Swinton review

Subject: Swinton review
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 04:45 AM

Swinton Folk Festival 28/10/00

In a word BRILLIANT!!!!

Started at 11am with an excellent folk club concert, hosted by our resident duo STAFF FOLK at the Lion - Local Artists in the main - Special Mention for PETE RYDER - listen out for him.

Afternoon and evening Concerts both headlined by VIN GARBUTT - marvelous, but so were all the artists! Special mention again and another one to watch for ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE

Ceilidh with TAFFY THOMAS and the HIGH LEVEL RANTERS - superb. Colourful display by the ORLYCK UKRAINIAN FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE

Other highlights - TUUP, from Guyana, listen to his stories if you ever get chance. JOHN SNELSON certainly raised the roof with his highland pipes. The IRISH SESSION, which was a new feature, went well - we wil certainly have another.

Apologies to the dozens I have not mentioned but I am running out of superlatives - you were all fantastic:-)

Thanks to all who came and all who helped make the event a success. Pencil in Oct 27 2001 for the next but THAT MAY MOVE!!! We have to move premises as the old Halls are closing so we may go a couple of weeks earlier as well.

WATCH THIS SPACE

Subject: RE: Swinton review
From: Llanfair
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 07:06 AM

If he's the same guy, I remember Pete Ryder from Harry Boardman's club in the late '60's. He was pretty brilliant then.
Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Swinton review
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 07:57 AM

Probably is - and he still looks the same! (apart from a bit more wrinkly....)

Subject: RE: Swinton review
From: Dave Swan
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 03:24 PM

Dave,

Wish I'd been there, particularly to hear the High Level Ranters. What a treat.

Have you any good stories about the origin of, or traditions surrounding the Swinton May Song? It's one of my favorites, and we've been singing for years. It would be fun to have a unique bit of background to go with it.

Hell, make something up, just make it sound authentic.

Cheers,

Dave

Subject: RE: Swinton review
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Nov 00 - 07:16 PM

Absolutely genuine - Chambers book of days (April 24, 1842 I think - but I can double check) has the compiler of the book tell us of a group of 'rustics' singing two songs at the house of his host.

The first is the older song, begining "All on this pleasant evening, together come are we... etc etc"

The second he says is the more modern song, begining "Come listen awhile unto what we say... ".

I have the tune for the first sorted but have never tried the second. Which one do you do Dave S?

Anyway - have a look in Manchester Central Library, that is where I found the originals and the very capable assistance of the library archive staff.

Cheers and enjoy

(It is all real BTW - double check if you like!)

Dave the authentic Swinton Gnome

Subject: RE: Swinton review
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:55 AM

Sorry - should have added a bit more background. I first saw the songs mentioned in a book in Swinton reference library called 'Recollections of old Swinton" by a chap called Holland. If I remember rightly it had the words and story there but not the music. Mr Holland did say he found the reference in Chambers book of days so that is how I found the songs in said book in Manchester central.

It said words to the effect of, a group of people singing and accompanied by flute and (something I can't remember), arived at the hosts house. He was told that they visited all the big houses in the area performing the songs. I guess it was for cash or some reward but cannot remember if it said so. The songs were performed during April and stopped before the 1st of May oddly enough. He got the words and music from one of the singers, a certain Job Knight.

Hope this is of use.

Subject: RE: Swinton review
From: Dave Swan
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 12:49 PM

Dear Dave the Authentic Swinton Garden Gnome,

Thanks very much for the information. I have no doubt that it's authentic. I'll look forward to visiting the Manchester Central Library for a look at their collection.

We do the older "All in this pleasant evening" version, although now I'll have to track down the newer. Like John Barleycorns, you can't have too many May (or in this case, nearly May) songs.

Thanks again for the information. I owe you a pint.

Cheers,

Dave who wishes he were in Swinton Swan