As I'd never been to a singer's night before I thought I'd pop along to Widcombe Social Club and see what it was all about. I was somewhat taken aback to find Nancy Kerr on the ticket desk but she was very welcoming and assured me that if I sang people wouldn't mind if I wasn't a professional, as it was just a bit of fun and a singalong. However a lot of the singers were professional, not a bad singer amongst them, unlike the usual folk club fayre! GOOD you might say, but I got the impression that the stereotypical toothless old boy in the corner of pub wouldn't have been welcome - maybe by Nancy but not by Louise! To my mind, the old boy in the pub, who knows more folk songs than I've had hot dinners, and perhaps comes from a long line of local singers, is what English folk music is all about.
I felt that it was really Louise's talent spotting night for the Bath folk club and, despite the best efforts of Nancy as compere, wasn't that inclusive.
Oh the song I sang - 'Country Boy' after the singing of Eliza Carthy (and Anna Tabbush)! It seemed to go down well although my voice began to shake and get fainter in the second verse due to nerves. I'm glad I chose one that most people know. The lovely lady from Cloudstreet, Nicole Murray, even joined in with a harmony!! I just had to buy Cloudstreet's live album, 'Clouds on the Road' after hearing Nicole close the evening with a fantastic song 'Time is a Tempest'.
A good evening - but I don't think I'll be going to Singers' Night in Widcombe again.
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Hi Louise here, from Bath folk club. I have always sang in sessions and listened to all of our cherished older generation with heart felt love of our living tradition, as I know they are the the song keepers and soul of folk and with out them who would teach us and keep it alive. A sad assumption on your part. It is sad you have only come once as you would see that I encourage every one to sing, and appreciate all songs offered our club is open to every one and children are very often present to sing. I encourage people to sing at our open night floor spots to give them the opportunity to share there songs and others to hear them, I'm not a talent spotter, although I am happy to say there is more than just talent being offered at our singers group. A warm community of singers from around the local area with best wishes to you and open invitation to come and visit our wonderful folk evenings Louise Baxter .......................
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