New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 07:11 PM

Who knows Nigel, I thought the human voice was what it was about but lets welcome it all!

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 04:25 AM

I've got various Jew's Harps in D, E, B, A, G, a demonic lo-Ab and a passable C - & the clock-gong will be there, it resides in the citera box along with all the other essential 'accessories' - at least it was the last time I looked...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 05:35 AM

Never been to an orchestraound before :0)

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 09:13 AM

We'll bring the "bones"!

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 11:17 AM

I trust this isn't another reference to Ferrets?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 01:23 PM

Actually my dad bred ferrets back in...Oh! I've told this story haven't I?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 01:49 PM

As the weather is a bit crap this evening I'll probably leave me ferrets at home.

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:08 PM

Can I just say what a fantastic night that was and send a huge round of applause with extra helpings of whooping and hollering in Les's direction for making it happen.

There have to be few things in this word that can top supping a pint of Landlord whilst thirty-odd people belt out the chorus of 'Thousands or more'...

Thanks everyone for a wonderful night.

Nigel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:12 PM

Wow Nigel, you were quick off the mark!

But I second everything you said.

Roll on the 2nd January, 2008 for the next "Gathering".

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:41 PM

I'll third it! Excellent evening - well done Les and all who attended & took part.

Cheers,

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 08:01 PM

Just back in windy Lytham & still buzzing; a fine night - one of the finest in fact. See you all on January 2nd!

Sean & Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Bill of Burnage
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 12:22 PM

Could the person or persons who left the Ferrets tied to the Bar in the Beech last night please return and collect them as they have run out of money and are frightening the regulars. What a great night! Chorus singing at it's best. Oh, and a special thank you to the bloke on the musical Plank!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 01:28 PM

Thanks for the perfect strapline, Bill - the bloke on the musical plank - I think I'll put that on my myspace page...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 05:52 PM

What a wonderful varied night!! The thread gives no indication ?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 06:38 AM

I have to say it turned out well, in fact it was the best night of song I have been involved for a very long time.

Thanks to: Olga, Ken, Bob, especially for the small pipes, Sue, Dave, Matthew, Ann, John R, John J, Rachel, Sean, I think the Citera, Kate, Vicki, Phil, Mike, with a serious recorder and Martin, who turned up with his concertina, but couldn't get in the room, and everybody else who sang so well.

The beer was good the music was exceptional and the company the best!

I would like to make it a monthly event:

"The first Wednesday of the month singaround in the Beech in Chorlton" would be a snappy title or Tfwotmsitbic for short. I understand the staff were as pleased with our presence as we were with their beer so we are looking at Wednesday 2 January, around 8.30ish for a 9 ish start.

It's a bit odd following New Years Day but I would like to keep clear of other events in Manchester and north Cheshire. What ever day we pick will bump into something or other and I think First Wednesday is easy to remember.

So thanks again, I know we all had a good time and I think it says something about the power of the music we love!

Cheers

Les in Chorlton
ps don't forget to vote for Sustrans

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 07:21 AM

It is difficult to realise that Wednesday was the very first one.

At the start of the second "round" I felt it was already a long established event.

Many thanks to Les and indeed everyone for getting Tfwotmsitbic off to a stupendous start.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 07:31 AM

Interesting point John. I remember going to a Folk Club at the Millstone in Manchester sometime around 1970 or could have been 1974 and enjoying a not dissimilar experience. I wonder if any of Wednesday night's people went to the Millstone?

I first experience of a Folk Club was the Jug of Punch, the Princes Hotel, Ellesmere Port around '64, but my first experience of a Singer's Club was in a now demolished pub near the Tunnel Entrance in Liverpool, run by Tony Wilson around '66. The other was Jones's Ale in Chester from around '67 until I'm not sure.

I suppose the singarounds all go beack to "The Singers Club"?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:04 AM

Actually, Les, I was a resident at the Millstone (he said modestly).

I'm not sure if the 'Singers Club' was really the model for the sort of singaround we had on Wednesday night. My recollections of my youthful pilgrimages to that hallowed institution, near King's Cross, are that they mainly consisted of Ewan & Peggy doing most of the evening with a couple of 'floor spots' thrown in ( apparently other notable singers, like Bert Lloyd, did the nights when E & P weren't there). This format never bothered me (as it still appears to do some people) as I was mainly there to hear Ewan sing ballads, anyway.

The Manchester 'Song Carriers' club, at the Millstone, was certainly inspired by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger but was much more like a conventional folk club - with a group of residents and weekly guests.   

It's a pity that Terry Whelan (another Millstone resident) isn't still with us - I know that he would have enjoyed Wednesday night (although, knowing Terry, he would have also enjoyed finding something to moan about! If he's up there now - he knows it's true - it was part of his charm!).

What we both would have agreed about (after the usual furious argument) is that it's really great to have somewhere to sing traditional songs, on a regular basis, with all of your mates.

Thanks for organising it, Les!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:13 AM

I only went to the Millstone once so perhaps we rubbed shoulders on the night? I guess it was different to other clubs because I think it had themed nights - Songs of Agricultural workers, Songs of the Sea, Songs of women betrayed or something like that?

The later we went to Harry and Lesley Boardman's at the ..... was it the Unicorn? That was a great Harry led singaround as I remember

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:35 AM

I think they did run a club in the Unicorn, bit Sue and I also saw them in the Black Lion, Salford.

Bob vG (also went to the Millstone frequently)

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 01:34 PM

Harry certainly got around a bit. I first saw him in Ellesmere Port, actually The Travelers in Little Sutton, around the time Deep Lancashire came out. He was brilliant, a one off really, always put the songs first and with a nice touch of humour.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Flash Company
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:09 AM

Les- Congratulations on a great start, I may try to join you in the New Year, although I can't promise to sing!

FC

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:36 AM

Thanks FC, just one small song or maybe two and lots of people would help out with the Chorus

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 01:36 PM

Ok folks, I have just had another chat with the owners at the Beech and we will be most welcome for another evening of songs and such like on:

Wednesday 2 January and Wednesday 6 February

So with a bit of luck it will be the first Wednesday of each month!

Have a good Christmas and New Year

Les jones

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 01:37 PM

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 04:42 AM

We're looking forward to it, Les -

All the very best meanwhile...

Sean & Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 04:42 AM

Thanks Sean & Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 06:56 AM

What time do you intend to "kick off" Les?

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 07:04 AM

Thanks Bob,

I guess we will gather around 8.30 to chat and fill the room a bit and start singing around 9.00. I trust you will be bringing your pipes again?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 01:33 PM

Will do - Northumbrian or Scottish Small Pipes?

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 03:55 PM

The SSPs were lovely last time, Bob; how about indulging an ex-pat Geordie with the Northumbrian??

That said, this time I'll be bringing the crwth & doing a wee seasonal tale & customary wassail seeing as it's still Christmas - the ninth day indeed. Also expect Child #32 for some pertinent spookiness! Oo-er...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 05:38 AM

SSP or NSP either would be most welcome.

Well, it's warming up for another exceptional evening. Perhaps John R will bring his Northumbrians? By the way what is a crwth? Is it welsh with lots of strings?

Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 06:14 AM

What's a crwth? Well, I'm sure there was a thread about this a while back, but here's a wee taste of me playing it, albeit improvising wildly with little regard for anything so much as resembling conventional musicality in the autumnal woodland:

Sedayne : Crwth Improvisation

Five strings / Welsh-ish; mine was made for me by Tim Hobrough back in 1987 before most of the current purist crwth-fadders had even been born. This doesn't made it right of course, just that back in those days we knew no better!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 07:09 AM

Sedayne,

I remember the thread. Your video is brilliant, what an amazing sound. Do you by any chance know "The Lament for Mary Humphreys, the remembered Bard of Chorlton"?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 08:27 AM

Will do Les. Can't guarantee that it will increase the attendance though.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 04:39 AM

It's a lovely sound John and might just squeeze another body in!

See you tonight

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 06:17 AM

See you all tonight! This time, let's drown out the telly!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 06:53 PM

Good show this evening - sadly we had to move to a pub just around the corner at the very last minute because of a football match on the pub box. An excellent sing none the less!

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 08:18 PM

Some very smooth soft shoe shuffle by Les saved the day !!
We had an almost seamless move into The Horse and Jockey only 25 yards away and it proved very warm and welcoming and a good night was had by all.

Roll on next month.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:00 AM

Allow me to third that; every song a beauty and for an ex-pat Northumbrian the piping trio was simply sublime. I popped back over to The Beech a couple of times to see if there was anyone lurking, but as a Geordie in a Man City pub it didn't seem wise to hang around too long...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:05 AM

Thanks John. Football hey! Well at least City won. Sorry about the confusion. I had checked Sky and BBC/ ITV but some pubs are using a different satellite perhaps illicitly and I didn't know that the City match would be on in the Beech.

Still an excellent night of songs and tunes. Some songs I have never haerd. Three sets of smallpipes must be some kind of record and Sean playing his crwth was just amazing!

Thanks to all that sang. I will stalk the pubs of Chorlton and find a more reliable venue.

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:26 AM

The Beech is excellent - just a shame about the football.

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 06:26 AM

Excellent night, Les.

And, as a bonus, the H&J was considerably less cramped than the Beech!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 12:13 PM

OK folks we a serious problem. First Wednesday in February is the 6th. England play Switzerland it what has been described as a game of football. It is on BBC 1 so I think all the pubs will ahve it on.

Hang on for further info.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 02:10 PM

How about the previous evening?

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:57 AM

Ok, sorry about the vow of silence, back to communicating.

I thought we might be ok for the day before until I checked the fine detail of Football on TV. On Tuesday 5 February England under 21s play the Republic of Ireland! This could be of interest in our part of Manchester that is dead keen on football and quite keen on the Republic of Ireland!

I honestly think that the Beech is the best place around here but that the football will make it an unreliable venue. The long and short of it is we need a more reliable place.

We are away in Cuba until Feb 12th so I don't have time to sort out another venue. I think I have no choice but to cancel the February singaround.

I have another venue in mind but I need time to check things with the owner.

"So, now you've called on me to sing
I'll see what I can do"

If we decide to stay in Cuba I trust you will come to a new singaround in Havana!

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Rapunzel
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 07:55 AM

Les - I'm gutted as I'm on annual leave that week and was looking forward to the luxury of a lie in post singaround after the 60 mile drive home. Still, I appreciate the problems you're having with venues, and we'll make it in March whenever and wherever. I can still have my lie in - I just won't have had a good sing to justify it!

enjoy Cuba!
Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:00 AM

Thanks Rachel,

I have wondered around bars and pubs, Oh what a life! They are either committed to football - 4 screens and big rooms or amplified music in big rooms. One local bar looks interesting so we will have to see.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:22 AM

Ever thought of approaching the 'Unicorn' (good in Harry's B's day) in Church St M/c or is that a bit far afield from Chorlton?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:38 AM

100