Virtual #32

 Now, here are Max & Sylvia with a smashing, slightly sad song, digitally embellished by Berry ...

Let it not be true!

More instrumental holiness, (Virtual #31, Festive #6)

 Dave plays the melody to one of the nation's favourite carols ...

Dave writes, "Best to all our listeners and watchers. I'm sure we all look forward to live sessions again."

The Sussex Carol (Virtual #31, Festive #5)

 Mick's festive contribution ...

Ken's Song about a BIG chest, (Virtual #30, Festive #4)

 Ken writes ...

"At this season, I would like to wish all CFCers a Happy Quafftide and a Happy and Healthy New Year."

Thank you, Ken.

ADDENDUM, 12/01/2021

Ken provides the following clarification:

"To avoid confusion with the original, 'trad' Russian Vodka Song, which I collected in Omaha, Nebraska in 1985, this song, the first sequel, is entitled The Cossack's Return."

Laurie's greeting, (Festive #3)

 

Thank you, Laurie.
The same sentiments to you.

(Keep squeezing!)

x

Virtual #29, (but not festive!)

 Derek joins us again with another self-penned number ...

Derek explains that the song is based in the 1920s, probably in the month of December!
Meanwhile, we can admire his fine collection of Wallace & Gromit figures. Doubtless, this is in anticipation of our Christmas viewing on TV.

Festive Greeting #2 or Virtual # 28

 Here's my offering, Christmas Song, from the singing of The Copper Family ...

And here's what Jane does with left-over decorations ...

Hope you all have an enjoyably silly Christmas!

Festive Greeting #1 or Virtual #27

 Here is David Roberts with a seasonal melody played on the BIG harp.

Thank you, David, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Virtual #26

 Berry has been creative again.

Here's another couple worthy of showcasing ...

Oh, but wait!

We are invited to Berry's shed ...

Be warned ... DO NOT drink the tea!

Virtual #25

Here's Derek again with his own song, "Within the Churchyard."

(Look out for the wonky capo, but admire the finger-work!)

Derek gives the following account ...
It is loosely based on the town church in Rustington where, depending on which side of the street you're on, you have to walk through the churchyard to get into the high street.

And here is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul ...

Virtual #24 ... Showcase for Mick

 Mick sent me some videos and wrote, "I don't want to be a blog-hog."

I think they're worth a showcase!

 

 

Good, eh?

Virtual #23

Les has sent this offering - a medley played on the banjo ...

Then he speeded it up ...

HEALTH WARNING ...

Sunglasses recommended!

Not sure what happened here.

Perhaps Les has been using an alternative speed?

Pam suggests that he simply doesn't want to be recognised!

Virtual #22. Two offerings from Mike P.

Rather good, eh?

Thanks for those, Mike.

Vitual #21. More poetry, (so-called!)

Since poetry is permitted, here's a little ditty inspired by a celestial vision a couple of weeks ago ...

(You see, there really is water on the moon!)

Virtual # 20

 Derek sings his own song about chain-making in the town of Cradley in the Black Country of the West Midlands ...

Virtual # 19, Poetry!

 We do permit poetry, don't we?

Here's an offering from David Gillingham ...

Where Now My Love?

We have been to Boots and Poundland

and had a look in Smiths,

we have walked the precinct twice now

and still have a long list.

We could have left home later

and missed the Lidl crowd,

we could have stayed at home too

though seems that’s not allowed.

 

Our mornings are quite taken

with lots of things to do,

how did it come to this love

when was the change in you?

We met when we were young still

I knew you were for me,

you brought me joy and gladness

as all our friends agree.

 

We have had so many good years

I hope there’s more to go,

but you are getting frail dear

I want you, love, to know.

You are my inspiration

you are my saving guide,

without you I am nothing

I need you at my side.

 

If I should ever fail you

I want to make it clear,

it won’t be my volition

I hold you oh so dear.

But fate has it’s own ways dear

and we are but mere men..............

What’s that, we’ve missed out Iceland?

we’d best go round again!

 

David Gilligan

Virtual #18

 Here's Berry, looking youthful as ever, but melancholy ...

Virtual # 17

 Here's Mick Wills again with a piece which he describes as a fingerstyle guitar solo ...

Out of the Blue

Beresford Greene speaks: The year 2020

My last post here was in 2011. My how the world has changed in that time. Yes and me along with it. 2020 has been the year of the CoVid19 virus. People that lived through it will never forget. It will be spoken of just as the Great Plague and Spanish 'flu' is all down through the years. As of this moment we still have not seen the full extent of the fall-out this spiteful virus will bring. In part this is due to the absence of any vaccine and the length of immunity afforded even after recovery from the illness. 

The musical scene has been devastated by the epidemic as all venues have been restricted or closed because of the threat of virus spread in enclosed spaces. It is a virulent disease that is both infectious and contagious. The only outlet for musical endeavours is now via the internet and cyber space. Surely now even the doubters will welcome the technology that affords this. Old friends are distantly available to us via an email or even a video link.

While the making of such a video would have once been a very difficult prospect, the wide availability of the Smart-phone makes it much more available. 

Only hope now separates us all from despair. Hope that this virus will soon be defeated or just disappear as suddenly as it arrived on the threshold of 2020.

I am going to see if I can provide a link here to my very latest video endeavour. While making no claims for it at this stage, it does open up the promise of a more sophisticated offering in the future.  https://youtu.be/rGwcs93YW3o

ATB to you all

Derek's choice ...

When did you last witness friends shaking hands?

Laura's choice ...

 

"It might be something else another day," writes Laura.

(But you're only allowed one!)

Is Newfoundland a Desert Island?

I have to thank Sylvia for bringing to my attention the music of the Irish composer, Shaun Davey, who composed a suite of music, The Brendan Voyage.

Liam O'Flynn (RIP) plays solo on this tenth movement, entitled Newfoundland ...

How can that guitarist look so bored?

Virtual #16

 Here's Dave again with a haunting little number ...

... he does all that without moving his fingers ... or his lips!

Virtual #15 and a Desert Island Disc ...

 Berry giveth of himself ...

YOURS!

(It's all done with mirrors!)

Then he recommends this for entertainment on that desert island ...

Virtual #14

 David Roberts plays this Lennon & MacCartney classic on his hand-crafted harp ...

(Non-commercial; no copyright infringement intended.)

Ken goes native ...

Congratulations to Ken for being the first, (after some significant deliberation,) to contribute to this Desert Island enterprise ...

 

 Thanks for this wonderful anthem, Ken.

Ken declares that his choice of sacred text will be Home Brewing for Desert Islanders!

(Sorry, can't find that on Amazon!)

Desert Island Discs ...

Let us entertain ourselves. 

Imagine this ...

You have been cast ashore on a desert island.

In your voluminous pockets you have a Complete Works of Shakespeare and a sacred text of your choice.

Strangely, buried beneath the sand you discover a device for reproducing music, (Solar-powered, of course!)

Choose one song or piece of music that would keep you entertained until your rescue at some indeterminate future date.

No self-recording required, and no frustrating technology to master.
Any genre of music permissible.

Please send your suggestions +/- a YouTube URL, and a short account of the reason for your choice, to cityfolkclub@gmail.com

We will not worry about copyright. If it is out there in the public domain, we'll grab it.

(Don't tell anyone I said this.)

Virtual #13

 

Here's another couple of contributions from Derek:

Ganges Blues and Four by Four.

Virtual #12

 OK, another one from me.
It's Graham and Eileen Pratt's song about singing ...

Regulars in Chichester will understand why I have to be careful about where I perform this.

Virtual #11

 Here's Derek again with his self-penned celebration of Harvest Sunday ...

Virtual #10

 Here's Dave Harris again ...

A Better Place by Glenn Campbell.

(No copyright infringement intended.)

Virtual #9

 

Here's our harpist, David Roberts, with 'Easy Does It.'

David describes this as a 'short virtual harp performance'.

It's a tune composed by Pam Wedgwood, which he found in a piano tutor book ...

 "Basic but JOLLY!"

Virtual #8

 Christopher from sunny Devon with 'The Lish Young Buy-a-Broom' from the singing of Tim Hart and Maddy Prior ...

(No copyright infringement intended.)

Christopher writes as follows ... "A buy a broom is a gypsy girl and I am assuming that 'lish' is short for delicious."

Enjoy!

Virtual #7

 Now, here's Berry!

Virtual #6

Here's David Gilligan, one of our resident poets, with an offering which he says, " ...might make more sense in November."

Reflections on a photograph date 1917

Virtual #5

Here's Dave Harris singing 'The Prayer' from the film 'Quest for Camelot' ...

Rather good. eh?

Being COVID week 23(?) ...

Here is Ken's contribution to the virtual world in which we live ...

 

Virtual #4 ... Here's Derek again.

 Here's a masterclass:

One Step at a Time /  Chasing The Train ...

WOW ...

Hear that whistle blow!

Virtual #3. My turn ...

Here's a traditional song of the night-visiting genre that I have from the singing of Tim Hart and Maddy Prior ...

(No copyright infringement intended.)

Virtual #2. Here's Derek Lovell ...

Derek and Roberta occasionally join us from Worcestershire whenever they are staying with a relative in Rustington.
Because of COVID they have not been able to visit this year.

So, Derek has kindly sent us this self-penned song that refers to the wearing of masks!

Well done, Derek. Thank you.

Hope to see you both next year.

Virtual #1: Mick Wills plays Couperin ...

Let us begin with some quality.
Here's Mick with a wonderful melody ...

The City Folk Club goes Virtual

Now we have endured 5 months of silence, and we have decided that The City Folk Club will not be reconvening at our usual venue for the rest of this year.

In the meantime, let's see what we can do in the public domain ...

If you have any videos or recordings of yourself that you feel comfortable to share on this blog, please send them as email attachments to cityfolkclub@gmail.com and I will do my best to post them on this platform.

If your material is simply an audio recording, (mp3 preferred,) please also attach an image, either of yourself or something relevant to the song/music. I will then overlay the audio onto the image for publication.

Please be careful regarding copyright issues ...

• Always credit your source; if it's self-penned, say so!
• If in doubt, annotate the material with the phrase, 'non-commercial; no copyright infringement intended.' 

So, here we go with Berry's generous contribution ...

(Send no money!)

Being the first day of July, 2020 ...

Well, here we are after 100 days of lockdown ...

I suppose things are easing slightly ...

• Some of our kids may return to school.
• We may undertake non-essential shopping.
• We may associate in groups of up 6 people at a distance of 1 meter [plus]. (What value 'plus' may have remains questionable.)
• Shortly our local pubs may reopen, and we may consider booking that much-needed hairdressing appointment.
• We may think about overseas travel to France, Spain or Greece without the necessity to self-isolate for 14 days after return to UK.
• We may attend places of worship, but NO SINGING!

So, I hope you are all Covid-free, and able to occupy your time productively.

I imagine it may well be some months before we can resume our usual weekly activities, (maybe when the faithful are allowed to sing hymns?) so, in the meantime, here's something I prepared earlier ...

Have you any recordings, (audio or video,) that you would like to share in this blog?

If so, please send them as an email attachment to cityfolkclub@gmail.com, but beware copyright infringement.

NOW WASH YOUR HANDS!

Being the Umpteenth Week of Lockdown ...

I have lost count!

Now, here's a topical song that will ultimately and undoubtedly be regarded as 'folk.'

Stay well, stay safe, and know that I miss you all desperately.

Now wash your hands!

Being VE (75) Day ...

This is for Berry, who might be old enough to remember the actual event ...

Now, let's all join in ...

... and we hope it's TRUE!

Being the First Day of May, during the Sixth Week of Suspension ...

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Here's a traditional carol for the day from Bedfordshire ...

... or perhaps you'd prefer something a little more classical ...

#   

Coronavirus update ...

The City Folk Club remains in suspension until who-knows-when.

Some of you will have received an email from The City Folk Club today.
For those who have not, here is what I shared ...

You are all much in my, [Colin's] mind.
I hope you are all staying well in these strange times, and abiding by the regulations.

I have missed the club immensely - singing and playing, and generally enjoying all your wonderful company.

Today's headline in a little-read daily newspaper was. "Britain hits the peak of infection!"
This may be so (?) but it sounds like the recommendations regarding social distancing will continue for a long time yet.
I suspect that gatherings such as ours will be the last to have restrictions lifted.

While being cautiously optimistic that there will be an end to all this, I wonder what the 'new normal' will look like.

So, stay at home. Keep practising those new songs, or even the old ones. Why not write something of your own?

Let us all look forward to whatever is over the rainbow ...

My love to you all,

Colin.

Being the Twenty-Third Day of April ....

Well, Well, Well.

Here is something that Berry suggested as appropriate for these troubled times ...

Being the feast day of an Irish saint ...

Here's a greeting from self-isolation to all our Irish friends ...

Slàinte Mhaith!

Berry now shares this jolly celebration ...

SUSPENDED!

Regrettably, in view of the coronavirus epidemic, we have seen fit to suspend our weekly meetings for the time being.

"Sad, but sensible," was one participant's comment.

(Thank you, Ken. I am often sad, but rarely sensible!)

It seems likely that this suspension will last at least until after Easter.
Our regular members will be e-circulated when it becomes prudent to continue having music and fun in wonderful company, so watch your inbox.

What shall we do about Coronavirus?

DON'T PANIC!

Well, we've all been following the news, haven't we?
As I write, we are supposed to be in the 'containment' phase of this epidemic, but the 'delay' phase appears to be fairly imminent.

The government's advice is to wash hands frequently, to use tissues to collect any respiratory secretions, (catch, kill it, bin it,) and avoid travelling to countries already in lock-down.

So, how should we behave on Friday evenings at The City Folk Club?
We are not a huge gathering, but in addition to all of the above advice, perhaps we should consider our social space and minimise physical contact.

• Hugging and kissing are temporarily suspended.
• Sharing of instruments, (particularly of the wind family,) is to be avoided.

Importantly, please do not attend if any of the following apply ...

• You have any symptoms of respiratory infection, particularly in association with fever.
• You have been in contact, directly or indirectly, with anyone who has tested podsitive for covid-19 within the past two weeks.
• If you have recently returned from any country, or a cruise ship which is known to be currently and seriously affected by coronavirus.

Having said all that, let us hope that we can continue our friendly meetings and enjoy singing 'Happy Birthday' as we visit the wash-rooms!

UPDATE, 12TH MARCH ...

Yes, perhaps not surprisingly, we are in the 'delay' phase of combating the spread of coronavirus.
I am consulting with others and taking advice.
Please feel free to share your opinions regarding the wisdom of continuing or suspending our usual activities, either commenting on this post, or email: cityfolkclub@gmail.com.

Then watch your inbox for further emails.

When Will This Winter Be Over?

Soon ...

Music by Shaun Davey, on keyboard.
Rita Connolly on guitar.

Liam O Flynn, (d. March 2018,) on Uilleann pipes.

What Shall We Do This Friday?

You should already be aware that the club is unable to meet on Friday 6th March because the Guides will be in residence.

Here's an alternative ...
You might consider a trip to The Chapel at Billingshurst.

Stuart and Jan's excellent folk club operates on the first Friday of the month, beginning at 8.30pm.
Details here: https://thechapelatbillingshurst.com/creativity-folk-club-music/

The post code is RH149NP and there is a public car park near Billingshurst Library, (RH14 9JZ.)
Here's a map:

Some Pearls of Wisdom ...

Many thanks to David Gilligan for bringing these words to our attention ...

Where words fail … music speaks.

A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint their pictures on silence.

Without music, life would be a mistake.

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. 

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

If music be the food of love, play on.

Great music should strike fire from the heart and bring tears from the eyes.

Music is what feelings sound like.

Music can change the world because it can change people.

One good thing about music: when it hits you, you feel no pain.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.

The world's most famous and popular language is music.

Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not long enough for music.

When people hear good music it makes them homesick for something they never had ...

                                   and never will have.

In Spite of the Weather ...