Blogs From 2012
(These blogs have been transferred from our old website)
11th December 2012 Hi Everybody,
I would like to start by saying we have reached the end of this very successful year and we next meet on Jan 8th 2013 and the club will be into its 21st year!!
I would like to thank you all for making this Folk and Blues club a continuously creative and enjoyable event……it is largely down to your participation and support!!
This means that I am happy and proud to be part of all of this…and over such a long period…..it is like I said at the party,
"The Six Bells Folk and Blues Club is the best Folk and Blues club in the world"
I defy anyone to disagree!!
I especially want to thank; Simon Watt as a performer and for running the website so efficiently, Andy Barnes for running the desk and for his patience and diligence, Francis Galpin as a performer and for helping with the desk and the intros on party night, Paul Newman our Landlord and his staff for all of their help
The PARTY
At about 9 that morning I felt a bit strange and I was worried that I might not make it and I would like to thank Francis for agreeing to cover for me….however I perked up a bit through the day..as you may have noticed, and in retrospect, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!!
I don’t think I need to tell anyone what a great night it was…..the fact that a healthy crowd were still dancing and demanding more at 11.45 just about covers it!
We did everything we set out to do, floor spots, crackers, food, Councillor Roy's Birthday and The Curst Sons!!
I would like to thank Paul and Jackie for the decorations and food and general support even though they had another large party to cope with next door!!
It all went like clockwork and everyone had a great time…..what a brilliant way to end the year and nothing more that I could say would do it justice.
The Curst Sons were brilliant as usual but I already knew that….that’s why I booked them!…..unique songs and unique rhythms and excellent musicians!!
It was nice to see Councillor Roy's Daughter Madeleine and Alex, His Grandson…a good performance from him…we raised some cash for the Burma Star Association as promised.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR CREATING A COLLECTIVELY HAPPY PARTY NIGHT….I HAD GREAT TIME.
So we go on to next year and new pastures.
The DVD is nearly finished bar a few small shots and an interview so that will be ready soon….we need a cover design??
Keep looking at the website for dates
Remember, there is no lobster like an old lobster in Post Neo Dadaism!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
ALL THE BEST
Chris
27th November 2012
STOP PRESS…CHRISTMAS PARTY…..CURST SONS…….11th DEC…….COUNCILLOR ROYS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
THE BEAT GOES ON
I never thought, when I started the Folk and Blues, that it would last this long or that it would be this good……..
I think it must now be two or three years since we had a poorly attended event and I am becoming more and more impressed and pleased at our current popularity amongst performers and audience alike.
I look forward to the Folk and Blues club for a range of reasons and the quality of what we do is evident from the feedback I am getting from all of our participants.
So an extremely well attended and busy night on Tues 27th proved to be another excellent evening for us which combined regular performers and some making their debuts.
Before I go any further I would like to mention our debutees in Susanna, Sam and Emma and Rog, Bob and Phil who played some excellent stuff and really brought something special to an evening which would already have been special anyway.
I am not in the business of judging one act against another, everyone one is equally welcome and anyone who performs is just as important as anyone else, but sometimes there is justification for a special mention for new friends and participants.
I had seen Susanna, Sam and Emma at the Roebuck which, I learned later, was their first public appearance meaning that their performance at the Bells was their second which makes their debut at the club even more remarkable. A combination of excellent songs with some lovely harmonies and a confident presentation made them an instant hit and I hope we can see them on a regular basis. I really thought their voices blended in a very special way and reminded me, to some extent, of the Trio album from Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton which you will need to hear to confirm my comparison.
I really was impressed by these girls, not only in their ability but also in the way they joined in with the proceedings and the overall atmosphere….a real pleasure to have around!!
Equally with Rog and Bob and Phil, who provided us with a few numbers from their ukulele based bandette, there was a fantastic energy and performance of some quality and ability which was hugely enjoyable and very well received. These guys are also members of a soul band called Big Kahuna who can bee seen reasonably regularly at the Bells and are, therefore, no strangers to the stage and performing, but it was great to see them in this new venture and we hope to see them back on a regular basis.
So we had this very special new input to the night as well as all of our regular performers who provided us with quality and enjoyment which lasted up until nearly midnight.
John Oddie and later with Rachel played some excellent pieces, with Rachel some lovely Joni Mitchell songs and it was good to see the return of Neil and Chris who come all the way from Crystal Palace and play some nicely played and well crafted pieces, a very welcome recent addition to the nights.
Simon Watt gave us some more of his individual magic and Mike Aldridge continued his fabulous contribution to the evenings in his own inimitable fashion. I was talking to Mike about a recent programme on Radio 4 which I would recommend, about Jackson C Frank. A very interesting programme about his life and times and still available on BBC i.Player I would think.
Mike Osborne is becoming a regular and welcome visitor. He travels from Hastings and entertains us with his powerful delivery of some fairly contemporary stuff. I like the strength of his stuff which has gone well with the drummers in recent times.
Geoff Jackson is going to be hosting some sessions for us and deserved a welcome extra "massive" round of applause fro his efforts at Down Under Night which was an excellent night.
It was also very nice to hear a Tim Buckley song from Francis both songs being well delivered and well received by everyone.
Bob Melrose is also becoming a regular at the club and is an accomplished guitar player and singer and it is always great to see him. He hails from up my way in the NE.
Mick Hartwell played a couple of lovely songs and I spoke to him about his rendition of Waltzing Matilda at the Down Under night. I know that Councillor Roy would have loved that and I need to remind everyone that we are donating some cash from the Christmas Bash to the Burma Star Association.
Derry performed for us next and played some excellent classical music as always. He is still unique to us and, I am sure, to the Folk and Blues scene and it is always a pleasure to see him and his entourage.
Jayne has been coming fairly regularly recently. I met her at the Roebuck sessions and she originally came for Country and Western but seems to have taken to the place. She has a great voice and sings some good stuff which led us nicely to Chris Liddiard to finish off who played us out with some thoughtful tunes.
I played Crossroads to finish and, all in all, we ended on a successful note with everyone happy and well provided for.
It has to be said that people are turning up earlier and staying later which can only reflect on the quality of what we are doing.
I do my best to keep it all going as I know do Simon and Andy….I think we are a good team.
Remember to e-mail me if you are wanting to play but you may not get there early enough to get on the list at the beginning…..I know some of us come a long way and I appreciate it because we all make the nights successful and enjoyable.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO EMPHASISE THAT I THINK YOU ARE ALL IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF THE FOLK AND BLUES CLUB BOTH PLAYERS AND AUDIENCE.
IT'S YOUR NIGHT AND WILL GO ON AS LONG AS YOU WANT IT TO……….
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REPEAT THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HOST A NIGHT OR SUGGEST A THEME NIGHT, AND RUN IT, IS ALWAYS WELCOME!!
I run out of superlatives and also some restaurants!!
See you soon
Come and enjoy Christmas with us!!
Chris
STOP PRESS…CHRISTMAS PARTY…..CURST SONS…….11th DEC…….COUNCILLOR ROYS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
13th November 2012 Hi everybody,
It is becoming increasingly the case that I am able to say that we have had an excellent night, and Tuesday's "Down Under Night" was no exception.
The brainchild of one, "Antipodean Geoff" also known by his earth name of Geoff Jackson, the evening proved to be a great success in quality, enjoyment, involvement and variety.
We had some great performers , so many (22) that I am not going to go into every one in detail, much as I would love to.
Once again we had the drummers who supported various people, including myself, and also played their own excellent set.
They are becoming a welcome and positive element of the club and I hope they will continue to visit us.
We have a night scheduled for them to do a special programme.
Geoff is now a regular at the club and a very positive and productive participant. He has said he may be interested in presenting some more evenings and I will be happy with that as he has a good rapport with the crowd and performers. The evening was well organised and we managed to get everyone on by starting a little earlier with no detriment to anyone as there were plenty of people there.
It was great that Geoff decided to donate the nights contributions to Councillor Roy's charity, the Burma Star Association, and fitting I think because I know he would have loved to have been there.
I'll bet he had few Aussie songs, up his sleeve, that no one had even heard of!!
For myself, I found it an interesting experience in research and learning. To be honest, I don’t often go through the process of learning songs for a purpose and my playing and performance usually has more to do with quantum physics with the outcome being more to do with what happens in a cloud chamber, but I like it like that!!
So the process of looking at INXS, Midnight Oil and Olivia Newton-John was quite enjoyable as it was productive. I used "Xanadu" as I thought it was a good song with good words and arrangement but also one which would allow people to join in. I was quite impressed by some of her work….she has a good voice….its not all Travolta!!
So we had another great night but I occurs to me that it was Geoff's night so maybe he might like to add some comments of his own to the blog.
I think these theme nights seem to be a good idea and I would welcome some more suggestions!!
I thought Canada might be an interesting one as e can have Neil Young and The Band….
Once again can I thank Geoff for all of his hard work and organisation and to Geoff, Elaine and Mick for a brilliant opening session.
I especially liked Mick's rendering of "the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle which commemorates the heroism of the Battle of Gallipoli while commenting on the futility of war…
I also liked the fact that we had some poetry from Anne who is a regular member of the audience and had written a very humorous poem about her dogs which eventually found its way to an Aussie theme…very enjoyable and funny!!
John Oddie, he of the lightning steel guitar, read a personal poem and these bits of input gave a welcome and interesting dimension to the night overall.
I noticed that many people were taking photos and vids, so it would be nice if you could forward some pictures and links to Simon Watt for inclusion in the Website
[email protected]
I have seen some photos from Ray and some vids from Geoff and they are very good so there should be some links on the website already. If not, I am sure they will be there soon.
So… the inflatable kangaroo lives to tell another tale!!
Another brilliant night onward towards the Curst Sons on the 11th December be there or be there….there is no other logical choice!!!
I am going to ask Geoff to add some comments to this….so look forward to this!!!!
See you when the deserts freeze and the kangaroos come skating home!!!!
Which is SYWTDFATKCSH for those accronysts amongst us!!
See you soon
chris
30th October 2012 Hi everyone,
I was just considering ways and means by which I could maintain the quality and development of the club when, as usual, things just happened naturally, as they very often do. So it was with great pleasure that we recently welcomed Alison and Bart with their percussion and readiness to join in with the general proceedings.
They came to the club on the 16th Oct and with a larger squad on Tues. (30th).
Two weeks ago proved to be an excellent night but this Tues. must have seen one of the best nights we have had in recent history and everyone seemed to enjoy the night and the music.
One of THEM!! …..they just seem to come from nowhere!!
So I am going to talk about everyone, which I do not always do, but I am going to start by thanking Alison and Bart for joining in and supporting where needed…it made a lot of difference.
I am also going to thank Greg (saxophone) who comes and joins in and plays some excellent pieces as solos and in support….really wonderful stuff….
With Andy being away, it was good of Francis to come and do the P.A. And perform as well.
It was great to start off the evening early with a good crowd and, with Bart on the old beat box, we played some interesting syncopated rhythms which I love to do…its amazing how much freedom a bit of percussion gives you!!
Mike Osborne, from Hastings, followed with some excellent tunes, one from Richie Havens, ably supported by Alison and Bart with Greg on Sax and by the end of his set I already felt it was going to be a good night.
It is hard to arrange the spontaneous joining in stuff but when it just happens it is even better and so much fun. People were loving it by the second act!!
Random Dadaism was kicking in already!!!!
Mike Foy is a semi-regular visitor and plays some interesting songs modified to his own style…a very good set from him. Mike reported to me that feedback from other players he had met had said that we were highly regarded as a music evening.
Simon Watt played next and performed some lovely sensitive pieces. Simon writes some excellent stuff and also plays some interesting versions of standards which bring a new meaning to these songs. He played a couple of B sides from Tom Paxton and Mark Knopfler arranged and delivered in his own inimitable style supported by rhythm and sax, and well received by all. We also thank Simon for his continuing support of the night and management of the web site.
Francis, who is also the lead singer of the Elevators, told me that he had intended playing something completely different but with the presence of the rhythm section decided to do a couple of excellent Bill Withers pieces.
"lovely day…lovely day….." lovely stuff, Francis, good songs…. excellent singer.
Allison and friends, not the whole drum crew (4/7), performed a couple of drum pieces which saw some well rehearsed polyrhythmic numbers which had everyone tapping and jumping. I love this kind of variety in what we do, and the obvious ability of the girls. The outfit is called "House of Rhythm" and they are going to come and do a more significant set for us, as the full band, sometime in the new year.
Pete and Brenda were here for their second visit and played some lovely songs including an interesting version of Ticket to Ride.
This is one of the things I really like about the club…I never know what is going to happen and it always a pleasant surprise to hear other peoples choices of songs and to hear their interpretations.
The evening was maintaining its particular interest and quality and the audience, and the landlord, were enjoying every minute.
It was lovely to see Rachel back after a small absence. John started as usual with a couple of slide numbers on which I accompanied. John and I played Lisa's Birthday recently and I really like playing along to those slide rhythms. Rachel came on and did some Joni Mitchell and then we all played Dark end of the Street…one of my favourites. Rachel is such a lovely singer and positive performer a real pleasure to have at the club!!
I must say that I was still punctuating the evening with some madness. One of my favourite aspects of the club is that it gives me an opportunity to develop themes, and the Random Dadaism is on of my favourites. Well…if we can have a home of Surrealism down the road, I am not going to be upstaged…..no way!! Random Dadaism needs a home where it can't possibly exist. As I said, the good thing about it is that you don’t have to do anything to get involved as any evidence of its reality would automatically negate its true nature!!!…..who needs Surrealism….when I drove past the home of Surrealism was closed anyway!!…..
Derry has been playing his classical piano at the club for nearly as long as we have existed and it always a pleasure to see and hear him. He has brought a lot of support to the evening over the years and we appreciate him and his friends who always seem to enjoy the night and are very complementary.
Antipodean Geoff, supporter of the concept of the "massive" round of applause, is becoming an important element of the club, as a performer and "soon to be" host. Geoff's "Down Under" night is on the 13th Nov so you need to be learning your Antipodean songs for then. Geoff has also said that he may like to host some other evenings so watch this space. This may need some research but Geoff is pretty strict about the content!!
Chris and Neil played some excellent songs. I must say that they were extremely patient in that they were on second last but there was still a healthy audience who enjoyed their music and showed their appreciation. A combination of good voices and good tunes with a slightly Irish hint was a fantastic debut for Chris….Neil had played before. I was even more impressed by the fact they had come from Crystal Palace and their gracious, positive comments about the club. They had genuinely enjoyed waiting and seeing all of the other acts.
Paul finished the night off for us in fine style and played some R&B tunes which many of us joined in and had a brilliant time. Some people were dancing and everyone reported that they had really enjoyed the set and the night in general. Paul is a really solid front man and a pleasure to play along with so I hope we see more of that. Paul also runs the Ark Open Mike night every Wednesday in Newhaven…so a brilliant end to an exceptional night.
I have not often gone home so pleased and satisfied that the whole thing is coming together in a way which I had never thought….even if it is only for a short time I think we have achieved a real milestone in our history and it is great to be part of it so thanks to everyone from everyone else and lets keep it going.
Now I have some important things to say…..
If you know you are definitely coming to the nights then e-mail me I and I will get the list going before I get there…I think this is fair for people who are making an effort to travel long distances to be part of things.
I would like to encourage everyone, including myself, to try and support other venues as much as possible as those such as Paul and Chris Lidiard and Lisa do a good job in supporting us.
If you would like to run a night, themed or not, then let me know.
I also receive a lot of e-mails from people wanting to play so I am going to do a links blog so that you can see them online. Francis had a good idea that we could vote for people we wanted to see!!! (only if we can afford them!!)
KEEP COMING AND ENJOYING YOURSELVES AND ENCOURAGE YOUR PALS TO COME AND LISTEN OR PLAY. Its up to us to keep getting better and better!!!
Keep watching the web site!! Put your e-mail in for updates!!
Now as I have said membership of the School of Random Dadaism doesn’t exist so remember not to become a member at any time. Membership is at an all time low of none. All you need to do is not be a member but you do need to know the whereabouts of a picture of a fish or a bicycle or a fish on a bicycle but you must never admit this, or else nothing will happen. Bizarreness is safe and well and has a home somewhere or other.
Lots of luck
There is no "z" in Dada
Or is there?
Maybe it is a "silent" "Z"
It must be 'cos I cant hear it!!
Your interplanetary host (calling occupants….name that tune)
me
2nd October 2012 Well here I am again with some bits of homey philosophy y'all…
Dan came recently, 11th Sep, and showed us some more clips from the forthcoming and eagerly awaited video and very good they were too.
I am looking forward to the completed product.
I know if you are reading this you are on the website so make sure you check everything out in terms of dates and events.
I realise that it is a little while since I have written the blog so I guess some of you will be on the edge of your seats!!!
We have had two really good nights recently including the Country and Western Event which went well and, I think, set a firm basis for a repeat.
It was nice to see Cowboy Roy and Glynn, who play regularly at the Roebuck, and Lisa and Ray Whiteway-Roberts who must get the prize for best dressed performer.
Dale and Joe, two new performers, have been a couple of times now and have produced some excellent performances with some self penned songs and some confident harmonies, lets hope we see more of them in the weeks to come.
I always say that is nice to see some younger people taking part and we had a young lady called Kathryn who performed some lovely songs.
Everyone is worth a mention and it is good to see that we are maintaining a strong base of regular performers such as Mike Aldridge and Antipodean Geoff as well as John Oddie and Francis.
Simon Watt and Derry should not be missed out and we are now getting to the stage where our regular performers could easily fill and produce an excellent night all round.
There are one or two new faces of note who have now attended on a couple of occasions.
Danny and Sally have entertained us with some unaccompanied songs from English and Irish Folk traditions and it was fantastic to hear them produce some lovely singing and numbers.
I said to people that when I first started going to Folk Clubs, back in the days when Folk were Folk and Clubs were stout pieces of wood for chasing dinosaurs, that the current guitar based notion was not so common and that there were many singers of the same ilk as the Coppers and the Elliotts of Birtley.
Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger were just beginning to become popular and Blues was still considered part of the Jazz world and very specialist.
Very few of us realised, at the time, that the Stones and early Dylan were playing covers from a whole history of Rhythm and Blues which no one knew anything about.
I seem to remember that it was an English Folk artist called Alan Lomax who researched a lot of early blues and folk music and brought it to the attention of the world stage.
A young lady called Dido has also sung some excellent unaccompanied songs and she has a fantastic voice and an obvious understanding of how to create mood and light and shade.
Its not easy to get up and sing on your own in front of an audience, especially a new audience and I think she deserves a massive round of applause.
It was good to see Jimmy Lee gain, he of the Edge of Chaos Orchestra and he played some fine tunes with an Irish influence quite evident. He is going to be doing a night for us on the 30th April next year, which just happens to be someones birthday!!!!
I have to mention Dave Dyke and his welcome, too seldom, visit on the 2nd and Phil and Sabina who played some excellent pieces. Phil is a great guitarist and Sabina supports with some lovely eLectric bowed bass. Its a fantastic instrument and adds some depth and drama to the sound.
I also need to mention Mick who is a friend of Geoff's who has been a couple of times and played some good stuff with Geoff and on his own so we welcome him and hope that he is enjoying the sessions and many to come.
Jack, Rolf and Alex comprise Tinlin who were our guests for the 2nd October which is the night that runs during the Chiddingly Festival without being part of it as such.
I thought they played a fantastic couple of sets and were appreciative of the need to put others on and, overall, contributed to a very successful and amicable evening.
The numbers and harmonies were brilliant and many people commented on their ability and positive approach.
It makes such a difference when performers are actually visibly enjoying their own stuff as well as the overall involvement in the night.
They were ably supported by Rupert on trumpet for a couple of numbers who also did the mixing for their set so thanks to him for that and for supporting us in this way.
Tinlin are definitely up and coming and fast making a significant name for themselves and it is to our credit that they have asked to come back as they liked the ambience of the club so much.
They said some very positive things about the way we run the night and about the other players so thanks to them for their courtesy and involvement.
I will be pleased to see them back sometime next year.
I always start the blog wondering what I am going to write and then realise I could write a book about each night and a chapter about everyone who plays!!!
And so we go on into the future with our credibility intact and becoming more so at every event and with every note that is played and sung.
Keep an eye on the website and the dates of things….there is more good stuff to come and to keep coming…so YOU keep coming whether it is to play or to listen.
I am still open to suggestions about themes…we will definitely do another Country and Western night and if anyone wants to host an evening I am happy to make way….it is your club and your nights.
You can make the Six Bells Folk Club work for you…!!!!
We can do mugs and T shirts and key rings….this is getting silly!!
Anyway…Nice to talk to you…You are all special…
All the best
chris
7th August 2012 Well everything seems to be going along well at the moment and I hope that everyone is enjoying the evenings.
In the spirit of progress I have been having some thoughts and I am going to devise a little questionnaire which I will hand out to get some feedback from one and all.
I have included a scan from the Burma Star mag which was sent to me with a little article about Roy just before he passed away so its nice to see that and share it with you, just click here.
In a general sense we have some things planned and Simon is managing to put stuff on the website calendar.
I was also thinking that part of our function could be in communicating and providing information about other folk and open mike nights.
We exist because of a culture of live music and it makes sense to support this in all areas as there is a reciprocal and symbiotic benefit to all of us.
I have often thought it would be nice to arrange group visits to other venues….we could take a mini bus!!!…..if anyone had the courage to drive it!!!
In this sense it was good to see Paul from the Ark in Newhaven with Doug and Gavin on sax, I thought they did a really good set and to see Lisa Jackson who runs the night in the Roebuck in Laughton. Let me always encourage you to support these nights. I am hoping to get a page together with the occurrence of other nights so if anyone has any info to this effect it will be most welcome.
Our DVD is making good progress and I think the evening of shorts was a success and we are doing another one on the 11th Sept to show some that were not already completed.
Dan is doing a great job and being very patient…it is not easy to edit all of this stuff but we will see a good outcome and a professional job in due course.
I am not going to name all of our players every time we have a session as it just becomes repetitive but I will comment on a couple of recent newcomers in young George and Gaia, who had a lovely voice, Howard Harper and Bird Brother with their excellent harmonies. It is also nice to see Bob Taylor, and Adela, coming more regularly.
As for myself, I am really enjoying playing at the moment and would like to play a little more on the nights but I always feel that I am hogging the time when we have so many guests.
I am working on events for the future but part of the questionnaire will cover this approach so I am going to wait for some feedback before doing too much.
I am also happy to consider offers of hosting evenings if anyone would like to do that, the old "tempus fugit" issue is always a consideration and maybe I would like the odd week off now and again so let me know if you would like to run an evening, either just hosting what is or preparing something of your own. My only request would be that we respect our existing participants and maintain their importance.
So that’s about it for this time round….I am a little tired as I was out hunting for Perseids..there was the promise of a massive shower of meteors in the middle of the night but I didn’t see any to be honest…just a couple of people coming home from a party…which is not really an astronomical phenomenon….depending where you’ve been of course!!
See you all soon
chris
16 June - An email from Medeleine Marshall (Roy's daughter).
"Hi Chris,
On behalf of the family I would like to thank you for your donation to the Burma Star association in memory of my Dad. Dad never forgot his comrades in the war and his time in South East Asia in the R.A.F.
I cannot begin to tell you what an enormous gap Dad will leave in all our lives-he was a larger than life character and his drive and enthusiasm for life and music were incredible-especially given that he carried on right up to his eighties.
I would also like to thank you for his birthday celebrations-I know he enjoyed them immensely. It was a shame I couldn't be there for the last one but I was working until 8 p.m. that night and I haven't inherited my Dad's energy! My son Alex was there of course and I am glad he and Dad were able to share a love of music.
During the early days of the jazz, as a very small girl, I often went with Dad to the Market Hall in Hastings and during my teens I went regularly to the caves in Hastings where the Jazz Caverners played to loads of students. They were great days and my Dad loved the sixties, although he was forty in 1965! His version of The St. James's Infirmary Blues was incredible-his voice was so strong. Of course he founded The Expedient and that was a lot of fun when all the muso's assembled at our house before going on to a carnival or Bonfire parade.
In a book about jazz one of the musicians wrote the Expedient was the most fun band to play in. The funeral will be a Church service at St. John's Church Polegate at 12 noon on Friday 22nd June followed by a private family cremation service.
The Expedient Brass band will lead the hearse up to the Church door and march after the service up the High Street to lead it on its way to the crematorium as Dad wanted. That's all for now,
Madeleine (Marshall).
26th May 2012
“Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness -
And Wilderness is Paradise enow”
The folk and blues club is about different kinds of people and what makes it great, and lovely, and interesting, and bizarre is the wonderful eclectic mix of people we get there as audience and performers, the joiners-in and the watchers.
My feeling of achievement in this is that I have been part of a process which has satisfied all of these criteria.
While I was watching the superb Will Johns and Lee on their debut performance, it was obvious that they were enjoying playing and that people were enjoying watching and being involved with Greg giving his usual scintillating support on Soprano Sax…….precious moments!!
Good stuff….good company!
So it was with some sadness, mixed with joyful memory, that I announced that our friend Councillor Roy was now quite ill, but we managed to raise £100 for the Burma Star Association and I have now paid that in, in Roy’s name.
And it is now with even greater sadness that I have to say that, since I started writing this, Roy has now passed away….very, very sad.
I don’t think that I would be disrespectful in saying that Roy always had that air of confidence and panache that Eric Morecombe displayed in his response to Andre “Preview”
“I am playing the right notes sunshine….just not necessarily in the right order”
It is with a wonderful confidence and enthusiasm that Roy entertained us with his music and stories and his magnetic and engaging presence, and I can truly say that the club would not have been as interesting and as experimental without him.
I know that I can speak on behalf of all of when I say that we will miss him terribly…I know that I will personally.
I am not going to write a lot more on this occasion.
We had another wonderful night on Tuesday with some great players but I will talk about that in another article.
For now I would just like to suggest we all have a little memory of our friend Roy….mine will be the amazing Bob Dylan session with the full keyboard and effects….priceless!!
All the best
chris
1st May 2012 Hello Everyone,
I sometimes wonder what to say ‘cos there is so much to talk about…..
The club is going well and has been doing for such a long time it is a great feeling to have been part of it all.
I want to thank Andy for what he said and everyone for their support and input over the years.
Mike Aldridge said that it was the best open mike session of all those he visited which is praise indeed.
Special mentions for Councillor Roy and Antipodean Geoff.
I phoned this morning and Councillor Roy is back in hospital for the moment in Eastborne. I don’t get the impression it is too serious but they are keeping him in for a little while. So the legend endures and we send him all of our best wishes and look forward to seeing him back as soon as possible.
Geoff is off to further establish his Atipodean-ness by actually going to the great country and we wish him safe travels and a “massive” time on his travels. He is a great guy and has become a good friend to the club and an excellent performer.
There is more to come in May and Dave Dyke is going to host the next session (15th) with some of his own particular input. Dave and I used to co-host the club in a previous incarnation and maybe we can revisit a couple of those openers we used to do…..I’ll ask him….
I am still planning the 29th so watch this space but I would like to do something special……..but then it is always special because it consists of special people doing special things!!!
Part of me wants to arrange a special event with a guest or something but then…..if it aint broke as they say…whomever they are……!
Lovely to see Tine from Hastings who always makes a special effort to come because I don’t think she drives. She sings and plays beautifully and I hope we see more of her .
I am going to arrange more extended evenings and advertise and we will be doing a special evening to coincide with the festival as per usual.
I was sad this week as I heard that Levon Helm, the drummer of the Band, had died. They were on of the most important bands in my life and I still listen to them very regularly. “Whispering Pines and Unfaithful Servant” are two of the best songs ever written.
Well it was a great evening again and we had a great time again….but what about Sabine with the electric Bass….what fantastic sound with some excellent songs from Phil.
It was also a bit like old times seeing Dave Green and Mark Sampson who played some brilliant stuff. Mark is on a mission to get as many qualifications as possible and is now doing a doctorate so I presume we will soon have to call him Doctor Mark so with Councillor Roy and Antipodean Geoff we will soon have all the bases covered. Dave Green is also legendary for his collection of interesting guitars.
Andy is going to be away for a while walking along Offa's Dyke so Francis is going to do the sound. Maybe we can have a Skype link to Offa's Dyke and the Six Bells Folk and Blues Club Archaeology department to go with the newly formed Minimalist Department which was initiated by Francis last night with the shortest ever performance on Mandolin which may just have been him getting ready. The minimalist performance was linked directly to a longer performance which was much more substantial and involved more notes and a more constructed organisation of these…but very good all the same….
“Look here sunshine” Eric Morecambe says to Andre Previn (Preview!!) “I am playing the right notes……just not necessarily in the right order…”
Once again Simon and Derry played some good pieces, Simon ably supported by Dave Green and Derry equivalently supported by Eric tuning his pages. Eric, I believe is a Professor of Philosophy so another profession to add to our burgeoning list of accolades.
Rachel and John finished off the night with some excellent songs. Rachel has a lovely voice and a confident approach which gave some strength to her version of “Poves” by Prince and a lovely Joni Mitchell piece.
It all ended with a great jam with myself and Phil, on harmonica supporting John on a couple of blues standards….a bit of rhythm and blues… that’s the way we do it……..
So here I am twenty years later and, like I said last night, while I can still stand and breath, I will still be around….it may get increasingly more Surrealist but then…….I’ll be alright cos there is a home for Surrealists just down the road where I will be able to park my gingham dog and have a nice cup of fog………
Two sugars vicar!!
All the best
Crispy Noodles
3rd April 2012 Well hello all,
What a brilliant night we had last Tues, 3rd April, there is almost too much to say,,,even for me!!
It was Mike Aldrige's extended set and I thought he put on an excellent show with some brilliant accompaniment on slide from Duncan…yes, he of the Hofners who I met many years ago. Great to see them and hear some great songs. Mike is multi talented as he can move from some serious blues to a few more light hearted numbers, especially those Tom Lehrer compositions, which he delivers so well….so, a brilliant set all round!!
I remember when I was young, back in the stone age, going into a record shop in Durham and they always had that Tom Lehrer record in there. It had a picture of some felon on the front. Strange how things come round!!
So a massive round of applause fro a great set. Mike is a regular at the club so come and see him again.
What I like and sometimes find a bit difficult about the evenings is the vast array of talent and ability making it hard to decide who to put on when and trying to get everyone on. But we seem to manage and I have few complaints. It must be a sign of our success that you need to get there early these days!!
I would like to thank Francis for, not only doing a lovely Fleetwood Mac number, but for doing the desk once again. Unfortunately he is not Stevie Nicks but he has his own qualities does he not!!
It was nice to see Paul (Newhaven) and, please remember, he is running the Ark in Newhaven so that will be worth a visit and also to see young Kate who is off around the world.
Great to see Robert Brown who is a fine singer songwriter. Some of you may remember that Robert came and did a September gig for us a few years ago. He is a great performer and I have arranged that he may do an extended set in July when he is next around.
Also nice to see Sam Green home from Uni. Some lovely playing and singing and Simon Watt with his usual well crafted delivery and good humour.
John was sans Rachel this time but played some great songs. Dark end of the Street….one of my favourites.
I always try to put everyone on so Paul managed to play some 80's tunes a bit later on.
The Six Bells Folk and Blues club…never knowingly under performed!!!!
Antipodean Geoff is becoming a welcome regular at the club, sometimes with Elaine on violin and it is always great to see him and hear him play. He does some interesting songs with well considered words and topics, perhaps in the tradition of the old protest stuff which is where Bob Dylan got going.
Young Kate and Phil did a couple of great songs with Phill doing his vocal rhythm thing which is quite intriguing and interesting. Nice to see these young people.
I thought Louis was really excellent and performed brilliantly on what was his debut at the club. He seemed particularly pleased at his performance and reception and deservedly so as he produced a confident and talented performance and I hope we will see some more of him.
I am pleased we are getting some younger people interested in performing and listening as the truth is that I am not always going to be around to keep it all flowing along. I think we have created a very successful evening and the more I come along the more I like it. We have had good nights for about three years now and I think it is brilliant.
I am still thinking about the best way to have our 20 year party so watch this space.
Well this has been a long old blog and not a vertical fish or giant pipe in sight!!
A slightly more informative blog I feel we'll have a bizarre one next time with a bit more quantum physics on display and a few alternative dimensions and things like that…..
We could have a Surrealist/Quantum physics menu……..would sir like the otter wine with his dark matter?
"The stars are matter
we are matter ………
but it doesn’t matter"
Captain Beefheart (lest we forget)
Bye for now
chris
21st February 2012 Hi Folks, Its always nice when a plan comes together and Lizzies Night on the 21st was no exception, in fact it was exceptional in every way.
Lizzie ran the evening in her usual warm and positive fashion and we had many guests who played a range of marvellous stuff to a warm reception.
The evening raised £80 for Lizzies chosen charity the YMCA and I think this may even be a record in terms of the jug takings.
I’m not going to talk about everyone individually except to say that the quality of music and involvement continues to amaze me and delight me.
Next week will see the return of Andy on knobs who is back from his tour of Asia and I am sure he will have many interesting tales to tell about it. I may ask him to talk about how he spent our donations as I am sure you will all be interested.
Having said that I would like to offer some warm thanks to Francis who has done a sterling job in helping out with the sound and I am sure his contribution is not over in this respect. Watch the web for all of the forthcoming events.
I was saying that I met Phil and Paul from the Amazing Pilots who some of you will remember. A great bunch of lads who were the toast of the club for some time. It was nice to see them doing well and there may be a chance they will be part of our celebrations later in the year.
The organisation of this is moving on but if anyone has anything to offer or any suggestions then please let me know. I want it to be special and significant and to celebrate our enjoyment and involvement.
Any suggestions welcome poetry, clowns, acrobats, jugglers all are welcome.
I am also working with Dan to complete the video which I am hoping to have ready soon.
Anyway the day job beckons so I will see you all soon
Lots of love and keep coming and playing and enjoying ‘cos that’s what it’s all about
11th December 2012 Hi Everybody,
I would like to start by saying we have reached the end of this very successful year and we next meet on Jan 8th 2013 and the club will be into its 21st year!!
I would like to thank you all for making this Folk and Blues club a continuously creative and enjoyable event……it is largely down to your participation and support!!
This means that I am happy and proud to be part of all of this…and over such a long period…..it is like I said at the party,
"The Six Bells Folk and Blues Club is the best Folk and Blues club in the world"
I defy anyone to disagree!!
I especially want to thank; Simon Watt as a performer and for running the website so efficiently, Andy Barnes for running the desk and for his patience and diligence, Francis Galpin as a performer and for helping with the desk and the intros on party night, Paul Newman our Landlord and his staff for all of their help
The PARTY
At about 9 that morning I felt a bit strange and I was worried that I might not make it and I would like to thank Francis for agreeing to cover for me….however I perked up a bit through the day..as you may have noticed, and in retrospect, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!!
I don’t think I need to tell anyone what a great night it was…..the fact that a healthy crowd were still dancing and demanding more at 11.45 just about covers it!
We did everything we set out to do, floor spots, crackers, food, Councillor Roy's Birthday and The Curst Sons!!
I would like to thank Paul and Jackie for the decorations and food and general support even though they had another large party to cope with next door!!
It all went like clockwork and everyone had a great time…..what a brilliant way to end the year and nothing more that I could say would do it justice.
The Curst Sons were brilliant as usual but I already knew that….that’s why I booked them!…..unique songs and unique rhythms and excellent musicians!!
It was nice to see Councillor Roy's Daughter Madeleine and Alex, His Grandson…a good performance from him…we raised some cash for the Burma Star Association as promised.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR CREATING A COLLECTIVELY HAPPY PARTY NIGHT….I HAD GREAT TIME.
So we go on to next year and new pastures.
The DVD is nearly finished bar a few small shots and an interview so that will be ready soon….we need a cover design??
Keep looking at the website for dates
Remember, there is no lobster like an old lobster in Post Neo Dadaism!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
ALL THE BEST
Chris
27th November 2012
STOP PRESS…CHRISTMAS PARTY…..CURST SONS…….11th DEC…….COUNCILLOR ROYS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
THE BEAT GOES ON
I never thought, when I started the Folk and Blues, that it would last this long or that it would be this good……..
I think it must now be two or three years since we had a poorly attended event and I am becoming more and more impressed and pleased at our current popularity amongst performers and audience alike.
I look forward to the Folk and Blues club for a range of reasons and the quality of what we do is evident from the feedback I am getting from all of our participants.
So an extremely well attended and busy night on Tues 27th proved to be another excellent evening for us which combined regular performers and some making their debuts.
Before I go any further I would like to mention our debutees in Susanna, Sam and Emma and Rog, Bob and Phil who played some excellent stuff and really brought something special to an evening which would already have been special anyway.
I am not in the business of judging one act against another, everyone one is equally welcome and anyone who performs is just as important as anyone else, but sometimes there is justification for a special mention for new friends and participants.
I had seen Susanna, Sam and Emma at the Roebuck which, I learned later, was their first public appearance meaning that their performance at the Bells was their second which makes their debut at the club even more remarkable. A combination of excellent songs with some lovely harmonies and a confident presentation made them an instant hit and I hope we can see them on a regular basis. I really thought their voices blended in a very special way and reminded me, to some extent, of the Trio album from Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton which you will need to hear to confirm my comparison.
I really was impressed by these girls, not only in their ability but also in the way they joined in with the proceedings and the overall atmosphere….a real pleasure to have around!!
Equally with Rog and Bob and Phil, who provided us with a few numbers from their ukulele based bandette, there was a fantastic energy and performance of some quality and ability which was hugely enjoyable and very well received. These guys are also members of a soul band called Big Kahuna who can bee seen reasonably regularly at the Bells and are, therefore, no strangers to the stage and performing, but it was great to see them in this new venture and we hope to see them back on a regular basis.
So we had this very special new input to the night as well as all of our regular performers who provided us with quality and enjoyment which lasted up until nearly midnight.
John Oddie and later with Rachel played some excellent pieces, with Rachel some lovely Joni Mitchell songs and it was good to see the return of Neil and Chris who come all the way from Crystal Palace and play some nicely played and well crafted pieces, a very welcome recent addition to the nights.
Simon Watt gave us some more of his individual magic and Mike Aldridge continued his fabulous contribution to the evenings in his own inimitable fashion. I was talking to Mike about a recent programme on Radio 4 which I would recommend, about Jackson C Frank. A very interesting programme about his life and times and still available on BBC i.Player I would think.
Mike Osborne is becoming a regular and welcome visitor. He travels from Hastings and entertains us with his powerful delivery of some fairly contemporary stuff. I like the strength of his stuff which has gone well with the drummers in recent times.
Geoff Jackson is going to be hosting some sessions for us and deserved a welcome extra "massive" round of applause fro his efforts at Down Under Night which was an excellent night.
It was also very nice to hear a Tim Buckley song from Francis both songs being well delivered and well received by everyone.
Bob Melrose is also becoming a regular at the club and is an accomplished guitar player and singer and it is always great to see him. He hails from up my way in the NE.
Mick Hartwell played a couple of lovely songs and I spoke to him about his rendition of Waltzing Matilda at the Down Under night. I know that Councillor Roy would have loved that and I need to remind everyone that we are donating some cash from the Christmas Bash to the Burma Star Association.
Derry performed for us next and played some excellent classical music as always. He is still unique to us and, I am sure, to the Folk and Blues scene and it is always a pleasure to see him and his entourage.
Jayne has been coming fairly regularly recently. I met her at the Roebuck sessions and she originally came for Country and Western but seems to have taken to the place. She has a great voice and sings some good stuff which led us nicely to Chris Liddiard to finish off who played us out with some thoughtful tunes.
I played Crossroads to finish and, all in all, we ended on a successful note with everyone happy and well provided for.
It has to be said that people are turning up earlier and staying later which can only reflect on the quality of what we are doing.
I do my best to keep it all going as I know do Simon and Andy….I think we are a good team.
Remember to e-mail me if you are wanting to play but you may not get there early enough to get on the list at the beginning…..I know some of us come a long way and I appreciate it because we all make the nights successful and enjoyable.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO EMPHASISE THAT I THINK YOU ARE ALL IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF THE FOLK AND BLUES CLUB BOTH PLAYERS AND AUDIENCE.
IT'S YOUR NIGHT AND WILL GO ON AS LONG AS YOU WANT IT TO……….
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REPEAT THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HOST A NIGHT OR SUGGEST A THEME NIGHT, AND RUN IT, IS ALWAYS WELCOME!!
I run out of superlatives and also some restaurants!!
See you soon
Come and enjoy Christmas with us!!
Chris
STOP PRESS…CHRISTMAS PARTY…..CURST SONS…….11th DEC…….COUNCILLOR ROYS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
13th November 2012 Hi everybody,
It is becoming increasingly the case that I am able to say that we have had an excellent night, and Tuesday's "Down Under Night" was no exception.
The brainchild of one, "Antipodean Geoff" also known by his earth name of Geoff Jackson, the evening proved to be a great success in quality, enjoyment, involvement and variety.
We had some great performers , so many (22) that I am not going to go into every one in detail, much as I would love to.
Once again we had the drummers who supported various people, including myself, and also played their own excellent set.
They are becoming a welcome and positive element of the club and I hope they will continue to visit us.
We have a night scheduled for them to do a special programme.
Geoff is now a regular at the club and a very positive and productive participant. He has said he may be interested in presenting some more evenings and I will be happy with that as he has a good rapport with the crowd and performers. The evening was well organised and we managed to get everyone on by starting a little earlier with no detriment to anyone as there were plenty of people there.
It was great that Geoff decided to donate the nights contributions to Councillor Roy's charity, the Burma Star Association, and fitting I think because I know he would have loved to have been there.
I'll bet he had few Aussie songs, up his sleeve, that no one had even heard of!!
For myself, I found it an interesting experience in research and learning. To be honest, I don’t often go through the process of learning songs for a purpose and my playing and performance usually has more to do with quantum physics with the outcome being more to do with what happens in a cloud chamber, but I like it like that!!
So the process of looking at INXS, Midnight Oil and Olivia Newton-John was quite enjoyable as it was productive. I used "Xanadu" as I thought it was a good song with good words and arrangement but also one which would allow people to join in. I was quite impressed by some of her work….she has a good voice….its not all Travolta!!
So we had another great night but I occurs to me that it was Geoff's night so maybe he might like to add some comments of his own to the blog.
I think these theme nights seem to be a good idea and I would welcome some more suggestions!!
I thought Canada might be an interesting one as e can have Neil Young and The Band….
Once again can I thank Geoff for all of his hard work and organisation and to Geoff, Elaine and Mick for a brilliant opening session.
I especially liked Mick's rendering of "the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle which commemorates the heroism of the Battle of Gallipoli while commenting on the futility of war…
I also liked the fact that we had some poetry from Anne who is a regular member of the audience and had written a very humorous poem about her dogs which eventually found its way to an Aussie theme…very enjoyable and funny!!
John Oddie, he of the lightning steel guitar, read a personal poem and these bits of input gave a welcome and interesting dimension to the night overall.
I noticed that many people were taking photos and vids, so it would be nice if you could forward some pictures and links to Simon Watt for inclusion in the Website
[email protected]
I have seen some photos from Ray and some vids from Geoff and they are very good so there should be some links on the website already. If not, I am sure they will be there soon.
So… the inflatable kangaroo lives to tell another tale!!
Another brilliant night onward towards the Curst Sons on the 11th December be there or be there….there is no other logical choice!!!
I am going to ask Geoff to add some comments to this….so look forward to this!!!!
See you when the deserts freeze and the kangaroos come skating home!!!!
Which is SYWTDFATKCSH for those accronysts amongst us!!
See you soon
chris
30th October 2012 Hi everyone,
I was just considering ways and means by which I could maintain the quality and development of the club when, as usual, things just happened naturally, as they very often do. So it was with great pleasure that we recently welcomed Alison and Bart with their percussion and readiness to join in with the general proceedings.
They came to the club on the 16th Oct and with a larger squad on Tues. (30th).
Two weeks ago proved to be an excellent night but this Tues. must have seen one of the best nights we have had in recent history and everyone seemed to enjoy the night and the music.
One of THEM!! …..they just seem to come from nowhere!!
So I am going to talk about everyone, which I do not always do, but I am going to start by thanking Alison and Bart for joining in and supporting where needed…it made a lot of difference.
I am also going to thank Greg (saxophone) who comes and joins in and plays some excellent pieces as solos and in support….really wonderful stuff….
With Andy being away, it was good of Francis to come and do the P.A. And perform as well.
It was great to start off the evening early with a good crowd and, with Bart on the old beat box, we played some interesting syncopated rhythms which I love to do…its amazing how much freedom a bit of percussion gives you!!
Mike Osborne, from Hastings, followed with some excellent tunes, one from Richie Havens, ably supported by Alison and Bart with Greg on Sax and by the end of his set I already felt it was going to be a good night.
It is hard to arrange the spontaneous joining in stuff but when it just happens it is even better and so much fun. People were loving it by the second act!!
Random Dadaism was kicking in already!!!!
Mike Foy is a semi-regular visitor and plays some interesting songs modified to his own style…a very good set from him. Mike reported to me that feedback from other players he had met had said that we were highly regarded as a music evening.
Simon Watt played next and performed some lovely sensitive pieces. Simon writes some excellent stuff and also plays some interesting versions of standards which bring a new meaning to these songs. He played a couple of B sides from Tom Paxton and Mark Knopfler arranged and delivered in his own inimitable style supported by rhythm and sax, and well received by all. We also thank Simon for his continuing support of the night and management of the web site.
Francis, who is also the lead singer of the Elevators, told me that he had intended playing something completely different but with the presence of the rhythm section decided to do a couple of excellent Bill Withers pieces.
"lovely day…lovely day….." lovely stuff, Francis, good songs…. excellent singer.
Allison and friends, not the whole drum crew (4/7), performed a couple of drum pieces which saw some well rehearsed polyrhythmic numbers which had everyone tapping and jumping. I love this kind of variety in what we do, and the obvious ability of the girls. The outfit is called "House of Rhythm" and they are going to come and do a more significant set for us, as the full band, sometime in the new year.
Pete and Brenda were here for their second visit and played some lovely songs including an interesting version of Ticket to Ride.
This is one of the things I really like about the club…I never know what is going to happen and it always a pleasant surprise to hear other peoples choices of songs and to hear their interpretations.
The evening was maintaining its particular interest and quality and the audience, and the landlord, were enjoying every minute.
It was lovely to see Rachel back after a small absence. John started as usual with a couple of slide numbers on which I accompanied. John and I played Lisa's Birthday recently and I really like playing along to those slide rhythms. Rachel came on and did some Joni Mitchell and then we all played Dark end of the Street…one of my favourites. Rachel is such a lovely singer and positive performer a real pleasure to have at the club!!
I must say that I was still punctuating the evening with some madness. One of my favourite aspects of the club is that it gives me an opportunity to develop themes, and the Random Dadaism is on of my favourites. Well…if we can have a home of Surrealism down the road, I am not going to be upstaged…..no way!! Random Dadaism needs a home where it can't possibly exist. As I said, the good thing about it is that you don’t have to do anything to get involved as any evidence of its reality would automatically negate its true nature!!!…..who needs Surrealism….when I drove past the home of Surrealism was closed anyway!!…..
Derry has been playing his classical piano at the club for nearly as long as we have existed and it always a pleasure to see and hear him. He has brought a lot of support to the evening over the years and we appreciate him and his friends who always seem to enjoy the night and are very complementary.
Antipodean Geoff, supporter of the concept of the "massive" round of applause, is becoming an important element of the club, as a performer and "soon to be" host. Geoff's "Down Under" night is on the 13th Nov so you need to be learning your Antipodean songs for then. Geoff has also said that he may like to host some other evenings so watch this space. This may need some research but Geoff is pretty strict about the content!!
Chris and Neil played some excellent songs. I must say that they were extremely patient in that they were on second last but there was still a healthy audience who enjoyed their music and showed their appreciation. A combination of good voices and good tunes with a slightly Irish hint was a fantastic debut for Chris….Neil had played before. I was even more impressed by the fact they had come from Crystal Palace and their gracious, positive comments about the club. They had genuinely enjoyed waiting and seeing all of the other acts.
Paul finished the night off for us in fine style and played some R&B tunes which many of us joined in and had a brilliant time. Some people were dancing and everyone reported that they had really enjoyed the set and the night in general. Paul is a really solid front man and a pleasure to play along with so I hope we see more of that. Paul also runs the Ark Open Mike night every Wednesday in Newhaven…so a brilliant end to an exceptional night.
I have not often gone home so pleased and satisfied that the whole thing is coming together in a way which I had never thought….even if it is only for a short time I think we have achieved a real milestone in our history and it is great to be part of it so thanks to everyone from everyone else and lets keep it going.
Now I have some important things to say…..
If you know you are definitely coming to the nights then e-mail me I and I will get the list going before I get there…I think this is fair for people who are making an effort to travel long distances to be part of things.
I would like to encourage everyone, including myself, to try and support other venues as much as possible as those such as Paul and Chris Lidiard and Lisa do a good job in supporting us.
If you would like to run a night, themed or not, then let me know.
I also receive a lot of e-mails from people wanting to play so I am going to do a links blog so that you can see them online. Francis had a good idea that we could vote for people we wanted to see!!! (only if we can afford them!!)
KEEP COMING AND ENJOYING YOURSELVES AND ENCOURAGE YOUR PALS TO COME AND LISTEN OR PLAY. Its up to us to keep getting better and better!!!
Keep watching the web site!! Put your e-mail in for updates!!
Now as I have said membership of the School of Random Dadaism doesn’t exist so remember not to become a member at any time. Membership is at an all time low of none. All you need to do is not be a member but you do need to know the whereabouts of a picture of a fish or a bicycle or a fish on a bicycle but you must never admit this, or else nothing will happen. Bizarreness is safe and well and has a home somewhere or other.
Lots of luck
There is no "z" in Dada
Or is there?
Maybe it is a "silent" "Z"
It must be 'cos I cant hear it!!
Your interplanetary host (calling occupants….name that tune)
me
2nd October 2012 Well here I am again with some bits of homey philosophy y'all…
Dan came recently, 11th Sep, and showed us some more clips from the forthcoming and eagerly awaited video and very good they were too.
I am looking forward to the completed product.
I know if you are reading this you are on the website so make sure you check everything out in terms of dates and events.
I realise that it is a little while since I have written the blog so I guess some of you will be on the edge of your seats!!!
We have had two really good nights recently including the Country and Western Event which went well and, I think, set a firm basis for a repeat.
It was nice to see Cowboy Roy and Glynn, who play regularly at the Roebuck, and Lisa and Ray Whiteway-Roberts who must get the prize for best dressed performer.
Dale and Joe, two new performers, have been a couple of times now and have produced some excellent performances with some self penned songs and some confident harmonies, lets hope we see more of them in the weeks to come.
I always say that is nice to see some younger people taking part and we had a young lady called Kathryn who performed some lovely songs.
Everyone is worth a mention and it is good to see that we are maintaining a strong base of regular performers such as Mike Aldridge and Antipodean Geoff as well as John Oddie and Francis.
Simon Watt and Derry should not be missed out and we are now getting to the stage where our regular performers could easily fill and produce an excellent night all round.
There are one or two new faces of note who have now attended on a couple of occasions.
Danny and Sally have entertained us with some unaccompanied songs from English and Irish Folk traditions and it was fantastic to hear them produce some lovely singing and numbers.
I said to people that when I first started going to Folk Clubs, back in the days when Folk were Folk and Clubs were stout pieces of wood for chasing dinosaurs, that the current guitar based notion was not so common and that there were many singers of the same ilk as the Coppers and the Elliotts of Birtley.
Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger were just beginning to become popular and Blues was still considered part of the Jazz world and very specialist.
Very few of us realised, at the time, that the Stones and early Dylan were playing covers from a whole history of Rhythm and Blues which no one knew anything about.
I seem to remember that it was an English Folk artist called Alan Lomax who researched a lot of early blues and folk music and brought it to the attention of the world stage.
A young lady called Dido has also sung some excellent unaccompanied songs and she has a fantastic voice and an obvious understanding of how to create mood and light and shade.
Its not easy to get up and sing on your own in front of an audience, especially a new audience and I think she deserves a massive round of applause.
It was good to see Jimmy Lee gain, he of the Edge of Chaos Orchestra and he played some fine tunes with an Irish influence quite evident. He is going to be doing a night for us on the 30th April next year, which just happens to be someones birthday!!!!
I have to mention Dave Dyke and his welcome, too seldom, visit on the 2nd and Phil and Sabina who played some excellent pieces. Phil is a great guitarist and Sabina supports with some lovely eLectric bowed bass. Its a fantastic instrument and adds some depth and drama to the sound.
I also need to mention Mick who is a friend of Geoff's who has been a couple of times and played some good stuff with Geoff and on his own so we welcome him and hope that he is enjoying the sessions and many to come.
Jack, Rolf and Alex comprise Tinlin who were our guests for the 2nd October which is the night that runs during the Chiddingly Festival without being part of it as such.
I thought they played a fantastic couple of sets and were appreciative of the need to put others on and, overall, contributed to a very successful and amicable evening.
The numbers and harmonies were brilliant and many people commented on their ability and positive approach.
It makes such a difference when performers are actually visibly enjoying their own stuff as well as the overall involvement in the night.
They were ably supported by Rupert on trumpet for a couple of numbers who also did the mixing for their set so thanks to him for that and for supporting us in this way.
Tinlin are definitely up and coming and fast making a significant name for themselves and it is to our credit that they have asked to come back as they liked the ambience of the club so much.
They said some very positive things about the way we run the night and about the other players so thanks to them for their courtesy and involvement.
I will be pleased to see them back sometime next year.
I always start the blog wondering what I am going to write and then realise I could write a book about each night and a chapter about everyone who plays!!!
And so we go on into the future with our credibility intact and becoming more so at every event and with every note that is played and sung.
Keep an eye on the website and the dates of things….there is more good stuff to come and to keep coming…so YOU keep coming whether it is to play or to listen.
I am still open to suggestions about themes…we will definitely do another Country and Western night and if anyone wants to host an evening I am happy to make way….it is your club and your nights.
You can make the Six Bells Folk Club work for you…!!!!
We can do mugs and T shirts and key rings….this is getting silly!!
Anyway…Nice to talk to you…You are all special…
All the best
chris
7th August 2012 Well everything seems to be going along well at the moment and I hope that everyone is enjoying the evenings.
In the spirit of progress I have been having some thoughts and I am going to devise a little questionnaire which I will hand out to get some feedback from one and all.
I have included a scan from the Burma Star mag which was sent to me with a little article about Roy just before he passed away so its nice to see that and share it with you, just click here.
In a general sense we have some things planned and Simon is managing to put stuff on the website calendar.
I was also thinking that part of our function could be in communicating and providing information about other folk and open mike nights.
We exist because of a culture of live music and it makes sense to support this in all areas as there is a reciprocal and symbiotic benefit to all of us.
I have often thought it would be nice to arrange group visits to other venues….we could take a mini bus!!!…..if anyone had the courage to drive it!!!
In this sense it was good to see Paul from the Ark in Newhaven with Doug and Gavin on sax, I thought they did a really good set and to see Lisa Jackson who runs the night in the Roebuck in Laughton. Let me always encourage you to support these nights. I am hoping to get a page together with the occurrence of other nights so if anyone has any info to this effect it will be most welcome.
Our DVD is making good progress and I think the evening of shorts was a success and we are doing another one on the 11th Sept to show some that were not already completed.
Dan is doing a great job and being very patient…it is not easy to edit all of this stuff but we will see a good outcome and a professional job in due course.
I am not going to name all of our players every time we have a session as it just becomes repetitive but I will comment on a couple of recent newcomers in young George and Gaia, who had a lovely voice, Howard Harper and Bird Brother with their excellent harmonies. It is also nice to see Bob Taylor, and Adela, coming more regularly.
As for myself, I am really enjoying playing at the moment and would like to play a little more on the nights but I always feel that I am hogging the time when we have so many guests.
I am working on events for the future but part of the questionnaire will cover this approach so I am going to wait for some feedback before doing too much.
I am also happy to consider offers of hosting evenings if anyone would like to do that, the old "tempus fugit" issue is always a consideration and maybe I would like the odd week off now and again so let me know if you would like to run an evening, either just hosting what is or preparing something of your own. My only request would be that we respect our existing participants and maintain their importance.
So that’s about it for this time round….I am a little tired as I was out hunting for Perseids..there was the promise of a massive shower of meteors in the middle of the night but I didn’t see any to be honest…just a couple of people coming home from a party…which is not really an astronomical phenomenon….depending where you’ve been of course!!
See you all soon
chris
16 June - An email from Medeleine Marshall (Roy's daughter).
"Hi Chris,
On behalf of the family I would like to thank you for your donation to the Burma Star association in memory of my Dad. Dad never forgot his comrades in the war and his time in South East Asia in the R.A.F.
I cannot begin to tell you what an enormous gap Dad will leave in all our lives-he was a larger than life character and his drive and enthusiasm for life and music were incredible-especially given that he carried on right up to his eighties.
I would also like to thank you for his birthday celebrations-I know he enjoyed them immensely. It was a shame I couldn't be there for the last one but I was working until 8 p.m. that night and I haven't inherited my Dad's energy! My son Alex was there of course and I am glad he and Dad were able to share a love of music.
During the early days of the jazz, as a very small girl, I often went with Dad to the Market Hall in Hastings and during my teens I went regularly to the caves in Hastings where the Jazz Caverners played to loads of students. They were great days and my Dad loved the sixties, although he was forty in 1965! His version of The St. James's Infirmary Blues was incredible-his voice was so strong. Of course he founded The Expedient and that was a lot of fun when all the muso's assembled at our house before going on to a carnival or Bonfire parade.
In a book about jazz one of the musicians wrote the Expedient was the most fun band to play in. The funeral will be a Church service at St. John's Church Polegate at 12 noon on Friday 22nd June followed by a private family cremation service.
The Expedient Brass band will lead the hearse up to the Church door and march after the service up the High Street to lead it on its way to the crematorium as Dad wanted. That's all for now,
Madeleine (Marshall).
26th May 2012
“Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness -
And Wilderness is Paradise enow”
The folk and blues club is about different kinds of people and what makes it great, and lovely, and interesting, and bizarre is the wonderful eclectic mix of people we get there as audience and performers, the joiners-in and the watchers.
My feeling of achievement in this is that I have been part of a process which has satisfied all of these criteria.
While I was watching the superb Will Johns and Lee on their debut performance, it was obvious that they were enjoying playing and that people were enjoying watching and being involved with Greg giving his usual scintillating support on Soprano Sax…….precious moments!!
Good stuff….good company!
So it was with some sadness, mixed with joyful memory, that I announced that our friend Councillor Roy was now quite ill, but we managed to raise £100 for the Burma Star Association and I have now paid that in, in Roy’s name.
And it is now with even greater sadness that I have to say that, since I started writing this, Roy has now passed away….very, very sad.
I don’t think that I would be disrespectful in saying that Roy always had that air of confidence and panache that Eric Morecombe displayed in his response to Andre “Preview”
“I am playing the right notes sunshine….just not necessarily in the right order”
It is with a wonderful confidence and enthusiasm that Roy entertained us with his music and stories and his magnetic and engaging presence, and I can truly say that the club would not have been as interesting and as experimental without him.
I know that I can speak on behalf of all of when I say that we will miss him terribly…I know that I will personally.
I am not going to write a lot more on this occasion.
We had another wonderful night on Tuesday with some great players but I will talk about that in another article.
For now I would just like to suggest we all have a little memory of our friend Roy….mine will be the amazing Bob Dylan session with the full keyboard and effects….priceless!!
All the best
chris
1st May 2012 Hello Everyone,
I sometimes wonder what to say ‘cos there is so much to talk about…..
The club is going well and has been doing for such a long time it is a great feeling to have been part of it all.
I want to thank Andy for what he said and everyone for their support and input over the years.
Mike Aldridge said that it was the best open mike session of all those he visited which is praise indeed.
Special mentions for Councillor Roy and Antipodean Geoff.
I phoned this morning and Councillor Roy is back in hospital for the moment in Eastborne. I don’t get the impression it is too serious but they are keeping him in for a little while. So the legend endures and we send him all of our best wishes and look forward to seeing him back as soon as possible.
Geoff is off to further establish his Atipodean-ness by actually going to the great country and we wish him safe travels and a “massive” time on his travels. He is a great guy and has become a good friend to the club and an excellent performer.
There is more to come in May and Dave Dyke is going to host the next session (15th) with some of his own particular input. Dave and I used to co-host the club in a previous incarnation and maybe we can revisit a couple of those openers we used to do…..I’ll ask him….
I am still planning the 29th so watch this space but I would like to do something special……..but then it is always special because it consists of special people doing special things!!!
Part of me wants to arrange a special event with a guest or something but then…..if it aint broke as they say…whomever they are……!
Lovely to see Tine from Hastings who always makes a special effort to come because I don’t think she drives. She sings and plays beautifully and I hope we see more of her .
I am going to arrange more extended evenings and advertise and we will be doing a special evening to coincide with the festival as per usual.
I was sad this week as I heard that Levon Helm, the drummer of the Band, had died. They were on of the most important bands in my life and I still listen to them very regularly. “Whispering Pines and Unfaithful Servant” are two of the best songs ever written.
Well it was a great evening again and we had a great time again….but what about Sabine with the electric Bass….what fantastic sound with some excellent songs from Phil.
It was also a bit like old times seeing Dave Green and Mark Sampson who played some brilliant stuff. Mark is on a mission to get as many qualifications as possible and is now doing a doctorate so I presume we will soon have to call him Doctor Mark so with Councillor Roy and Antipodean Geoff we will soon have all the bases covered. Dave Green is also legendary for his collection of interesting guitars.
Andy is going to be away for a while walking along Offa's Dyke so Francis is going to do the sound. Maybe we can have a Skype link to Offa's Dyke and the Six Bells Folk and Blues Club Archaeology department to go with the newly formed Minimalist Department which was initiated by Francis last night with the shortest ever performance on Mandolin which may just have been him getting ready. The minimalist performance was linked directly to a longer performance which was much more substantial and involved more notes and a more constructed organisation of these…but very good all the same….
“Look here sunshine” Eric Morecambe says to Andre Previn (Preview!!) “I am playing the right notes……just not necessarily in the right order…”
Once again Simon and Derry played some good pieces, Simon ably supported by Dave Green and Derry equivalently supported by Eric tuning his pages. Eric, I believe is a Professor of Philosophy so another profession to add to our burgeoning list of accolades.
Rachel and John finished off the night with some excellent songs. Rachel has a lovely voice and a confident approach which gave some strength to her version of “Poves” by Prince and a lovely Joni Mitchell piece.
It all ended with a great jam with myself and Phil, on harmonica supporting John on a couple of blues standards….a bit of rhythm and blues… that’s the way we do it……..
So here I am twenty years later and, like I said last night, while I can still stand and breath, I will still be around….it may get increasingly more Surrealist but then…….I’ll be alright cos there is a home for Surrealists just down the road where I will be able to park my gingham dog and have a nice cup of fog………
Two sugars vicar!!
All the best
Crispy Noodles
3rd April 2012 Well hello all,
What a brilliant night we had last Tues, 3rd April, there is almost too much to say,,,even for me!!
It was Mike Aldrige's extended set and I thought he put on an excellent show with some brilliant accompaniment on slide from Duncan…yes, he of the Hofners who I met many years ago. Great to see them and hear some great songs. Mike is multi talented as he can move from some serious blues to a few more light hearted numbers, especially those Tom Lehrer compositions, which he delivers so well….so, a brilliant set all round!!
I remember when I was young, back in the stone age, going into a record shop in Durham and they always had that Tom Lehrer record in there. It had a picture of some felon on the front. Strange how things come round!!
So a massive round of applause fro a great set. Mike is a regular at the club so come and see him again.
What I like and sometimes find a bit difficult about the evenings is the vast array of talent and ability making it hard to decide who to put on when and trying to get everyone on. But we seem to manage and I have few complaints. It must be a sign of our success that you need to get there early these days!!
I would like to thank Francis for, not only doing a lovely Fleetwood Mac number, but for doing the desk once again. Unfortunately he is not Stevie Nicks but he has his own qualities does he not!!
It was nice to see Paul (Newhaven) and, please remember, he is running the Ark in Newhaven so that will be worth a visit and also to see young Kate who is off around the world.
Great to see Robert Brown who is a fine singer songwriter. Some of you may remember that Robert came and did a September gig for us a few years ago. He is a great performer and I have arranged that he may do an extended set in July when he is next around.
Also nice to see Sam Green home from Uni. Some lovely playing and singing and Simon Watt with his usual well crafted delivery and good humour.
John was sans Rachel this time but played some great songs. Dark end of the Street….one of my favourites.
I always try to put everyone on so Paul managed to play some 80's tunes a bit later on.
The Six Bells Folk and Blues club…never knowingly under performed!!!!
Antipodean Geoff is becoming a welcome regular at the club, sometimes with Elaine on violin and it is always great to see him and hear him play. He does some interesting songs with well considered words and topics, perhaps in the tradition of the old protest stuff which is where Bob Dylan got going.
Young Kate and Phil did a couple of great songs with Phill doing his vocal rhythm thing which is quite intriguing and interesting. Nice to see these young people.
I thought Louis was really excellent and performed brilliantly on what was his debut at the club. He seemed particularly pleased at his performance and reception and deservedly so as he produced a confident and talented performance and I hope we will see some more of him.
I am pleased we are getting some younger people interested in performing and listening as the truth is that I am not always going to be around to keep it all flowing along. I think we have created a very successful evening and the more I come along the more I like it. We have had good nights for about three years now and I think it is brilliant.
I am still thinking about the best way to have our 20 year party so watch this space.
Well this has been a long old blog and not a vertical fish or giant pipe in sight!!
A slightly more informative blog I feel we'll have a bizarre one next time with a bit more quantum physics on display and a few alternative dimensions and things like that…..
We could have a Surrealist/Quantum physics menu……..would sir like the otter wine with his dark matter?
"The stars are matter
we are matter ………
but it doesn’t matter"
Captain Beefheart (lest we forget)
Bye for now
chris
21st February 2012 Hi Folks, Its always nice when a plan comes together and Lizzies Night on the 21st was no exception, in fact it was exceptional in every way.
Lizzie ran the evening in her usual warm and positive fashion and we had many guests who played a range of marvellous stuff to a warm reception.
The evening raised £80 for Lizzies chosen charity the YMCA and I think this may even be a record in terms of the jug takings.
I’m not going to talk about everyone individually except to say that the quality of music and involvement continues to amaze me and delight me.
Next week will see the return of Andy on knobs who is back from his tour of Asia and I am sure he will have many interesting tales to tell about it. I may ask him to talk about how he spent our donations as I am sure you will all be interested.
Having said that I would like to offer some warm thanks to Francis who has done a sterling job in helping out with the sound and I am sure his contribution is not over in this respect. Watch the web for all of the forthcoming events.
I was saying that I met Phil and Paul from the Amazing Pilots who some of you will remember. A great bunch of lads who were the toast of the club for some time. It was nice to see them doing well and there may be a chance they will be part of our celebrations later in the year.
The organisation of this is moving on but if anyone has anything to offer or any suggestions then please let me know. I want it to be special and significant and to celebrate our enjoyment and involvement.
Any suggestions welcome poetry, clowns, acrobats, jugglers all are welcome.
I am also working with Dan to complete the video which I am hoping to have ready soon.
Anyway the day job beckons so I will see you all soon
Lots of love and keep coming and playing and enjoying ‘cos that’s what it’s all about