Bringing Music to Suffolk Patron: John Renbourn
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Keep Music Live Support Artists -
Very Toasty
Friday 21st December 2007 Les Barker
What a fantastic evening we had to get the Christmas week off to a real feel good factor.
Les gave us an hour and a half of poetic brilliance as only he can.. Wearing his famous ‘Cardie’ he had us rolling in the aisles with his tales of ‘making love to concertina’s’ and ‘Dachshunds with erections can’t climb stairs’. Long may he reign as Poet Laureate of Folk Clubs.
Sound Tradition supported Les and what a great set they did. I asked them to surprise Jane by performing and arranging a song she wrote years ago and they did it incredibly well. Jane was thrilled and a bit emotional as they opened the evening with her song. Dave, Linda and Heather were at the top of their game on Friday and we all had a marvellous time joining in and listening to their fine harmonies. I love them!
Friday 7th December 2007 Alistair Russell
A really lovely, good old-
The beautiful Liz Simcock did support and she certainly had her fan club in to see her. Support slots don’t usually get a standing ovation and shouts for more that often but Liz did. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for that but I will get her back for a gig as soon as possible,
Friday 16th November 2007 Chris While and Julie Matthews
I wish other folk promoters would look at our gig list before booking the Corn Exchange for a gig.
We had the great Blowzabella a hundred yards down the road in competition with ourselves. Fortunately we had a good crowd in but for a while I was worried.
I had to book these two for Jane as they are one of her all time favourites. In fact there is a song that they do that is very special to the both of us (which they did) that helped us survive a particular traumatic time we had a few years ago.
Steve had a night off as they brought their own PA and sound man and the poor darling didn’t know what to do with him self.
Chris and Julie were superb and didn’t disappoint and I’m getting them back as soon
as I can for more self-
Support by The Hofners a duo from Ipswich and Kent. A bit of Blues a tad of Old Timey
some feel good boogie-
Friday 2nd November 2007 Monsieur Pantin
Sadly another small audience but that didn’t put of our guests from giving a stupendous night of music from France, Britain and other parts of Europe.
These kind of evenings are hopefully what we intend to do more of by introducing European and World music into the Arts Centre as we move along.
Support by BOF who are part of the French Dance scene in the region. They are heavily involved with Bury Bal and never give a poor performance. They are worth seeing.
Saturday 6th October 2007 West Suffolk Mind Charity Concert
Colvin Quarmby
The Floozies
La Famille Walden
Mind Set
Abbots Barn, Denham was the venue for this charity fund raising concert we organised for West Suffolk Mind.
First on were Mind Set a group of people from West Suffolk Minds music club who formed a band of various mix and match performers to profile Mental Health in the region. A mixture of self penned songs and covers they got the evening off to a fantastic start.
Next up were La Famille Walden who you should have guessed by now is Jane with our son Alex and his wife Lizzie. Obviously being biased I thought they were great. Some lovely songs in a sort of Blue Grass feel with lots of harmonies.
The gorgeous Floozies followed and were soon making the audience appreciate their great talents and stage presence.
Top of the bill were the inimitable Colvin Quarmby.
If you have never seen this band then you must because it’s an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Jerry Colvin’s song writing is apt to perform a concert for a Mental Health Charity. I say this because of the fantastic sensitivity of his lyrics by some body that knows the anguish of mental health problems. To write the way he does must mean he has either suffered himself or been close to some body that has.
Along side this is his hilarious introductions to songs and his interaction with the audience. You have to see to believe.
I’m going to get them in their acoustic form at The Milkmaid at some time.
Friday 19th October 2007 Mooncoin
This was Mooncoins penultimate gig. What a shame these wonderful people are going their separate ways. For years Mooncoin have been one of the top local folk bands performing at festivals, clubs and gigs all over the country and abroad and I shall really miss them. Let’s hope they turn up with something else soon, as they are to good to lose.
Their performance was as always incredible and although sad, uplifting as well.
Rosie Eade did support and we have another very talented singer songwriter on our hands.
Rosie normally plays with the Folk Rockers Hedge Pig but is proving to be an accomplished solo performer in her own right.
Friday 5th October 2007 Vin Garbutt
“The funniest and most serious man performing in Folk clubs ever”. That’s how Vin has been described up and down the country and I can’t disagree.
Sometimes I think us organisers should put out a health hazard sign regarding this genius of a man, warning you of acute laughter pains. I never tire of seeing him.
Supported by Norwich based Marina Florance who came and played at an Open mic/Singers night recently. I was so impressed with her I offered her support for Vin. Another local (regional) to look out for.
Friday 21st September 2007 Anthony John Clarke
AJ is one of my favourite people, I absolutely love the man and he’ll always be welcome at my home. I again was saddened we didn’t get the crowd he deserved but he still did a brilliant 90 minutes and bit more too!
Supported by local singer/songwriter Al Lindsay who is another Suffolk man making a name for himself. He will be around for a long time, great stuff.
Friday 14th September 2007 Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick
What a marvellous concert to start our autumn and winter programme of with.
Arguably the Folk worlds most celebrated duo these massive giants did us proud on the evening. They have both appeared at the Milkmaid in different guises but I’ve never had them together ‘till now. I’m still on a high. Wasn’t it great to see Swarb looking so well?
Sound Tradition did support and I always say that every time I see them they just get better and better and better.
Friday 13th and 20th July 2007 Open mic/singers nights
Two very good and well-
Friday 29th June 2007 John Kirkpatrick
John was our first performer under the new Folk Arts Centre banner.
He is such a giant in the world of English traditional music and never, ever, disappoints. There is a big following in Suffolk for this lovely man and I was surprised we didn’t get the audience I thought we would. Having said that it was still a quality night that we all enjoyed immensely.
Supported by our good friend Phil Lyons who performed for us years ago when The Milkmaid first started (he had a bit more hair in those days). Phil is a great putter over of songs and is a prominent leader of Bury Bal.
Friday 6th June 2007
My good friend John Renbourn has agreed to be Patron of our fledgling Folk Arts Centre.
Friday 1st June 2007 Harvey Andrews
Songwriter extraordinary, beautiful singer and lively raconteur Harvey Andrews pulled out all the stops to entertain us with his unique brand of entertainment. He’s now written his autobiography part one and it’s worth a read. I can’t wait for part two!
Support by Mawkin was a great contrast to HA. These guy’s are a really incredible bunch of musicians who are going to do very well for them selves in the Folky future.
Friday 25th May 2007 Roy Bailey
Superstar, legend, one of the most highly respected performers on the folk circuit Roy Bailey didn’t disappoint.
His angry political songs to his unforgettable children’s songs were performed with great professionalism, humour and pathos. What a star this man is and he’s a brainy geezer as well!!
Support was by French band (who were appearing at The Bury Bal on Saturday) La Mere Follie. These European neighbours of ours are actually a headlining act themselves and it was a privilege for us to see them.
Friday 11th May 2007 Sara Grey and Keiron Means
A wonderful evening by American mother and son duo Sara and Keiron .
Sara’s beautiful interpretation of folk ballads along with her wonderful banjo style and Keiron’s accomplished guitar and vocals made for a truly memorable night.
Support was by Tu a really dynamic female duo led by Caroline Sheppard who put us in the mood for some fantastic music.
Friday 20th April 2007 The Witches of Elswick.
These four lovely ladies certainly put a spell on all of us privileged to see them on Friday. Their four part harmonies are out of this world and they have a wicked sense of humour which made the evening most enjoyable. It's a shame they are breaking up at the end of the year.
Adrian May and Elaine Barker did support and what a great job they did. Lovely arrangements, good choice of songs and lots of laughs. They’ll be back again I'm sure.
The audience was smaller than we've been used to of late and sadly we lost on this one. I hope it was just one of those blips we get occasionally.
Friday 13th April 2007 Last Nights Fun
I really could book these boys week after week. I never tire of them and I'm proud to say that they really are mates of mine. Chris and Denny were the second ever performers at The Milkmaid when we started the club in Willingham near Cambridge 12 years ago and have probably played at The Milkmaid more times than any other act. Then Nic joined and gave them a dimension you'd have thought couldn't be bettered. Until now!! Now there are four with Ciaran Boyle, a virtuoso bodhran player and fine singer complementing the other three. He fits in so well you'd have thought he'd been with them for years. He can give Chris a run for his money in the humour stakes as well. I am so glad that Denny changed his mind and stayed with the band. Great, great, great!
Jackie Oates, a young fiddler/singer from Devon was our support act. This lovely girl is another of our superb young generation of folk stars to be keeping the tradition alive and taking it forward. Once with Rachael Unthank and The Winterset Jackie is making her name known in big circles. She supported 'Show of Hands' at a full Royal Albert Hall on Easter Sunday and has just joined Van Eyken. Watch out for her.
Friday March 16th 2007 Strangeworld
Four wonderful musicians gave us an evening of exquisite tunes and melodies. With such a variety of arrangements Strangeworld kept us enthralled throughout the night. The audience can feel the magic when a group of musicians get together and automatically gel. These certainly do that, for Steve to say that he really enjoyed them is saying a lot as he usually is to busy on the desk to take in whole concerts.
My neighbour and friend Dave Rushton started the evening as support. He'd brought along two guys he'd met at a session somewhere who played fiddle and bodhran. They didn't disappoint us and gave us a really enjoyable set that set the tone for the evening.
Friday 2nd March 2007 The Demon Barbers
Spectacular, arousing, powerful all this can be said of The Demon Barbers. What a great unforgettable night this was. We have had many, many, fantastic times At The Milkmaid and this is in there with the best. A lot of people thought that this was actually their best time at the club. We really rocked in an traditional English way and even die hard traddies enjoyed the Barbers interpretation of the songs. Bonus was having a gorgeous young clog dancer doing her bit through the concert.
The Askew Sisters from London were our support act. What delightful young women they are. Lovely vocals, fiddle and melodian. We are going to hear a lot from these two in the future.
Friday16th February 2007 Pete Morton
Pete Morton is quite honestly an exceptional performer. He is a very good guitarist and has a really amazing voice. His song writing is something else as well. We enjoyed him at Christmas here with Roger Wilson and Parky but solo he brings to the stage a power that is both dynamic and subtle in a strange way, all at the same time. It was a most enjoyable evening.
My good friend Andy Wall did support. There have been so many nice things said about Andy in the past it's hard to think of new ones. So I'll just say, thanks Andy....nice one.
Friday 2nd February 2007 Nathan & Quinn aka The Badgers
Wow, wow, wow!!! Absolute virtuosity on guitars and beautiful harmonic vocals. Folk,
Bluegrass, Blues, Old-
Cruel Folk came along for their second stint at support and gave us their absolute all in warming us up for what was to come.
Friday 19th January 2007 Damian Barber and Mike Wilson
It's always a pleasure to meet up with Damian, he does so much to fly the flag for English traditional music and the evening proved what a champion he is. He came along with Mike from the marvellous 'Wilson Family' and we were subjected to a night of incredible passion and musicianship that you would expect from two incredible traditional folkies.
Steve and Mary Dickinson did the support slot and once again they were excellent. These two run The Everyman Folk Club at Benhall, East Suffolk which should be a must go for folk enthusiasts in our region.
Wednesday 17th January 2007 Ely Folk Club
Jane and I went over to The Ely Folk Club on Wednesday to see Dansmall. A super night it turned out to be.
It was EFC's first concert in their new home in The Stables Bar at The Lamb Hotel Ely. A really great room with lots of atmosphere. Well worth a visit.
Friday 5th January 2007 Mary Humphreys & Anahata
What a great start to the New Year. This was our best attended folk club since we moved to The Constitutional Club last May. Mary and Anahata were sensational. They are very much loved and respected locally that no wonder we had such a good crowd, who once again sang their socks off. They are also really nice genuine people who epitomise folky performers in the world.
Sound Tradition did the main support and as always were magnificent, beautiful voices, beautiful harmonies, beautiful songs and beautiful people.
We had a bonus support act from France