Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08

Subject: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 03:48 AM

Tom Bliss is the main guest at Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club next Saturday 15/03/08.

He will be ably supported by Franana who are 3 performers who have either graduated from or are still on The Folk Degree course at Newcastle University and Robin Bailey, the funkiest mandolin playing singer/ songwriter in the known universe (according to Robin!!)

You can hear all of the acts
here .

Be great to see you there.

Paul

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Singing Referee
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 06:26 AM

Mine's a large bucket and chips please.

Wish me happy birthday, I'll be 60!

Sorry ;0)

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 08:17 AM

Singing Referee....

KFFC is finger pickin' good....but you knew that!

Happy Birthday and watch the cholesterol intake!

Paul

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Effsee
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 09:34 AM

Tom Bliss has just reported on another site that he has been grounded by his doc with bronchitis & possible laryngitis. Might be best to check if the gig is still on!

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 09:35 AM

I'll be fine by then - Doc's promise!

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Effsee
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 09:38 AM

Ach, yer a trusting soul Tom! (Thought you were in bed?)

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 09:50 AM

Ar got one of they new-fangled radio receivers for my typewriter. Picks up the light programme and Hilversum too.

But seriously I don't feel too bad. The antibiotics should have me ok again by mid week, but it would be foolish to commit to driving all the way north of the border if there's any risk at all.

KFFC is, however, just next door.

T

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 10:18 AM

We'll even let him use a P.A. or do half a set if needs be and I'll report on the patient towards the end of next week.....we do have some alternatives being lined up just in case as well.

Whatever, it's always a great night at KFFC.....obviously be even better assuming Tom makes it!

Paul

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Effsee
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 11:22 AM

I wish you a speedy recovery Tom. I know when it hits me, the auld lungs take 2/3 weeks to recover...but that's probably because I'm a bit older than you.

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 11:36 AM

It will have been nearly three weeks come next Saturday. Thanks for the good wishes Effsee.

Tom

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: stallion
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 07:58 PM

PM me Paul To sort out when we can come and do a spot
Pete

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 05:19 AM

refresh

Pete,

I'll be in touch soon!

Paul

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 11:14 AM

just 5 days away!

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 04:21 AM

3 days to go!

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 04:37 AM

And you'll be pleased to hear I'm well on the mend now. In fact I probably cancelled more gigs than I needed to, goldurnit.

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Brother Crow
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 04:52 AM

Excellent news...

...at least one half of Brother Crow (i.e. me) is planning to come along. My wife wouldn't forgive me if we missed you, she's been playing your CDs at full pelt all week, which I suspect was a hint!!!

Graeme,
Brother Crow.

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 04:15 AM

Good news about the throat Tom.

I'll stand down the reserves!

Paul

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Joe G
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 09:35 AM

Have a good gig Tom - looks like you have had a rough year ailment wise!
(At the risk of embarassing Tom - anyone who hasn't seen him should head down to one of his gigs - an excellent and informative (!) evening guaranteed)

Cheers

Joe

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 10:24 AM

refresh

It's tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 06:18 AM

Tonight!

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: Banjiman
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 08:47 AM

A review of last night a KFFC, over 20 lines so read if interested or bored!

Another great night at KFFC last night. The evening started with the usual singaround in the bar, I missed most of this as I was hindering Graeme (from Brother Crow- soundman superb) sound checking the acts. I only really caught Joolz Cavell & Wendy Arrowsmith harmonising on a great version of Joolz's song, Baba.

Excellent audience again, many traveling a considerable distance....thank you for making the effort, it all helps to keep music live!

First act up was the finest funky mandolin toting quirky songwriter ever heard in Kirkby Fleetham (OK, so the only funky mandolin toting quirky songwriter ever heard in KF) but great stuff anyway. There is a strangely dark side to Robin Bailey's mind....where else could those songs come from. If you are a bloke with a shed and a collection of toy soldiers, just make sure your wife doesn't have access to petrol and matches........you'll have to buy his album (only a fiver!) if you want to know more! and can he play mandolin...phew!

Tom Bliss's first set was very finely crafted, the more I listen to his songs, the more I like them. He has an honest, thoughtful style of both presentation and songwriting. A very polished professional.

Franana were great, it's fantastic to see such talent being unleashed onto the "folk" scene via the Newcastle degree. Fran is a superb singer, I especially enjoyed her unaccompanied singing (can't remember what it was....but I'm sure she will tell us!) and the Bob Dylan cover dedicated to her Dad who had come all the way from Wakefield to see her. Her own songs show real promise, very emotional and with strong melodies. Fantastic musical accompaniment from Chris Meredith on guitar and virtuoso accordion from Amy Thatcher....beautifully understated and subtle. The talent just drips from them all. Now Fran, about those keyboards............

Tom's 2nd set was probably even better than his first, more fine songs and tunes, some trad arr. some his own, some other peoples, all masterfully interpreted. The range of instruments he plays means that he firmly keeps the attention of the audience especially when interspersed with his very funny monologues....delivered with an actors aplomb. This man deserves to be even more famous than he is!

Late night singaround was it's usual riotous self. I even had time to get the banjo out and polish up some of the Blind Sum'it repertoire with Wendy & Joolz. Top contributions from future support acts Sue & Dave Swales and the Pearson Clan and from the visiting Fyrish who quickly became a future support act! More fine songs from the regulars, 1.45am came around all to quickly and another fab night was over!

I now need to get my skates on, we have a gig later.....and the KFFC Bluegrass special on Monday evening.......be good to see a lot of people of there too.

Paul

Subject: RE: Tom Bliss at KFFC 15/03/08
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 10:46 AM

Thanks Paul,

That's a top set-up you've got there (special thanks to Graeme for an excellent sound). The singaround after the gig is an excellent idea - and great for drinks sales too - as Phil (the landlord) was telling me at breakfast!

It was lovely to meet new people and see some old chums too. I enjoyed Robin Bailey and Franana-arama immensely and the atmosphere was just brilliant.

I think the old voice just about held out - I didn't get too many complaints anyway (actually some very nice fanmail this morning :-)

Kffceep up the good work!

Tom