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Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007
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Subject: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 12 Oct 06 - 04:08 AM I would appreciate any Mudcatters' ideas for a brief tour of Southern England in mid May to early June 2007, by the Shiny Bum Singers from Canberra, Australia. We are singing bureaucrats who satirise the public (civil) service, mainly for folk and bureaucrat audiences. We are planning a loop from London west to Exeter, then south and east back along the coast. Suggested folk venues are welcome. Also, if any Mudcatters are prepared to admit working for government (or 'having a friend' who does), we will happily divert to entertain a workplace or related event. There will be about 10 of us. Cheers, Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 12 Oct 06 - 04:13 AM ahem, you forgot your website Virtual home of Shiny Bums sandra (no. 1 Fan) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Bob Bolton Date: 12 Oct 06 - 08:54 PM G'day Chris, I don't have any useful contacts at that end of the world (except Mudcat's Dug ... who runs an Aussie "Bush Band" - called Buckley's Chance, based in London). However, I think it's a good idea to re-export to the Poms the songs that come from out of our inherited 'British-style" Public Service ... before our Prime Miniscule achieves his aim of turning it into something in the style of his current idol: President George W. Merkin. (Look it up!) Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:11 PM I'm not sure I'd want to look up ANYBODY's merkin! |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Bob Bolton Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:51 PM G'day Fooles ... And I should have admitted that I 'half-inched' that from Joe Dolce's latest newsletter - where he had it from "Candy" - who referred us to Wiki's item on "merkin" (unfortunately the link in the newsletter won't convert to a "blue clicky"). Regard(les)s, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 13 Oct 06 - 03:09 AM Chippenham festival will be running 25-28 May.... Chippenham is between London and Exeter... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 13 Oct 06 - 08:21 AM 2 reviews of the SHINY BUMS CD - An Audience with the Shiny Bum Singers: Work Songs of the Public Service, by John Dengate, & John Warner (Mudcatter Jack Halyard) ................... REVIEW By JOHN DENGATE I don't pretend that this is an objective, detached review because I love the Shiny Bum Singers. I share with them a love of parody and satire and it brought me great joy to share a gig with them recently at the Loaded Dog. Bums & Dengate @ The Dog All the songs are funny … and the Shiny Bums have the good sense to borrow the good tunes of good songs for their parodies. 'Molly Malone' becomes Mavis McPhee; instead of cockles and mussels, she dispenses coffee and muffins. 'The Workers' Flag' metamorphoses into 'The Office Fridge': 'So raise the putrid morsel high'; the audience loved it. Banjo Paterson doesn't escape; his celebrated 'Clancy of the Overflow' is brilliantly parodied and emerges as 'Nancy: Re Work Overflow.' These tracks are recorded in concert with live audiences laughing and joining in on choruses. Consequently, the slick polish of a recording studio CD is missing but the delightful ambience created by an appreciative audience more than compensates for this. Indeed, the notes accompanying the CD pay tribute to the audiences. Most of the songs are comments on the esoteric idiocy of the public service culture but some attack our political masters [without naming them]. Examples are 'I Saw Three Ships' and 'Hocus Pocus'. As governments generally, and the Federal Government in particular, move further and further to the right and attempt to bully and politicise public servants, the cheeky irreverence of the Shiny Bums becomes increasingly important … and increasingly indicative of the determination of this wonderful [and courageous] choir to lampoon the kings who strut about wearing no clothes. The pompous and the powerful can ignore cold intellectual analysis but their pomposity withers in the gales of laughter generated by the Shiny Bums. Yes, I'm a political person but even if you are not, you'll still find the Shiny Bums very funny. This CD is bloody unique. John Dengate .................... Review of "An audience with the Shiny Bum Singers." John Warner. As the late Ned Kelly said " I suppose it had to come to this." The Shiny Bums have released a CD, and I have to review it. Such is Karma. I, too, on a time, was a tea-swilling clock-watcher. It's brilliant! it's folk-music, but not as we know it. From the first line of the first song, I recognised the context, and was thrown back into one of many grand musical times I've had with this nefarious bunch. They opened with "I'm late for work again", recorded at the "Loaded Dog" in Sydney on an occasion when I was in the audience - I can hear my own ... parts?... popping out occasionally. The audience sang magnificently, but the Shiny Bums ..? The recording tells everything you need to know about the Bums. Their songs are for us to sing. Average, ordinary performers they be - folksingers. But the lead, the laughter and the merciless and witty commentary they keep hurling at us, in tunes we know from both the traditional and contemporary canons, draw us into their celebration. The internal language of the Public Servant is no bar to understanding this stuff. It keeps on popping up in the press as the Australian Wheat Board, the children overboard scandal and other horrors created by our governments drag our administrators to the witness stand or the media microphone, and Chris Clarke, Kerry Kennedy, Peggy Spratt et al are there to record and misrepresent it all for us to sing. Thanks, Shiny Bums. This album makes no pretence at "Professionalism" or "Production" but it glows in the dark. It reminds us folkies that what we all do best is sing together. We enjoy our music when we do it collectively and the Shiny Bum Singers in all their polyphonic unison have given us a rich legacy of constantly upgraded satire to rejoice in. And that's the other point! This CD shows how these scoundrels constantly keep up with the current upheaval and see it from the inside. We get great new songs, superbly inept morris dancing and horrendous hakas as soon as inspiration hits. I feel another CD coming on. Buy this album, folks. You will find yourself joining in, guffawing at the punchlines and thoroughly celebrating the great Australian tradition of taking the piss out of our masters. Success to the Shiny Bum Singers. $25, available by mail though Boris Books If you want to order on-line, please go to http://www.fasfind.com/p/borisbooks |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 13 Oct 06 - 08:24 AM Thanks, Kitty, we are aiming for Chippenham, but there doesn't seem to be anyone there responding! Julianne Patterson of the Shiny Bums was there last year and loved it, so we are hoping. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 14 Oct 06 - 03:30 AM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: idp_qbn Date: 15 Oct 06 - 07:35 AM Anyone got contact details for Chippenham Folk Festival? (an email address would be good). We have written to them but had no reply and we were wondering if the address has changed. The Shiny Bum Singers will be touring the South of England in mid-May to the beginning of June. Any hints or pointers people may have to folk clubs that would welcome a visit would help a lot. The full Bum experience is 15 people but only a subset will be touring - possibly 8-10 or so. They generally do shows of two sets of 30-40 minutes each (with a breather in between to allow re-charge of teacups etc) but they are very willing to adapt. So, please, any suggestions for venues would be very welcome. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Dug Date: 15 Oct 06 - 07:03 PM Hi Bums, Bob Bolton just sent me an email mentioning your tour. I'll have a bit of a think and see if I can come up with any ideas. Cheers, Doug Jenner |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: idp_qbn Date: 17 Oct 06 - 05:40 PM Doug, Thanks for that. Any help looking for gigs will be greatly appreciated. At the moment, we have something in Exeter, maybe Chippenham if we can get in, a possibility near Southampton and two weeks to fill in with other places. Any time, any place - Have parody, will travel! Here's a link to the Shiny Bum Singers web site in case you missed it before: http://www.borisbooks.com.au/sbs/index.htm Ian |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 17 Oct 06 - 07:50 PM Chris - try info@chippfolk.co.uk Kitty (Another singing bureaucrat) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:03 AM Thanks Doug and Kitty. Doug - all suggestions will be most welcome (why is your name so familiar?). Kitty - we did send stuff to Chippenham through the channels as on their website, and I think some promo stuff including our CD by post, we just haven't had any acknoweldgement. I think that is probably the email address we used, but I'll check. Thanks for 'coming out' as a singing bureaucrat - our first UK shiny bum! How else do we stay sane? We've got about 150 songs for you covering just about everything that happens at work, from Don't Cry For Me, I'm the Cleaner, to Someone Shafted Evelyn, even lift shanties. We have something else in common, we have both sung the Toast Song at Sharps. Speaking of which, is it too small for a group of 8 - 10 who move around a bit? It was one singer in the corner when I was there, but they might rearrange it sometimes. They made me very welcome on three consecutive Tuesdays a few years ago. I once lived round the corner opposite the park as a student. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 18 Oct 06 - 10:11 AM chris - maybe I played Doug's CD for your sometime you were here? sandra now gooooooogle has decided to put up Wedding Reception & Marquee Weddings Sydney! Ya gotta wonder sometimes. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 18 Oct 06 - 04:41 PM Chris - I'm not at all sure how (if?) I stay sane, as the day job is in the Traffic Management Division of the Department for Transport, and there is no escape from parking and traffic management issues even when I leave work (and manage to cope with London Transport tube disruptions on way home). It's the sort of thing my friends moan to me about when I'm trying to switch off. And if I do drive to a folk club in the evening or festival at the weekend, I'm lucky if I can park near home when I get back.... thank you Les Barker for "Send in the Cones". I haven't been to Sharps for a while. We did get quite a few Middle Bar Singers up to sing the Toast Song after Bob Merrit's funeral, but that's not quite the same as having 8 guests up together for extended guest performances in first and second halves! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:22 AM Book 'em all (Jim Street) (tune - Bless 'em all) Book 'em near, book 'em far The lorry, the ute or the car Exceeding the limit is bad it is said Park at a kerb that is painted bright red And then suddenly up comes the law Glaring and set in the jaw A Parking Inspector Is booking my Vecta So out with the pad, book 'em all. Book 'em near, book 'em far The lorry, the ute or the car A parking Inspector Is booking my Vecta So out with the pad, book em all. Has to be sung with a very fierce, glaring Parking Inspector clutching an authentic pad & folder & writing tickets. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: rich-joy Date: 19 Oct 06 - 08:12 AM just watched on Google Video, the Shiny Bums' homage to Morris Dancing, called "10 Meg Morris" at the 2005 Folk Alliance Convention in Canberra! most amusing!!! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6493731288397754806 Cheers! R-J |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 19 Oct 06 - 10:49 AM magic! I haven't been able to see the videos on their website before. Thanks to occasional Mudcatter Chris Maltby who did techo stuff to my computer on Tuesday now I can! You can almost see Chris in the Parliament House video (he's in the front row, on the left) but you can't see Bob Bolton & I as we were taking pictures further to the left. And Jack Halyard & JennyO were even further out in the left field. What a magic night it was (as always). And for those who don't know Canberra Chris he's the bloke in the greyish suite, centre of front row in the Rugby Song clip. Chris wrote that song which always pops into my ear whenever footy is mentioned on the radio. "We are young, and we are stupid ... don't miss them when they appear at a venue near you. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: JennyO Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:10 AM It would be a lot more magic if I could hear them. I seem to be having a little sound problem at the moment. Sandra, I hate to tell you this, but we didn't go to the Folk Alliance Convention. We were so far out in left field we were in Sydney. Oh well, at least I can listen to the CD, but it doesn't have the Ten Meg Morris and the Haka on it. They're just going to have to make another CD - and soon, I hope! |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:22 AM the Parliament House video was shot @ The Dog! |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: JennyO Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:42 AM Believe it or not my sound just came back. My son had done something he thought would fix it and he told me to close down Firefox and open it again to see if it had worked, but it didn't appear to have. However turning my computer off and rebooting seems to have done the trick. I hope it lasts. Listening to them now. Also, I see some of those videos were at Kangaroo Valley and the Dog. Yes, we were there. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 19 Oct 06 - 10:34 PM Kitty - I don't think we have a song yet about people talking shop when we are trying to switch off thinking about work, I'll get our writers onto it. How about we come and entertain your colleagues at work? We're doing the Met Office in Exeter, Traffic Management would be great too. All we need is a ten or fifteen minute break and a bit of space, unless you could organise something longer. Then we might help all of you stay sane. Shiny Bum Kerry Kennedy ran parking in Canberra for a while, and survived. But he did nick the authentic gear for our act that Sandra mentions! London is a different proposition of course for parking, and certainly deserves its own song. How about: STREETS OF LONDON - PARKING (with abject apologies from Chris Clarke to Ralph McTell) Have you seen the old man in his old battered Micra Circling the same block with his worn out tyres In his eyes you see no hope Is that gap a meter? - nope! Yesterday's parking fine hardly inspires How can you tell me you're driving And say, for you, that you won't get fined? Let me take your car and try To park it in the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind Have you seen the old gal who walks the streets of London On a meter somewhere, must feed it by noon, She's no time for talkin, she just keeps right on walkin Streets all look the same here, she must pass it soon In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven Same old man sitting there on his own Thinking of the clamp on the rim of his car wheel Missed the last train and forgot his mobile phone Have you seen the old man with the ticket on his windscreen Walking speed fading with the pacemaker he wears In our grid-locked city, the law shows little pity For one more forgotten driver in a world that doesn't care There, I'm sure that makes you feel much better about your work! Cheers, Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 20 Oct 06 - 02:44 AM Thanks Chris. Perhaps I should also have mentioned that the car I have to try and park is a battered Micra! I will definitely sound out colleagues about the prospect of a visit by the Shiny Bums next year. Please could you PM me about how much it would cost us to make this worth your while. The office is in Westminster, but we occasionally have Awaydays. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: cloudstreet Date: 20 Oct 06 - 04:50 AM Perhaps not as South as you're planning, but Chester Festival is a lot of fun if you're about. http://www.chesterfolk.org.uk/ should take you there. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Polly Squeezebox Date: 20 Oct 06 - 06:03 PM Hi Canberra Chris, Check your PM's - I think you'll find something to aid you in your quest. Polly |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 20 Oct 06 - 10:21 PM Kitty - will PM you, thanks. I also drove a Micra in UK borrowed from family - not a bad little runabout. Incidentally, we should also write a song about the first and last attempt at clamping in Australia. It was tried once in Melbourne. The clampee went straight to the police who charged the clamper, I can't recall with what - deprivation of liberty, interfering with a motor vehicle, theft, demanding money with menaces? Anyway, basically it was regarded as un-Australian to deprive a bloke of his wheels, and the result was I think a conviction and fine. Cloudstreet - Great minds! I had a fabulous time in Chester at the Cross-Keys and at Frank's with the Poms From Oz at the end of their last UK tour, and would return like a shot if it made sense logistically. We are trying to be very sensible and avoid blue-bottling all over the countryside. But we'll take it on board and may weaken. Thanks for the link, I didn't know of the festival, I'll have a look. Polly - a big 'squeeze' for your helpful mesage, thanks! Cheers, Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 20 Oct 06 - 11:13 PM Chris - nowadays (in Queensland) the vehicle gets towed not clamped - organised by the Police if necessary, and the victim has to pay whatever the Tow Company wants... in some cases 'on the spot' fines may also be issued. Towaway Zones are posted in some areas for traffic movement, and you will most likely be towed (organised by the Police) if you are blocking things like fire hydrants, driveways, etc. Actually you Shiny Bum guys may want to think about the Vic Police booking motorists for 3% over the speed limit, when cars are manufactured to the Australian Design Rules which specifies that speedometers are designed only to a tolerance of 10%... :-) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Clownfish Date: 01 Nov 06 - 12:30 AM Some great advice coming through. Thanks guys. We're really looking forward to catching up with you when we come across. Julianne (Shiny Bum) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: JudyB Date: 01 Nov 06 - 12:59 PM We had a chance to see the Shiny Bum Singers when we were in Sydney a couple of years ago - and they are great! I readily admit we missed some of the references - but there was a lot that was universal, and we were happily and heartily singing along even when we weren't quite sure what we were singing about (rugby..??). Do try to see them if they're around - they really are fun! JudyB (who's a long way from Sydney or England) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 02 Nov 06 - 04:45 AM Rugby? Ah, yes. We found ourselves performing at Sydney's wonderful Loaded Dog club (best performing acoustics in the southern hemisphere) during and very close by the final of that Rugby World Cup final between England and Australia, so premiered: We are large, but we are stupid, And from all the rugby lands we come With leather balls, and silly headgear, I am, youse are, we are the rugby ones Based on 'I Am Australian', Australia's 'Land of Hope and Glory'. It went down pretty well, so spawned another rugby-based effort, our Haka, as performed by female public servants before being grilled by our Senate Estimates Committee. You cans see that one on our website, Sandra in Sydney put in the clicky for it up near the beginnning of this thread. It starts: Warrior Queens of this bureaucrat city Are we afraid of the Senate Committee? Nooooo! It then gets pretty scary. The men in the group back well off, and don't dare approach the women until their eyes have gone back to normal. We had no idea who they were til we saw them doing this one. Hey, why don't you get us to perform it for you at your folk club or workplace while we are over there? Cheers, Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 02 Nov 06 - 07:27 AM you won't regret it! the Rugby song is also immortalised in video. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Nov 06 - 08:47 PM Chris- Happy to hear you are alive and well in England. The last time I was honored to meet you was aboard the James Craig where you were indulging in sea shanties, and had signed up for an actual sailing voyage. Good luck on the tour! Give 'em hell! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Rowan Date: 07 Nov 06 - 01:43 AM I'm sure the Poms will be able to supply lots of red tape if you run out. And don't forget the OverHead Projector! How will you explain 10 dead PC keyboards to Customs? Have a great tour! Cheers, Rowan |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 07 Nov 06 - 06:48 AM the Bums have a huge roll of red tape - maybe 1000 yds, so they are unlikely to run out! Well, it might be a bit less as they use it to wrap their books. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 09 Nov 06 - 03:59 PM Hi Charlie - fond memories of the James Craig shanty session, and of the Loaded Dog with yourself and Brett., whose threads are a modern Samuel Pepys diary. Hope one day you both manage the South East Passage again to down under. Rowan - the keys are of course hollow and the real plot is to smuggle back out the Ashes, after a diversionary performance in the Long Room at Lords. As Sandra says, we did purloin a whole reel of genuine red tape, which bundles up our song books - 150 songs satirising bureaucracy from the inside, including appropriately: Red Tape As I passed my Branch Head's office She was praying in trance, "Please send me some scarlet ribbons Lovely red tape for my grants. "Send me endless regulations, Long delays, catch-22s, Let no Ministerial whiteboard Short-cut process, jump the queues." All the legislative drafters Had gone home to feed their kids, And the team designing guidelines Wouldn't work late, not for quids. Searched all night, my heart was aching - Just before the dawn was breaking I peeped in and there they lay As though from costumes for a dance, Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons, Lovely red tape for her grants. If I live to be a Branch Head I won;t know from where by chance Came those ribbons, scarlet ribbons, Lovely red tape for her grants. Which we will happily sing for you in any UK workplace or folk club that cares to have us drop by. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: growler Date: 09 Nov 06 - 04:53 PM I am involved with several pup venues in Kent. We havn't got any money, but, between us could probably put you up ay no cost, for a gig Simon |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 12 Nov 06 - 04:04 PM Simon, Thanks Growler, sounds great. I'll PM you about details. Putting up a larger group helps a lot with our tour costs, so we are happy with billeting offers. That goes for any others out there. I'm not sure what a pup venue is, but 'Growler' does sound appropriately like an old dog! My guess is you are a grizzled veteran nurturing new talent? If so, that's terrific. We can offer encouragement as a true story of a new group of first-time performers in 1999 that became a legend on its first gig. The group and act were put together in two months, started with a sell-out and spotted our first empty seat after three years (it had a broken leg). We also have groups within the group now who do other stuff. Look forward to it. Happy to hear from anyone else. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: growler Date: 12 Nov 06 - 05:12 PM Sorry, I meant pub venue, it goes with being grizzled, |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Canberra Chris Date: 13 Nov 06 - 04:22 PM Yes Growler, I thought it might be pub after looking at some of your thread topics! Silly of me not to guess from the mention of Kent. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Girl Friday Date: 16 May 07 - 05:22 PM We are really looking forward to this gig. You sound our type of chappies. We being Tone Deaf Leopard. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Georgiansilver Date: 16 May 07 - 05:32 PM Shiny Bum Singers...obviously 'polished' performers eh? |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 16 May 07 - 05:49 PM We English Shiny Bums are having great fun with this. The Oz Shiny Bum Singers (well, the 5 who are making it over to England) will be performing at the National School of Government in Sunningdale, the Met Office in Exeter, and the Department for Transport in Westminster, as well as Bude festival and the Rochester Good Intent. Advance publicity for the SBS performance at the Department for Transport was published today in our internal bulletin (the first time the word "bum" has appeared in our internal bulletin, we think), and despite a letter of introduction from the Head of the Australian Public Service, and support from the DfT's new Permanent Secretary, some people are still nervous that this is a leg-pull. The Head of the Australian Public Service is Peter Shergold (an English immigrant), but we haven't traced a Bampton connection yet. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 16 May 07 - 05:54 PM PS and in the course of corresponding with Canberra Chris, he has told me that his mother was born in the road where I now live, so that just shows what a small planet we live on! Kitty No, sorry, not born in the road. Born in a house further down the road I live in... |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 16 May 07 - 07:08 PM Peter Shergold is the Bum's no. 1 fan (in Canberra, I hasten to add cos I'm their no. 1 fan in Sydney) sandra yay! my Firefox upgrade means I have automatic spellchecking here (& spellcheck does not like the word "spellcheck") |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: George Papavgeris Date: 16 May 07 - 08:24 PM I used to be a leg man, but I am willing to be converted... |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Richard Atkins Date: 16 May 07 - 08:32 PM Will see them at Bude then. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST,Growler Date: 17 May 07 - 03:36 AM And at the Good Intent Rochester on the 27th |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 May 07 - 05:09 AM Kitty - first mention of The Shiny Bums in UK back in 2000 sandra (owner of the copy of the song referred to!) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: growler Date: 17 May 07 - 05:17 PM Chris stayed with us, last Friday and kindly donated a CD. Come and join us next Sunday 27th at the Good Intent, and see what you are missing |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST,Canberra Chris Date: 18 May 07 - 09:34 AM Sorry for the blanks, I am trying a public library computer set up with huge print keys, and 'enter' where I usually hit shift. I am where I borrowed books as a child in Sunninghill village, Kerry Kennedy of the Bums is on the next machine, having arived at 5 this morning. Tomorrow he will have no recollection of touring Windsor Castle. I was expecting a £30,000 fine for a book I failed to return in 1964, but they let me off. Our progrsm is National School of Government in Sunningdale 22 May, Met Office in Exeter 23 May, Bude Folk Festival 25 May, Good Intent Rochester 27 May, Dept for Transport 30 May, and possibly Surrey County Council Kingston 29 or 31 May. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 18 May 07 - 10:07 AM Gidday, Chris Looks great, good thing they waived the fine, it would have eaten into The Shiny Bum Extravaganza Tour profits! Have fun & don't forget to review the concerts. sandra .............. FYI - first mention of The Toast Song on Mudcat in 2000, when Lynne Stone brought it to Britain! An Australian lady came to the folk club last night and sang two songs one of which was a parody of Both Sides Now and was about the singers failure in making toast. It had the audience roaring with laughter. I think the author was a guy who's last name is Clarke and he sings with ?? The Shiny Bottom Band. I'd love the words if anyone has them. Regards Baz |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: freda underhill Date: 18 May 07 - 11:40 AM that's Canberra Chris you're after Baz, and what better time to track him down.. Rosie Wells told me two SBs rolled up at Sharp's this week, and sang the Filing Song... so they are about! freda |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST Date: 18 May 07 - 02:49 PM I think it would have been Pat and Arminel singing the Filing Song - if so, I'm glad to hear they did get to Sharps on Tuesday. I also seem to remember that it was Lynne I first heard singing the Toast Song. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 18 May 07 - 03:03 PM Just testing whether I've got my cookie back! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Bob Bolton Date: 19 May 07 - 01:07 AM G'day freda, "Regards Baz" ... that was Sandra quoting from the 2000 posting. I loved the: "I think the author was a guy who's last name is Clarke and he sings with ?? The Shiny Bottom Band"! Regard(les)s, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST,Canberra Chris Date: 21 May 07 - 07:21 AM The assembled Bums are at the excellent internet facilities at Theale library, near Reading. Additional news is that performance on 29 May is confirmed for Surrey County Council staff at County Hall in Kingston. Regarding discussion of Toast Song above, the first Australian to take the song to UK was Helen Wright, who asked for the words for that purpose in 1998, when I had been so generously invited to join on stage to peform it 'The Living Tradition' lineup of Queensland worthies. The Mudcat request may of course have come later from Lynne Stone. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 21 May 07 - 07:51 AM Gidday, Chris Maybe the 2000 post I quoted was just the first reference to the Bums (Bottoms?)on Mudcat! This Public Service jolly of yours is getting bigger & better! Keep up the good work, & don't forget we need daily reports of your progress. sandra why oh why has Google decided that ads for Christian Music (Your guide to Christian Music) & Free Psalm 23 download (Download the Psalm of the ...) fit this thread? |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Richard Bridge Date: 21 May 07 - 06:56 PM 1. Why google that? 2. I am reminded that when my late wife, Jacqui, our son's friend Royston, and I, first hit the folkclubs of north Kent (RogertheChorister) we were promptly dubbed "the ShinyArses") by the now defunct Oast folk club in Rainham, Kent, because we were all middle class (bit of an insult that of a lawyer, moi!) with desk jobs. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 21 May 07 - 07:09 PM One of the Google ads below this thread has been replaced. They (whoever they are) have now decided that 'A Capella Music - amazing edgy vocal quartet' & 'Psalm 23 download' are what the readers of this thread will read!! sandra (who never reads Google ads) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Richard Bridge Date: 21 May 07 - 07:22 PM To coin a phrase "Bugger That". Which might of course cause a shiny arse. Is there a list for the whole of this tour? Is anything in for Weds 30? If not, FolkMob ought really to step up to the plate.... |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 21 May 07 - 08:51 PM Chris's post 18th may (top of this page) Our progrsm is National School of Government in Sunningdale 22 May, Met Office in Exeter 23 May, Bude Folk Festival 25 May, Good Intent Rochester 27 May, Dept for Transport 30 May, and possibly Surrey County Council Kingston 29 or 31 May. Chris .................. post from 21st May Additional news is that performance on 29 May is confirmed for Surrey County Council staff at County Hall in Kingston. ................. don't miss 'em! sandra |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 22 May 07 - 03:58 PM The 30 May performance at the Department for Transport is at lunchtime - I don't know whether the Bums can cope with being Mobbed later..... they are supposed to be on holiday, I think! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST,Branno Date: 23 May 07 - 09:43 AM G'day Chris. Sounds like a lot of fun so far (and memory lane)Enjoy th'self. love Spencer the Grey Nomad btw All you pommie 'catters who catch the Bums will enjoy them (take that any way you want!) cheers Dave |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Richard Bridge Date: 26 May 07 - 04:28 PM Hey bums Bored on teh 28th (the Monday)? I might be able to fix something..... |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: melodeonboy Date: 26 May 07 - 06:13 PM Are you thinking of The Greyhound, Richard? |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Richard Bridge Date: 26 May 07 - 09:32 PM No. The bar in Dickensworld. I was today asked by the Managing Director if anyone wanted to do some casual folking there over the next few days, and if the Bums were so minded I might be able to discuss a fee (probably not big by "performing artist" standards) with him. The admittedly mock ambience of the venue is good, and a regular weekly slot might be on the cards (but I don't want to be running it). I have four slight reservations about a regular do there: 1. We'd probably get "bumped" if a bigger/better thing was on on any particular evening 2. Most people in there today seemed a cut above the usual foul and vulgar C(h)atamite - but wil it last? 3. Would it compete with and harm the existing local things - the Good Intent and the 3 in Rainham? 4. The "draught" beers on are keg (but do include Shitfire), although there is bottled Shitfire and bottled Summer Goldings and a range of crap like lagers - and the prices are TOP pub prices, over 3 quid for said bottles. Let's all discuss it at the Good Intent tomorrow. I can snooze into my beer in conseqence of this 0230 insomnia... |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:27 PM Thanks to Chris, Dave and Kerry for your visit to the Herga folk club this evening, even if it blew away my plans for a quiet night in to recover from the Pennymoor Song and Ale... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 05 Jun 07 - 12:42 AM tell us more! (please) Seriously but, I've not had enough info on the tour - a mere mention here & there that they appeared somewhere & were great (which I know anyway, being their No. 1 fan.) sandra |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Nessie Date: 05 Jun 07 - 09:27 AM Well I seriously hope the Bums are planning their 2008 tour, because we love 'em!! They're such a lovely, friendly bunch, and their besuited take on office life is unique. I'd love to see the reaction they get in a business environment, but they're at home in folk. George & I caught their second half at Bude/Stratton and they had us all howling with laughter! 'Request from a Contituent' went down well (more Rolf Harris parodies for the UK please?!)and The Ten Meg Morris was sublime. We were treated to several songs including Daggy Suit & Can't Take My Hands Off Of You last night at Herga, along with solo spots from Dave and Chris, who did a superb new song written between Singapore and London Thanks guys, & Arminel! |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Herga Kitty Date: 05 Jun 07 - 04:11 PM Sandra - I had a really nice e-mail from Chris, saying "We loved the reception we had from your colleagues, and it was a lovely relaxed atmosphere to end on, and the sort of informal approach we would have preferred everywhere really. They were also the only civil service audience who did sing along." The Bude thread has a link to pictures of the Shiny Bums posted by Hawker http://www.flickr.com/photos/45752049@N00/ Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST,Canberra Chris Date: 05 Jun 07 - 07:56 PM Sandra - I will attempt to meet your request for a fuller report when I get some more computer time at a civilised hour. Branno - great to hear from you, mate, your spirit was over here with us while you slept - astral travel broadens the mind. I'll have to explain Spencer the Grey Nomad later. Kitty - lovely to hear you sing at last at Herga, and a treat to hear a second voice do Kitty Kane and the additional (original) verse which Margaret Walters also included at a session at the National at Easter. That song just breaks me up. Nessie - thanks for the kind words. I was delighted to hear a Greek song from George at Herga, though he was snookered behind he pillar. He has bouzouki-tuned that guitar hasn't he? I listen to Greek folk songs, and his delivery to me of all his songs is distinctly Greek, as it should be. Hawker - thanks for the photos and captions. Still sorry we had to miss the rest of the festival, glad it went so well. Cheers, Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST,Canberra Chris Date: 12 Jun 07 - 09:27 AM Sandra asked for more info on the tour, I tried this a couple of days ago but lost it in transmission, so starting again. The gigs were: 22 May National School of Government in Sunningdale Berkshire 23 May Met Office in Exeter Devon 25 May Opening concert Bude-Stratton Folk Festival in Cornwall 27 May Good Intent pub in Rochester Kent 29 May Surrey County Council in Kingston SW of London 30 May Department for Transport in Westminster There were also a couple of brief unscheduled performances by some of us on request, including at the YHA in Tintagel Cornwall, and at Herga Folk Club in Pinner NW of London. The six venues were concentrated into an eight day period, also involving a lot of travel. As we had no other gigs arranged for after 30 May, we ended then with 'mission accomplished'. Some have returned, I leave on 16th, two at the end of June. The tour party was Pat and Arminel Ryan, David Meyers, Kerry Kennedy and myself Chris Clarke, out of a full Shiny Bum group of fifteen. WE had selected 25 songs for the tour, and modified some of them for UK and the smaller tour group. The venues varied greatly, which was fun for us, from public service conference facilities and open interior spaces, to a grand historic hall, and historic and more recent pub bars. Sets varied from separate five song brackets to an hour broken up with some discussion and in one case a choir joining us. The events varied also from formalish concerts to more public or workshoppy presentations, and a wild pub session. We seemed to be very well received everywhere, with feedback that the show was seen as funny and different. No-one knew quite what to expect (Oz stereotypes persist), so those who put us on were gambling, and some had to work very hard to get our gigs to happen, so thanks to them are due, and to others who supported the concept, including Mudcatters Herga Kitty, Growler, Melodeonboy, Richard Bridge, Hawker, Sandra in Sydney, George Papavgeris, Cloudstreet and others who responded with good advice or local support, and to our friends in high places in the Oz public service for letters of support. I would like to mention the Met Office Choir in Exeter, who were sent four of our songs set with choral arrangements a few weeks before our gig there, and sang four of them in our concerts there very well, including their refinement of the difficult Evacuation Serenade song, which was encored. To hear UK 'shiny bums' singing our songs was special. On the practical side for any other first time touring groups, it is obviously most helpful to have the whole itinerary known well in advance of arrival - some gigs were confirmed or set up just before or after our arrival, which led to a lot of arrangements being made on the run. Accommodation with rehearsal space was also crucial especially in the first days. While we had originally wanted more gigs, six including doubles in eight days with travel proved stretchy - we had eight different accommodation arrangements over the 12 days we were together. The work we did before and after arrival on the material and then individual gigs was also crucial, as convenient preparation opportunity on the road was often at the mercy of circumstance. Communications and access to IT support were also an issue. Internet access for organising accommodation, route navigation and gig communications as well as individual needs, and in our case IT access for processing our visual presentations and recordings, required a constant chase after facilities, as internet cafes were unexpectedly rare. Take a laptop. Those are just a few immediately obvious things to me at this stage, to pass on. Thanks to everyone who helped to overcome all obstacles and make it a success. We are well aware it was really a tour by a few Shiny Bums plus many others at both ends. It was lovely to meet so many Mudcatters on the tour. I should mention the Mudcat Cafe itself through which so much of the tour was organised. And thanks to our audiences who were so generous in their appreciation and encouragement. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: growler Date: 12 Jun 07 - 05:20 PM Chris We had a great time. Now we know what you do, it will be alot easier to arrange gigs, should you chose to repeat the tour. It was great to be involved with something totally different. The gig in the Good Intent was something special. Good Luck and thanks again Simon |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 13 Jun 07 - 03:25 AM thanks for the report, Chris. I hope you have lotsa' pictures, too. see ya September, if not before sandra |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST Date: 13 Jun 07 - 08:11 AM Yes, Sandra, some photos are up on the Bude-Stratton Festival thread, plenty more were taken by others and will no doubt emerge as we do! Kerry took video as well. He should be back by now. Chris |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:12 AM I've seen the Bude pics, so I might just contact Kerry. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: Daniel Kelly Date: 29 May 23 - 07:44 AM Hi Canberra Chris, Reviving this very old thread as Pat and Arminel sang a parody of 'Jones's Ale Was New' at Murrumbateman last night on the topic of fracking. You don't happen to know if this was a shiny bums song, or if it might be in a songbook somewhere? (Daniel from Yass) |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GUEST Date: 29 May 23 - 09:24 AM it is an old trad song |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GerryM Date: 29 May 23 - 07:49 PM The parody, I think Ecopella sing it, I associate it with Miguel Heatwole, maybe Paul Spencer wrote it. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GerryM Date: 29 May 23 - 07:59 PM Found it! When Coal Seam Gas Was New, written by John Spencer and Paul Spencer, 2012, to the tune of When Jones' Ale Was New. Lyrics available at http://www.ecopella.org/whencsgwasnew.htm and recording somewhere else at that site. |
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Subject: RE: Shiny Bum Singers in S of England 2007 From: GerryM Date: 29 May 23 - 08:09 PM Here's a recording by Ecopella of Coal Seam Gas: https://miguelheatwole.bandcamp.com/track/when-coal-seam-gas-was-new |
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