Review: Middle Bar singers

Subject: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: GUEST,Tatterfoal
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 04:30 AM

What a brilliant reunion in the Anchor in at Sidmouth over the weekend, after the first two harmonised choruses I could have gone home happy, but it continued for 20 hours in 3 sessions with a very low amount of repetitions .   Unfortunately I did not keep a record and was wondering if anyone out there knows how many different songs were sung.   One thing comes loud and clear from it Sidmouth is alive and kicking if the reunions are anything to be judged on.

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Dave Earl
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 05:03 AM

I don't know if anyone kept a record bu as a rough guide we normally expect to get in something like 14 or 15 songs an hour.

At our 25th anniversary last year we sang over 400 songs in 25 hours (non stop!)

Hope this helps

Dave Earl

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 06:16 AM

And that was 400 songs without repetitions too...there is a record somewhere of what songs were sung then.

I actually ventured out of the Middle Bar and went to a couple of music sessions at the Radway. Being a newbie to those sort of things, I was amazed and impressed by the variety of instruments being played and by how helpful and supportive everyone was of those of us lacking confidence and expertise.

I'm really in the mood now and can't wait for August! Fortunately there are a couple of other festivals before that to keep us going!

Love Lynne
PS Have we ever been reviewed before??

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Dave Earl
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 06:25 AM

"I actually ventured out of the Middle Bar and went to a couple of music sessions at the Radway."

Lynne your absence was noticed.

But then why not enjoy something different every once in a while?

Dave.
(See you at Easter)

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: GUEST,Leraud
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:12 AM

I really wish I could have been there but me and my singing partner, Pat Turner, were 'up North'. I was thinking of you all and am really looking forward to August.

Hope to see lots of you at Miskin (my first visit).

Lynne Heraud

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:16 AM

Dave I'll bring a note from me Mum when I come to Miskin! See you there!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Cllr
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:25 AM

Really enjoyable weekend Thanks all it was great to be part of it.

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Gervase
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:29 AM

I know of nowhere else like it where I can raise a glass, have a laugh, raise the roof, shed a tear, meet old friends and make new ones. A cracking weekend, and roll on the summer!

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 11:44 AM

Glad you all enjoyed last Saturday. Sorry not to have been there - and the Radway. Busy networking at the Life and Times conference in London. See you in the Summer.

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: GUEST,Sidmouth Resident
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 12:54 PM

It was a really good weekend with some great singing.

Just glad I live close enough to enjoy a jar or several and still stagger home to my own bed.

I kept a low profile given some of my mudcat posts voicing concerns about this summer's proposed Festival. That said, it was nice to put a face to one or two other mudcat names.

I'm sure anything in The Anchor during Sidmouth Folk Week will be worth attending. My concerns are about the outside venues and what may or may not happen there.

People shouldn't be tempted to Sidmouth this summer by promises which cannot be delivered.

If people are just tempted by the sessions in The Anchor and don't expect any of the arena shows, international dance sides or major name concerts of years past, then they're sure to still have a great time.

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 04:50 PM

I'm STILL peeved that I didn't make it... the car died and it was too late to cadge a lift down. Unfortunately, shortage of cash meant I couldn't get a train and a room.... I'm REALLY Peeved.....

Glad you had a good time though... I'll catch up with you all over the summer!

LTS

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Morticia
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 03:57 AM

It was a wonderful weekend,fantastic singing!

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 06:44 AM

I'm going to kidnap you all, (not just Jim) and lock you all in The Anchor. Indefinitely. And you'll not be allowed out until you've recorded at least 6 CDs!!!

And I shall put Red Shoes on you all, but change the story slightly, so that you'll just sing and sing and sing for evermore! Absolute Magic! Roll on First Week in August!

Could you all sing in The Arena too? That would be great....underneath the trees...or the stars..depending on the time of day. Just 'The Power Of The Voice' in the freedom of Knowle Park on a summer's afternoon. Sheer Heaven! AND I could bring my young lad to hear you then too...he's only 10 so he can't go to The Anchor.

Lizzie :0)

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Morticia
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 07:42 AM

Blimey LIzzie, you'd have to have shares in Fishermans Friends and beer to bring that about.......I personally can be bought for either, but the beer is more likely to yield results with most of us, I think.

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Lizzie in beautiful Sidmouth
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 08:07 AM

Oooooh! Morticia....Fisherman's Friends!! Now you got me dreaming...shares in them....YES PLEASE!! ;0)

'The Fisherman's Friends' are 11 Port Isaace Fisherman....all friends since childhood, who have this wonderful CD out of sea-shanties, called 'Suck 'em and Sea'....Cape Cod Girls The Last Leviathan, A Sailor Ain't a Sailor, Haul Away Joe, Shanty Man, South Australia...etc. etc. 25 songs!

I first heard them through Show of Hands, when they sang on their Tall Ships song and had their own solo spot. Marvellous. Just voices only, but superb. Now if I dangled THEM in front of the Middle Bar Babes you'd all be fighting each other to make that CD!

I've been trying to find them for you on google, but no luck. They recorded with Fivetrees, but don't seem to be with them anymore. Let me know if you'd like to hear them and I'll see what I can do.... ;0)

Lizzie

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: MBSLynne
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 08:37 AM

Cider please...not beer.....

Subject: RE: Review: Middle Bar singers
From: Morticia
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 09:50 AM

Yes please Lizzie, they sound great, right up my street!