Or two, to be precise!
Our first spot was outside the Friary in Guildford, at the concrete circle where the merry-go-round usually is. About 30 of us turned up, which was good - not many sopranos though. A small group of friends and relations appeared, but we didn't get many passers-by as it was a little off the main shopping route. Guildford was quite quiet for late-night shoppers anyway. Also it was rather noisy because of the lorries and buses heading up North Road. Still, we sang out as best we could. I was struggling as I had a sore throat, I probably wasn't singing my best but I was there!
Our set list included:
Jubilate Deo
The Holly and the Ivy
Whim-Away (Um Boubai)
Winter Wonderland
The Boar's Head Carol
Fly, Fly, Fly
Gaudete
The Reindeer Calling Song
Then there was time for a quick freshly-made doughnut from the stall on the High Street before heading to Holy Trinity Church for the second spot. Unfortunately there was already a brass band playing in the Tunsgate Arch, which threatened to clash with our singing (we didn't have the words to their carols, sadly). However after a quick negotiation Anna persuaded them to be quiet for a bit while we sang.
We do have a CD available, just for a donation to charity - but I couldn't get one as David had disappeared into the Three Pigeons! Oh well, hopefully there'll be some left for the New Year.
That's all for now!
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY READERS!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Folk-Punk Crawl of Brighton and Portsmouth
Bill Badger was away last weekend looking after his father, leaving me to entertain myself. As the train line was down between Farnborough North and Portsmouth, I thought I'd go via Clapham Junction to Brighton, do some shopping, drinking and catch some live music.
Got up at crack of sparrow, and trains were all running fine towards Brighton, arrived at 11.30am before the Evening Star was open, so had a browse down Queen Street and a quick look at the sea. Then back for the Evening Star Beer Festival and Robb Johnson's gig. The pub was packed and a lot of people were singing along to Robb's songs, so I guess at last he is developing the following he deserves! 'Breakfast in Kamnitz' and 'This Song is a Rose' were amongst his set. Got chatting to a bloke sharing a table with me, who is a friend of Maggie Holland (must keep an eye out for her) and Twiggy!
Drank some Dark Star Hophead, Nottingham Stout and Eastwood & Sanders Porter, then headed off to the Bugle in St Martins Street and had some Harveys Best (they also had Taylor Landlord and another ale). I'd got there too early, so had to wander round North Laines in a state of pisstitude - luckily I didn't buy anything too wacky! Had coffee and cake at the Rotunda before heading back.
Nick Burbridge was at the Bugle playing the Irish Session which takes place from 4-6pm every Sunday. He was pleased to see me, I'm helping out with festival-pestering for McDermott's 2 Hours, also moderating their messageboard. The 2 fiddle players whom Nick was playing with were also very good. Recognised some of the songs, especially 'Dicey Riley' and 'Bone's Farewell' from the new album. An old boy was doing Pink Panther type dancing in front of the band which was funny - Nick looked amused as well!
Wandered back to the station - had just missed a train so I headed back to the Star for some Dark Star Rods and Mochas at 7.3%.
Got to the Levellers concert in time to see Seth Lakeman's set - recognised his brother and Ben the bass player but not new guy on bodhran - very good! The Levellers were on their last gig and were putting lots of effort into it, dancing and playing their best. Simon forgot the words to 'This Garden', tsk tsk. Boaksey was in a kilt, pink suspenders and pink feather boa with luminous makeup. As he did his Marylin Monroe impression over the fan and high-kicks to the audience, was glad he's not a true Scotsman!
A cracking good day! Must do it again sometime :-D
Got up at crack of sparrow, and trains were all running fine towards Brighton, arrived at 11.30am before the Evening Star was open, so had a browse down Queen Street and a quick look at the sea. Then back for the Evening Star Beer Festival and Robb Johnson's gig. The pub was packed and a lot of people were singing along to Robb's songs, so I guess at last he is developing the following he deserves! 'Breakfast in Kamnitz' and 'This Song is a Rose' were amongst his set. Got chatting to a bloke sharing a table with me, who is a friend of Maggie Holland (must keep an eye out for her) and Twiggy!
Drank some Dark Star Hophead, Nottingham Stout and Eastwood & Sanders Porter, then headed off to the Bugle in St Martins Street and had some Harveys Best (they also had Taylor Landlord and another ale). I'd got there too early, so had to wander round North Laines in a state of pisstitude - luckily I didn't buy anything too wacky! Had coffee and cake at the Rotunda before heading back.
Nick Burbridge was at the Bugle playing the Irish Session which takes place from 4-6pm every Sunday. He was pleased to see me, I'm helping out with festival-pestering for McDermott's 2 Hours, also moderating their messageboard. The 2 fiddle players whom Nick was playing with were also very good. Recognised some of the songs, especially 'Dicey Riley' and 'Bone's Farewell' from the new album. An old boy was doing Pink Panther type dancing in front of the band which was funny - Nick looked amused as well!
Wandered back to the station - had just missed a train so I headed back to the Star for some Dark Star Rods and Mochas at 7.3%.
Got to the Levellers concert in time to see Seth Lakeman's set - recognised his brother and Ben the bass player but not new guy on bodhran - very good! The Levellers were on their last gig and were putting lots of effort into it, dancing and playing their best. Simon forgot the words to 'This Garden', tsk tsk. Boaksey was in a kilt, pink suspenders and pink feather boa with luminous makeup. As he did his Marylin Monroe impression over the fan and high-kicks to the audience, was glad he's not a true Scotsman!
A cracking good day! Must do it again sometime :-D
Friday, December 09, 2005
Martyn Joseph at the Brook
Other Val and Matt accompanied Bill and myself to the Brook to see Wales's answer to Bruce Springsteen once more ;-) Martyn was accompanied by his keyboard player Matt, and I'm pleased to say the sound quality was excellent. Glad that the Brook also sorted out their sound problems as well as refurbishing. They stil haven't got any interesting beer though - c'mon Brook, ditch that Courage Best for something nice by Hampshire Brewery, please!
Martyn gave a faultless performance, we arrived a song-and-a-half too late and came in as he was singing Dic Penderyn, which has a superb chorus, especially for us mezzo-sopranos to sing along to! Songs which Martyn virtually left the Brook to sing were the covers - What If God Was One Of Us and Stuck In A Moment originally by U2.
Martyn has a new album out, Deep Blue, which we purchased - unfortunately could not get near Martyn at the end for an autograph. He played many songs from this - my favourite being Proud Valley Boy.
After the interval, Martyn did his spontaneous song-composing, about a dark-haired woman in the upstairs bit who had shouted 'bad sales pitch' to him as he'd been excessively modest about his new album - and he'd heard 'selfish'! Then played some requests at the end including Dolphins, one of his chart hits.
A good, spiritually-uplifting gig - we will return to see Martyn here again no doubt.
Martyn gave a faultless performance, we arrived a song-and-a-half too late and came in as he was singing Dic Penderyn, which has a superb chorus, especially for us mezzo-sopranos to sing along to! Songs which Martyn virtually left the Brook to sing were the covers - What If God Was One Of Us and Stuck In A Moment originally by U2.
Martyn has a new album out, Deep Blue, which we purchased - unfortunately could not get near Martyn at the end for an autograph. He played many songs from this - my favourite being Proud Valley Boy.
After the interval, Martyn did his spontaneous song-composing, about a dark-haired woman in the upstairs bit who had shouted 'bad sales pitch' to him as he'd been excessively modest about his new album - and he'd heard 'selfish'! Then played some requests at the end including Dolphins, one of his chart hits.
A good, spiritually-uplifting gig - we will return to see Martyn here again no doubt.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Bill Badger's 40th Birthday
Today Bill Badger, my lovely hubby, reached his 40th Birthday (which he kept pretty quiet!) He has been working at the Great Welsh Beer Festival in Cardiff, and travelled back especially to go on the 'Arford By Bus' pub crawl. The Crown in Arford was my favourite, a very nice pub, had some excellent beer there and a nice plate of nachos. The Mill Tavern in Shottermill, West Sussex was very good as well.
Val and Matt picked us up at the final pub, the Crown and Cushion in Haslemere, and took us to West Chiltington Village Hall to see ColvinQuarmby. Val is friendly with the band, so asked for a request for Bill - and he kind of got two! Jerry mentioned people who turn 40 when he played 'I look the same but I have changed' and also dedicated 'it could only happen in America' to Bill as well!
We were also able to stop for a drink on the way back, thanks to the remarkably civilized new licencing hours. Cheers, Tony!
Hubby has got loads of cards and prezzies which just goes to show what a popular guy he is. Val and Matt gave beer and homemade (unusual!) chutneys, and Simon and Jane gave a cup-and-saucer and some liquorice. I gave a book and some 'taste the difference' bikkies which Bill seemed to appreciate!!
Happy birthday, dearest! xxxx
Val and Matt picked us up at the final pub, the Crown and Cushion in Haslemere, and took us to West Chiltington Village Hall to see ColvinQuarmby. Val is friendly with the band, so asked for a request for Bill - and he kind of got two! Jerry mentioned people who turn 40 when he played 'I look the same but I have changed' and also dedicated 'it could only happen in America' to Bill as well!
We were also able to stop for a drink on the way back, thanks to the remarkably civilized new licencing hours. Cheers, Tony!
Hubby has got loads of cards and prezzies which just goes to show what a popular guy he is. Val and Matt gave beer and homemade (unusual!) chutneys, and Simon and Jane gave a cup-and-saucer and some liquorice. I gave a book and some 'taste the difference' bikkies which Bill seemed to appreciate!!
Happy birthday, dearest! xxxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
