Anne Winter's Blog

Hampshire Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — 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.

song for Gaza

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Well, a very mixed evening for all sorts of reasons. Firstly, the venue.....was absolutely awful...a separate room in the Star at Havant, but in the adjacent room ...full blown karaoke!!!! Needless to say it made singing very challenging and difficult, but as Jenny pointed out "at least you can say that you single handedly defeated a karaoke band" and that "you can personally triumph over anything....singing in a war zone would be a doddle" Also another pleasing tribute from the press secretary, Eugene,"How did you find Anne? She has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard"
So widen the door posts I'm coming in!!!!!!
The idea of the evening and the running order would have made a great evening of entertainment for the audience, but some found the intrusions too much and didn't stay the course.
Jenny and Gerry started proceedings with a song about Gaza, followed by two poems read by Shelagh Salman, then Chris Bluemel with some songs and intricate guitar work. I was next and for the first set sang Isle of Hope,by Brendan Graham; the story of Annie Moore the first immigrant to the U.S.A. to enter via Ellis Island at the tender age of 15 back "on the first day of January 1892" a lovely moving song which went down well.I followed this with a Richard Farina song written back in 1964 called The Swallow Song depicting the freedom of the swallow....another lovely song.Then the very difficult song to sing...Fiddle and the Drum written by Joni Mitchell and featured on her "Clouds" album; a song she wrote to America depicting its warmongering government as a bitter friend....an interesting concept. To finish my first set I sang another Richard Farina song, which I had always assumed was a Sandy Denny number....shows how wrong you can be! Quiet Joys of Brotherhood, which I chose because it speaks for itself.
Brian Hooper was doing a wonderful job as m.c. and he introduced the final act of the half....Leon Rosselson who was absolutely fantastic. I had never seen him before even thought he's been around for over 40 years...that shows how much I missed during my life as a publican, but I'm really glad I had the opportunity to see and meet him....a very clever, witty songwriter and commentator.
A similar format was adopted for the second half with Chris Bluemel showing off his wonderful fiddle playing skills. I sang three more songs...difficult to choose which ones to sing from the list I had prepared. However, I plumped for There but for Fortune, a Phil Ochs song made popular by Joan Baez; The Last House on the Street, a Colum Sands song in which he hopes that in life and conflict people can be made to open their eyes and minds to what is going on around them and finished with Mick Ryan's Farewell...a lament for a lost partner. By then the noise from the other bar made it very difficult to do the song justice...but I got ther in the end.
So all in all a mixed evening, but certainly an experience.

song for Gaza

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:21:00 +0000

Well, tonight I'm off to the Star in Havant to sing in a charity concert for aid to Gaza, alongside Leon Rosselson and Chris Bluemel. We're looking forward to a great evening, so I'll let you know how it goes.
I haven't done much singing since I last wrote, because I've been away visiting friends, partying and seeing Newton Faulkner in concert. All great!
I was at the Regnum the Friday before last and we had a lovely evening. I sang When the Snows of Winter Fall, for the first time and Quiet Joys of Brotherhood, an old favourite.
I was at the Four Chesnuts last week where we had a singaround hosted by Malcolm and Sue. It was good to see everyone out enjoying themselves. I sang When the Snows of Winter Fall and an old favourite Bay of Biscay.
On Wednesday, my daughter, Claire and I went to the Willows to see Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley, who used to be part of Last Night's Fun. We had a great evening and bought their new c.d. Lucy Wan. Fantastic music and singing. I sang Bay of Biscay and He was under my window, collected by George Gardiner in Axford back in 1907.... a lovely little song.
So all in all, life's good and I'm enjoying the music....catch up again soon

where does the time go!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:41:00 +0000

So it's over a week ago since I've blogged....what have I been up to?
Last night my friends from Essex, Bid and Skill and I went to the Four Chesnuts for a fantastic evening in the company of Jim Bainbridge. He's from the North east and supports Sunderland so that's two pluses!! He is a great melodeon player and singer with a warm personality and we came away with his c.d aswell.
The Oxjam concert on Saturday was an interesting evening which we all enjoyed. I sang Abroad as I was walking, Silver Dagger, He was under my window, Swallow Song and Farewell. I hope it helped the fundraising.
The singaround at the City Folk club on Friday evening was a low key affair as far as numbers were concerned, but the quality of the evening was great. Everyone seemed to be on song and we had some great renditions. I sang He was under my window, The Grey Cockerel and then was invited to join George in She Moves Thru' the Fair. I really enjoyed his sympathetic guitar playing....thank you George!
On Thursday Jeff Wesley was singing at the Royal Oak in Lewes and although there wasn't a full house, those of us who went enjoyed the evening. Jeff is a great entertainer and had some wonderful stories to tell and sing.
The Trio Threlfall were guests at The Famous Willows on Wednesday and I enjoyed their singing and playing. There are some lovely songs on their c.d which will certainly be added to my repertoire in the future.
The previous evening we had a themed singaround at the Chesnuts where we all found songs about or including the word "Gold"......my contribution was The Grey Cockerel and Diego's Bold Shore....both fantastic songs with the merest link to the word Gold......but a good fun evening.
So that's where the time has gone...and tonight was the night in for the hair wash and the footy...England v Belarus.....

folk clubs

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Since moving to Chichester a year ago, I have been able to go to many more clubs in the vicinity.
My favourite for lots of reasons is The Four Chesnuts in Chichester where there is a really good club every Tuesday evening. Marilyn Campbell has been running the club for many years. We have different m.c.s, theme evenings, singaround evenings and guests usually once a month. If I'm at home that's where I'll be on a Tuesday! This Saturday 10th October we are also hosting an Oxjam charity event at the Chesnuts where Dave and Sue Garrard, Alan Glock, Chalky Corkery, Marker, myself and the Portsmouth Shantymen are all performing. If you're not doing anything why not come along and join us.. we'll have a great evening!
I often go to the Famous Willows club in Arundel on a Wednesday, particularly on a guest night and am looking forward to seeing Martyn Wyndham Read and Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley there in the next couple of months. I'm usually lucky enough to do a floor spot when I'm there and it's a great club. There is also a monthly club (2nd Wed.) that runs in Hambledon and I've had some great nights there too, singing and being entertained.
Lewes, the Royal Oak is the place to be on a Thursday evening. There are guests nearly every week and I don't think I've ever come away from there not having enjoyed the evening.....so that must say something for the club and the organisers Vic and Tina Smith. Once again, I'm usually invited to do a floor spot, if time allows.
On 29th October I have been invited to sing in another charity event being held in the Star at havant, alongside Chris Bluemel and Leon Rosselson. So, if you would like an evening of entertainment, why not join us,
Friday nights present a quandry (Carl Smith!) too many venues from which to choose. I usually take the easy option and visit the City Folk Club in Chichester where it's purely singaround with loads of different styles. A great opportunity to try out new stuff. The other alternatives mean travelling...to Southampton for the F'c'sle a really well run traditional club with fantastic guests. I have sung there and hope to do so again soon. Trevor and Jane run a very good club. Once a month there is a club in Bognor (last Friday), one in Forest Gate (last Friday) and one in Brighton at the Open House (used to be the Springfield in college days!) So never a dull moment on a Friday!
Saturdays are different...I occasionally go to the Limes in Catisfield, but it only runs on the first Saturday in the month so I'm not always about.
Last Sunday I had a terrific evening at Bursledon and Woolston club near Southampton. Colum Sands was the guest and he had us in stitches with his entertaining sets. I also sang a couple of favourite songs of mine "Abroad As I was Walking", a traditional song collected by George Gardiner from the singing of Mrs Goodyear in Axford, Hampshire in 1907 and "Farewell", the Mick Ryan song from his latest folk opera the Navvy's Wife, which is a "MUST SEE".
The first and third Mondays in the month are worth the trip out to North Boarhunt, where Charles and Janet run a superb club with some fantastic guests. I have sung there and always really enjoy the evening. Also, on the first Monday of the month Stuart Reed runs a good club at the Nelson in Brighton....always worth a visit.
Information about most of these clubs can be found on the SCoFF website.... a great starting point to find out all sorts of information.
The odd evening I stay in to wash my hair!!!!!! or maybe footy...if there's a decent match on.

other things

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:26:00 +0000

Apart from friends and music, which are the most important things to me, I really enjoy travelling and have been to some fantastic places over the last few years.
My earliest BIG travel was backpacking round the world (we didn't actually go everywhere!) with my daughters back in 2004/2005. It was a marvellous evperience which unsettled me no end with a view to travelling. I'm always looking for the next place!!! We spent 8 months travelling: Malaysia; Thailand; Australia; New Zealand; Fiji; The Cook Islands and finally into the States for only a few days on the way home. Anybody with the time, the money, the lust for travel and some good companions could do worse than follow this trail!
Since then, apart from the odd week here and there in the Canaries, I've travelled with friends to Mexico where we saw the solstice at Chichen Itza; Florida, where we gave Disney and Universal a going over; Cuba a must-go destination before the Americans spoil it.......we travelled round in a small group, staying in people's homes all over the island and really enjoyed every minute of it and in particular the music. You've never lived till you've seen the little children dancing with such rhythm in the streets. Brazil; three of us shared a cabin on a cruise ship and headed to Rio...wow! we stopped off at the Cape Verde Islands, surely a place that will be an "IN" destination soon. My highlights were singing to about 800 in the theatre on-board ship and seeing the Christ the Redeemer Statue which appeared out of the mists as if to save me>>>>>he'd have a job!!!!!!
Shorter breaks to Norway, where we have friends living and where we met and made more friends and sang and swam in the fijords, diving for mussels which we cooked back on land. Riga, a wonderful city with lots to recommend including the lovely people (except the police!!!) and the quantity of alcohol that has to be consumed to keep warm!....or is that just an excuse for the "Riga lurch!" Marrakesh; another really interesting city where you never knew whose hands were on your backside!!!....a great atmosphere. Paris...a city for lovers....well it was at the time; Cork....the place to go for the music and Innsbruck for a magical Christmas where it even snowed to order on Christmas Day. I had a lovely time in Borneo visiting an Orang Utan reserve and am now planning a trip to Costa Rica next month.

even more festivals

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:53:00 +0000

I had a great week in Bideford in August,taking in lots more music. There was a strange, to me, feel about this festival, because there was so much going on, but not that many people around to enjoy it. There was a second opportunity to see the Navvy's Wife and individual performances from the participants, along with Nicola Clark, Pete Coe and Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer.
My final festival of the season was Whitby. What more can you say. It is certainly THE festival and until I visit some of the other big festivals which I missed this year, will remain my favourite. I'm definitely going back next year!
Whitby and surrounding countryside are spectacular and I felt immediately "at home" in the area. Perhaps, a little of this can be attributed to my origins....a Sunderland girl! but that apart a very friendly bunch of people. This year saw the festival sharing the first weekend with the regatta...so sometimes places were very packed...but it didn't matter.
I stayed with friends from the Chichester folk club and we all had a fantastic time, doing stuff together and apart. I signed up for the harmony workshops run by Craig, Morgan, Robson, so that meant an early start each morning, culminating in a performance at the end of the week. The rest of the days were spent wandering the town, Robin Hood's Bay and joining in and listening to great music. What better way to spend time!!!! By having a season ticket every option was available and sometimes too many choices to make!!
Some of my favourites included The Wilsons, Martyn Wyndham-Read with Iris Bishop, Sara Grey with Kieron Means and Jeff Warner, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Pete Morton, Jez Lowe, Jim Causley, Colum Sands, Jamie Roberts and Katriona Gilmore, Dave Fletcher and Bill Whaley, Dave Burland, Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley and the Axford Five. Apart fom all these wonderful musicians there was time to take in workshops about songwriting, go to singaround sessions and I even had a spot at the folk club hosted by Mike Tickell when two of the guests didn't make it!!! Late night drinking back at our cottage helped cement friendships and I'm looking forward to next year!!!

more festivals

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Another friendly festival is at Leigh on Sea in Essex and I enjoy going there just for the day to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the morris dancing, singing and playing. It was a great day this year, only marred by the lack of power! Only the pub/ businesses were without electricity, but it spoiled the sound systems and one of the larger stages hooked themselves into a local's power supply....wouldn't like to have to pay that bill!!!!!!!
My next festival was Priddy....never been before, but wonderful location....weather permitting....which it didn't for much of the weekend...never mind had to get wet within aswell as out!!!!Only problem was I had the pleasure of staying at a friend's close by, but the other side of Cheddar Gorge...bit hairy getting back late at night in the stormy weather!
However, the music was great and I will certainly go again.
The Askews were there, so caught up with the whole family this time....great company.Sara Grey was another first for me and I felt very moved by her set....I'll look out for her again. Swarb's Lazarus...well what can you say..just marvellous! Pete Coe was up to his usual high standard, Martha Tilston was a revelation...I had heard some of her recordings and found them a bit "airy fairy" so wasn't going to bother...but she gave a tremendous performance and I'll take back all my previous thoughts! Her dad also did an entertaining spot the following day. Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies had the misfortune of finishing the evening off when there was a force whatever gale blowing and many were battening down their tents or risk losing them....they were great, just a shame not more people braved the elements.
Jackie Oates and James Dumbelton were wonderful and Jackie was also fantastic in Mick Ryan's folk opera The Navvy's Wife. This was the first time I'd seen the production and I thought it was really great as did the whole audience who responded with a well-deserved standing ovation. If you haven't seen the production yet .....it is a must and you certainly won't be disappointed.
The grand finale for the weekend was a first class performance by Lau...they just get better and bettr...a real pleasure.....

more festivals

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +0000

But before talk of the next festival...I must remark on the Fantastic May Day celebrations at the Spur Redoubt in Portsmouth....the first time I'd ever managed to celebrate singing and dancing in the May.....and it won't be the last..... what a wonderful spectacle of the ferries bringing over the visitors and watching the expressions on their faces as they were greeted by the Morris Dancers in full swing....wondering if it was in fact England that they were visiting!!!!
Following that I went with friends to the Sweeps Fair in Rochester, a real treat to see the town taken over with dance sides and music sessions in the pubs and marquee......lovely atmosphere and a great time was had by all!
One of the more disappointing festivals was the Winchester Mayfest, which was very under advertised and attended. Hopefully, with a new management team in the offing, 2010 will see a return to former glory. I was singing in St. Lawrence Church...... a fantastic venue with wonderful accoustics and although I felt nervous in the surroundings...imagine!!!!.....really enjoyed the experience. I sang: Sheepcrook and Blackdog;Bay of Biscay; Silver Dagger and Swallow Song......and it was fine.
Before May was out, I spent the weekend with friends at the Chester Folk festival...... a really top class festival in wonderful surroundings with lots of great people.
Friday evening saw us at the folk club, where Dave Fletcher and Bill Whaley were main guests. I had a spot and sang two old favourites: Bay of Biscay and Sheepcrook and Blackdog which went down well.
On Saturday we saw Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley (great...... despite the fact Denny had virtually lost his voice...but we had the cure for him!!!), Tom Napper and Tom Bliss....who were very good and Pete Coe...always a fantastic performance.
Another full day of music on Sunday saw us enjoying Bob Fox and Stu Luckley and Lau who are an all time favourite of mine. I was so pleased to see Kris Drever back to his best and in the company of friends who bring out the best in each other........Martin Green and Aidan O'Rourke...wonderful.
By Monday, we were fairly "musicked out" so just had a little dabble in what was on offer.
A must for 2010

festivals

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:04:00 +0000

It's been a long time since I blogged, but there are absolutely no reasons to continue in this way, so I'm back!
Over the summer I've been lucky enough to have spents lots of time at various folk festivals. Fareham for Easter is a great festival and I bought a season ticket, although had to miss the early events owing to prior engagements! Sounds rather grand, but just a party...vey good nevertheless. My particular finds of the weekend were Maggie Adamson and Brian Nicholson and the David Munnelly Band. that's not to say there weren't many grat performers, but these were new to me, so worth a mention. Maggie is a 16year old champion fiddle player and what flair and the David Munnelly Band were just so full of life, they were a joy.
I was pleased to be involved in a George Gardiner presentation with Bob Askew and the Askew Sisters...always a pleasure.
Big names appearing included Show of Hands, Mawkin Causley, Martin Carthy, Roy Bailey..all of whom I enjoyed. Then Eliza Carthy and Heidi Talbot with Kris Drever who I thought were very disappointing...oh well can't enjoy all the people all of the time!!!!
Others worth a mention were Craig, Morgan and Robson, The LarkRise Band and Michael McGoldrick....all very good.
So, apart from all of this it was really good to feel "I'm back".....having missed mixing with friends spontaneously for the last couple of years....no more.....

King's Head, Wildgoose, Amberley, Ashurst and Riga

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:17:00 +0000

Busy, busy. Loads to see, hear and do!
I went back to the Gosport club on Monday 8th October and sang Sheepcrook and Blackdog; Sovay, Sovay; Ship in Distress and the Blacksmith. Good practice for tomorrow.
Back to Wildgoose for the second half of the recording. Much better attitude from me this time and it showed in the end results. Managed to lay down four more tracks, so will end up with a seven track recording and I hope it'll be good.
We sorted: Lord Gregory; Bay of Biscay; Sheepcrook and Blackdog and Diego's Bold Shore and I was happy with all of them. What a difference a fortnight makes (it used to be "what a difference a day makes", but not any more!)
No Four Chesnuts this week 'cos Claire and I headed to Amberley to see Last Night's Fun and wow what a great night. They really know how to entertain a crowd and what a crowd there was. Best night I've had for ages and even managed one song, so chose Lord Gregory as a request. I was quite nervous, don't really know why, but there you go!
Being the 2nd Wednesday of the month, I went to Ashurst for a chorus and harmony evening. Another good night, which is just as well 'cos it's a long way from home! I sang Follow the Heron and Where are you Tonight I Wonder. I must learn some chorus songs, but these ones went down well, so that was fine.
I spent the weekend with friends in Riga, Latvia and we went sightseeing, ate, drank and sang our way around. A thoroughly good time was had by all!! even the poor punters who had to listen to us.

Four Chesnuts, the Regnum, the Limes and Christmas Soup!

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:59:00 +0000

Club singaround night 2nd October, so it's always good to go and catch up with everyone and everything. Jane brought her guitar this week and she did really well, I was very impressed.
I sang Blackwaterside and Sovay, Sovay and tried out the new pitchpipes I'd bought at the weekend. It made such a difference for Blackwaterside which is one of those songs you need to pitch correctly for it to work.
I finally managed a Friday night at the Regnum and felt a bit uncomfortable because I hadn't been for ages, but it ain't easy to do everything. Anyway, we had a fantastic night raising over £200 for Oxjam, singing, playing Folk bingo! and with a raffle. I sang Lord Gregory as a request and the Cock, 'cos I still like it and I hadn't done it here before. Good night all round.
Ed Rennie was guest at the Limes on Saturday 6th October. He's a very accomplished singer and melodeon player, so it was a good evening. I sang Sheepcrook and Blackdog, one I hadn't sung for a while but which I felt fitted in with the evening.
On Sunday,about a dozen of us met up to thrash out some ideas for a couple of traditional carols to sing this Christmas. We decided on Lullay my Liking and The Trees are Bare. Others that we tried were the Holly Bears a Berry and the King. Who would have thought it singing Christmas carols in October, sitting in the garden in the sunshine.....marvellous!

Four Chesnuts and Forest Gate

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:45:00 +0000

Tuesday 25th September and the club hosted Joseph Topping a really lovely singer/songwriter. He was well appreciated at the club although not everyone enjoyed his "down to earth" approach! Still you can't please all the people.....
I sang The Cock, a favourite of the moment.
So, when we headed off to BBs in Forest Gate on Friday evening it was a natural choice for me to sing it again! It was very well received and they invited me back again. So must try to make it back soon, although it is difficult to fit in as it's on Friday and the last Friday of the month at that, so loads of clashes. The Kremlinaires were the special guests of the evening, so we had quite a night with a seven piece swing band!! Great!
To finish off the weekend we visited the Sail Loft folk Club in Horndon on the Hill where I sang the Blacksmith and The Cock at an open mic session. It's the sort of place you know instantly if they like you 'cos it's quiet room or not...it was quiet room so really pleased.

recording

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:36:00 +0000

No sooner back from Otley than a day in the recording studio at Wildgoose. What a fantastic experience. Just shows how rubbish you can sound!! However a relaxing pint down the pub and things were much better...thankfully. We laid three tracks down and I booked to return two weeks later to finish off the job. The tracks we sorted were: The Cock; Stow Brow and the Blacksmith. I was quite pleased with these so more to build on for next time.
Then I dropped into the King's Head in Gosport for a folk evening where I sang the songs I'd laid down earlier in the day. Quite exhausted but enjoyable just the same.

Four Chesnuts

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:04:00 +0000

After a busy couple of days helping my daughter move had lovely evening of music at the Four Chesnuts. No guest tonight, so a good old singaround, chalky was M.C. and we had afew newcomers...a melodeon player, Lester, a lovely unaccompanied singer Jan fro petersfield and Nigel, new to the area, but will certainly come again bringing his instruments next time.
I sang The Grey Cockerel and the Unquiet Grave and they both went down well.
Another good night in good company.

Royal Oak Langstone

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Winter) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:50:00 +0000

I spent a relaxing evening on Sunday in the company of the local folk club. There weren't many of us, so we went round the group several times and shared our music.
I sang: King Jame's Version
The Ploughboy
The Farmer's Boy
Bay of Biscay
Stow Brow
Springhill Mining Disaster