Dreamers in the Dark? Candlelight Choruses? There’s always something which makes Dreamers special and last Sunday it was the loss of power at 10.00. Fortunately, we had a few minutes notice and the pub staff kindly brought in a supply of candles. What had already been a good evening with a number of visitors from Penzance Folk Club and elsewhere was raised to new heights by the last few performers who could only just be seen. Among them, John Jeffries from Whitley Bay who was obviously well prepared having sung Roger Bryant’s “Light the Light” in the first half and having the light from a tablet screen to help him through some intricate words in the darkness. Full marks to Alistair for picking out performers who could manage in the dim light. Not sure it’s something we should do every week but it certainly made for an evening with a difference.
That, of course, followed the celebration of Roger’s life the previous afternoon in Falmouth which was exactly the sort of event which Roger himself would have enjoyed with 120 people there, many of whom had come long distances to be there. We had some wonderful singing from friends old and new, memories from Roger and Gaye’s daughters, Jackie and Mandy and all in all a very challenging afternoon to MC so well done to Pip for that. The time allowed for sets from Bodmin F/C and Dreamers was very well filled. A privilege to be there. One more memory – Martin Jardine has thoughtfully posted on youtube this recording of Roger and many friends singing. I suspect many of us will want to watch and listen more than once. https://youtu.be/Z_PvnWVuEM4
It was a busy weekend of folk music because we also had the Cornish Zoom Folk Club on the Saturday night. Somewhat lower numbers than usual but still plenty of good performers – very nice to welcome Joe Holtaway for the first time at these sessions.
One of many outstanding performers at the Membly Hall was Harry Kessell. Harry is launching his album “When Midnight Sings” this Saturday, May 2nd at the fabulous Ell’s Barn and Bar, Wheal Busy. This should be a great evening of music from Olly Kessell , members of The Stone Circle Society and of course Harry himself who will be performing tracks from the album! Details at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BA2V6Mo8a/
It’s a singers night at Dreamers this Sunday, 3rd May followed by another guest, Enda McCabe from Connemara on 10th May, more about him next week but it sounds like another evening to look forward to. Before then our friends at Penzance Folk Club have a guest this Wednesday, May 6th – Steve Turner, a great folk singer and master of the concertina and tenor banjo. That’s at the Bath Inn at 7.30 and Steve is also performing at Bodmin Folk Club on Friday 8th May.
Something a bit different on Folk on Foot now. Fairport Convention founder member Simon Nicol joins Matthew Bannister on stage at the Indoor Festival of Folk at Cecil Sharp House to review a musical career lasting over 60 years. Simon talks about teaming up with Ashley Hutchings and Richard Thompson to start Fairport, tells how the band got its name from his family home and gives an emotional account of the motorway crash that killed drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson’s girlfriend Jeannie Franklin. Then he recounts the making of the legendary album Liege and Lief and explains how the band still survives and thrives despite countless line up changes. That’s at Simon Nicol in conversation at Cecil Sharp House
Next Friday 8th May, Live to Your Living Room welcomes John Kelly to the Live to Your Living Room stage for an evening of passionate music, activism, and laughter. John will be accompanied by his band, a group of talented musicians who are sure to make this a night to remember. John Kelly is a singer-songwriter and activist, fighting for equality, inclusion, and human rights. Identifying strongly as a disabled person, John uses his bespoke guitar, the Kellycaster, when he plays live. Tickets at Buy tickets – John Kelly & Friends – Zoom
And, finally in what has become rather a long Newsletter, a reminder that Sidmouth Festival runs from 31st Jull to 7th August this year. Early Bird tickets and much more information at Homepage – The Sidmouth Folk Festival
That’s all for now, hope to see you (if the lights are back on!) at Dreamers on Sunday.
All the best
Nigel