Boat Band in Swinton

Subject: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 03:47 AM

I undertsand the Boat Band are at Swinton Folk Club on Friday 17 November. Is it a sit down night of songs and tunes or a Dance?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 05:03 AM

I am planning it as a evening of songs and tunes but if you feel like giving us a jig or two, Les, feel free:-)

I am arranging it as a concert with Staff Folk (Dave and Ged - Swinton club residents) as support but I understand that The Boat Bamd will often do a few tunes as a 'session' as well. I will get some confirmation well before the event as I want to get the publicity out in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for asking:-)

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 05:28 AM

Sounds like a great night Dave.

How about another with The Duncan MacFarlane Band sometime?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 10:14 AM

You never know, Les. Could be the first of many. Maybe Swinton is becoming the folk music capital of Manchester:-)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 12:06 PM

Dave, you how this kind of talk only provokes Oldham and Lymm!

Look out here comes Bernard now.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 01:34 PM

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 08:34 PM

Lymm and Oldham part of Manchester?

Nah.

You'll be telling me that Salford is posher than Chorlton next...:-)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 03:30 AM

I understand that parts of Yorkshire sometimes pass themselves off as in Greater Manchester when it suits them. As for posh it amuses me that Chorlton has this posh image. People do like to live here and it does have wine bars and restuarants, some people even come here to be shot at.

I don't really know Swinton I think we bought a sink their once and I once took some yoof on a trip to Peel Sewage works, would that ne Swinton then?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 07:43 AM

Aye - Peel sewage works. Sounds like Swinton to me:-)

Good place to buy sinks. Or is it a good place to sink by?

:D (tG)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 08:40 AM

I am surprised that nobody else has joined this thread given the quality of the Boat Band and your club. I have been accused of causing trouble on websites but I thought Swinton was well respected around here.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 08:58 AM

People may join nearer the time, maybe, Les?

I'll periodicaly refresh. Thanks for trying anyway - I can email you a poster if you like as well. Wan't to PM me your email addy?

Cheers

D.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Brakn
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 01:39 PM

Can't get to it myself - looks like a godd night.

Wasn't Stanley Accrington wonderful on Monday?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 02:39 PM

He was indeed Brakn - As usual:-)

The sheep are glowing in the dark...

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 11:10 AM

Looking forward to this forthcoming visit. Our concerts do indeed turn into sessions sometimes when musicians leap onto the stage with us and we cant remove them in time.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 03:19 AM

Greg,

any plans for a Trip to the Lakes tune book?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:48 PM

Les: what do you play?
As regards a tunebook, what I am going to do is to put the tunes(and notes about them) on the internet, when I get round to it. Hopefully by Christmas(which Christmas, I hear the cry go up). I would have put all this stuff in the liner notes, but the record company said twelve pages was the limit, and I took up all that with the article about William Irwin. And I thought that was more important as background to the music, raher than technical stuff that would only appeal to a small minority.
   However, if you feel an urge to see the dots right now, I could easily post you up photocopies, I have most of them notated(in my illegible scrawl). PM me if you want.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:02 PM

Thanks Greg that's very kind. I was just struck by the music and its coherence. I bought a tune book of the tunes of Peeping Tom some years ago and it seems a great way of summing up and passing on great collections of stuff.

I don't know what other people feel about tune books. I guess people who pick up tunes quickly in sessions have no real need. I have been laerning from dots for about 4 yaers and it has opened up music so much for me. It also continues the living tradition of passing on tunes that clearly goes back beyond The Compleat Dancing Master

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:35 PM

Have you ever come across John Adams' Global Village Project, Les. Or anyone else interested for that matter! It doesn't seem to be online at present or I would give you a URL - Loads of music in there, including some from Swinton! 'Billy Tilts' (William Tyldesleys) 'Dinnering' sessions at , of all places, the White Lion, Swinton:-) I have a copy somewhere around. I'll try to dig out a copy for when you get here, Greg.

I think you can email John Adams at Salford University, You will need to look up the addy but I am sure it is listed.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:41 PM

Thanks for reminding me Dave, I had heard of it but was unsure exactly what it was. Is it connected to a tune session that runs once a month on a Friday at Salford Uni?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:42 PM

Not sure Les - If it was I don't think it is anymore. I emailed John some time ago and he said it was offline due to other prioroties I think. If I remember rightly he did say he was hoping to get it up and running again.

Aha - Just found it again. Used to be at Salford.ac.uk but now seems to have a life of its own:-) I couldn't see it before coz I got the name wrong:-( It is the village music project Owd Billy Tilt is there under 'T' - Details of the Ms and all the tunes in ABC format.

Enjoy.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:21 PM

We are going to play a couple of Tyldesly tunwes when we come to Swinton, Dave.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 03:13 AM

Thanks Greg - Sounds like a grand idea:-)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 04:20 AM

Dave,

Salford University   Maxwell Building   8th floor Still running March 06 They had a playford workshop last time.

A workshop every 1st Friday of the month - It varies from English folk tunes to Applacian clog to Purcells folk tunes. All tunes, no singing and a different theme each month. Sheet music provided . Very friendly bunch of folks    , It's better if you have at least a minimal sight reading ability. You can get by without though!! A very nice library of English tunes available to members, strongly recommended especially if you feel intimidated in the std pub session. Contact -Steve and Ishbel Saxton on 0161 860 7857    or Barbara Doyle 0161 881 3103-

This is the other event at Salford Uni, looks interesting

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 03:53 AM

OK - Festival's out of the way now. Time for serious marketing of the BB in Swinton:-)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:01 AM

Row, row, row your boat...

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:05 AM

WE are at this moment caulking the seams. in preparation for the great voyage to Swinton.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:24 AM

And they ran aground on a lump of coal
that wasn't marked off on the chart!

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 03:55 AM

They weighed the lead
and went ahead
on a voyage to Barton Moss...

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 02:37 AM

Where is the venue for the Boat Band event? is it concert style, caberet or mosh pit and how many can you sqeeze in?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 04:27 AM

It's at the White Lion - same venue as the Folk Club. Somewhere between caberet style, a concert and a mosh pit:-) We can only get about 50 in but tickets are not going too fast just yet. Directions on our web site.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 04:38 AM

The map doesn't click on the website Dave but I guess it will work through Streetmap.com.

I think we have a gang of about 10. I have asked people to decide by tomorrow then I will give you a ring on the contact number.

Cheers

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 07:06 AM

Thanks, Les.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Nov 06 - 04:29 AM

Hoping to sell a good few tonight - We will be busy coz Pete Ryder is on. Anyone fancies buying tickets I suggest getting there early - I'll be there from 8:30.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 05:41 AM

Last chance to get your tickets in advance at the folk club is Monday 13 Nov. You can still ring me 07771 957616 to reserve them if you can't get to the club though.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: GUEST,The Cockswain
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 12:38 PM

"A Trip to the Lakea" (New Boat Band CD)

"Refreshing...terrific...hypnotic" (Brian Peters, fRoots)
"Superb...strange and imaginative.. delightful" (Rod Stradling, Musical Traditions)
"brilliant"(Johnny Adams, Village Music Project")
"exemplary..commended and recommended" (Baz Parkes, Shreds and Patches)
"sparky..unusual..inventive.. important"(Paul Burgess, Living Tradition)
"really good stuff"(Mike Harding, Radio 2)
"wise old chuckle and youthful glee"(Felicity greenland, English Dance and Song)
"The Boat Band wear these tunes like a set of well-loved old clothes, worn to a perfect fit: just as they should sound"(Jenny Coxon, Folk Buzz)
"No junk, no flash, just solid exuberant performances"(CDRoots)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 12:49 PM

"This is a brilliant collection of music! Exciting and thoughtfully varied arrangements of a great collection of tunes from the English Lake District. It says so much about the power and lasting value of English dance music that after how ever long people have been playing it and how ever much has been recorded in the last 40 odd years, that in its own straight forward way it still sounds fresh and exciting."
(Les in Chorlton in an earlier post)

Ten of us are going from South Manchester, visas permitting. We have heard Watersons and Carthies, Swarb and the bleesed Kate, not to mention Da Dannan at the Lowry in Salford but a night of the Boat Band at the White Lion in Swinton? Got to be a bit special.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: GUEST,Roger the Cabin Boy
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 01:04 PM

"Greg Stephens is one of those musicians that makes other people's lives fuller. I have admired him for a long time" (Eliza Carthy, "Rough Music" liner notes)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 09:59 AM

Well, with all those accolades what are you all waiting for? Beat the rush and buy your tickets at the White Lion tonight while you give us a snog for sniggers night:-)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: GUEST,Billy Tilt
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 02:26 AM

Looking forward to hearing some of my old tunes(I used to play in the White Lion a few years back)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 11:03 AM

Good man yerself, Billy:-)

Seeing as you are on exactly what were the dinnering days?

Seeing Casino Royal tonight (for free with pre-show cocktails - I'll have a vodka martini of course...) and the Boat Band tomorrow (not free but I'll enjoy the Robbies mild more!)

How much excitemant can one man take?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 12:39 PM

Visas at the ready, what time is a good time to arrive Dave?

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 03:21 AM

Get there early for a good seat. There will be alot of people there. I know Posh and Becks are coming, also Tom Cruise and his stag party crowd. Nikki Graham is sure to be down, and a cousin of Alma Cogan's, and that pretty one off the Aldi till, and Bin Laden is rumoued to be coming incognito.. And nearly everybody from Hull is coming over in coaches.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 03:38 AM

I'll be there from 7:30, doors open at 8 for an 8:30 start.

:D

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Scrump
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 03:52 AM

I know Posh and Becks are coming, also Tom Cruise and his stag party crowd

By 'eck, are you trying to put people off, Greg? :-)

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Nov 06 - 11:50 AM

Scrump: don't be so snobbish, it's nice to know how the other half live. If you had your way, the clubs would be empty, but pure. I think that Nikki's great, and her version of the Unquiet Grave is fantastic.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 04:32 AM

Well, what a night. The band were brilliant of course. The room had more than enough people in to make it a good night and the dancers put the icing on the cake:-) Thanks to Kate, Tony and Greg as well as Ged and Dave and everyone who was there for a splendid evening. I will hopefuly be running another Friday concert in around 3 months or so, nothing set. Watch this space!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:09 AM

It was, quite simply, one of the best nights we have ever spent in a folk club and that includes Peter Bellamy at the Grove in Leeds and he even borrowed my guitar!

The room was excellent, the company and the atmosphere second to none, the quality of the beer as good as Robinson's and Wards brew.

Ged and Dave were funny, but more importantly, sang and played so well. Their "Little pot stove" was the best I have heard and no disrespect to Nick Jones, they put so much atmosphere into it, for me the song was born again.

I have just played The Boat Band "A Trip to the Lakes" over breakfast, a brew of music too rich and heady for most at this time of day. Kate, Tony and Greg play great music and they play it indescribably well! As a musical experience nothing beats sitting in a small room with 30 or 40 people hearing folk music sung and played.

I think Greg said the tunes had been well played before the Boat Band got hold of them. I guess that's what lies at the heart of what we call folk or traditional music. But that is only part of the story. The Band play Cajun and they play old Eglish tunes and some how bring out what these traditions have in common. The quality of musicianship is is second to none and the quality of ensamble playing is peerless. It is hard to believe that such sophisticated music can come out of a fiddle, a melodeon and a guitar, (and the guitar had a large whole in the front covered in carpet tape). Kate sings and we all fall in love with her. She has wonderful voice and a great style that is ........... sorry I am lossing the power of something ..... her style is the Boat Band.

Please ignore everything I have said. Just go and see one of the best bunch of musicians that you will find and have a truly brilliant night out.

Oh! and bye the way, thanks to Dave and Swinton Folk Club, usually Monday at the White Lion. Great club, great venue, great compamy, great beer.

OK I will stop now and try to find something to do with the rest of my life.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 05:42 AM

Ok, try get the feel of what I have been trying to say and mark it English later

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:22 AM

Typical of me I posted this in the wrong thread but here it is again.

The Boat Band wuz seriously good. Cajun rhythms so tight you couldn't put a gigarette (typo...someone who smokes during a gig perhaps.) paper between the beat. They made excellent music look really easy which shows a solid gigging band. Kate was brilliant on violin and she has a superb voice and Tony played accordian (deon?) that made foot tapping involuntry.

Comment by Rob Dunford cracked me up...he said the singer could sing the names of the Arsenal football team and make it sound Cajun.

Greg's guitar playing was the oil that that made the whole machine run sweetly. He plays an old Yamaha FG365 triple back that needs some serious refurbishment but amazingly still plays superbly. Anyone who is thinking of having a scratch polished out of their favourite guitar should have a look and a play with Gregs Yammy before spending. This instrument defies the laws of physics by producing crisp and warm tones at the same time. Tons of volume and help together by gaffer tape. I want one!

Impressed of Swinton

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 11:35 AM

Oh...forgot. Thanks to Dave the Gnome for conceiving the evening,organising the bands, printing tickets, selling them, MC'ing the evening,doing the door, collecting glasses, arranging the raffle, setting out tables and chairs and smiling all night. All this plus drinking half a gallon of Robbies dark mild while standing up in a hammock. The only complaint I have is that he didn't give himself a spot to sing us a shanty or two!

The guy is a star.

Really impressed of Swinton.

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:00 PM

Aw shucks. I'm all embraced now:-)

Seriously, it was my pleasure and if it would bring as much fun to me and another 30 people as it did last night I would do it again tomorrow.

Thanks once again to all who contributed and to the audience who made the evening so special

DtG

Subject: RE: Boat Band in Swinton
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 06:09 PM

A great evening which i thoroughly enjoyed. many many thanks to Dave the Gnome and all the friendly people that made it go so well. A pleasure to play there; I do like Lancashire gigs, they always seem to go that bit better than you expect.