Bunjies folk cellar coffee house

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Peter Brown
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 08:28 AM

I remember Bunjies with affection. I was in Henley-on-Thames playing in the back bar of a pub with a girl singer and another guitarist (we called ourselves the Highroaders, very cheesy) when a passing stranger invited us to Bunjies. We were all about 18 and had hardly ever been to London, 30 miles away. It was around 1966.
   We went and did three numbers. No restriction - hardly anyone was there. Al Stewart had the residency and was singing amazing stuff, including Paul Simon's The Sound of Silence, which we loved. I remember getting the words and chords from him during the break. He was friendly and kind with a great smile. In the corner sat Meg Ryan, the street busker. The place smelt of coffee and undergroundness.
That evening led me to the Cousins - but that's another story - and a lifelong interest in folk and blues, fostered by the feeling that I'd been involved almost from the beginning.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 09:26 AM

I think you mean Meg Aitken, Peter.
Lovely lady, she used to pop into Les Cousins, Friday all nighters, on a regular basis.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:29 AM

I think he means Meg Aikman, thought to have been an influence for Ralph McTell's Streets of London.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Dan Robertson
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 05:30 PM

I am too young to remember Bunjies or Cousins, but my dad John Robertson used to play at both during the late 60's. Im trying to track down some early photo's of the place as a present for him and would appreciate any help. I know that there was a book called 'Bunjies coffee house - nights in the cellar' by Peter Cadle, but it seems impossible to track down a copy.
He used to hang out with Maureen (Mo), Brian, and Hratch. He did a cracking version of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne.
I can see that many of you have fond memories of Bunjies and hope some of them were captured on film. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Dan Robertson
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 05:34 PM

Sorry, I forgot to include my contact details:

[e-mail]

Thanks, dan.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Guest - Lin
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 12:46 AM

Bunjies was my favourite folk music place to visit when I was in London. Great, great memories of Hratch (still in touch) at Christmas, Brackenwood, Sippy, Russ Shipton and Mike Lee. By the way does anyone know what Mike Lee is doing these days? He was a really good singer and did justice to covers of Ralph McTell songs.

I remember Brackenwood. It seems like I kind of recall that one of them or perhaps both worked at the airport (not sure where) in the cargo area. Anyway, they were great and the audience really loved them too.

Also, does anyone remember a girl that hung out there (I don't think she was a singer) but she was very tall, long black hair and from Hawaii? We always used to chat about the music but don't know if anyone would remember her. This would have been in the mid 1980's to late 1980's. She was always there when Brackenwood played and when Mike Lee played there.

I remember always ordering the lasagne which was really good!

Is Bunjies still there or is there some other veune/restaurant there now? I don't live in England so I have been out of touch with what happened to Bunjies.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Clive Lebozer
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 03:19 AM

I was a teenager in the 80's and me and my friend Mark went to Bungies every week just to see Brackenwood play Roads to Moscow and the Ellan Vannin Tragedy - I love that song and every time I play it myself, I remember those fantastic nights at Bungies - thanks Gez! I have always wondered what happened to Brackenwood - tell us, please Gez

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,KH Shaw
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 10:33 AM

GEZ WENHAM replied to this thread re: Brackenwood. I really need to contact him but lost touch years ago and have no fwding info for him. Can anywone help??

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Smartlady
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 04:47 PM

My memories of Bunjies go back to the early 1950s - no regular performers in those days - frequented by out of work actors, students (medics mainly), nurses and office workers (me) who wanted a bit of the boho scene.
Someone composed this song which we sang lustily to frowns from the management:

Old poppa Beethoven wrote this little song
To keep us contented and happy all day long
Sitting in Bunjies my heart began to throb
For one Cappuchino would set me back a bob (5p!!!!)
And for a sandwich, I`d have to sell my soul
For six weeks I`ve saved up to buy a sausage roll.

The medics would often bring in their skeletons and put the skulls over the wall lights, making the cellar look even more eerie. Someone would bring a guitar, someone else bongos and off we would go. Am I the only mother who taught her sons the words to rugby songs when they began to play?!!!!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Hawken
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 03:11 AM

I remember Sippy and her bosomy Persian girlfriend who fancied me.
So exciting.
I played a few times there, in the early 70's.
Hot blackcurrant juice :)
Nice times.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Kevin in California
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 03:08 PM

Hratch now has a few videos on YouTube ... still sounds terrific!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Sippy
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:24 PM

I was a Bunjette from the late 60's to the late 80's. I had a residency on a few different nights from the early 70's.
I actually grew up at Bunjies, and was so sad to see the cellar door closed. It is sorely missed by me and countless others who came for a coffee and cheese cake to there home from home.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:32 PM

Hi Gez, good to see ya here. I used to sing the occasional song with Brackenwood.
Those were the days! (my friend)

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:40 PM

Hawken, Sippy, alive and well. and hope the winds of time have been good to you.
I remember Mr Northwind.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:47 PM

Dan, I have a copy of Nights in the Cellar. I'm happy to send you some photos.
I started going down to Bunjies in the late 60's and hold very fond memories of it.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,balladeer
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 01:52 AM

I was in London June 64 to Dec 65. Played Bunjies enough that I'm in their archives. My name was Joanne Hindley-Smith in those days. I'm coming over (from Canada) in June and want to find out where the clubs are (all over the country) that encourage floor singers. Appreciate any help.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 03:32 AM

^What kind of music do you play? There are loads!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Maja
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 05:13 PM

I was an Au-Pair in London in 1972/73. Usually Thursday was my day off, so whenever possible I went to listen to Simon Ma in the evening. I'm so happy that someone else remembers him!! Wish I knew what became of him! I had moved to Hong Kong later, and the last thing I heard of Simon was that he had gone back to Singapore.

If anyone is still in contact with him, please let me know! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Andy Parker
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 05:35 AM

I was the dish washer, and later manager, of Bunjies (promotion was swift in those days) in the late-70s, when Denis and Ron had the lease. I was a local Covent Garden boy and my sister had worked there before me. I later went back to play a series of gigs with Steve Lake, not long before it closed. The floor had been levelled! No more 'dip' to help the taller musicians avoid scraping their heads, but an opportunity to play one of London's legendary venues was not to be missed...


If Sippy, Hawken, Phil Swallow, Tom Pamintuan, Hratch and Brackenwood are still around: love to you all.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: Musket
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 02:21 PM

Many years ago, I was involved in hospital radio. Every year we had a conference of our national body and in the delegates pack one year in the early '80s was a double album of Bunjies Folk Cellar.

I loved listening to it and as a result once my work took me to London occasionally, I managed to get there and listen to some wonderful music.

Dead jealous to read above that my mate Willie got to play there!! Didn't know that.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Guest - Lin
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 01:40 AM

I used to go there a lot during the 1980's and purchased the Bunjies LP. I think there was only one album released of folk singers who performed there. It was a great place to hang out and also enjoyed the Greek food before the concerts.

Some of my favourite performers were a duo called, Brackenwood. They had a regular spot there. Also. a great singer/guitarist called, Hratch used to perform regularly during the 70's and 80's. Another guy called, Mike Lee who was a hugh Ralph McTell fan, used to cover many of Ralph's songs. Not sure if he had a regular spot there but he was very, very good!

These are some of the guys I remember seeing the most.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Andy Parker
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 09:03 AM

Just a little side note to Ian Mather's piece about hospital radio: the bass player in a later band of mine worked for UCH hospital radio as a DJ for a stint and, browsing their record collection one night, I found the only copy of the Bunjies double-album that I've ever seen...

And how could I have forgotten to list Keith Willson, blues supremo? I hope you are still out there, well and doing your thing...love

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 09:52 AM

Anybody list the performers on said double album, please?

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,acoustic archive
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 08:58 AM

Youtube shut my channel down in 2008 the Blighters.Sp just to let you know I am restarting something similar ,but of more modest intentions and have already posted over 50 of my unique archive videos including a couple from Bunjies

Charlie Crow at Bunjies Folk Cellar

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,John Timpany
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 09:09 AM

Bunjies.

I was resident there for a few years with my partner Audrey Smith, and we played opposite Ron Simmonds with Big Theo Johnson doing 3 songs at half time.
Big Theo always needed an accompanist and unluckily Ron, me and Roger Evans had to take turns which meant a shorter break.
The money was rubbish, the venue was fantastic, the atmosphere electric, the audience wonderful, the acoustics superb, and the occasional guests excellent.

I don't think I ever found another venue for folk music in Europe with quite the character that Bunjies had. It's a shame it's gone.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Jul 11 - 09:14 AM

Both Theo and Roger are no longer with us I'm afraid. Roger died some time ago, he was still quite young. It was something like an aneurism or a brain haemorrhage. Roger and his then girlfriend, Jane (lovely lady), lived and worked in Catalunya for a while. I went and visited them over there.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 05:22 PM

So what did happen to the fantastic Hratch? Bunjiies was a wonderful place, great memories, but he was my main reason for going
Christine, now in France

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Christine in France
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 04:18 PM

Wherre can I hear some of Hratch's music?

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Mark Steinhardt
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 03:01 PM

Here's what I have about Bungies. It's from my biography of Audrey Smith (published 2000) who, as half of "John Timpany and Audrey Smith" had a residency there. The information came from interviews with John and Audrey (deceased).
...Later in 1967, or maybe '68, they started to play regularly in Litchfield Street, close to Cambridge Circus on the edge of Soho. Every Tuesday night a sign on the pavement announced BUNGIES COFFEE HOUSE AND FOLK CELLAR, with an arrow pointing down a flight of wooden steps. Particularly in the summer, large numbers of tourists accepted the invitation, perhaps sensing an encounter with Olde Englande. At the bottom of the steps they found a lit sign, a short, dark corridor and two brown and cream doors with BUNGIES on one. They pushed it open and tipped down a few more steps, passing another sign which read SHUT THE BLUDDY DOOR! Facing them, between the restaurant and the folk club, was the food counter, where Lou, the owner, served spaghetti bolognese and cakes. Behind him, a flight of stairs led up to a tiny office where he did his paperwork and lured the young girls who worked the restaurant—foreigners with little English; cash, no questions. There was a big fan behind the counter and when Lou let rip with one of his tempers he would fling a plate of food at it and spray the candle-lit diners with tomato sauce and finely divided pasta. Or so legend has it.
The folk cellar was a small room under low brick vaults, dripping in wet weather, with hard benches and no tables. Big Theo Johnson, fat, bearded and boastful, took the money. The stage was a four foot quadrant in one corner, raised about eight inches from the floor and there "John Timpany and Audrey Smith" played their songs for the tourists and a smattering of students, folk fans and fellow musicians. Ron Simmonds shared the evening and Big Theo sang the same three songs every night—good songs, mind you, and it didn't matter because there were very few regulars. On busy summer nights with fifty or more crushed in, the air was thick with heat, sweat and smoke and the singers struggled out during breaks to breathe the comparatively pure air of a Soho night.
Bungies became the proving ground for all their material. As they began to get bookings from more discerning audiences, this was important. The Bungies crowd was easy to please but they worked at maintaining a standard—polishing the old songs, trying different arrangements of the new and occasionally working with Ron Simmonds. John, always a quick learner, watched Ron play the guitar, moving his fingers economically round a chord, picking out a melody and harmony or bass line at the same time, and soon mastered his style well enough to deliver a perfect copy of one of his tunes. Ron was furious and ever after practised with a duster over his left hand if John was about.
It was their first professional engagement and a regular commitment and if they couldn't make it they arranged a replacement. The entrance money was split between Ron, Big Theo and themselves. John still hoped to become a full-time professional but did not imagine he could achieve that with this duo. Musically, he was the senior partner and Audrey did not delude herself otherwise, but the important thing was that they were having a very good time, drawn ever closer by working together on something creative. They were also finding themselves a place in the folk music spectrum, between the unaccompanied strict traditionalists and the then nascent folk-rock experiments.
Not long after starting to play at Bungies, John and Audrey gave up the unequal struggle to keep the Nag's Head going. They had lost a lot of their own money keeping up the standard of performer while audience numbers fell. With the folk revival past its first bloom this was the fate of some of the smaller clubs......

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: Hokumsheik
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:48 PM

Does anyone remember a guy with long red hair who used to annoy everyone by playing harmonica all the time?

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:53 PM

You're talking about Moxie, a good guy, and he certainly didn't annoy me. I believe he now lives in France

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Ian William Johnson
Date: 25 Nov 11 - 09:27 AM

I worked at Bunjies as cook/waiter for about a year in 1974-75, protecting the young girls from Lou, until he sold up & opened a wine bar just round the corner, I think he'd been dreaming of licensed premises for a long time,probably sick of drinking coffee all day (he'd often pop out to the pub of an evening & come back a little "tired"). I well remember Sippy and Hratch, who I think were both resident at the time, as well as a young Tom Robinson among many others. Lots of fun & I was sad to see, the last time I was in London, that it had become a restaurant.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: David C. Carter
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 06:14 AM

Hokumsheik,How's it going?

Don't forget to Rapé the spuds!

D

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: Hokumsheik
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 12:33 PM

True or False?
Al Stewart sung Bob Dylan's 11 minute epic
(eehh, the title eludes me for the moment)
the day before its public release.

The prize will be a Rhum-Baba & a free walk to Margate.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 01:15 PM

I would tell you, but who wants to go to Margate?

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: David C. Carter
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 05:01 AM

Would that be Desolation Row?

Or Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands?

I would prefer to go to market than Margate!

Hokum old son,don't forget, a touch of the Bertie Wooster Sauce!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: Hokumsheik
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 09:58 AM

David
Being the only person(?) to reply
You have won the jar of honey

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: David C. Carter
Date: 06 Dec 11 - 12:45 PM

Thankee very much Hokum.Do I come and pick it up,or can you send it over the Net.


D

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Carl Cape
Date: 07 Dec 11 - 10:16 AM

Dear all, it is lovely to read this thread.

I was fortunate to go to Bunjies, and also to play there thanks to the wonderful Dan Driscoll who ran a night there. What a generous fella he was. He was a great mentor. He even took a lot of acts from Bunjies to the Glastonbury Festival/Golden Moon Stage.

I played at Bunjies as 'Lord Cape' (I'm now 'Carl Cape') and had the pleasure of seeing some great acts in the cellar including: the amazing Zou Lou, Jaki Windmill, Dan Driscoll, J. Owen Williams (J Eoin), and so many more. Jeff Buckley use to come and play there as a warm-up for his tours; what an amazing place.

And I must mention the genius of 'Sam and Mano': a wonderful mix of humour, pathos and chanson.

Best wishes to all
Carl Cape, aka Lord Cape/singer with 'The Age', and performer at Bunjies in the 1990s. Website: www.chevstar.com

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Jennie.....regular wednesday night person 19
Date: 14 Dec 11 - 06:36 AM

I remember Martin ??? and his friend ??? The resident musicians...

I played few times....


I just bought Al Stewart "Indian Summer"....and was amazed to find out above he was resident at Bungies...

Great venue, great atmosphere....great memories....

and the "sea shanty" we all joined in with to close the evening....

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Sippy
Date: 26 Jan 12 - 04:32 PM

Hi Andy it was great to see you in November, a big surprise! What ever happened to Polecat? I remember those days so vividly. I remember one night making chicken soup with vermicelli, and the pot was empty in record time. was very different to the beef (gristle!!) stew. or was it curry? I dunno!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,anon
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 09:34 PM

I first went to Bunjies in '66 after I got chatting to a busker called Bob in the Tottenham Ct Rd. subway.He took myself and a pal down for a coffee.At the time I thought it was the epitome of bohemian cool.
I played there a few times as an accompanying some of the acts during '68.
Sadly the whole enclave of Charing X Road which included Dobells,Studio 51 ect is charmless these days.
Does anyone remember Don Crown and his Busking Budgies who performed in Cambridge Circus?

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Eamon
Date: 09 Mar 12 - 02:58 AM

Keith Christmas used to play there most weeks, his song Robin Head still stands up to examination today

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 12 Apr 12 - 09:06 AM

Hi Sippy - it was fabulous to see you, as well - the time just slips away...

Polecat is still around, I see him from time-to-time though he's way across town for me, but then he turned up unexpectedly at a show of my paintings in Islington, a week or so back. After various detours he is back playing guitar seriously again...

As for the Bunjies food, he could tell a few stories about it, as well: the tinned 'stew' stuff, the beans that well, frankly...bubbled mysteriously. In the tin. The powdered mash that took great skill and perseverance to turn into something edible...apologies for shattering any illusions for those who might have enjoyed the late-70s cuisine there.

The cakes were easily the best (and possibly safest) bet, though the omelettes were decent, too...

Good to see Clive from Brackenwood,as well as catch up with Gareth (we go back to primary school days together) at your birthday,

take it easy xxx

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Susannah (expat, now living in Sydney)
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 07:10 AM

I used to practically live at Bunjies in the mid '70s. My boyfriend at the time played in a band called Archer, who were regulars on a Tuesday night. They weren't strictly acoustic, much to Dennis's annoyance! He was always telling them to turn the noise down! I remember Sippy, Keith Christmas and a guy called Nigel Wesson (my favourite song of his was the Bakerloo Scrum). I also remember the coffee was crap, but the place had such a good atmosphere, nobody cared. Happy days!

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Guest Stuart
Date: 03 May 12 - 06:38 AM

I used to go there in the late 60s and also did the occasional song. I remember Nigel Wesson well; I'm sure he was the resident at that time. I recall songs of his included Scrawling Letters and Way of the World (at least I think they were his). Good times

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Will Williams
Date: 13 Jun 12 - 01:27 PM

Is that the John Robertson that I used to share a flat with in Hilldrop Crescent, Camden, in the mid 60's?
Everyone played Bungie's, even John Martyn God rest his soul.
I've got a copy of the Bungie's book, I designed the cover.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Sippy
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 01:11 PM

Hi Andy, I'd love to get together with you and chat about 'the old days!' I didn't get the chance at my do.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 02:46 PM

Yup, I remember Don Crown and the budgies. they were great.

Subject: RE: Bunjies folk cellar coffee house
From: GUEST,Linda
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 01:41 AM

I really loved reading all the threads. So many memories - of my favourite place to hang out when I was visiting London from California. Most people planning a trip to UK from USA would be planning out all the top tourist spots to see in London. I could hardly wait to get myself into my hotel after a long flight from Los Angeles and as jet-lagged as I was after being up so many hours with my flight and travel to London from the airport, getting to my hotel, etc. all I could think about was getting to Bunjies that night or at least by the next night I was in London.

I never had a bad time at Bunjies - always had a fantastic time.
Some of my favourites were Hratch, Brackenwood, Mike Lee, Sippy, Russ Shipton. Still in touch with Hratch & his wife every Christmas with card and letter. I think I first met Hratch there in 1969 and in my teens and was hooked on his music - such a great voice and guitar player!

Does anyone know what became of Brackenwood, Mike Lee, Sippy, etc.
Are they still involved with music at all or ever release a tape or CD's?
I did have the one LP of Bunjies Folk Celler that I bought one year while there in the 1980's.

I don't know if anyone would remember me? - I wasn't a singer but went there during the 1980's a lot. I am short, about 5'2" and had long reddish auburn wavy thick hair. Of course I would have had an American accent but being born in UK I would pick up a bit of an accent while there. :-)