Archived Reviews

Free Range Chickens run loose....................

First night of 4 summertime themes at Cramlington Folk Club tonight saw a healthy crowd eager to play songs around the theme of "Industry" and for a notable live recording. MC for the night Ken Cross, together with superb sound management from Dave Page provided a great night and jiva provided all the equipment for a live recording of the effervescent Jim Wigfield.

Highlights from the 13 acts each with 2 songs included the bold start of 'The Collier Lad' from Mike Hughes on nice nylon strings creating immediately much chorus singalong, a strong feature of this club. A popular chorus choice well played from Ellen Morgan next was Merle Travis's 'Dark As A Dungeon', whilst lefthander Stuart gave us a very nicely picked high in the key of F tune 'Roll On Wild River'. MC Ken got up next and his sound was beautiful and mellow, giving us 'Ring of Iron', a Spinners song about Teesside, and Johnny Handle's experiences of Dudley in the song 'Going To The Mine'. Anticipation mounted as Jim Wigfield was introduced, he's about to release his first CD of his own material  all unique and deep observational stuff. Tonight we got 'The Chicken Song', with tremendous mass singalong. Ellen and I gave our best as did many into the mikes which had been placed around the room.  I simply can't wait for this lads CD - and he closed with a new parody dedicated to the recording team - 'What A Friend We Have In jiva'! The wonderful Bryn Phillips tune 'Silver And Gold' was a superb choice by Peter Meek played with his ever travelled red cutaway guitar to close the first half.

Part two was kicked off by a confident Geoff Pickard, whilst admitting to having forgot the theme, he found and gave us convincing links to both his tunes! First banjo of the night was with Doug - though it was his unaccompanied self written tune about Willie Carr the blacksmith and Carr's link to the Hartley Bluestone that touched me most, lovely stuff. The industries of glamour and grit appeared next in the form of Robin and Diane, with Robin on 6 string banjo. 'Oh Susannah' was a good choice and well picked, with nice harmonies from this popular couple. More familiar banjo again with Allan Savage, including a most rousing 'Mingulay Boat Song' - he almost beat the chicken level of participation with this choice. Jimmy and Carol played three songs, the middle one being '16 Tons' with much audience fingersnapping and a delightful Am flourish to close - is that a new guitar Jimmy?

To close, Mike Hughes returned with a bold 'In The Bar Room'. I delighted in his humorous account of the songs origins and adaption's, and then Ken Cross joined him in 'Rapperter Bank'. Then a band of 6 closed together on a high. Spot on 11pm we were treated to 'Miners Life' in the key of D - I only recently saw this done at The Durham Miners Gala and tonight it got a strong compatriot feeling too', then 'Whip Jamboree' ( literally ! ) and it was over.

Another fine night with thanks to Ken, jiva, and to Dave for the breathtaking sound quality .
 

Mike Jessop