The new normal?

Liverpool's Three Graces
(Photo: Simon Meeds)

Last week's session was back at The Bridge with new, possibly temporary management. They seemed like reasonable guys and they were happy for us to be in our usual room. We were relatively small in number, but some decent songs were sung, and we were joined by newcomer Stan who some of us knew from other sessions.

Colin, MC as usual, started the evening with The sheep are 'neath the snow, a traditional Manx song - Ny Kirree Fo Niaghtey in Manx.

Stan sang a song made famous by Scott Walker, and written by Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens: Lights of Cincinatti. Like Stan's Denny's first song was new to the Dragon database (though not necessarily new to the club): Pretty Saro (roud 417).

Paul gave us Dave Webber's Bonnet and Shawl.

Simon followed Colin's lead in a way by singing The Ellan Vannin Tragedy (Hughie Jones) about the Isle of Man ferry named after the island in Manx which sank in 1909.

I'll continue as has become tradition, mentioning mainly songs sung by newcomer Stan and songs not already in the Dragon database.

Stan perhaps recalled the Ellan Vannin when singing The leaving of Liverpool (roud 9435), yet Denny kept us in that city with The ballad of Seth Davy (Glyn Hughes).

Paul took us into the London sewers with Sydney Carter's Down below (roud V53400). This song was apparently sung by Stanley Holloway, who was of course famous for reciting monologues written by Marriott Edgar, such as The recumbent posture, which Simon gave us to follow Paul.

Stan gave us two songs by Pete St John: The fields of Athenry and The rare ould times.

Denny turned to Gospel by singing Blessed quietness (Manie Payne Ferguson).

Paul amused us with Jon Heslop's Dead knight behind the hedge, a mashup of Twa corbies (roud 5, child 26) and The knight on the road (roud 20, child 3). This one isn't in the YouTube playlist linked from "a selection" below.

Colin's The saucy Arabella (roud 8343) was noted as having similarities to The Rosabella (roud 21134).

Stan sang Kris Kristofferson's I'd rather be sorry.

Denny set me a challenge which I'm afraid I haven't been able to fulfil. Her song Wayhill Fair comes from a tape she has of The South Bank Grunters. It seems to be related to Weyhill Fair (roud 1086), but isn't so much about horses at the fair.

Stan sang Ralph McTell's From Clare to here. Stan told us that McTell wrote the song inspired by an Irish builder, and that he could relate to it having often worked with Irish builders on sites in various locations.

Paul proudly sang his parody of Close the coalhouse door (Alex Glasgow) which he calls Close the dentist's door having written it while waiting for Denny to have root canal work done. His pride was because he sang it for a parody competition at the 2023 Sidmouth Folk Festival's Middle Bar. He left the event understanding that he had come second, but later heard that after a recount he had been declared the winner.

Colin gave us The Cotswolds, written by Mick "Shag" Connors.

Stan's last song of the evening was Massachusetts, written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb - the Bee Gees. This takes us back to the beginning of the evening with an Isle of Man connection for the Gibb brothers were born on the island.

Paul rounded off the evening with Dave Webber's Parting song.

Now listen to a selection of songs sung during this session.

(Number of people present - 5 of whom 5 performed)

Home again

I can now confirm that we will be back at The Bridge Inn this Friday (25th August 2023). It's too early to assume that it is permanent, but Colin has had a word with the new management and we are certainly OK for this week.

So please come and join us whether you sing, play, perform in some other way, or just like to listen and maybe join in a chorus or two this Friday from 8:15pm in the former pool room at The Bridge, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG. If you have to ask the new management and they don't know where we are, it's the room through the door at the end of the corridor past the toilets.

You can be assured of FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome and great acoustics. Anything goes as long as it's acoustic.

...to a different tune

Leading the bear to The Boat
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival 2014
(Photo: Richard Humphrey)

Wow! Thanks to everyone who came along to last week's Dragon Folk Club session. Given the last minute change of venue we did really well to get eight people performing at The Fox, Easter Compton. There were even some other people around the pub listening (or at least hearing) what we were doing. Immense thanks go to our hosts for the evening, Lu and John, who went above and beyond to look after a temporarily homeless folk club. They're not totally new to our sort of performance, because they have occasional shanty festivals, based around the Severn Whalers local shanty group, but also with visiting groups from around the area.

Only three of our regulars were able to make it on the night: Colin, Denny and Simon. We were also joined by Stuart, who has been to the club before, and by newcomers Rebecca, Kim, Richard and Sandra. It was the last four that really set the tone for the evening. While we are usually de facto a singing club, musicians are always welcome and indeed this session became as much a music session as a sing-around and a refreshing change it was at that.

As always I'll try to mention all performances by newcomers, and all songs (and tunes) which are new to the Dragon database, but since there are so many I will not labour the point.

There is one last thing I need to say before getting down to business. That is our usual venue, The Bridge, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG. Is closed as I write, getting some refurbishment. We believe it will be back in action by Friday with interim management. What we can't be sure of yet is whether the management will welcome our presence on Friday night (25th August 2023). I will post updates here and on Facebook as soon as I know more, but there is a possibility that we will just have to turn up and see what happens - we have contingency plans which may work, but don't be too disappointed if we end up just having a drink and a chat in the bar.

Back now to last Friday, when Simon arrived first (The Fox is his local pub after all) so he started proceedings by singing Dave Sudbury's King of Rome.

Colin, MC as usual, followed up with My old man's a farmer by Neil Andrew.

Stuart's first song of the evening was By the time I get to Phoenix (Jimmy Webb).

Rebecca (recorder) and Kim (melodeon) gave us a set of two tunes: Salmon tails up the water and Maggie in the wood. Because I'm not used to having so many musicians around at a session I'm not quite sure of the etiquette. Unless there's a good reason to do otherwise, I will just mention the person who started the tune. It can be taken as read that one or more others joined in.

Richard (violin) took us down the Road to Lisoonvarna and Denny sang The year of the drum (Wendy Joseph).

Sandra (clarinet), having just arrived, wasn't quite prepared to play, so Simon slipped in a second song in the first rotation: Welsh Back quay (Ian "Nobby" Dye). Sandra followed up with a tune the name of which she unfortunately didn't know.

In the second rotation Rebecca admitted that she could sing after all and gave us Sydney Carter's John Ball. Stewart sang Lancashire lads (roud 588) which, contrary to opinion on the evening, is traditional, not written by Mike Harding though he has performed it.

Kim played Hunt the squirrel, Richard gave us Harper's frolic, and Sandra played Stranger on the shore (Acker Bilk) as requested.

In the third rotation Rebecca, whose father-in-law was instrumental forty years ago in reviving the Whittlesey tradition of the straw bear, sang Penny for the ploughboys (Colin Cater). This week's featured image is of the straw bear although, being a winter tradition, it's not exactly seasonal.

Kim gave us Speed the plough and Richard decided to sing for a change: Boston Harbour (roud 613).

Sandra played Newcastle to bring the third rotation to an end.

The fourth rotation saw Stuart singing Um, um, um, um, um, um (Curtis Mayfield).

Rotation number four saw Rebecca unseasonal again with Sweet chiming bells from the tradition of Sheffield carols. She was followed by Kim with Enlist for a sailor. We decided there wasn't quite enough room to dance a polka. Richard's contribution at this stage was King of the fairies.

Sandra talked about playing Arkansas traveller, but in the end settled for Turkey in the straw.

Simon started the last complete rotation with his own song, The story of John Twigg: the true story of an eccentric chap of that name who lived in Alford, Lincolnshire.

Stuart's last song of the evening was Shady grove (roud 4456).

Rebecca and Kim rounded off their contributions with a set of two tunes: Jamie Allen and the Curly headed ploughboy. Richard sang Geordie (roud 90, child 209).

It fell to Colin to finish of the evening with Over the hills and far away (John Tams).

Now listen to a selection of songs sung during this session.

(Number of people present - 8 of whom 8 performed)

Dragon at The Fox

(Photo: Simon Meeds)

In this week's blog report I hinted at some uncertainty about what the club would do this week (Friday 18th August). We now know that The Bridge will be closed, so we have an alternative venue.

For one week only, The Dragon Folk Club will be at The Fox, Easter Compton, BS35 5RA. We will be in the public bar, which is to the right as you go in the front door of the pub. The pub has a very generous car park, so there is no problem there.

As usual we will be there from 8:15pm on Friday, it's just the venue that is different.

I would like to thank Lu and John at The Fox very much since they are generally closing at 9pm, and while entry will not be permitted after 9pm we will be able to stay later to sing, play, and generally perform as usual. It would be great if we could muster a good crowd to make it worth their while giving a temporarily homeless club a home. Performer or audience, you are very welcome to join us for the evening. Anything goes as long as it's acoustic.

FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, great people, and maybe a little more comfort than usual.

Down but not out

Our outgoing landlady, Helen

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session marked a recent low-point in attendance, but for good reason. We were hit by other musical events taking place, not least the dying embers of the Sidmouth Folk Festival. It's worth noting also that it was the last week at The Bridge for Helen our friendly landlady of the last seven years.

We're not quite sure what happens next for the club. Please come along this Friday to show your support, but be prepared that things may not be business as usual. Let's just hope we can continue as normal, but if not then service will be resumed as soon as possible.

Back to last week, the singing was started by our MC Colin with Lamorna (roud 16636). Apparently the song, on the face of it about a village in Cornwall, was originally about a Manchester pleasure ground called Pomona Gardens.

Next came John with Leon Payne's Lost Highway, made famous by Hank Williams.

Simon asked Where have all the flowers gone? The first three verses were written by Pete Seeger before Joe Hickerson added another two verses which brought it back round to verse one.

And so, very quickly this week, the first rotation was complete.

John threw himself into the second rotation with a new song for the Dragon database, though as usual not necessarily for the club, Satan, your kingdom must come down (roud 5737). John also provided the next addition to the database with Bob Dylan's It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry.

Simon sang My grandfather's ferret, written by Derek Jolly. It was pointed out correctly that Jolly's song used the tune from My grandfather's clock, a song written by Henry Clay Work. Was it coincidence or clever design that had Colin later singing Ring the bell, watchman: a song thought to have been written by that very same Mr Work. This latter song was also an addition to the Dragon database.

Other new songs for the database last week were:

• Colin - El Salvador (Johnny Duhan)
• Colin - Bold Sir Rylas (roud 29, child 18)

Simon finished off the session with Jackson C Frank's Blues run the game.

Now listen to a selection of songs sung during this session.

(Number of people present - 3 of whom 3 performed)

Hoppin' around

Former ICI prill tower at Avonmouth,
since demolished (Photo: Simon Meeds)

We were slightly down on numbers at last week's Dragon Folk Club session, but not that long ago five would have been a achievement so there are no complaints. We do however convey our hopes for a speedy recovery to Sue. Due to her illness Bob joined us on his own.

Colin, as MC, started proceedings with Jez Lowe's Bother at the Hoppins about a Europe's largest funfair that takes place in Newcastle. This was the first of three of Jez's songs of the evening. The second was Simon's first contribution: The Bergen about a shipwreck off Seaton Carew, County Durham. The final Jez Lowe song came from Colin and was The wrong bus with a First World War theme.

Back to the first rotation, Bob gave us Livin' with the blues, written by Brownie McGhee.

Denny took us to The Mountains Of Mourne (Percy French) and Paul introduced us to The Rose of Allandale (roud 1218 -words Charles Jefferys, music Sidney Nelson).

Simon finished off the first rotation with the aforementioned song The Bergen.

Bob's next song, Blackland farmer, was (like Livin' with the blues before it) a new one for the Dragon database though not necessarily to the club. The song was written by Frankie Miller amd was a US country hit for him in both 1959 and 1961.

Bob also added to the database with Hank Williams' I'm so lonesome I could cry.

Colin was concerned that he might be accused of cultural appropriation singing Dip and fall back. Simon reassured him by climbing in the same barrel with Big bamboo.

Denny added a new one to the database with Mike Jones' Along the Rossendale. And so did Colin with David Gates' The guitar man.

Simon sang Ron Angel's The chemical worker's song, which is based on Angel's experiences of working for ICI, presumably at Billingham, County Durham where he was born. The song considers the long-term effects of working in the chemical factory. Conversation related the ICI factory at Billingham to the one which used to be in Avonmouth, not too far from where the Dragon Folk Club meets. Simon referred to the prill tower which used to be there and to the similarity of the prill manufacturing process to that of making lead shot, a process developed by William Watts in the nearby Redcliffe area of Bristol. By chance I came across this video which tells some of Watts' story and that of his shot tower.

While Colin's singing of The galaxy song (Eric Idle, John Du Prez) created another new entry in the Dragon database, I know for a fact that Colin has sung that here before. Colin also made the last new entry of the evening into the database with Jez Lowe's aforementioned song, The wrong bus.

It fell to Paul this week to close the session which he did with Leave her Johnny (roud 354).

Now listen to a selection of songs sung during this session.

(Number of people present - 6 of whom 5 performed)

Transport of delight

Sometimes the trials and tribulations of our singers are almost as newsworthy as the songs we sing and that was the case at last week's Dragon Folk Club session. I had just started my journey to the club when I received a message to say that Denny's car had suffered a puncture on the motorway, and that Paul and Denny were waiting for the AA.

When I arrived at The Bridge I found five others already there and informed them of the predicament.

Colin as MC started the session with David Diamond's Folksinger's lament.

At this stage I received another message from Paul to say that they had been sorted by the AA and were on their way home. We were pleased for them, but also slightly sad that they wouldn't be joining us.

Steve continued with the Galway Shawl (roud 2737) and John was next with Leon Payne's Lost highway.

Simon sang of the Lambton worm (roud 2337) and Bob gave us Junior Parker's Mystery train, made famous by Elvis Presley.

Sue rounded off the first rotation with Messing about on the river written by Tony Hatch and most famously recorded by Josh McRae. Hatch wrote the song under the pseudonym Mark Anthony.

Soon after the start of the third rotation Paul and Denny made their entrance, having taken Denny's car home and set out again in Paul's. We were very pleased to see them and they took up their place at the end of the line with Denny's first song being Down in your mine by Colin Wilkie, and Paul's was Bold Riley (roud 18160).

There were a few songs new to the Dragon database, though not necessarily all new to the club:

• Colin - Joy to the world (Hoyt Axton)
• John - Belfast Child (Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil)
• Bob and Sue - I love to boogie (Marc Bolan)
• Colin - The gnome (Miles Wootton)
• John - Blind Willie McTell (Bob Dylan)
• Sue - Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

John's singing of Simple Minds' Belfast Child was prompted by Sinéad O'Connor's recent death. The song's tune is based on that of She moves through the fair and in the linked recording O'Connor provided a break with that traditional song. She also sang the song for itself and therefore Simon followed up by singing She moves through the fair (roud 861).

This week's heading photo is chosen for Steve's singing of Cyril Tawney's Ballad of Sammy's Bar. Sammy's Bar was in Valletta, Malta and was apparently a favourite of British sailors. The second refrain "Call away the dgħajsa" refers to a local water taxi (pronounced "di-so" by British sailors). Dgħajsa is in fact simply "boat" in Maltese, and the full name of the taxi is "dgħajsa tal-pass". The photograph, which shows several dgħajjes tal-pass in Grand Harbour Valletta with naval ships in the background comes from my father's photo album created while he was in the Royal Navy. He may have had a drink at Sammy's Bar or he may have moved other sailors on from there in his occasional role as a Naval Provost.

Paul fittingly finished the session with Dave Webber's Parting song.

Now listen to a selection of songs sung during this session.

(Number of people present - 8 of whom 8 performed)