listening to the Folk America programmes on BBC 4. Even 1n 1991, having given up myself, Tracey McMahon collected us all in his Land Rover, determined to hold the advertised singaround. I have rearranged Fran and Mike for July 31st.

Friday 13th February - Kerry and Mandy

After the disappointment of losing last week's gig, it was great to get going again with two excellent guest singers. Mo was MC for the evening and had her work cut out stewarding the gaggle (or should that be gargle?) of floor singers. She sang a song for Valentine's Day before introducing Andy Smythe and Tone Deaf Leopard to sing a song each. She then introduced the guests. Kerry and Mandy , despite having been suffering with colds, were as good as ever, with rousing chorus songs for us to join in with. They called on Paul Sirman to accompany them on their last two numbers before the break. After the break there was a song each from, Chris, Robin, Ben, Peter, Doug, Stuart, and Paul before Kerry and Mandy returned to the stage..Another great set from them, it included Mandy's first public appearance on guitar. Stuart joined them for the last two numbers, and Paul too, for the encore - a rousing rendition of "Leaving Of Liverpool".