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Hampshire Songs

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:36:00 +0000

As I have mentioned in a previous post, there are quite a lot of events coming up with regard to Hampshire songs.
I have been involved in several of these events and am looking forward to taking part in more.
So far, this Friday there is a launch of the Singing Landscape Map of locations of Gardiner’s singers in Hampshire, followed on Saturday by a Twyford event, celebrating the songs collected by Gardiner in that area.
On 13th March Rob Mills and I are presenting “Our Song Heritage” in Fareham at Westbury Manor from 2pm, when we will be singing songs from Hampshire.
I am then singing some Gardiner songs at the Gosport and Fareham folk festival on 4th April at 8pm in the Lysses hotel along with the Askew Sisters and Rob Mills.
We are looking to present some sort of event at Whitby this year too and in September/ October (date to be confirmed) we are holding an evening of Gardiner songs in Petersfield.
So, it would be lovely to see some friendly faces at any or all of these events!

another week in paradise…or not!

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Oh dear! how negative is that!…but I am very much ruled by the weather and I have had enough of what is being thrown at me…so I’ve booked a flight and I’m off to Fuertevantura for a bit of sunshine…I hope!
In the interim, I’m keeping busy, learning new songs and walking as much as possible, while attempting to start up an “agency” to promote folk music, musicians and initially Mick Ryan and Paul Downes. I hope that what I learn can be adapted to others, myself included…but we’ll see.
I had an interesting start to the week with a visit to the Wildgoose studios, where I had recorded by promo cd back in 2007…..that long ago…. anyway my recording was purely vocal so it was interesting to watch the process of vocals and instruments being layered on. Also, I was in good company. Doug and Sue are great hosts and the recording was for the new Downes and Ryan album to be released in the summer. It’ll be great so look out for it…they also have the lovely Jackie Oates featuring…so an added extra of great quality.
After a hasty journey home I made it for a fantastic evening at the Four Chesnuts…featuring Gracenotes. They are a wonderful harmony trio and we all had a great night. I managed a good rendition of A Blacksmith.
On Wednesday, I joined the Hampshire Song Group for a meeting and sing at the Hyde Tavern in Winchester. A great pub,… there are loads of events related to both Hampshire songs and particularly to those collected by George Gardiner.
Weather and other issues kept me away from Lewes on Thursday, but I tried a new, to me, sing on Friday evening at the Murrell Arms in Barnham. We had a good sing, a lot of Sussex based songs this time and some with a valentine theme…..not me of course!
I sang He was Under My Window…collected by Gardiner from Axford, Hampshire, Bushes and Briars and I’ll go and get Blue Bleezing Blind Drunk…my valentine contribution!!!!
A bit of a “let down” weekend… but sometimes it helps you put things in perspective.

more news

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:04:00 +0000

I’ve been trying to go for walks, pockets full of songs to learn, but the weather hasn’t really been that nice, so I’ve only managed Fishbourne and Appledrum Quay apart from the usual walks round the Walls. The ground is so water logged it takes some stamina!The football is at least interesting if not wonderful for a Sunderland supporter…the Pompey game, of which I saw the sendings off and the late goal….96th minute…referee….were just unbelievable. The top of the Premiership is also unpredictable…but as we’re a long way from that one can only look on….Not such a busy week musically, but saw a very promising duo, Cole Stacey and Scott Ward present a great evening. I went with my daughter, Claire and had a couple of songs myself… Abroad as I was Walking and He was Under my Window…two songs collected by Gardiner from the village of Axford in Hampshire in 1907. Then on Thursday saw Jez Lowe at the Royal Oak, Lewes. A fantastic performer, wonderful evening and also had a sing…a version of A Blacksmith. I made an infrequent but enjoyable visit to the City Folk club in Chichester on Friday evening. We had a great evening with everyone on fine form. I sang A Blacksmith, Abroad as I was walking and first time out I’ll go and I’ll get Blue, Bleezing, Blind Drunk….Imagine.

and there’s more

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:34:00 +0000

So, Thursday was a fantastic evening at the Royal Oak in Lewes…what a great club….Martyn Wyndham Read and Iris Bishop were the guests…….and they were wonderful. As were the floor singers. I sang Abroad as I was Walking…a real favourite at the moment and it went down really well…had a chat with Martyn at the end of the evening about the possibility of singing with them in Oz next year doing Maypoles to Mistletoe…wow…. and also about doing some singing in Whitby at the festival in August…that would be fantastic!
Then on Friday went with Paul Downes and Mick Ryan to the Guildford Institute a lovely venue and another great evening. I managed another spot and sang Abroad as I was Walking and It was in the Month of January…and I really enjoyed it and was invited back anytime!
So today was footy and rugby catch up…..so great therapy all round….England won, Liverpool won, (so Pete was pleased!) Sunderland got a draw, Hull beat Man City and Man U only managaed 5 against Pompey!!!!!

it’s been a long time!

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:24:00 +0000

Well, in some ways it’s good that it’s been a long time ‘cos it means I’ve been busy!!!
I’ve had a fantastic week……started on Tuesday ‘cos I’d been away visiting friends in Essex.
Four Chesnuts hosted a great eveing featuring Jim Causley fresh from the folk awards celebrations. He is a fantastic singer and kept everyone well and truly entertained. I managed a lovely song…Abroad as I was Walking…collected by George Gardiner in Axford, Hampshire back in 1907. Then had a quiet day Wednesday catching up with myself and listening to the folk awards on radio 2, followed by an unbelievably bad (just my opinion, of course) rendition of Come on feel the Noise by no other than the Imagined Village…….WHY? So reverted to the replay of Leeds v Spurs, followed by a four hour catch up of 24!!!!

Maypoles to Mistletoe

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:38:00 +0000

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

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:39:00 +0000

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

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:27:00 +0000

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

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:59:00 +0000

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.

before Costa Rica

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:50:00 +0000

After the concert for Gaza, I spent Friday evening in the company of the City folk club. There are plans to raise money for Children in Need with a sponsored sing, but as I shall miss out I sang Quiet Joys of Brotherhood for Colin. Mave asked me to sing Julian of Norwich and I obliged her on Tuesday 10th Nov. when we had a club night at the Chesnuts.
Not very musical…well, I certainly wasn’t….was the Whitby reunion on 1st Nov. The five of us from the Tuesday club who went to Whitby this summer got together to eat, drink, be merry and show off our photographic skills. We had a great night on all counts…roll on Whitby 2010.
Tuesday, 3rd Nov saw the talented Brian Peters at the Chesnuts. We had a great evening and I sang Sheepcrook and Blackdog, which encouraged Brian to sing Lucy Wan. The versions of both songs were collected by George Gardiner in the early 1900s.
I had a lovely week with friends which ended up with a trip to Essex, then London and a meal with my daughter for her birthday.
Before I knew it it was Tuesday evening again and I was back at the Chesnuts for a singaround. Apart from Julian of Norwich, I aired a “new to me” version of the Blacksmith. This time collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1904 from the singing of a Mrs Veral of Monksgate near Horsham, Sussex.
Then the last”folk fix” before my travels was the fantastic Martyn Wyndham Read at the Willows on Wednesday evening. He is such a fantastic man and I love the songs he sings and plays and the people he surrounds himself with. I’ve booked a ticket to see his Maypoles to Mistletoe evening in Crawley in December and I know I won’t be disappointed.
So, just the final touches to the packing and Costa Rica here I come.