I've just got back from a gig . . . .

[DJH Imaging]

As some of you may have gathered I go to a lot of gigs. Now there are many times when I come back from a concert and think, that was great or I’ve discovered a new artist or support I must tell someone, but then I don’t want to start a new thread every time.

So I’ve started this thread for those of you, who like me, are very enthusiastic about live music and feel they need to tell the world.

For me music has no boundaries so I propose any genre can be suggested and it doesn’t matter if the group / artists have been mentioned before by someone else if you feel you need to tell the world here is the place.

So to start the ball rolling . . . . .


Dave

[DJH Imaging]

So how do you get 160 people into Hitchin Folk Club (the best Folk Club in the Country) Simple, put at least 45 of them on stage, give them an instrument each, have a front man like Joe Broughton lead the group and then proceed to enjoy yourselves, musicians and audience alike.

You have The Birmingham conservatoire folk ensemble. This is actually the 3rd time I’ve seen them this year and the group was cut down from the original 60+ due to space limitations.

When they are all not on stage we also had performances from the various off shoots including The Old Dance School and Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys. We were treated to an uplifting selection of music and banter that made the very cold and frosty December evening feel a whole lot warmer. If you get the chance check them out, you won’t be disappointed, young musicians at their very best.


Dave

[laura]

well... i was at that gig of course... did u spot me next to joe in a green and blue dress, dancing madly selling cds... and u must have seen my singing debut with jack, charlie old dance school premier! hehe! i wish everyone had you attitude to young folk musicians...

[JohnnyDrum]

well... i was at that gig of course... did u spot me next to joe in a green and blue dress, dancing madly selling cds... and u must have seen my singing debut with jack, charlie old dance school premier! hehe! i wish everyone had you attitude to young folk musicians...

Sounds like you enjoyed your gig. Saw the Ensemble at Party on the Lawn last summer so know it's fun. Hope you've not come across too many people who have a downer on young folk musicians, bank managers and insurance companies are known to have reservations, but even they have been known to enjoy the music

Cheers

John

[DJH Imaging]

well... i was at that gig of course... did u spot me next to joe in a green and blue dress, dancing madly selling cds... and u must have seen my singing debut with jack, charlie old dance school premier! hehe! i wish everyone had you attitude to young folk musicians...

Hello Laura, I did wonder if that was you. I would have said hello but you were very busy selling the CD’s at the end.

You have no worries in this neck of the woods concerning people appreciating young musicians, there were quite a few people there on Sunday who have seen you all before, on your visits to Bedford, and will be seeing you all again on your next visit, as one person said, You always go away with a smile on your face after one of your shows. Also Keiron and Maureen at Hitchin are always willing to promote new and young talent, if they can, this is why it’s one of the most popular clubs in the country.

Also it’s a wise move if you stand near Joe you are bound to get in the picture at some point, as can be seen but some of the other photo’s I got on the night.

http://djhimaging.zenfolio.com/p518402795

Sorry about some of the strange colour casts, Keiron does like to use LED lights, which us photographer hate, not my best but still not bad.

Dave

[jo stutz]

, bank managers are known to have reservations, but even they have been known to enjoy the music

AHEM!! as only an assistant Bank Manager i can assure you that we have taste. (the real managers are overpaid and underworked)

Great thread by the way. We have already spent most of our christmas money by booking 4 lots of tickets for next year. we see quite a bit of live music so I'll now have somewhere to rave about what we've seen. thanks

[folk_radio_uk]

AHEM!! as only an assistant Bank Manager i can assure you that we have taste. (the real managers are overpaid and underworked)

Oh dear me...it's a rocky road to Dublin but ye seem to have found a rockier road Jo

You'll have to excuse me...I've just been PMSL to a track by Bohola about making an Irish Christmas cake...I've got into the Christmas spirit this evening with the help of Bob's suggested Hobgoblin from Lidl...hic...

Listen out for the track, it's called "Recipe"...now where's me glass...oh...empty! Time for a top up and a jig to Bodega!

[jo stutz]

Oh dear me...it's a rocky road to Dublin but ye seem to have found a rockier road Jo

Your not wrong!! it was my job when i left uni, until i could find a better one . . . i graduated 8 years ago!! sniff... sniff.

[DJH Imaging]

Sxip Shirey and Rhiannon Giddens
The Stables, Wavendon. 12 December 2008

While sitting at home, thinking why I am not a gig, I noticed my local The Stables had a couple of names that had never reached my consciousness, Sxip Shirey and Rhiannon Giddens. I thought what the heck lets give em’ a go.

It’s only when I got to the venue I found out that Rhiannon is actually a part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, someone I’m sure Alex has played here before.

Well I wasn’t disappointed with Rhiannon sweet voice, banjo and fiddle playing and Sxip’s resophonic guitar, mutant harmonicas and human beat box (I kid you not) this was a cross between Appalachian, Folk, Gaelic, Hip-hop. Pity only 30 people turned up, others missed an excellent 90 minute set.

Check out their music here http://www.myspace.com/sxipandrhi


Dave

[JohnnyDrum]

And a right cracker it was, too! Colvin Quarmby's Christmas Cracker to be exact.

The world divides into those that can't stand Gerry Colvin's stage antics and those that forgive him on the grounds that his lyrics and general take on life more than make up for it. You can guess which camp I fall into

This was the first time I'd seen the new(-ish) line up, the addition of a fiddle and female voice has really opened up the sound of the band.

Would have thought CQ were candidates for the Indie stream, how about it Alex?

John

PS Yet again Jeanie got singled out for banter from the stage, think I'll keep a careful watch on this Colvin character, he may have designs on my lady