Support: Terry Fletcher
               jiva

Tonight we had Mike Silver as our guest for the evening - which makes writing the review very difficult, if not superfluous. What can anyone say about Mike Silver that has not been said already? It is difficult not to speak in superlatives! Mike has been to the club on many occasions over the years and is a firm favourite with regulars there. This was borne out by the numbers attending - amongst whom were some new faces. Welcome, and do come back!

Mike is a great singer with a distinctive voice which is compelling, passionate, poignant and powerful, in equal measure. As a songwriter he touches on world issues in songs like 'The Dove And The Dolphin' and 'Pretoria' as well as singing about matters closer to home, of life and love and relationships. His most well known song is probably 'A Matter Of Pride' which, after its airing on BBC Radio 2, shot him to stardom - well, national acclaim, anyway! From the beginning of the first set, Mike had instant rapport with the audience and his second song of the night 'Where Would You Rather Be Tonight?' filled the room with sound and energy as the Cramlington choir got into full swing. To end what was a short first set, he gave an amazing rendition of 'Midnight Train', remarkable for the way he captures the rhythm and sound of the train moving in his guitar playing.

Mike Silver's popularity is such that he was able to dedicate the second set to song requests from the audience, all songs well-known to club members, such as 'Old Fashioned Saturday Night', 'When Pollyanna Sings The Blues', and that moving, unaccompanied song, 'Farmer's Boy', which has an atmosphere all of its own. (Although, if I may be allowed one small observation, I have never, personally understood where 'Love Potion No.9' fits with all those other Mike Silver classics.) At the end of the set Mike demonstrated his abilities further when he treated us to his monologue about the Bear. Where did he get the energy so late in the evening?

The support for the night was from Terry Fletcher who sang 'Let's Keep It Simple', 'The Hard Way', 'Sometimes Love Is Not Enough' and 'Yesterday Walked In'. I'm sure there is something significant about all those song titles, however I haven't quite worked out what yet! These quotes were given to me by club members on the night: 'As a comedian he's a good singer'; 'I'd pay money to hear him sing...'. I have also heard a rumour about a Terry Fletcher fan club... Keith introduced Terry as 'uniquely famous' which, of course, he is.

However, I would like to suggest that the second support for the night are also 'uniquely famous',  for their distinctive colour coordinated stage outfits and combination of guitar styles and harmonies (in no particular order!). jiva have secured their own niche in the club as singers and songwriters. Jimmy and Val, not only are residents but, they also do a great job maintaining the Cramlington Folk Club website - which is definitely worth a look - and also run Ashington Folk Club (see their own website too) (phew!). The interesting thing about jiva is that, just when you think you know them, they come up with something surprising and different. Tonight they sang their own, unusual versions of 'Maginot Waltz' and 'Love At The Five And Dime', followed by two of their own songs 'Some Way Home' heard for the first time - lovely, I'm sure we'll hear that one again! - and finishing off with their traditional end song, 'One More Song' which had everyone joining in the chorus.

It truly was one of the great nights in this season's programme.

Thanks to Dave for yet again setting up the sound equipment and I must just give a mention to Terry and Nicky who helped carry the equipment downstairs (and hung our coats up). Thank you.

PS. After all Terry said about the raffle in his review, he actually won it this week! And kindly gave it to me - was that an act of generosity or merely a bribe for the reviewer - YOU DECIDE!!