Maypoles to Mistletoe

And so.....instead of the Chesnuts on Tuesday evening, I went to the Hawth at Crawley in very cold weather conditions to see the Martyn Wyndham-Read production....Maypoles to Mistletoe
It was a lovely venue and everybody involved gave us a wonderful evening.... I bought the book and cd...so look out for some new to me songs!!!!! Although the production has been running for over 37years it was my first visit and I highly recommend it to everyone......and so the cold/flu has finally knocked me back...but don't worry it won't be long before you hear more from me!!!!!

the alternative ti Friday 13th...... Friday 11th

Way back, when the sun was shining, it was put to me that perhaps in December I would like to share an evening at the Fo'c'sle with Tangle. Pencilled in and then finally confirmed, I felt really pleased with the idea. John and Angie and I have done some Gardiner stuff in the past, so I knew we would be able to put together an evening for everyone......they are accomplished musicians and singers, whereas I am mainly unaccompanied and traditional.....so a good mix...as it proved. Poor Angie had succumbed to the dreaded cold/flu when I paid them a visit on the eve of our evening, but she had overcome it all by then as John and I started to wilt!!!!!! However, I really enjoyed the evening and the whole experience... and a little bird whispered to me last night that I might be doing a similar evening at the Elephant and Castle (Saturday night Lewes folk club) sometime in 2010......that will be great!
Anyway, we decided to do two twenty minute spots and then finish off with a couple of joint ventures. I was on first, after a few floor spots, so it was good to get my feet under the table.....
My first set consisted of: Come to My Window
Abroad as I was Walking
Bay of Biscay
Quiet Joys of Brotherhood
Sheepcrook and Blackdog
and Diego's Bold Shore
I really enjoyed the fact that I could get a run at a few songs rather than just the odd one here and there. I do know that I'm not very good at engaging the audience in my preamble, but I tried very hard! I also have the unfortunate habit of closing my eyes when I sing....but that's just me....and I'm sorry...if you don't like it......I can't change....cos I need to be totally committed to what I'm singing......not worrying about what's happening around me.
My second set was: A Blacksmith
He was under my Window
Grey Cockerel
Swallow Song
Silver Dagger
and Farewell
so quite a mixture of traditional and Richard Farina and Mick Ryan.......
After Tangle had sung their second set we got together and sang the Jez Lowe song The Workhouse and the Simon and Garfunkle number Homeward Bound.
So all in all a great experience for me and I also sold cds which I had made back in 2007.....hope they all went to good homes!!!!!

time goes on

After a quiet weekend, it was back to the Chesnuts on Tuesday for a singaround. We always manage a good turn out and so it was. I aired a new to me Karine Polwart song......Faultlines...a very difficult song to sing and as it was first time out always a bit daunting. I also sang Snows of Winter a really lovely Graeme Miles song learned from the singing of Martyn Wyndham-Read.....quite hard to sing...but I like it!
Then on Wednesday I spent a great evening in the company of Kerr, Fagan, Harbron.......really wonderful performers....(Nancy was about 12months pregnant!!!!!! hope all goes well!)
It was another packed evening and I was lucky to have a floor spot....so sang....Snows of Winter and Come to my Window.
Thursday evening was Chichester folk club carol singing around the pubs and restaurants of Chichester. We were very well received everywhere and the monies raised ( to be announced at the Christmas party next week) will go to the children's ward at St Richard's Hospital.
Then Friday 11th December....think I'll devote a complete post to this!!!!!...time for a vodka!!!

back to reality

Well what a wonderful place Costa Rica is and I have put some photos on facebook for anyone to have a look at. They are mainly of the flora and fauna and give some idea of the meaning of "cloud and rain forests"......it was wet!!!! I was panicking that my bag might have been searched on return to Heathrow as the smell of "wet dog" is the only way I can describe my clothes....Luckily I bought coffee so a little of the aroma helped!!!! but no need to have worried.
It has taken me some time to get over the jet lag....but think I'm there now.
December has been quite busy. The first folk event was at the Chesnuts on 1st when Maggie Boyle, Pete Morton and Chris Parkinson provided the entertainment with the Magical Christmas Tree....an enjoyable evening of songs and tunes. I sang Come to my Window, the Tim Hart version of an old traditional song that Shirley Collins used to sing Go from My Window.......but I preferred the "happier" version.
On Thusrday 3rd friends and I went to the Union Chapel in Aldgate and saw Lau and Mawkin Causley. What a fantastic venue with wonderful acoustics.....well worth a visit if there's anyone on you'd like to see. (and a little bird told me that Jim Causley is coming to the Chesnuts in 2010!!!!!!!!! woooo). For the first time ever I found Lau's set a bit samey....could have done with more vocal input from Kris Drever......but still, of course excellent...and Mawkin Causley were wonderful....definitely one to see when you can.
On Friday 4th Paul Downes was playing at the Open House (the old Springfield) for those who remember folk in the 70s in Brighton. It's a great venue and there was the opportunity for a couple of songs. In fact the floor singers and guest were mainly from the old Brighton College of Education......Vanessa, Alan, Stu Reed , Steve Flack, Paul and myself.......funny old world!!Paul produced a fantastic evening and I sang Abroad as I was Walking and Come to my Window.