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A Nutty French Woman Production!
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Len gets volunteered to compere as he’s
not brought his guitar…..
Aargh
–it’s me on first as I thought I might be
compere. I started off with a
seasonal contribution from my favourite poet - UA Fanthorpe – called Dear True Love –
this poem is about the 12 Days of Christmas but definitely revisited. Then one of my own, originally written
for Fab Club. Called Troubador
it was inspired by the busker
under the railway tunnel at
Southend on Sea – and was written for minstrels and troubadors
through the ages. I’d
better write a new one for the 16th Dec… no pressure there
then.
Claudine does two songs from her new CD. (Quick plug – and very
good it is too – but currently being remastered with Mark Reed so it
will be even better)
First a song written about 2 years ago – about
misunderstandings between friends – Start a Fight. Then the first song Claudine ever wrote about her journeys since she
arrived in the UK – in French and English –
“The Calling”.
TDL join us next. A seasonal gospel number (in true TDL
style of course) about OTT Christmas decorations – “I saw the
Light” with rousing work on tambourine. Inspired by Paul Steel this next one
recalls needing to buy 12 toilet rolls for Christmas – another take on
12 days of Christmas – Partridge Biriani anyone?
Special guests for
the afternoon – and its Get a Floor Spot too- it’s The Quiet Awakening – featuring shortly on Link FM Fab
show (5th December, during 8-9 slot after Clive). This young female duo – Alana and Dom
– have lovely voices and strong guitar work. “For a Day” –
is soulful and strongly wordsmithed, the arrangement reminiscent of Nirvana
Unplugged complete with (the FaB Club) candles for those of you familiar with
that video. “Gathering
Time” – lilting and almost latino in its arrangement –
beautiful use of a dual guitar arrangement.
We are delighted to
welcome back Les
Elvin and his Hawaiian
shirt…he starts us off with a rearrangement from the banjo for the
guitar. Amazing finger work as usual – but the song is that old classic
“The Cuckoo (she’s a pretty bird)” How come Les makes a 6 string sound like
a 12 string guitar always? Les
tells me the song was originally written for the banjo. Stephen Hawkings claims that Zero Space is the only place for total
silence – no it’s a folk club listening to you trying to tune up,
according to Les (chuckles of affirmation around the room..) Another traditionally influenced song
completes this part of his contribution to the afternoon – “Burns
Supper”
Break time…
TDL bring us into the second half extravaganza
– using the South
London fighting
guitar – hit someone with it and it usually stays in tune, according to
T.Leopard himself. From a book of
Ancient and Modern Ballads (dated 1910… so all quite old). From Buckhams texts – probably a
Scottish vicar – an early collector of ballads. “Kemp Owynne”
– set to a Trinidadian beat (SW of Scotland by about 3,000
miles…). For contrast, and
complete with chefs hats, we have a taste of the 70s (or was it the 60s?) a
song originally written by Donovan (Hurdy Gurdy Man) – but
leopardised… think Muppet
show and the Swedish chef –
so now its Hurdy Gurdy Rubber Chicken - this song has to be seen and heard to
be fully savoured!
And a return to
the new age with The
Quiet Awakening – Morning
Train - a sad haunting song
about lost love and starting anew, with a lovely revengeful sting in the
tail. It’s too late
features Dom on harmonica – And we all want to buy the album after this
.
Les returns to the floor spot. – with a
Woody Guthrie song about criminality… Pretty Boy Floyd –
and more stylish picking, despite the shirt. Les threatens to wear the
matching shorts next time …”The Miniature Rose” is a
beautiful lament; such a lovely instrumental, and apparently effortless.
Me again – I’m cheating with
another UA Fanthorpe one – the Carol Concert about the
shallowness of such reunions – so I have to follow up with “Oh
my, haven’t they changed” - which prompts lots of discussions
and reminiscences through the second break. And the famous FaB Club raffle…
The
Quiet Awakening kick off again
with “The Lying”
- lovely harmonies and
more interesting lyrics and arrangements. “Goodbye” provides
a nice contrast in rhythm and tone; superb guitar arrangement again and
strong lyrics. Music is alive and
well…”Final Harmony” usually has a flute intro and
solo – but today is a pure guitar number. The album features the full production
which I am looking forward to listening to.
Les rounds off the afternoon for us. “Ride on” – a
bitter sweet love song with stunning accompaniment then a great rousing
Leadbelly number on harp – “Pick a Bale o Cotton”
with the FaB Club chorus and rhythm section in loud support. And to finish off the afternoon a real
classic “What’s so funny about Peace, Love and
Understanding”.
What a classy
afternoon
LizM
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