Dear All,

This is going to make me sound a bit of a hypochondriac! Perhaps this is really a medical question, but it is I am sure a problem some of you out there have faced. Does anyone have a reliable (non-alcoholic) remedy for a cough? I have had a cough for about 2 weeks now and fear I may still have this by Tuesday 14th January 2003, when I hope, if possible, to make my first public debut singing a folk song or three (as we say) at a local venue in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland. Originally this was to be on Tuesday 7th January, so it is actually good news that it is now taking place a week later as I might have then recovered somewhat. Unfortunately when I do get a cough, it can last for months (as from December to April in 1996/97). I have of course been taking a proprietory cough medicine from a local chemists shop ("drugstore", for the benefit of USA mudcatters). This particular remedy is called Covonia (which may or may not mean anything to people outside the UK, etc).

The cough is not quite as bad as it was, but talking, shouting or singing does quickly make it worse. The effects are (a) Your throat gets tickly and you start coughing, which is bad in the middle of a song (b) Even if you don't cough, your voice sounds hoarse and strange and I imagine the volume decreases, which in my case is not loud at the best of times(mine probably sounds strange normally anyway!). There will however probably be amplification and as the audience have come specifically to hear singing, etc, so hopefully will be reasonably quiet. (The singing is likely to be unaccomanpied, ie with no instrumental backup, rather than the singer being on his own as the audience has walked out!). As smoking is not allowed the air should be reasonably pure.

So if anyone can suggest anything which might help (preferably based on your own direct experience or someone you know, and not on hearsay) I would be very grateful. Even something which just helps for 15 or 20 minutes, ie long enough to get through the session. Some people seem to think hot lemon and honey is good.

Or if I am still bad is it better to leave it for another day? (Though I believe this particular session is mainly for newcomers, etc, to have their chance. I suppose I could always use the old joke (as heard on a LP "Trouble over Bridgewater" by the late Trevor Crozier and Friends) "I can't sing tonight on account of my throat - someone might cut it."

I should say that my previous singing experience in "public" has been limited to a few private parties years ago, and in the last year to informal folk music sessions at 2 local bars (possibly about a dozen times altogether), and also a recent "works" function (at which I sung Green Fields of France"; altogether possibly ten different songs or less.

Regardless of when the event takes place, can anyone give general guidelines on what songs or what types of songs to sing, or avoid? I imagine one should avoid (or not), ie should one avoid, for example, complicated, highly obscure, too familiar, humourous, bawdy, sentimental, excessively controversial or provocative, etc, songs? I do have several in my mind which I personally like although they may not be as familiar or as popular with the audience.

I do have several in mind, which are a mixture of international, national and local, which hopefully go down Ok without accompaniment, eg "Down in the Valley", "Down in the Valley to Pray" (these are 2 completely different songs, presumably both American, "Lord Franklin (presumably English but with a NI connection, as Francis Crozier of Banbridge, Co. Down, perished along with Sir John Franklin in the 1845 Franklin expedition to find the North-west Passage), and one which I believe came out of Ulster Linen industry "Doffing Mistress". Other possibilities are "The Last of the Great Whales" by Andy Barnes, and Eric Bogle's "No Man's Land (his original title, but it is better known as "Green Field of France", etc. The last I find hard to sing unless you get exactly the right key to start with.

I do not know how long I may be allowed, and probably will not know until the night (it will no doubt depend on how many other performers are also taking part, but suspect I should get at least 5 minutes but not more than 15-20 (which would be long enough for me anyway). Should one try a few mild jokes (any suggestions, preferably ones a UK/Northern Ireland audience would understand) as an introduction, or try and say something more serious (but hopefully interesting) about an individual song (especially if it is likely to be unfamiliar to the audience). Any suggestions welcome.

I am not expecting to bring the house down, and would be happy with (depending on the audience) (a) Being allowed to go on living (b) Not being shown the door (c) Some brief and polite applause

Also, although I know it is frowned on generally, are (printed) lyrics (to which hopefully one refers to little, if at all) forgiven in a first timer?

I presume people have noticed the recent death of Jake Thackray? (UK memembers will remember him on "That's Life" and apparently also the David Frost show, though he was hardly an international star (nor did he want to be it seems). Maybe not even a Folk Singer, though as I have seen the Australian, Rolf Harris advertised as such even in a folk music magazine here, you could certainly make a case for Jake Thackeray as well (or at least "solo acoustic singer-songwriter).

Anyway, my best wishes for the New Year to all Mudcatters. Looking forward to some help and advice.

IAN RIPPEY 28.12.2002