Hi all,
You can now visit me on Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/valtrav
Lots of cool friends!!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
John Kirkpatrick at Guildford Institute
I hadn't seen John Kirkpatrick before and didn't know quite what to expect, thought an evening of squeezebox playing might be boring - how wrong I was. Not only was John an accomplished melodeon, concertina and accordion but an entertaining folk singer and raconteur. Excellent songs about Brunel - even making the Clifton Suspension Bridge sound interesting and 'Bright String of Pearls' which went down well as I suspect a lot of folkies are trainspotters as well :-/
THe song of St George got everyone singing along patriotically, whilst 'Arthur McBride', the anti-recruiting song from Norfolk got me all skeptical again 'The Queen wouldn't scruple to send us to France, where we would be shot in the morning' - so wise!
And a jolly time was had by all ;-D
THe song of St George got everyone singing along patriotically, whilst 'Arthur McBride', the anti-recruiting song from Norfolk got me all skeptical again 'The Queen wouldn't scruple to send us to France, where we would be shot in the morning' - so wise!
And a jolly time was had by all ;-D
Fareham and Gosport Folk Festival, Easter 2006
Better late than never, here's Val's F&GFF folk awards!
Best Performance - Dave Swarbrick, Swarb's Lazarus. Doing remarkably well considering he'd been so ill with emphysema that he'd had his obituary published in the Telegraph. The new lungs seem to have taken to him well, though there was a frightening moment when he had to pop outside for a cough. His fiddle playing was stunning, sometimes exhilaratingly fast and sometimes slow and soulful, but always faultless. His joy at playing was obvious - so good to see him back on the stage again, and I expect he feels the same way!
Best Person I hadn't heard of yet - David Ferrard, a superb singer with unusual, uplifting songs, mostly his own material.
Tip for the Future - Isambarde, a new band from Coventry.
Best band I hadn't seen before - Uiscedwr, liked their material and their performance was great as well. Micheal McGoldrick Band were very good as well, similar material to Capercaillie.
Funniest Act - Les Barker just pipping it in front of Last Night's Fun
Biggest Disappointment - Dave Newey from Arlen, not quite as good at vocals as songwriting.
Band I thought I wouldn't like but did - Saw Doctors who I didn't like last time. However the sound man did a superb job and we could hear all of the (very catchy) lyrics this time. Bought the CD as well.
Best Performance - Dave Swarbrick, Swarb's Lazarus. Doing remarkably well considering he'd been so ill with emphysema that he'd had his obituary published in the Telegraph. The new lungs seem to have taken to him well, though there was a frightening moment when he had to pop outside for a cough. His fiddle playing was stunning, sometimes exhilaratingly fast and sometimes slow and soulful, but always faultless. His joy at playing was obvious - so good to see him back on the stage again, and I expect he feels the same way!
Best Person I hadn't heard of yet - David Ferrard, a superb singer with unusual, uplifting songs, mostly his own material.
Tip for the Future - Isambarde, a new band from Coventry.
Best band I hadn't seen before - Uiscedwr, liked their material and their performance was great as well. Micheal McGoldrick Band were very good as well, similar material to Capercaillie.
Funniest Act - Les Barker just pipping it in front of Last Night's Fun
Biggest Disappointment - Dave Newey from Arlen, not quite as good at vocals as songwriting.
Band I thought I wouldn't like but did - Saw Doctors who I didn't like last time. However the sound man did a superb job and we could hear all of the (very catchy) lyrics this time. Bought the CD as well.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
The Levellers at Dorking Halls 30/03/06
I can only apologize for not posting for so long! Someone introduced me to Myspace and I've been busy trying to suss that out, also been away (more about that later).
We missed the support due to traffic problems, which was just as well as he wasn't very good. Simon Friend accompanied him but even that didn't help as he played and sang out of rhythm.
Briefly saw Neil of Chanticleer and his wife, who'd got free tickets, and Angie and Gill from the Board at the end, unfortunately Bill Badger was keen to go by then fearing more traffic jams.
The Levellers were on good form, belting out non-stop dancey sing-ey music whilst the fans down in the mosh-pit went wild, pogoing and slam-reeling ecstatically. The volume was a little loud even for me - I was in the balcony near the back, but when I left my ears were ringing as if I'd been standing next to the speakers. Mark Chadwick sent a little girl away from her front spot because she was holding her ears and saying 'ow' - I'm sure it wasn't because she hated the music!
The band didn't let the fans down and played their greatest hit and signature tune 'One Way' which had the whole hall singing. Fabulous night out!
We missed the support due to traffic problems, which was just as well as he wasn't very good. Simon Friend accompanied him but even that didn't help as he played and sang out of rhythm.
Briefly saw Neil of Chanticleer and his wife, who'd got free tickets, and Angie and Gill from the Board at the end, unfortunately Bill Badger was keen to go by then fearing more traffic jams.
The Levellers were on good form, belting out non-stop dancey sing-ey music whilst the fans down in the mosh-pit went wild, pogoing and slam-reeling ecstatically. The volume was a little loud even for me - I was in the balcony near the back, but when I left my ears were ringing as if I'd been standing next to the speakers. Mark Chadwick sent a little girl away from her front spot because she was holding her ears and saying 'ow' - I'm sure it wasn't because she hated the music!
The band didn't let the fans down and played their greatest hit and signature tune 'One Way' which had the whole hall singing. Fabulous night out!
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