M1

Keep Music Live                                 Support Artists - Buy Cds                                 Visit your Local Folk Club

 

Wednesday 21st December 2011 The Milkmaid Christmas Party

Ho ho ho, didn’t we have fun ladies and gentleman. The special man himself, no not Jose Mourinho, but Santa came and drew the raffle tickets for us. He stayed during the second half as well. His schedule is very busy at this time of year and he intended to leave after the last ticket drawn but he was enjoying the music so much he rearranged his diary.

It was a shame I missed him bit I had some urgent business to attend to and didn’t get back ‘till it was all over. It was a fantastic night full of quality and exceptional talent that we always have in abundance on nights like this. The performers who made this a memorable evening were:

Sound Tradition, Moose, Adrian Black, George Hollick, Tim Christmas (yes), Pat Persse, Sir Paddy Butcher, Steve (from Mind Set), Chris Teather, Fern Teather and Ted, Marc Westland, The Dryads, Rob Lock, Andy Wall (Earl of Ely), Val Darwell, Ellie Jamison, Mick Truman, Peter Twitchett, Gavin Minthorpe, The Larks and the one and only Santa Claus affectionately known as Father Christmas (no relation to Tim).

On behalf of The Board of Directors, Steve, Brian, Dave, Adrian and myself, along with our very valuable team of volunteers, Linda, Barry, Marion, Penny, Jan, Peter and Vicki, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

See you in the New Year!

Ho ho ho!

 

Friday 16th December 2011 Steeleye Span

Arguably the band that put Rock into Folk and became commercially successful with a couple of songs way back when…..! What a fantastic evening they gave us in the warm atmosphere of the apex. The first half was a complete rendition of the ‘Now we are six’ Album complete with riddles. Maddy Prior has the voice of folk music that even non folkies recognise. Catapulted back to 1969/70 it made for a dreamy haze of nostalgia.

The second set was more up to date but nonetheless just as good. Encore resulted in ‘All Around My Hat’ and ‘Gaudete’ which really put us in the mood to start our Christmas celebrations.

Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Tempus ad est gratiae hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Deus homo factus est naturam erante, [natura mirante=admiring nature Ed.]
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Ezecheelis porta clausa per transitor [pertransitur=passed Ed.]
Unde lux est orta sallus invenitor. [invenitur=salvation is found Ed.]
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Ergo nostra contio psallat jam in lustro, [psallat iam in lustrum=sing now in purification Ed.]
Benedicat domino sallas regi nostro.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete. 

If I can remember my Latin the translation is; (what do you mean…’huh, oh yes’ Steve?)

[It seems that everyone translates Latin slightly differently Ed.]

Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary, Rejoice!

It is now the time of grace, That we have desired;
Let us sing songs of joy, Let us give devotion.

God was made man, And nature marvels;
The world was renewed, By Christ who is King.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is born

Of the virgin Mary, Rejoice!

The closed gate of Ezechiel
Has been passed through;
From where the light rises
Salvation is found.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary, Rejoice!

Therefore let our assembly now sing, Sing the Psalms to purify us;
Let it praise the Lord: Greetings to our King.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary, Rejoice!

A great night!

For the first time beer was supplied by Bartram’s Brewery with award winning ‘Bees Knees’ and we hope to continue The Milkmaid/apex evenings with Bartram’s Milkmaid Bitter in the future!

 

Friday 2nd December 2011 Local Artist Night

Artist List: Dave & Linda, Alan Wycherley, Val Darwall, Ellie Jamirson, Rob & Doug, Lydia, Emily Marshall, and Mark Welstand. [Steve]

 

Friday 25th November 2011 Local Artist Night

Originally Bob Fox – Sorry but I don’t have an Artist list for this. [Steve]

 

Weekend of 25th – 27th November 2011 The Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre

We were invited by the St Edmunds Borough Council Tourist Office in conjunction with The Churchgate Residents Association chaired by an incredible dynamo of a woman called Marion Shaw, to host a mini-folk festival during The BSE Christmas Fayre. This was held over the weekend of 25th – 27th November.

We were supplied with an 8m x 4m marquee a stage and PA system.

Artheads and The Priory school year 9’s supplies artwork based on folk instruments which were hung around the marquee. They were stunning and helped create an incredible atmosphere within the tent.

Mark at Bertram’s Brewery supplied us with some casks of………Milkmaid Bitter……….a 3.8 abv of pure nectar as only a beer

for a folk community should be! This went down very well with everybody, especially me and Brian who probably had a cask between us. This is going to be sold at future Milkmaid events.

Unfortunately Steve ‘on the sound’ had commitments over the weekend, one of which was performing with his Navvies on the stage on Angel Hill so he wasn’t available for some of the time and ‘boy’, did we get in a muddle, sound wise.  Anyway, he eventually came along and saved the day! (I know I mustn’t encourage him but he is the best in the business and we’re lucky to have him ), oh no he’s not, oh yes he is, behind you!

Apologies, it is Christmas Panto. season.

The Milkmaids profile in the community went up a couple of notches and we had an amazing footfall come and see what was going on.

We had several Council Officers in attendance including Jeff Rivers the Boroughs CEO, who was most impressed.

It all started to come together at the end of September where we were invited to sit on the Churchgate organising committee for the Hatter Street part of the Christmas Fayre. Brian went to the first six or seven on his own and contributed an enormous amount of thought and put lots of constructive ideas on the table. I came in at the end of October when most of the work had been done. As was expected there were quite a few hic-cups along the way that had to be addressed but we managed to find solutions and all was well at the end.

All the performers were fabulous, giving up their time to come and support us and they have a massive thank you from all of us at The Milkmaid. Brian had worked really hard over several weeks to coordinate the musicians, poets and Morris Dancers and they were in order of performance:

Artists in the Marquee

Ray Hale, Dave Rushton, The Molly Maguires, Chris Aylmer,

Paul Rowlinson, Clem, Shadows In The Shade, Paddy Butcher,

Val Darwall, The Last Drop, Penni Maclaren Walker, Peter Twitchett, Alan Wycherley, The Dove Pub Jammers, Adrian Black, Adam Moss, Sukeband, Ben Sayer, The Plimplies, Grasshopper, Ellie, Fern Teather, Allison and Jack, Gary Osbourne, The Larks, Sofia Gottgens, Chris King, The Medlars,

Morris in the Streets

Green Dragon, Danegeld, Hageneth, Oxblood Molly, Bury Fair, Lagabag, East Suffolk.

A special mention must go to Jen Larner who eased Brian’s load tremendously by looking after the Morris sides.

Poets at The Unitarian Meeting House 

Brian Sharman, Helen Bourne, JS (Jacquie) Watts, Jen Overett, John Snell, Martin Hayden, Richard Whiting, Sally Warrell and Rob Lock.

Rob Lock organised this part of the Fayre for us and what a great job he did. Rob is an outstanding poet and gives great support to the folk club.

The Bury St Edmunds Tourist Office and all concerned on the Churchgate Organising Committee were pleased how successful the weekend had been and are keen to repeat it again next year!

I can’t leave this ‘waffle’ without saying a great big thank you to our fantastic team of volunteers, without whom we’d struggle to survive and be able to hold events. They are Marion Twichet, Barry Lingwood, Peter and Vivki Hrebian, Jan Robinson, Linda Baddelly, Penny Black and of course my wonderful Board of Directors, Steve Martin, Brian Kew, Dave Bartlett and Adrian Black.

Together we’ve made the local community stand up and notice us!

Have a great Christmas and a happy New Year! We’ll see you in January at the start of a fantastic year of the music we all love.

 

Friday 18th November 2011 the apex Show of Hands

These are just the best band you can ever get in my opinion. A lot of us have experienced many Show of Hands concerts in the past decade or so. They have never disappointed in giving great performances. Steve Knightly and Phil Virtuoso Beer along with Miranda Sykes are the consummate professionals. This was another apex gig that sold out a long time ago. They gave us old favourites, a few new ones and a few laughs. The apex certainly makes these kind of concerts atmospheric and there was a lot of that all night.

Richard Schindler from the USA opened the evening with a lovely set of songs written by him. A great story teller his songs were full of passion and kudos and smart guitar work. Richard is on tour with Show of Hands

 

Friday 4th November 2011 Local Artist Night

Artist List: Dave & Linda, Fern Teather & Ed, Dave Rushton, The Four Blokes, Mick Truman, Ann Harvey & Anthony Sharp, The Molly Mcguires, Ellie Churchlow, Four Dicks and a Fiddler. [Steve]

 

Friday 28th October 2011 the apex The Oyster Band & June Tabor

I have seen the Oysters many times over the years and I have to say that I have never seen them as good as they were at the apex. Incredible musicianship and energy the show was amazing. Celebrating a 20 year collaboration with folk vocalist and super star June Tabor they blew the apex away. June’s subtle and husky vocals and John Jones emotion along with the bands tightness made for an unforgettable evening. The show was sold out weeks before. They thought the apex was the most amazing venue and want to come back!

 

Friday 21st October 2011 Beverly Smith and Alice Gerrard

I have to say that I love Old Timey and Bluegrass and we were privileged to have two of America’s finest exponents of this music. Beverley and Alice are legends back home in the USA and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Between them guitar, banjo and fiddle and great harmonies as well as lovely tales of people, mountains and rivers. This was Beverley’s second visit to The Milkmaid and I promise there will be more.

Support was by Ely Folk Clubs very own Andy Wall. Andy has built a huge reputation as a singer of fine songs and excellent guitar playing. He never lets you down and it’s always a pleasure to hear him.

 

Friday 14th October 2011 Local Artist Night

Artist List: Paul Vaes, The Last Drop, Dave Rushton, Alison Frosdick, Lester, Shadows in the Shade, Terence Blacker, Dryad and Sea Creatures [Steve]

 

Friday 7th October 2011 Brooks Williams

Brooks was our headline guest and gave us a fantastic evening of traditional blues; self penned songs and exquisite guitar playing. It’s no wonder this man is said to be in the top 100 acoustic guitarists in the world. Brooks is from Statesboro’ in the USA but has settled in the UK. Brooks brought a mutual friend along, the magnificent Myke Clifford to play sax on some songs, it was breathtaking.

Our support act didn’t turn up (forgot all about it) so Myke stepped in and played us some tunes, bless him! He is definitely one of our local super stars….but don’t tell him!

 

Friday 30th September Peter Bellamy Tribute

Artist List: Sound Tradition, Terry Walden, Brian Kew & Gill Bosley, Moose, Kieran Fitzpatrick, Chris Sanders, Brian Francis, Philippa, Dave Cooper, John Bosley and Paddy Butcher. [Steve]

 

Friday 23rd September 2011 the apex Time Gentleman Please

The Demon Barber Roadshow came to the apex with their dynamic show called Time Gentleman Please. What a knock out it was. In 2001 The Demon Barbers, winners of Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009, brought together some of England’s most exciting young traditional dancers to create their high energy spectacular Roadshow. Used to pushing the boundaries of English traditions they now take a further step and invite three young hip hop dancers for a night out at their local pub ‘The Fighting Cocks’. Clog, Rapper and Morris meet B-boying, Popping and Krump in this humorous and unmissable visual feast.

 

Friday 16th  September 2011 Steve Tilston

It was great to have Steve back at The Milkmaid. He’s such a consummate professional you never get a bad gig when he’s in town. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.

The Larks did support and didn’t let us down. Chris and Liz are getting better and better.

 

Friday 15th July 2011 Martin Simpson

Martin is such a fabulous artist that I could listen to him for hour after hour.

He’s played at The Milkmaid lots of times over the years and always gives a virtuoso performance. From Blues to Trad. to Country to Old Timey he’s a genius with his arrangements and timings. It’s also shows what kind of person he is by still playing the folk club circuit. We made him welcome and he reciprocated by being on the top of his game. He asked not to have a support act as he likes to do 2 x 60 minute sets. The Milkmaid is a special place when it’s a full house, long may it continue!

 

Friday 1st July 2011 Local Musicians Night

I missed this LMN as well as it was my 39th wedding anniversary and went away for the weekend.

Over to you Steve. You missed yet another tremendous night from:

Dave and Linda, Grasshopper, Gary Osbourne, Tom Winter, Last Drop, No Strings Attached, Lydia, Paul Riley, Harmonize.

 

Friday 10th June 2011 Richard Digance

Having known Richard back in the late sixties and early seventies I was thrilled to find out he was doing a 40 year on the road tour. He was going back to ‘where it all began’ notably folk clubs. We certainly went down memory lane before the gig reminiscing and recalling things we’d forgotten. I have no problem with Artists moving into ‘main stream’ entertainment area’s, good luck to them. Richard did have some criticism for becoming ‘showbiz’ which really is pathetic. You can take the boy out of the folk club but you can’t take the folk club out of the boy. In my mind he’s done the folk world proud as has Billy Connelly, Jasper Carrott and the countless other performers who broke their teeth on Singers Nights and Floorspots.

Richard as always performed brilliantly, his songs can make you cry one minute and laugh your socks off the next. He’s renowned as a comic and didn’t disappoint, I still hurt from laughing. Now we’ve found him again I’m sure he’ll be back to The Milkmaid in the future.

Echoes of La Bal Musette opened the evening. This duo consists of our very good friends Paddy Butcher and Phil Lyons from BOF. Lots of lovely French tunes and songs performed in an immaculate and consummate way. Always worth listening to and will always be welcome here at The Milkmaid.

 

Friday 3rd June 2011 MrsAckroyd

Les Barkers backing band MrsAckroyd came to the Milkmaid and performed their whacky and zany and humorous act. Les was never far away as his material is the mainstay of their performance. Alison Younger and Hilary Spencer are amazing singers backed by virtuoso musician Chris Harvey, MrsAckroyd are brilliant.

Support by Ben Sayer our local find for The Milkmaid. Ben is a student at Thurston College and has now become a regular at the  club. We regard him highly and will often be used when we promote The Milkmaid. It’s encouraging to know that there are young people out there who want to become part of our folk family.

 

Friday 20th May 2011 Ewan Mclennan

Dave Bartlet and Linda Baddley saw Ewan at last years Gower Festival and urged me to book him. I dutifully did and I’m very pleased I did. Ewan is going to a big name in our folk world and he impressed enormously during his debut at The Milkmaid. Great guitarist and lovely voice he made a lot of new fans this evening.

I had the pleasure of his company over two days as well as he performed the night before at The Milkmaid Thursday Club and Friday morning at a residential home in Bury.

A lovely man who will go far.

 

Friday 13th May 2011 Fairport Acoustic Convention at the apex.

What a great night this was. Full house, lots of atmosphere and Fairport fully up for it.

It’s amazing to think that this fantastic band has been around for over 45 years and they still sound as fresh as ever. I have to say the apex really suited them the sound was incredible. They actually said to me that the apex is the best venue acoustically they have ever played in. So what do you say to that apex critics?

 

Friday May 6th 2011 Local Musicians Night

I’m afraid I missed this evening as I was at The Folk on the Pier festival.

Over to you Steve. A wonderful night with a raft of talent from:

Dave & Linda, Mick Truman, Jeff Lake, Jacob Posen, Redhouse Radio, Karen Vatelli, James Posen, Martin Haydens, Tom Winter, The Larks

 

Friday 29th April 2011 Dana and Susan Robinson

We welcomed Dana and Sue back to The Milkmaid. They are certainly firm favourites here and never disappoint us with their wonderful musicianship, voices and stories.

Performing their own compositions to great arrangements on traditional songs and tunes we were given an evening of excellent American folk song. I’m already looking at their availability for 2012/13.

Support was by Sofia, another wonderful student from a Bury St Edmunds school. This time it was from St Benedicts and what a find this young woman  is. Blessed with a beautiful voice and confident stage presence she will be a regular performer at The Milkmaid in the future.

 

Friday 15th April 2011 Ian Bruce

Ian Bruce is a big Scotsman hailing from Glasgow. He used to work in the shipyards, which gave him his wicked sense of humour. After being made redundant he turned to folk music for a living. He has such a powerful voice he probably doesn’t need a PA and you can never say you couldn’t hear him. Another good friend of The Milkmaid Ian drew on his vast repertoire of self-penned songs, along with his classic arrangements of Robert Burns’s songs to thoroughly entertain us. Ian has a good guitar style that compliments his singing. I think he tones down his accent for English audiences. Thank you Ian!

Support was by ‘Something Missing a duo consisting of Terence Blacker and Derek Hewitson. Wow, they blew us away. Sharp witty songs, nice stories and amazing guitar playing particularly from Derek. Terence delivered his songs with style and ease and I particularly enjoyed Derek singing in the style of Leon Redbone. They will be back!

 

Friday 8th April 2011 New Essex Bluegrass Band

What an enjoyable evening this was. The New Essex Bluegrass Band performed traditional American music in the form of Bluegrass. These boys perform in the traditional manner of playing around one microphone. Brilliant musicianship and brilliant close harmonies showed the audience why this band is regarded as the best traditional bluegrass band in the UK. I hope to have more Americana music at The Milkmaid or apex in the future.

I had invited Martin Kaszak to come along and be our support act for this evening. I was really pleased when he arrived and had brought his friend Shaun Porter with him. Together they are known as Crow Jane and really impressed the audience with their wonderful renditions of Country Blues, Old Timey and self penned material.

 

Friday 1st April 2011 Thurston Upper School at the apex.

We gave this evening over to The Thurston Community College 6th Form.

Ben and Alice Sayer organised this event and we held it in the bar of the apex.

We were due to use the Constitutional Club as normal but they double booked themselves with a wedding reception. So I approached the apex and they readily agreed that we could go there. That’s the joy of being partners.

The night proved to be absolutely excellent. Thurston College has an amazing group of young talented people and they didn’t disappoint.

Ben Sayer MC’d the evening and performed as well. All in all it was a great concert in front of an audience approaching 80 people. We will definitely do this again.

Performers were Alex Yousri, Alice Sayer, Liv Sherman, Catlin & Ellie, Annie Williams, Oli, Matt, Ben & Roisin, Jazz Bullen and Ben Sayer.

 

Thursday 24th March 2011 Martin Carthy,Chris Parkinson,Chris Wood,Marry Waterson,Oliver Knight at the apex.

This was a very successful three-header concert. It was like being at a small festival.

Lal Watersons children Marry Waterson and Oliver Knight opened the evening. You can see why Ollie has such a great reputation as a musician and producer; His guitar accompaniment to Marry’s vocals was sublime. Marry certainly is her mothers daughter with that fine Waterson voice she has inherited. They mixed some of their well known songs sang by their mother and other traditional material into a wonderful crafted 30 minute set.

Next on was Chris Wood. Chris is certainly becoming a superstar within the folk world although he would forcibly deny it. He is another one that certainly deserves all the accolades that come his way as well as the string of awards he’s received. Velvet voice comes to mind, unique but with a hint of Martin Carthy in there. His lyrics are incredibly interwoven and his brilliant twist on phrasing and rhyme is pure genius. He’s a bloody good guitarist as well, with his own individual style of playing. His song content is thought provoking, can be humorous, is certainly well written and definitely poetic. He’s a real jewel dug up in Kent that’s already refined.

Martin Carthy and Chris Parkinson finished the night off. There’s so much been said about Martin over the years that it’s hard to find something new to say. He’s been a good friend to The Milkmaid over a long time and it’s always a pleasure to see him. He is definitely been a huge influence on hundreds of guitarists and singers over the years and is universally loved. Chris Parkinson is one of these musicians that are in great demand. He is a musical genius and quite rightly regarded as being in the top two or three of box players in the country. Their set together contained tunes of the highest quality and songs that only Martin can deliver. It was a pity Norma Waterson couldn’t be with us this evening. It’s been well documented about the serious illness she has endured these past four or five months. It’s marvellous to know she is slowly getting better and let’s hope we’ll soon see Norma back to her best soon.

 

Friday 18th  March 2011  Vin Garbutt

What a great evening this was. It’s fantastic to have a full house because it creates so much good atmosphere. Its a shame that people come out for the ‘big names’ and not the less known performers. One day there won’t be anywhere to see the ‘big names’ in an intimate setting such as a folk club. It’ll just be festivals and theatres at high prices.

Vin was his usual wonderful wacky self. His humour is incredible and so off the wall. I defy anybody not to enjoy an evening with this absolute diamond of a performer. Songs that can break your heart, make you angry, give you purpose are put across with such virtuosity it can actually stun you. To go from stomach aching laughter to being moved to tears from this mans performance of a song is absolutely exhausting on the emotions. He makes you think, he makes you laugh and he makes you cry, what more do you want from this genius.

Na-Mara made their second appearance at The Milkmaid as our support act. I do like these guys. Their musical skills are superb and their songs are of the highest quality. Songs and tunes from the UK, France and Spain as well as their own compositions give

They are beginning to get a well-deserved reputation around the folk circuit and will soon be performing at major festivals I’m sure.

 

Friday 4th March 2011 Open Mic Night

Another fantastic variety of music and this week, dance, at our Open mic/ Singers night. Brian does such a great job organising these evenings and he even played banjo for The Barn Tappers. Lots of very good local talent  made for another extremely enjoyable evening. Performers were Alan Wycherly, The Barn Tappers, The Plimpies, Esther & Nina, Two Coates Colder, Sheri Kershaw Band, Imogen and Blackwing.

 

Friday 25th February 2011 Roy Bailey & Tony Benn at the apex.

Wow, what can we say about this perfect combination of politician and political singer. Stories, and songs about people’s struggles to be heard over the centuries. Anecdotes and quotes by Tony from dissident peoples, trade union members, women’s rights movements, enslaved people and from all peoples demanding human rights. Songs from Roy both modern and ancient were regaling tales of struggle and injustice. Tony with his mesmerising and convincing manner to Roy’s vocal and guitar accompaniment, both perfect in putting across with passion and pathos the feelings of despair these people were feeling living under tyranny and inhumane treatment. A really magic evening!

Sound Tradition our resident a capela band supported Roy and Tony this evening.

Choosing songs from the tradition that relayed the theme of the evening these lovely people sang with perfection. Harmonies and individual vocals were outstanding; they fully deserved the accolades that followed.

 

Friday 18th February 2011 Hickman & Quinn

This was the third time these boys have played at the Milkmaid, formally as The Badgers then as Nathan & Quinn. They are virtuoso guitarists and these two know how to put on a show. Fantastic vocals either individually or in harmony along with their picking performing Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Jazz and traditional Folk music.

They have appeared at venues across the world and are beginning to get the success they deserve

Support this evening was by our good friend Bernard Hoskin. He entertained us with a lovely variety of self penned songs. Bernard has performed on and off at the Milkmaid since 1995 and he’s always welcome. He belongs to the plethora of talented local performers we have in our region.

 

Tuesday 15th February 2011 The Martin Simpson Band at the apex.

A disappointing low turn out to see Martin and his band that were full of absolutely world-class musicians. Martin performed in his own inimitable way. Putting across fantastic arrangements of traditional and contemporary material that are totally unique. Martin Simpson is a national treasure and is most definitely one of the crown jewels of folk music in this country. His band consisted of Andy Cutting a well-deserved recipient of Radio 2’s Musician of the year, at the 2011 folk awards on Melodeon, Andy Seward the iconic bass player who is highly acclaimed not only as a musician but sound engineer and producer. Keith Angel on drums who is part of the incredible Angel Brothers who often have Andy playing bass with them. Keith is world renowned for his driving rhythms and subtle percussion. Then we have BJ Cole, once described by Sting as the world’s greatest pedal steel guitarist, I need not say any more.

 

Friday 11th February 2011 Open Mic [From Brian]

Yet another superb open mike night at the Milkmaid with performers from all over the country, well nearly. Its always difficult to know how many pepes will turn up as an audience but on this occasion they did us proud, another couple and we would have had a full house. Thanks to you all.

Normally our evening begins with our house singers Linda and Dave but they were on international duties in Holland singing shanties with Capstan Full Strength the shanty group. So to begin the evening we had the old trouper, all the way from Bishops Road B.S.E., Dave Rushton accompanied by the very able percussionist Susie normally of the Floozies. Dave played a blues, a cujun and a gospel song. Always value for money is Dave.

All the way from darkest Essex ( gods own county they said ) came Winch and Miners a duo performing their own songs. They have been to the Milkmaid in the past and as always go down well with our discerning audience.Graham and John are part of the quartet Riotous Assembly. They have a c.d available based on the history of Halstead from whence they come.

In our efforts to introduce folk music to a younger audience our club is actively encouraging students from local schools to participate in our open nights. Tom Kirby is one such student. Tom sang his first song with Sofia, a young lady who won us all over in January and the other four songs solo, accompanied by his guitar. Toms material is self penned.

Matthew Brookes played some beautiful accordion for us including some morris and classical tunes. He sang a very intricate song whilst at the same time playing a complex accompaniment. Matthew is another student from a local school, he will be back with us on the 1st April.

All the way from Lowestoft came 'Suke' a mixed duo who came down on the off chance of doing a bit of strutting. Although fully booked we managed to fit them in for a couple of songs They sang in a nice relaxed folky style.

Back now to Cambridge for a four piece band consisting of a female vocalist, guitarist, fiddler and a shy percussionist, The Willows. They did a nice set of songs with some story telling and anecdotes. Very popular in the Cambridge area having played at the festival. Would be good to see them back at the Milkmaid.

Now for something different and much awaited, the Milkmaids first poetry and jazz set. Formed especially for this evening Rob and Doug performed under the name of Gumboots. Rob reading his own poetry and Doug improvising on muted trumpet and flugel horn. Initially I think the audience were a little thrown but by the end of the set they were won over. It was our attempt to resurrect the London coffee house music of the 1960's. I thought it was excellent and there will be more.

The Plimpies are David and a local duo playing mainly there own compositions. They just get better and better. Unfortunately on the night their set had to be reduced due to the bad management of the bloke in charge but he has made it up to them by inviting them back for March 4th. We wish them well in their attempt to win the Bury St. Edmunds song writing competition.

Last but not least all the way from Swindon, yes Swindon to sing for us at the Milkmaid, Louise Jordon. Was it worth the wait, you bet it was. Louise is all you could wish for in a folk singer. Lovely voice, sympathetic guitar playing, entertaining between songs and able to interact with the audience. Her set included the only audience participation chorus of the evening. Louise will be back with us shortly. Watch this space.

Towards the end of the evening we had a boisterous heckler at the back. Apparently he had been to the Apex, not sure if he had heckled there and been evicted. There were several enquiries as to where Terry was during the evening then eveything went black. The next open night is on the 4th March. If you play a concertina or dulcimer and would like to do a set please contact me. Brian

 

Friday 4th February 2011 Mary Humphreys and Anahata

This week is the announcement of the winners of various folk awards by BBC Radio 2. It’s a pity that people like Mary and Anahata aren’t recognised for the amount of work they do to keep traditional music alive in this country. Donavon won ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for what he’s done for folk music. BBC Radio 2 Folk Award people you’re having a laugh, you’ve just proved what grass roots folkies know anyway that all you’re interested in is your jolly old pals and cliquey young set.

Were people like Mary and Anahata considered for any thing? I doubt it.

Any way sorry for the rant but it does annoy me. The evening with these two lovely people was fabulous. Great tunes, lovely stories and great songs, those of you that couldn’t make it did miss out I’m afraid. Long may the Mary Humphries and Anahata’s of this world continue to entertain and educate us in this historic and wonderful music we call folk.

Support was by Moose a big man with a big voice. An a cappella singer whose choice of songs were outstanding. Moose has often performed for our open mic/singers nights in the past and has been a headline act with Capstan Full Strength. He was most welcome as our opener to what was a great night.

 

Friday 28th January 2011 Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings with The Fay Hield Trio at the apex.

This was the first milkmaid/apex promotion of the New Year and what a fantastic night it turned out to be,

Jon Boden's creative flair is immense. From the huge sound of Bellowhead to this five piece band he has performed folk music from every angle imaginary. He is certainly one of the most talented folk musicians of modern times. His performance was exquisite and the arrangements very much Bodeness. It was over all too soon but we all went home the happier for being there.

The Remnant Kings are  Paul Sartin playing a range of instruments and adding vocals.

Sam Sweeney, playing marvellous drums and percussion with Rick Foot on bass and Rob Harbron on fiddle and guitar.

There are two other members of the band, two Edison Wax Cylinder Phonographs either side of the stage. These lovely old devices were periodically wound up through the show to deliver atmospheric samples from the 19th Century,

Fay Hield has had an impressive and justified rise in popularity over the last few months. Fay performed songs from her debut album in the first half of this double header that was quite amazing She has such a great voice that can be soft and gentle one moment and then powerful and full of raw passion. Nominated for the Horizon award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and a debut album the future looks bright for Jon’s partner. The other members of her trio are Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron who of course are in The Remnant kings as well.

Friday 21st January 2011 Open mic/Singers night

Our first Open mic/Singers night of the year and what a great one it was. A mixture of traditional and contemporary folk with some classical guitar, blues, cajun and gospel music gave a good size audience a memorable evening.

Performers were, Dave and Linda, Sofia, Mark Wesland, Dave Rushton, Clem and Alison Frosdick & Jack Burnaby.

 

Friday 7th January 2011 The Malingerers

We started our new programme with a band that has started to make waves around the folk and festival circuit. The Malingerers are an old time country band based in Peterborough. Already they have been booked for festivals this summer notably The Ely Folk festival. Complete with subtle drums, double bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica they performed 90 minutes of pure old-time country and blues that wouldn’t have been out of place in Texas honky tonk bars. Watch out for them!

Support this evening was by The Larks a local duo that have really impressed over the past couple of years. The Larks are Liz Miller and Chris Wilbraham who have been performing on and off for us at The Milkmaid for some time now. They write excellent songs and cover others with their own arrangements. Great stuff!