What a great night we had at Dreamers last week with Jim Causley, A fantastic performer with an excellent range of songs, his own, his uncle Charles Causley’s, wassailing songs and more, all with plenty of humour on top and well supported by a selection of club regulars. And Jonathan’s long list of guests to come in coming months obviously gives promise of more evenings like that to come. Good too to see some unfamiliar or less frequent visitors too – always welcome. Next guests on 19th February are Silvington from Plymouth of whom more nearer the time.
After what seems like a long gap because of Christmas, it’s time for another Cornish Zoom Folk Club session this Saturday from 7.30. We’re hoping for our usual range of performers from around the UK and further afield. As always the link will go out tomorrow – if you don’t already get it, just ask me. All very informal and you are welcome to just listen to folk you don’t normally get to hear.
Another star evening this week, online, was the brilliant Celtic Connections 30th Anniversary Concert from Glasgow. Really a bit far to go in January so we can be very grateful for this taste of what’s on offer there.
Two more online events to mention.
Firstly there’s a new episode in the Folk on Foot series. For those who haven’t tried it, these combine music with chat and (often) walking in beautiful places. This episode comes from what is claimed to be “the least populated area of the least populated county in England”, from Stones Barn where Maddy Prior and her daughter Rose-Ellen Kemp are hosting one of their acclaimed singing weekends. Also featuring guest tutor Martin Carthy and a visit to Bewcastle Church with its 6th century St Cuthbert’s Cross and singing in its glorious acoustics. You can see this, more about Stones Barn (and previous episodes) at Folk On Foot
And next Saturday 4th February at 8.00, Live to Your Living Room features Brian Peters, one of the English folk music scene’s great all-rounders, a compelling singer and an outstanding multi-instrumentalist. He’s a top anglo-concertina player, expert on button accordion and guitar, and has recently added banjo to the list. Well known for his towering renditions of Child Ballads and other songs from the tradition, but also encompassing songs of social comment and instrumentals, Brian’s repertoire is full of variety, fire and humour. Brian Peters | Live To Your Living Room
And finally, we were very sad to hear of the death this week, after a stroke on Boxing Day, of John the Fish (John Langford). Perhaps best known for his performances and role at the Count House in Botallack and sharing the stage with Brenda Wootton, Fish was one of the great figures in Cornish folk music, a great character and a great performer.
That’s all for now, take care
Nigel