May FATO

May FATO

Unfortunately, Paddy wasn't well, so John stepped in and smoothly ran the evening. There were ten on the list but Adele was unable to make it after all. There was a busy bar next door so there was a bit of competition to be heard.

First up was Graham, on his own this evening. Without Theresa 'to do the twiddly bits', John's banjo was a welcome addition. Their first song was 'You Are My Sunshine' and John performed an impromptu banjo solo part way through while Graham got his paperwork in order. Their second song was a much less problematic Take Me Home Country Road. That was two great vocal warm-ups for the rest of us as we joined in enthusiastically. In the second half, Graham and John sang 'Home On The Range' and then the second Status Quo number, cementing their repertoire firmly in the folk genre, 'Margurita Time'.
John and Mike My Aphro and Lodi

No Strings Attached played the same as pieces that they performed at Kilsby on Friday, Andy De Jarlis and Gold Ring, and it was clearly a struggle being heard over the bar given the importance of being able to hear each other. It was a bit quieter in the second half and it was time for a hornpipe, followed by a piece that sounded like it was called 'Wild Flower' which included a brief spell of 'When The Saints'. Their final offering was a very fluent and fluid ragtime 'Chateau Impney'.

Steve brought Status Quo into the folk arena, with Mark accompanying on accordion on Paper Plane. It was an unrehearsed performance but for a month ago, and in a different key at that. It was a brave effort, with a tricky start, a tricky finish, but the bit in the middle was superb. Mark then left Steve to it and on his own Steve gave us a ' Peaceful Easy Feeling'.  In his second half  performance he demonstrated a mean whistling talent, completing the instrumental to 'San Fransisco Bay Blues'. His next was declared an adventurous song, the rock 'n roll classic, 'Route 66', though whether it was the route that was adventurous or the singing of the song we never found out. Steve didn't seem to have any trouble with it. Steve's finale was a song we've heard before from Steve 'Who'd have thought that something as simple as rock and roll would save us all?' Might be an unlikely subject for a song for a folk night. but his performance of Frank Turner's 'I Still Believe' was perfect.

MDF had Mike on board this evening, (he had obviously heard how well they managed without him on Friday at The George), and with Ross, Tracey, John and Mark there were enough of them to make a fair old fist of Kirsty McCall's, 'There's a Guy Works Down The Chip Shop' and Me and Bobby McGee. In the second half, MDF were minus Tracey, so Ross resumed his role on vocals and we heard Tom Waites', 'Long Way Home', with Ross playing the cajon with his heel as he sang; slowly kicking it back towards the fireplace. With Dire Sraits' Walk of Life he added the harmonica riffs, but could he continue with the percussion? Their final offering of the evening was Guy Clarke's 'Baton Rouge'.

Martin, who declared the broadsheet as his least favourite form of folk song, proceeded to Grand Theft Auto. Then the art critic's favourite, 6 Black Paintings. How he remembers the words is a mystery to me. In the second half, Martin continued to amaze with his knowledge of the turf, 'The Fix Is In' and then offered a critique of Earl Grey Tea, a drink or perfume? Martin's final song of the night was what he described as the saddest song, 'Joyce The Librarian'.

I was going to sing a quiet Bob Dylon song, but noises-off were a bit loud, so I did Under The Patio and Prickly Bush, I tied to cut out most of the verses when the father said yes he had the money in the first verse, but I wasn't allowed to get away with it and had to do a few other relatives. As it had quietened down in the other bar, and with Ross on the cajon, I did the Bob Dylon, 'Forever Young' and then my own composition, 'Suger Love'. Ross really got into the rhythm, and it sounded amazing.
Final number was 'In The Woods (Like Bear Grylls).

Nelson was back, 'Karina Karina' and Leonard Cohen's 'Chelsea Hotel'. In the second haf , Arlo Guthrie's 'Coming Into Los Angeles' Mr Customs Man and Mama you been on my mind. Another Dylan from Nelsom, 'Visions of Johanna'.

The evening finished with an ensemble of The Worried Man Blues to rock the pub and get our own back. Well done John, another cracking night at The Oak.