Sweeps Rochester UK

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: DMcG
Date: 07 May 07 - 01:55 AM

I was enjoying the session with John Barden, Richard, and (I assume) growler, but had to leave it very early as my daughter was unwell. Apologies to everyone there.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: growler
Date: 07 May 07 - 02:13 PM

Lunch time at The Good Intent, TDL did a song about the demise of the British car industry, it was bloody great. I write this, as I book myself in for rehab. Wibble Wibble !!!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: GUEST,Camper
Date: 07 May 07 - 05:07 PM

THe Good Intent was good, as intended! But it wasn't so good in tents, brrrr!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: The Barden of England
Date: 07 May 07 - 05:22 PM

It was great fun. Thank you all for coming and making it such a magic weekend. It's so good to see so many people, some for the first time, and others old acquaintances. It was all of you who made it so good, and made my input so easy. And a big, BIG thank you to Karen & Dal for making us so welcome, and for staying up so late. I'm off to catch up with some much needed sleep.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 May 07 - 07:21 PM

It was however regrettable to note that the humpties and diddlers who were unable to have their session in the Vic&Bull were less than gracious in response to their welcome from JB at his songsession, and set up in their own ghetto in the pub garden.

John runs a good mixed session, where all get their turn, whether they be singers or others, and the defection of this crew indicates that they were not content but demanded the right to take over the song session to which they had come.

The unjustified tirade that John suffered (until others stepped in) on Sunday evening was not only itself unmannerly, but also betrayed (by its "its true what they say" invective) that ingrates had been systematically running John down as they sat by the garden fireside, objected to having to take turns, wanted it all their own way, and had (even more disappointingly) not been shushed by any wiser heads in their group.

These latter things (not just the tirade itself) profoundly annoyed my daughter and will tend to militate against her further enjoyment of "folk sessions": a shame since she herself is such a spectacular performer and one of the two or three in total of performers present under 25. Such poor social behaviour is a factor tending to dissuade her from re-attending sessions.

Other such factors, perhaps relevant to other threads here, include navel-gazing snigger snogwriters, amplification (ie "open mic"), the absence of folk song, and lecherous old men who although they are unable to intimidate her may intimidate others. There was a bad example on one night (not, I think, a Cat member), who was fawning over a particularly contemporary singer, and making a fool of himself persisting in trying to kiss reluctant young(ish) women. Oddly, I remember her mother being critical of one or two very respected figures of the 60s and 70s folkocracy who allegedly were more (and equally unsuccessfully) interested in her nether regions than in her voce or guitar work. These were not limited to primary supporters of fatlib.

Thanks to John Barden for running some very good times. A shame that Doug Hudson would not give us a song. Joe Stead made a splendid example of the greats joining in with us.

Next year might we have: -

1. Folk music booked in the pubs, not Americana and rock and roll.
2. An accurate programme: for example the Rainham club session in the Gordon was not programmed, and hosts of sinagrounds were wrongly identified.
3. More support for the singaround an workshops in the Corn Exchange bar (Lucy Randall's percussion workshop was informative if a bit overcentred on Irish music for an English festival, and it would have been better still had the bar been open).
4. An accurate and complete map of venues in the programme
5. Information in the programme on bands booked into pubs that would let the punter know what sort of stuff they played - I tried every pub and venue on Sunday afternoon (after 2.30) and found no folk at all apart from the unprogrammed bands at the Good Intent.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 08 May 07 - 04:03 AM

I got the train to Rochester on Saturday was feeling quite tired as I had only an hour or so sleep after the night shift. I got there at about 2.30 pm and headed toward the High Street. Morris dancers, there were hundreds of them. Wonderful colours everywhere. I spotted Richard Bridge playing his plugged in mandolin to accompany some clog dancers, I tried to catch his eye without interrupting him but he seemed to engrossed in the spirit of the dance, so I carried on down the street. There were a bunch of blokes in red and white wearing fezzes doing a weird dance/ritual that seemed to be attracting a large crowd I caught the end of some really spaced out dance is it spinning dervish or something? There were lots of fantastic costumes, people with strange hats and feathers some with blackened faces. It was areal carnival atmosphere - much better than that shit that goes on a Notting Hill every year! As I turned the next corner I came upon a stage with PA and everything! Ty and Aisha, two greatpeople that I know from Orpington Folk club, were performing they are really good. They were followed by that great Kentish band Pig's Ear, who sang and played some real English folk songs. Great stuff. I went into a pub at the end of the High Street - Expectations I think it might have been called. There was some nutter playing over amplified guitar and alto sax along to a backing track. Flash bastard! Nothing to do with The ambiance of the Sweeps, in fact his crappy, badly played pop music, which blasted through the wide open pub doors into the street, had obviously ruined the day for the poor morris team who had the bad luck to draw the pitch outside!

Anyway as I wandered back up the high street I bumped into several of the Greenwich lot including my old mate Alex Gorham. Then, feeling a bit knackered I made my way to that wonderful pub in John Street "The Good Intent" where to my surprise I found several folkmob people, in fact there were so many it seemed like it could be a rehearsal for Knockholt. Sue & Mick Forde, Mr & Mrs Mike Porter,Annie & Fay,Richard Phipps,George, Jim Radford, Dave Kenningham, Linda Essex. Plus the great John Barden, Melodeon Boy, Growler, Richard Bridge and a few more whose names escape me. It was a great session, there again with that crowd how could it be anything else!

The only downer of the day was that I missed Tone Deaf Leopard. They had gone off to see Sid Kipper in concert.

I will be booking a hotel room for the weekend next year.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Essex Girl
Date: 08 May 07 - 05:07 AM

Thanks John for a great day on Saturday. Think I beat my record for staying in one pub all day. (The previous was several years ago in the Eagle at Sweeps) Sorry I couldn't make it to the Good Intent on Sunday. I managed to hear Hartley at the Gordon but we didn't have the energy to push my grandsons wheel chair up the hill.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK 2007
From: GUEST,Kim
Date: 08 May 07 - 10:34 AM

I've only just discovered this thread - BEFORE the Sweeps would have been good - and I don't even know what forum it's part of yet; I'll have a wander later.

Richard, I thoroughly enjoyed the one song I heard your daughter perform, and indeed remarked to my neighbour that I wished I could sing so powerfully. I would be interested to hear her view on the Monday lunchtime session; it didn't escape my notice that 95% of us were twice her age. But not boring old farts I hope!

John, I only get to attend one event per day at the Sweeps, and I almost always choose your singaround. Sadly I'm always back on kid duty at 3pm. Your event is well run, and always an interesting mix of people and styles. I like the way everyone is heard with respect at the very least; no-one need feel intimidated that they're not good enough, or not the right sort of singer for your event. Having said that, I do like the very traditional stuff best, but am very happy to hear other stuff around it. I wish I could come to the evenings too, and from the comments I see above, I want to congratulate you on not letting the musicians take over. A session is quite a different thing from a singaround, and they should be kept separate because of their very nature. In a session everyone has a great time playing along together and even the newest and shyest can join in. In a singaround, the newest and shyest would never sing if they had to push themselves forward. If like me you only sing once or twice a year, the format of a singaround allows you time to pysche yourself up for your turn and you know people will be quiet and listen.

BTW John, do you know who the lady in black velvet skirt and pink lace top was on Sunday lunchtime? (She sang Guns & Drums). I really liked her singing, and would like to chat with her some time.

Thanks again, see you next year, or at Tenterden maybe if it doesn't clash with my holiday.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 May 07 - 10:57 AM

Hi Kim. Enjoy the forum. Parts of it are excellent!

I had not heard those words to Guns & Drums before, and it was interesting. When I had a band we used to call it "Bums and Tums" after the aerobics sessions. That was the Corn Exchange bar session. Worth building up, good central venue for drop-ins.

Daughter liked the Monday session - indeed I was ready to go before she was! She did get vexed with the young lad who stood at the bar - he is another of her guitarists, but he had not practised anything vaguely folky and she says he has an excellent male voice but he resolutely refused to have a sing. She will hit him with her rolling pin, or even more dangerously, handbag, next year. His other persona can be seen on his myspace www.myspace.com/gavlikesboobies - he is a doom-metaller! Apparently he had been telling the two young ladies with him that they had to turn their phones off before going in and they did not get it, and he just said "you will see". He was there because he likes it - the experience of co-operative not competitive music and the opportunity to hear the real timbre of voices which is almost impossible through a PA (compare, for example, Mike Nicholson, terrific tone to his voice, drives PA engineers mad trying to reproduce it)

I would only add that John's sessions also permit others to join in with (as distinct from take over from) singers, and either accompany or sing harmony, and that I think is the best buzz.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 08 May 07 - 12:40 PM

It is with great sadness that I have to report the sudden unexpected demise of one of my closest friends during my performance in the Vic n Bull.
Yes. My triangle broke!
Metal fatigue is my guess.
I went home afterwards and drowned my sorrows in several glasses of best Kentucky Whisky.
But good news! On a recent trip to Louisiana I just happened to purchase three new ones. So all is not lost. I will still be available to act as backing percussion to all and sundry.
Sorry to have missed so many fine singers (and Richard) in the Good Intent. And I never got to enthral anybody with my own dulcet tones.
Next year, if not sooner, huh?

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: The Barden of England
Date: 08 May 07 - 03:17 PM

Kim - That lady I'm pretty sure is Sue Forde who goes to The Folkmob at Eltham. They are a great bunch of people and I would heartily recommend a visit to them if you can possibly make a Wednesday night. Some stunning singers and players, and always welcoming to newcomers. I enjoyed your contributions and hope you keep up the good work. Thanks for making the effort, it is much appreciated.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: growler
Date: 08 May 07 - 04:08 PM

Woodsie
It was great to see and hear you, hopefuly much more of the same next year

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 May 07 - 04:28 PM

No, John, it wasn't Sue - it was the other lady sitting to your left in the Corn Exchange session on Sunday. I didn't know her.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: The Barden of England
Date: 08 May 07 - 04:36 PM

Thanks Richard. I'm afraid I can't place her either. Hmmmm. The other person to my left was Derek Moore. I'll try and wrack the brain cells a bit.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: growler
Date: 08 May 07 - 04:58 PM

Don't forget the session at the Tudely Oak on Sunday 20th May, hasted by the all new 'Ruff and Reddy'

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 May 07 - 05:51 PM

We leopards had a great time. Sorry not to have been there at same time as Folk Mob, but Mumbling Len had never seen Sid Kipper. Douggie put us on first at Folk Factor so's we could dash off to the Corn Exchange. Earlier we were there at Gastove's singaround, he went outside twice for a smoke, both times there was a strange fellow outside too. Trev, in full leopard said to him. "We'll have to stop meeting like this" to which Sid replied "Yes, people will talk".
We reckoned without winning the competition but got a good reception which was nice. We did get up to Good Intent on Sunday night until gone one, and on Monday lunch. Both were really good, apart from the trouble so well described by Richard Bridge. I dispensed a few of my glares in their direction to no avail. Glad that Growler has admitted liking our car song. Don't feel guilty about it. We will let you have the words once the rewrite is done. Trouble is, those bloody car enthusiasts keep relaunching old brand names.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: melodeonboy
Date: 08 May 07 - 07:09 PM

Many thanks to John Barden for his sessions at the Good Intent, which are the highlight of Sweeps for me. It was also great to see not only the usual reprobates there, but others such as woodsie and Essex Girl that I see less often.

Knockholt, here I come!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 09 May 07 - 04:18 AM

They want £80 a night at the Gordon hotel for the sweeps weekend next year - anybody stayed there? Is this a rip off?

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 May 07 - 04:25 AM

Woodsie

Yes - but it is right in the middle of things.

Try the Steam Packet or the South Eastern Railway Hotel in Strood - a walk over the bridge, but no problem for a youngster like you, even carrying a guitar or tinnies.

Be warned, however, they are in sub-truckdriver territory....

Bob adn Kath used to use a little B&B right in the middle - Was it the Blue Boar?

I also think there is a sub-trucker B&B just off the Star Hill end of the High Street, oposite the derelict dairy site.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: The Barden of England
Date: 09 May 07 - 04:39 AM

Woodsie - Try Grayling House on 01634 826593. That's where I stay, but get in quick.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 09 May 07 - 05:02 AM

I need somewhere as near as possible cos Kay (wife) is not well and is not very mobile.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: synbyn
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:04 AM

saw signs for £10 b&b going up the hill, promising exotic dancers on weekdays... sorry to miss JBs sessions due to lugging guitar about too much and bit of an ear thing (which meant I could see TDL but not hear them), but great to see No Worries back in circulation. Thing with the Sweeps is that you spend a lot of time catching up with pals & finding out how they overwintered (barns, woodwork, owls' nests) and the time just flashes by. So see you asap and if I didn't respond when you spoke to me cos I wasn't looking, I apologise!

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: The Barden of England
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:11 AM

There'sa lways The Kings Head on [phone], but I suspect all the places in the High Street will be about that price.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:47 AM

I think, synbyn, that will probably have been the Star Tap.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: synbyn
Date: 09 May 07 - 01:04 PM

i'm intrigued as to what counts as exotic in the medway towns...

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: growler
Date: 09 May 07 - 03:42 PM

A pup with no underage drinkers

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: melodeonboy
Date: 09 May 07 - 05:57 PM

Bendigo?

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:08 PM

A person of gender who drops her drawers faster than her aitches.

Subject: RE: Sweeps Rochester UK
From: Girl Friday
Date: 13 May 07 - 05:40 PM

Woodsie... as discussed on Friday the £80.00 is for adouble room, so not too expensive as hotel b and b's go. Have stayed in the one opposite the dairy, but it's a long walk down. Then there's the trains. The Gordon is where it's at for us. They have a family room at £95.00 so it's reasonable we think.