Archived Reviews

Having agreed to offer a review, I sat thinking what the important ingredients of such nights were - I wrote down: "variety, enthusiasm, sincerity and humour". With the excellent MC talents of Keith this proved to be the mixture we got, creating a most enjoyable two and half hours.

The 2 Johns (John Baston and John Redpath) kicked off first with Springsteen's title track, 'The Ghost Of Tom Joad', a fine start for me as I love that 90s album, followed well with Bread’s 'Guitar Man'. Ellen “Ice Maiden” Morgan of Monkseaton gave us the traditional 'Waters Of Tyne', nicely picked and her own 'Hell Or Heaven', I reckon her retirement is working well. With his lovely nylon string picking style Ken Cross next put out Tom Paxton's 'I Will Love You' leading to much chorusalong, ahead of 'Supermarket Wine', a Ben Sands cover that I particularly liked. The humour element came up high next with the wonderful Dennis Jorgensen, always a treat to hear, providing two songs from Martin Nesbitt of Teesside - 'The Folk Club Raffle'  was predictably hilariously popular, poignant and I at least worked out all the expletive gaps; followed by a strummed 'Hey Mister Yesterday'. The Paul Siebel song 'Louise' was first choice for Davey playing duel guitars with John Richardson, sounding lovely and mellow, before Labi Siffre’s 'Telephone'. Closing the first half was resident Allan Savage on his banjo - “a Scotsman who plays Irish stuff” said Keith. He gave us 'Roddy McCauley' ahead of the Iain Campbell tune, 'The Sun Is Burning', tonight dedicated for Irene’s birthday.

Suffice to say the half time raffle was indeed won by Jane who drew it (read the previous review for explanation)!

Jim Wigfield writes and plays stuff I relate well to, and his own tunes tonight were inspired by walks in Cheviot and neighbouring Hedgehope - 'Landmarks', plus 'One Peat Bog Too Far'. He told us three times of the horizontal hail, I know the feeling well, nice stuff Jim. Back next to the 2 Johns for a mini blues session with sweet harmonica stuff, 'Diddy Wah Diddy' preceded the Jesse Fuller classic 'San Francisco Bay Blues'... sounded just like Clapton’s unplugged stuff to me, very welcome. Next was a first timer to Cramlington, the young Gareth Davies Jones who, for me, was simply outstanding. The depth of his songs and playing were magnificent; he gave us the Mike Stott song 'Bring Him All In', sounding so powerful, then re-tuned down for his own 'Reflections' inspired by walking along the Tyne banks, then 'Money Goes Round' - if only it did! Stalwarts jiva came up next and also did three songs, starting with their own 'Some Way Home' (everyone was singing on this bit). Then, for me, the Anthony John Clarke lovely sweet song, 'An Acquaintance of Mine' - the shared vocal exchanges cleverly built in were lovely. They closed with 'Different Dreams', another of their own compositions, with wonderful balanced sounds. A package of 5, including Ken, Allan, John, John and Davey assembled for a rousing finish with 'It’s Good to be Back Home Again' in the key of E, then, at least two in the audience called for and got, 'The Irish Rover', to bring the night to a raucous end.

A most enjoyable evening that well met my pre-set criteria!

Mike Jessop