M1

 

Friday 15th December 2006 Pete Morton, Roger Wilson & Chris Parkinson

What can you say!!!! This was a fantastic, different, rowdy kind of Folk Club Christmas party/show you could get.

I mean to say, 'The Birdy Song'?, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and what about 'Smoke On The Water'? That start on the accordion was something else. The idea of letting the audience choose the songs from a scroll picked from a mini Christmas tree was great fun. Pete's rendition of 'In The Bleak Mid-Winter' though was really emotional. A truly memorable evening, just what we wanted for an end of year Christmas special. I'm going to try and get them back this Christmas. Pete's back here in the New Year, solo.

Andy Wall was support and as always performed brilliantly. Andy and his lovely wife Joan were original members of The Milkmaid when we started in Cambridgeshire and we've been great friends since. Andy runs The Ely Folk Club which is worth going to.

 

Friday 1st December 2006 Capstan Full Strength

AVAST THERE! I don't think I had heard our audience sing so well as they did this night. The Capstans performed with such power and dare I say, beauty. There's nothing like Shanties to stir the blood. It was a real pleasure to see everybody enjoying them selves. A fantastic evening which we must repeat.

Ex locals Issey and David Emeney did the support and they were brilliant. They gave us lovely traditional songs and tunes that makes you see why they are in great demand. They are coming back as guests in their own right January 2008.

 

Friday 17th November 2006 Clive Carroll

I've known Clive for several years and every time I see him I'm astounded at his virtuosity. He is such a master of all guitar (and banjo) styles he could fit in any musical genre you care to name. We had a fantastic bonus when Clive's sister sang three songs with him. They're going to come back one day here as a duo.

Support was by local singer/songwriter Al Lindsay who has written some beautiful songs in what I class as Soul Folk. Look out for him!

Great Night

 

Friday 3rd November 2006 Tom McConville and Dave Woods

I've booked and seen Tom McConville over many years and I have never seen him give a poor performance. It's no wonder he's in great demand to guest on other people’s albums. Of all the musicians I've met in my life of Folk clubs and Festivals I have never ever heard a bad word any of them have said against Tom. He is held in some high regard and greatly respected musically, and really liked as a person.

Pauline Cato couldn't make the gig as she had more important things to do, like giving birth to her daughter. So Tom brought young Dave Woods along, a lovely guitarist, singer and humorist. The two of them gave us ninety minutes of such quality it was a shame it had to end.

Cruel Folk were the support on the night. This splendid duo hail from Norfolk and Milton Keynes. They play on my Floor singers stage at The Cambridge Folk Festival every year and came along to an Open-mic/Singers night at the beginning of last year. I didn't hesitate to put them on the bill as support and they didn't disappoint.

 

Friday 20th October 2006 Susan & Dana Robinson

This was Sue and Dana's second time at The Milkmaid and wow! they were fantastic. They are two really lovely people, hugely talented and extremely down to earth. We were their first gig on the tour and you wouldn't have thought it. Their performance using guitar, fiddle banjo and mandolin and wonderful singing belied the jet lag they were feeling. Their song 'What Would Woody Do' is fast becoming their anthem, great stuff.

Sound Tradition who are, I'm proud to say, members of The Milkmaid. They have done a lot of behind the scenes work to promote and keep the club going which all of us connected to folk music in Bury are extremely grateful. The performance they gave, as support act was the best I have heard from them to date. Every time I see them they really do get better and better.

 

Friday 6th October 2006 Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen

If any folk club organisers read this I thoroughly recommend these two absolutely delightful people. World class musicianship alongside beautiful vocals and wonderful disposition made for a fantastic atmosphere on Friday night. They really are such nice people I am surprised they haven’t graced the UK's folk clubs in the past. I know they enjoyed performing for us and overall have enjoyed their time in our country. I'm sure the clubs they have played will want them back, we certainly will. The mixture of traditional songs and tunes along with Steve's magic song writing was lovely.

Mary Humphries and Anahata did the musical support and what a marvellous half an hour they gave us. From tunes to songs performed with absolute heart and feeling, these two excelled themselves. I'm really looking forward to January where they are our main guests.

My good friend John Row started the evening with a story and a poem. I was particularly pleased he came along as he's had a torrid couple of months due to a personal tragedy. As usual his story was spell binding and his poetry moving. He's always welcome at The Milkmaid.

 

Friday 15th September 2006 Bob Fox

This was a most enjoyable evening with a super crowd of people in to see this most wonderful of performers. Bob softened his Geordie accent so we didn't have any trouble understanding any of his patter. What a beautiful voice for folk songs this man has and lots of funny and interesting tales he has to tell. Lots of singing from the audience which helped make the atmosphere most agreeable.

Support was by 'Make Do' a trio consisting of my Jane, guitar and vocals, Brian Kew, banjo and vocals and Steve our sound man on Bass. This was their first folk club gig and only their second performance ever. They gave us a couple of nice tunes and four really good sing-alongs. I hope they do more for us, we'll see!

 

Friday 1st September 2006 Heidi Talbot

Wow!!! A fantastic evening from a lovely young woman, whose voice is as beautiful as she is. This was the first concert in the UK she has ever done and considering her pedigree with 'Cherish The Ladies' (President Bush and The White House) she was very nervous and said to me "I hope they like me". She need not have worried because the really good turnout (the best since we moved to The Constitutional Club) really did. The folk world's going to hear a lot of Heidi in the future. She brought Boo Hewerdine with her, who played and sang sublimely and Tola Custy one of Irelands finest fiddle players.

Bernard Hoskin did the support slot and once again proved what an accomplished singer songwriter he is. His performance was so relaxed and classy. I think a lot of folk clubs should be interested in Bernard performing at their clubs.

A good crowd in with a few new faces gave us a great atmosphere which if we can keep it up bodes well for the future.

 

Friday 21st July 2006 Kieran Halpin

A great evening full of high-octane energy from a really passionate and powerful performer. Kieran writes songs full of emotion and gets you thinking. He keeps your attention all through the evening with his songs and introductions. A most enjoyable evening, not many in but there you go.

Support was by 'Sound Tradition' who just get better and better. They are certainly going to leave a mark on the traditional folk scene in Suffolk and surrounding counties.

 

Friday 14th July 2006 Open-mic/singers night

This evening 'The Free Radicals' were showcased and did half the evening. A very nice set they did and unusually for them they didn't really do any thing too political but a lot of old Irish songs which went down very well.

It was nice to see young Adam Brown from No ID and his dad Roger as a duo and Mary Humphreys and Anahata gave us 15 lovely minutes. Andy Wall from Ely, 'Cruel Folk' from Norwich/Miltern Keynes  and our very own Dave Rushton completed this excellent and extremely high standard of a singers night.

The listening audience were down again, so I might decide to end these evenings. we'll see!

 

Flossie Friday 16th May 2006

Oo la la! C'est bon! Flossie really enraptured the small gathering we had in to see her. What a superb entertainer she is and what a beautiful voice. A really bubbly lady with a huge amount of talent. She could easily be a stand up comic as well as a singer  and had us rolling around the aisles (if we had any) with her stories of 'Northen English'. She will definitely be back!

A big thank you to 'Bof' who did the support spot. These four people are so accomplished at what they do it's a real pleasure to hear them. They are champions of French music and Dance in Suffolk.

 

Open mic/Singers Night Friday 2nd June 2006

I wasn't able to make this one but Brian Kew stood in for me and did another excellent job. There were not many people to watch and again more performers than listeners but I've been told it was a super night musically.

 

Friday 12th May 2006 Waterson:Carthy

What can you say that hasn't already been said about these fantastic wonderful people? The evening was a great success and I know they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I waited a long time for The 1st family to grace our stage and I was not disappointed. The great cheer they received at the beginning and the end was proof that the audience equally thought as I did that it was one of the very best folk club evenings we've had.

The Al Lindsay Band started the evening and immediately held the audience's attention. Al is a superb songwriter and has a great voice. I think a lot will be heard of this guy in the future.

I openly apologise to Al for not thanking him at the end, it was one of those times when emotion had caught up with me and I feel bad about it especially having really enjoyed his set.

 

Friday 5th May 2006 Tania Opland & Mike Freeman

Well our first time at The Constitutional Club went well enough. The chairman gave a little speech welcoming us to their venue and hoped we would enjoy their facilities.

It was strange not to have a stage and lighting but Tania and Mike gave us a wonderful evening of folk music. Tania is a lovely singer and doesn't she play that hammer dulcimer well. Mike is another really nice man and complements Tania so well. they really did deserve a bigger audience.

Mary-Jane Evans and Skryp did the support for us bringing their friend Chris with them. M-J always gives a superb performance and Skryp is some thing else on guitar they thoroughly deserved the warm applause they received.

 

Friday 21st April 2006 Martyn Wyndham Read

That’s another legend we've had at The Milkmaid, what a star this man is. He was suffering with a bad cold and a broken rib but you'd have never known it. The voice was as velvety as always and his guitar work very nice even though he was in pain whenever he moved. The audience enjoyed the evening and went away happy (as they usually do anyway). If we are to permanently leave the Legion Club then this was a fitting end.

Steve and Mary Dickinson did the support slot and very accomplished they were too. I know Steve thinks a P.A. system is the Anti-Christ but I think he enjoyed himself; he was very funny. Mary of course has a beautiful voice and she didn't disappoint us. They, as you know run The Everyman folk Club over in East Suffolk and if you've not been, please go as it's one of the finest and friendliest clubs you'll find.

 

April 2006 The Royal British Legion Club, Freeman & Opland and Waterson:Carthy

As you are all aware at this time The Royal British Legion Club is in a sorry state financially,  even though they have over Four hundred members. They have tried to battle on but to no avail. We have helped them survive this past 18 months by using their function hall as our home for the Folk Club but they can not and should not rely on others to keep their club alive. It's up to their members. Like with all clubs and community based projects,  "use 'em or lose 'em", without members support you soon close. Consequently a ballot whether to close has gone out to members (of which I'm one) firstly asking whether to agree to the closure or not and secondly whether some members become active on the committee. I've voted not to close and agreed to become a committee member. The ballot papers have to be in by the 26th of this week. It'll be a pointless exercise if they vote not to close and still don't use the club. Any one can join the Legion, you don't have to be ex-forces or OLD.

Even if the ballot is favourable I believe the Legion will have to close for a short while to work out their strategies, so the next folk club evening which features Mike Freeman and Tania Opland will be at The Constitutional Club, 12 Guildhall Street, Bury. It is a smaller venue but should be adequate for us at this time. I'm hoping to use the Legion Hall for The Waterson:Carthy gig on 12th May, even if we have to put our own bar in. so keep an eye on the website or local press (if they're good to us).

 

NOTICE

Incidentally, when my hard drive went on me the other month, I lost all my data bases including all the names of people reserving tickets for The Waterson:Carthy evening. So would you mind letting me know who you are please, so I can get the tickets ready. Those who have paid are ok as I have a hand written record of those folk and some of you have received the tickets already.

 

Friday 7th April 2006 Liz Simcock

Liz Simcock is such a delightful performer and has become a brilliant songwriter. Her evening with us was really wonderful and along with her "two boys" Warwick Jones and Ian Newman, Liz gave us a beautiful and colourful time.

I have to say that we had a disappointing number of people in the audience and we would have made a large loss, but for the generosity of this lovely young woman who returned half her fee to us.

Bernard Hoskin did the support slot and I've said it before and I'll say it again he gets better and better. He's  a really good songwriter and singer that deserves success.

 

1st April 2006

I had a lovely letter from Marilyn Hill who joined the club last year. She's been un-able to come this year due to some poor health. All of us I'm sure, wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her again soon at the Folk Club.

 

Friday 24th March 2006 Steve Tilston

Steve Tilston is one of the finest songwriters and performers we have in this country and his hour and a half with us proved that. It was really first class stuff and I know everybody left absolutely satisfied with the evening. He's such a nice man that it's always a pleasure to book him. We really are fortunate to be able to book so many world-class musicians in an intimate setting such as a folk club for a reasonable price. To have this standard of artist in any other area of music would be very expensive indeed. It would be to the detriment of Folk Clubs but if they were paid what their talent deserved in commercial terms we'd never see them. Steve gave us a mixture of traditional and self penned songs and some humour and his guitar playing was breathtaking. He'll be back.

Twizzle from Norwich did the support for Steve and showed us how wonderful they are. Julians sensitive songs together with Rosies lovely feel for the music warmed us up nicely for the main act.

The attendance was better this time but we did make a slight loss. I'm hoping now that the warmer weather is coming it'll make a difference to people’s decision to go out.

 

Friday 3rd March 2006 Penni McClaren Walker, Bryan Causton and Carolyn Sheppard

When I booked Penni for this gig she said that she might bring Carolyn with her, little did we know that Bryan Causton was also to be added to the 'band'.

The three are wonderful musicians; combined with powerful songs and superb vocals they really gave us an enjoyable evening. Penni is a remarkable songwriter and performs her songs with passion and heart felt feeling which transfers to the audience. Carolyn and Bryan being the consummate performers they are, added their own quality to the evening which was astounding; you would have thought they had been together for years instead of the few weeks of rehearsing for this gig. Let's hope they can continue performing together because I think they would have a lot of success with folk clubs.

Support for the evening were 'Sound Tradition' performing as a trio in front of an audience for the first time. Our lovely friends Dave (Seamster) Bartlet and Linda Baddeley and their friend Heather McClean have formed a band that is going to make an impact on the Suffolk traditional music scene for a long time to come. Powerful singing, wonderful harmonies, good choice of material - what more could we want?

 

March 2006

Sorry I've been late in updating but the hard drive on my computer decided to misbehave. Touch wood, it's alright at the moment.

 

Friday 17th February 2006 WIZZ JONES

Sadly this was the worst turnout since we started and unfortunately lost money. We've got 70 members and only 20 turned up. Obviously if it continued like this we wouldn't be able to carry on. Mind you on the other hand you can't be expected to religiously go to every one and you've been very good so far. It was a shame it was Wizz's gig as he is one of my all time favourites. The reaction of the people that were there says it all really, even though it was a small audience they gave him rapturous applause which he deserved as his performance showed what a world class musician he is. Several people said to me after they couldn't believe folks hadn't come out to see him and we must get him back.

Our friend from Ipswich, Jezzer did the support slot and once again showed what a good performer he is. His songs and his delivery are really good and he has a comfortable stage presence.

All in all a very good evening musically.

 

Friday 10th February 2006 Nick Barraclough and his Burglers

We could have done with a few more people in but that didn't detract from what was a good evening.

The Floozies started the evening and as always gave us a polished, professional, beautiful half an hour. Soul Folk I call it, lovely.

Nick and the boys are very good entertainers as well as accomplished musicians,  their two forty five minute sets flew past. A mixture of country, bluegrass, blues and some old timey seasoned with humour and Nicks wit made for a good time enjoyed by us all.

 

Friday 20th January 2006 Dansmall

I was really pleased that the first guest night of the year was a wonderful success. Sometimes the worries aren’t really necessary but any body that has ever promoted anything will tell you that you worry right up till the music starts.

We started the evening with a very young duo called Beat and Bow who I first saw at the wonderful Everyman Folk Club. What lovely nice young people they were and who gave us a delightful selection of tunes. We really must encourage young performers and give them every opportunity to perform.  They certainly are a credit to their parents who also are very nice people.

Andy Wall was next up and he himself said "How can I follow that". Bless him he did and we got half an hour of really top class singing and guitar playing. Andy is an original member of The Milkmaid folk club joining way back in 1995 and he never fails to deliver.

The main act DANSMALL (Dan Plews and Guy Fletcher) half of Dansaul  got us going. Dans powerful vocals and Guys fantastic fiddle playing really hit the spot. Every time I see them they get better and better so I am pleased to say they were worthy performers to kick of our second year at the Royal British Legion.

 

Friday 6th January Open-Mic/Singers Night

Considering it was the first folk club of the year it turned out to be a really good night with, including performers, eighteen people attending.

Dave Rushton and his friend Ivan started us off followed by Jezzer who had to leave early 'cos his night shift started at 11pm in Ipswich (there's dedication for you). Then Paul Veyes from Cambridge who incidentally is an original Milkmaider from 10 years ago performed a slot before the magnificent 'Capston Full Strength' a group of six wonderful singers and box players finished off the first half with rousing tunes and hearty singing. The second half minus Jezzer was the same as the first with the 'Capstons' sending us home with their mighty sound ringing in our ears. They are coming back on 1st December as a booking in their own right.

It also was the debut of the new backdrop to the stage, meticulously sewed by Dave Bartlett, what a champion he is, good singer and great seamster to boot. We hope you like it.