|
14 Apr 08 - 07:16 AM (#2314982) Subject: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST,Dave (M) What is the worst club you have ever been to and why? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:28 AM (#2314987) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Peace Can't recall the name, but it was in NYC. I only went once. The people seemed difficult to deal with in that what they made at the bar was more important than what the musician was doing on the stage. Noise was bad. I'd gone to see a blues singer but left after 15 minutes or so. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:28 AM (#2314988) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris I don't know about others' experiences, but from what I know ladies of the night stay clear of folk clubs - not much trade there. Or did I misunderstand the question? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:37 AM (#2314991) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener Birmingham City Football Club. Why becuase any Villan hates BCFC. or is the question about sausages? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:42 AM (#2314999) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris Ah, I see where I went whrong now... My worst club visit: The club started 30 mins late, the floorspots before the guest lasted 50 mins, the guest only squeezed 4 songs in each set as a result. Not that we could hear much, as there was a bar running in the function room, and the din was deafening. The club room furniture and curtains had absorbed centuries' worth of smoke and grime, and they looked and smelled appropriately. People joined in all the choruses, at about half-speed and a semitone or so off-target. At the end, 15 minutes were spent raffling 10 prizes and doing the parish notices, by which time the guest had packed all his gear away - and then came the question "would you like to hear another one from our guest?". The secretary left early with the money, so the guest couldn't be paid and nobody knew what the billet arrangements were for the guest and his wife. They ended up sleeping in the car, I understand. The club was X (you wouldn't want me to name it now, would you?) |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:48 AM (#2315002) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener It wouldn't be Buckingham Palace, would it George? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:51 AM (#2315003) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: TheSnail Interestingly, this is GUEST,Dave(M),s first ever post. I wonder who it really is? Why is he trying to gather evidence of bad folk clubs? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 07:54 AM (#2315010) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener As usual Snail - A guest with a very controversial question. Best left to humour. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:09 AM (#2315021) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Mr Happy What's a 'Whorst club'? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:32 AM (#2315032) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris I took it as a shortened version of "whor(e)st". But Les mistook it for a celtic spelling for "wurst" or sausage. "Club" itself can have several interpretations of course. So pick any combination of the two. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:40 AM (#2315038) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener Maybe this is the club Click on me |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:45 AM (#2315040) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: BusyBee Paul Oh Les, brilliant link (which whasn't (sic) intended as a sausage joke!). |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:47 AM (#2315042) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris !!! You couldn't make it up, could you? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:59 AM (#2315046) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Mr Happy More sosidges here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tPo2xjWYDUg |
|
14 Apr 08 - 09:09 AM (#2315055) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener Big Al does that brilliant, doesn't he Mr Happy. It certainly makes me laugh. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 09:19 AM (#2315063) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Dave the Gnome What an unfair question! Although, hand on heart, I can answer it. Can't remember the name but that club in Soho where they promised a live sex show and then tried to charge me £50 for a champagne cocktail would take some beating... :D |
|
14 Apr 08 - 09:45 AM (#2315084) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: The Sandman why do people ask thesequestions?why not the best club you have ever been to. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 09:51 AM (#2315090) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: TheSnail Captain Birdseye why do people ask these questions? There has been a certain amount of anti-folk club posting on other threads. I think someone may be trawling for amunition. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:09 AM (#2315102) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Joe Bletchley RFC. The post match meal was tuna. TUNA!!!!! Us rugby players need meat. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:19 AM (#2315117) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: BusyBee Paul I shushpect Guest: Dave(M)might jusht be Shean Canary in disguise. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:28 AM (#2315123) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Dave(M) Ok so there was a typo, so what. At least I use a real name and not an unrecognisable nickname. the question arose because I have had a number of people telling me of a certain club where they would never go to again as it was the worst folc club they had ever been to. Cliqueish, don't speak to strangers or people with guitars etc etc. Oh by the way, in the North of England it is. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:37 AM (#2315135) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener Are you on about this Deirdre? Just a a little snippet from Memories Of WW2: A Child in North Birmingham on about a story of families fleeing from their houses to their air raid shelters after a bomb had hit the houses but didn't go off.. The house occupiers, an Irish family named McGarthy, were, like all sensible folk, in their Anderson shelter, which was halfway down their back garden, and my friend John, was at this time also in his own shelter, which virtually faced the McGarthy's with only about ten yards seperating the two structures. About an hour after the bomb had landed conversations was heard coming fromn the McGarthy's shelter. It was Mrs Mac that was speaking. "Oh! Moi God Shean!" "What?" "Oi fergot da por canary!" "what about da bloody ting?" "he"s in der wit dat bomb ting." "Holy mudder of God are yer barmy or sumpin" There was a pause. "Shean" "Wot Now?" "Shean, do you tink he'll be upset?" "Listen woman I am not going out der to foind out orl roit" "Oh but Sh......!" A huge explosion shook the very ground soil from on top of the Anderson shelter into the shelters themselves, then a sort of silence. The sort that you know will only last for a short time before voices from everywhere commence calling, but in the silence a male irish voice said "Ye'll not have ta worry about that por little canary no more." "ooh Shean, do'ya tink he suffered?" John said that any response to this question was drowned out by shouts of most other people in the road as they reacted to the explosion. All asking questions of each other. I'll get me canary. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:42 AM (#2315140) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Dave(M) What's that got to do with the thread? Absolutely nothing as usual. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:50 AM (#2315144) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris OK, Dave(M), at the risk of explaining the obvious: Your friends who advised you against visiting "a certain club" are entitled to their views. These things being subjective, there will always be someone who might disagree with them. You are of course within your rights to trust their opinion and not visit that club. But as I said, these things are subjective. I have views about some clubs too. I would never dream of airing them in public however, as I don't want to risk potentially slandering a club based simply on my own subjective views. And so I declined the invitation to state my "worst club", initially in a roundabout way, just to be polite. And I hope others will, too (decline, that is). But that is for them to decide. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:58 AM (#2315147) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Mr Happy Presumably, its folk clubs is the topic. If you don't like a venue, don't go there. In most areas there's alternative places to go. If not, start your own, I did! |
|
14 Apr 08 - 10:59 AM (#2315148) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener Dave We get so many guests posting on here, criticising or trying to wind people up, so it stands to reason that you are unlikely to be taken seriously. Why don't you join instead of being a guest. Rather than possibly slag a Folk Club off publicly on this forum, why don't you write to them and voice your feelings directly to them, so that they can look into your complaints. I would much rather have somebody coming to me personally, if they have problems with Faldingworth Live, not go round slagging the club off, without me having a chance to put right any issues. Sometimes organisers get so used to how they run the club, thinking that all is OK. Its the same as going to a restaurant. If I am unhappy with the food, service etc, I ask to see the manager and quietly point out my complaint. More often than not, they react positively to the complaint and thank me for coming directly to them in the first instance. Cheers Les Worrall |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:02 AM (#2315149) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris Well said Les. Instead, posing the question in the open is equivalent to standing outside the restaurant and asking the diners as they come out, or passers by. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:07 AM (#2315151) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Betsy at Work Dave M - spit it out - where is it / what's it called / and let's have an objective discussion about it why it's "alleged" to be not very good and stop all this fannying about. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:11 AM (#2315153) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris Kaiser Chiefs 1st hit |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:11 AM (#2315154) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener Please, lets not Betsy. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:14 AM (#2315159) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris An invitation to slander, or at least to gossip. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:50 AM (#2315180) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Gervase For me it has to be my nearest club (which is about 20 miles away). Last summer we had some singing friends to stay so I decided to take a rare night off and go to this club. Five of us turned up and trooped up the stairs to a rather spartan room full of empty chairs but with a mixer desk and two speaker stacks at the front. We effectively doubled the audience. Half an hour after the advertised start time the entertainment began. We sat through a couple of absolutely dreadful floor spots, one a woman singing her own self-penned stuff, which was dire but almost funny (although she would have been morified to hear her angst called funny), and the other a chap doing Steeleye covers, off key and with an appalling guitar accompaniment, and then it was half an hour of non-sop amplified bluegrass from the organiser and his partner. At the break I approached the organiser and asked as to the chance of doing a spot. Anyone would think I'd crapped in his beer mug. "I'm sorry, this is very much a performance club - we don't tend to have unsolicited floor spots." I explained that our friends had come a long way and that the club's website gave the impression that it was a regular club, with no booked guests that night. The organiser's partner intervened and assured us (and him) that it would be OK for two of us to do a spot at the end of the second half. There was another 40 minutes of bluegrass (well-played, it must be said) and then the appointed time came. "We have some guests who say they sing a capella," said the organiser through gritted teeth. As soon as we approached the front he then pointedly got up and left the room, not to return until a polite ripple of applause told him we'd finished. Still, at least there was no raffle! Needless to say, that was my first and last visit to that club. Sadly the next nearest folk club is abut 45 miles away, which means that I'm stuffed. And running a smallholding and a business means that there's no way I can find the time to start my own. And if anyone wants to PM me I'll tell them where it is so they can avoid it. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:54 AM (#2315183) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Joe Surely market forces will result in such places closing down - unfriendly/cliquey = low takings = no acts = no club??? Let them run the club how they want! My experience of folk clubs I have visited (up north) - not really my thing but very friendly and welcoming. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:58 AM (#2315185) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Mike Cain Gervase, Your superb description of a dreadful night only fires my inquisitiveness more so. Please let us all know where this club is, it won`t do you any harm Mike |
|
14 Apr 08 - 11:59 AM (#2315186) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive) Dave(M): This isn't at all helpful. I'm not a particularly huge fan of folk clubs, as some here may have gathered. However I don't think there's any call to name and shame particular clubs you haven't enjoyed on a public forum. What good does it possibly achieve? I'd suggest that if you want to find out if the club in question is any good, visit it and see for yourself. If you don't want to visit, there's nothing to worry about, is there? I'd be far more interested in people who believe they run successful, dynamic, thriving and joyful folk clubs sharing their secrets than following your suggestion. Not on this thread, though. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 12:19 PM (#2315205) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Graveyard I think it is quite ok to mention folk clubs you did not enjoy, especially if you say why |
|
14 Apr 08 - 12:26 PM (#2315214) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: George Papavgeris It can be OK, but it depends how it is done. In this case, an invitation for people to mention their worst club leads to a creation of a blacklist. If you are the organiser of one of the clubs likely to end on that list you would like a fair chance at responding, would you not? yet many of the organisers do not attend this forum, and are therefore denied that chance. They are tried in absentia, as it were. "And so?" I hear you ask, "Let market forces do their work". But I don't consider a conversation on Mudcat to be equivalent to "market forces" - it is a trial "in camera". Still, I don't suppose I will persuade otherwise those determined enough to name and shame here. So let their own conscience be their guide. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 12:41 PM (#2315232) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,Mike Cain I cannot see a problem with relating bad experiences and mentioning the venues. Like all bad publicity(consider the consumer world)it will those make responsible for the product or service take onboard the criticisms, do something about it and improve or ignore it and go to the wall. In the case of the latter we will be better off without it. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:08 PM (#2315260) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Nick A lot depends on what you expect - or have been led to expect. I have been to places that I would not return to and places that I wax lyrical to all and sundry. Others may go to the same places with different expectations and have a completely different experience. We run a weekly get together which I have talked about before so won't bore you where we sing, play and even occasionally have Les Barker monologues or the occasional poem. Some of it is chorus, some of it is session all playing together some of it is individual (there is a list here on another thread of a week's worth of songs and tunes from a while ago). We try to be friendly to outsiders and make them welcome, encourage people to get involved (there was a lovely bit of unaccompanied singing recently from a young lad who came with his mother who would be about 12 I'd guess) and generally are what we are. There was a man who came to visit once (one of the few who has never returned) who I think would put us down as one of the worse places he had been to judging by what he said to me (before I smacked him with a shovel - no, not really!). We sang all the wrong songs including 'The Deserter' by Fairport which should never be heard anywhere - there were guitars and fiddles - some people didn't do traditional songs (shock horror) and the women's beards probably weren't long enough. In short, we weren't what he was looking for or perhaps expecting. That he had to be so offensive about it when he was a visitor was I think wrong but chacun a son gout as they say. Perhaps what was surprising was that he had been invited by a long term regular who you would think might have explained a little more but there you go. Perhaps he has an agenda to change the places he visits into what he believes they should be rather than what they are. One man's meat and all that. I had a visit to a very respected singing venue which I found unhospitable but had a very civilised dialogue on this site with the chap who ran it when I explained my experience - it wasn't name and shame, just my particular experience and I don't thik any offence was taken just perhaps a little surprise. To end on a positive note - Wigan folk club I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys a participatory singaround experience because it was brilliant; there's a pub in the backstreets of Dunstable that I thought was lovely and I can't remember the name (Tuesday night I think with a wooden floor in the back of the pub); Sunday afternoons in Beverley has always been enjoyable; Swinton folk club the few times I have visited; the Ormidale hotel in Arran on a Sunday evening - to name but a few. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:15 PM (#2315271) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice 'What's that got to do with the thread? Absolutely nothing as usual.' the as usual bit at the end of the remark says, loud and clear, one of the usual suspects/posters Charlotte R |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:24 PM (#2315283) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Emma B this one |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:45 PM (#2315320) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Don Firth You rang? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:54 PM (#2315339) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST Now this guy is completely nuts |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:55 PM (#2315340) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Emma B whorst club act? |
|
14 Apr 08 - 01:55 PM (#2315341) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Big Al Whittle I think you can have a rubbish night at a good club, and a good night at a rubbish club. Its all an bit in the lap of the gods. Some of the best nights I've had have been in clubs where i wouldn't want to suck up to the cruddy denizens as a performer, but they just happened to have booked a brilliant guest. Similarly you can go to a brilliant club and some lunatic will think of an ingenious way of sodding up the whole evening for everybody. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 02:01 PM (#2315349) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: TheSnail I once went to one where absolutely everybody was wearing swirly panchromatic trousers. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 02:02 PM (#2315353) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice The Wurst Club Charlotte R (also GUEST Date: 14 Apr 08 - 01:54 PM ) |
|
14 Apr 08 - 02:24 PM (#2315380) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Big Al Whittle gotta be the best German meal....aufschnitt. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 04:39 PM (#2315528) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Dave Sutherland Derby County |
|
14 Apr 08 - 04:56 PM (#2315547) Subject: RE: Review: Whorst club and why From: Rasener LOL we gave them a good lickin on Saturday :-) Not that it is anything to gloat about. Derby County are so bad |
|
14 Apr 08 - 06:06 PM (#2315607) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Betsy Gervase - you gave a great response to the thread - I think we've all wasted time, money, energy and expectations on that sort of occasion. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 06:07 PM (#2315608) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Alan Day It is strange how some clubs greet new visiting artists with open arms and others completely ignore them.A big guest will attract not only the regular club performers, but a number of guest artists.The club being packed out seems to bring the worst out in the regular performers who insist that they go on and bad luck to any visitor.Even the artist that has been booked can have their time reduced by this unreasonable reaction from the regulars. Al |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:18 PM (#2315734) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Betsy Alan, you've touched on a valid point, and I ask myself when I read your note, where has all the fun and bon-hommie gone from many folk clubs ?. Over blown Egos and 3-chord learners with heads as big as ten shilling piss pots , it really is tiresome , and you just have to live for those occasions when people would rather see the guest perform, than someone who has been religiously learning some 24 verse dirge, sing it badly with stops and starts, and eat into the guests time. Blame Thatcher - is the ME,ME,ME attitude. Oh woe is me. |
|
14 Apr 08 - 08:40 PM (#2315750) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST, Richard Bridge Well, the worst musical night I had in my life was when some jokers from this forum suggested I would like a particular club on a particular night. It turned out it was an 80th birthday party do for the retured dude who used to host the local country and western radio programme. Not at all to my taste. But if I'd liked country and western I'd probably have liked it. But the worst club I ever went to no longer exists. In Chester in the early 70s there used to be a club called "the Mucky Duck". One sat in rows on school-type chairs and awaited the revelations from on high. Floor singers were supposed to phone in in advance and to do an audition in advance. For some years I used the experience to add a verse to "Martin said to his man" "Sought folk at the Mucky Duck Etc "Seemed that I was out of luck". Same year I met a bloke passing through Chester who was great. He'd stand up in a bar, and belt out a song in a huge but non-operatic voice, refuse to use the mic in amplified venues. I wonder what became of him. His name was Danny Dove. I think he was from Liverpool. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 02:20 AM (#2315873) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Rasener >>Even the artist that has been booked can have their time reduced by this unreasonable reaction from the regulars<< That is really bad |
|
15 Apr 08 - 03:05 AM (#2315890) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Dave Sutherland Richard, as one of the above"jokers" as I recall you asked, at the last minute, for clubs in the Nottingham area. We duly obliged. Personally I live about five miles from the venue and it has always pesented a wide variety of folk music whenever I have attended. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 03:39 AM (#2315905) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: George Papavgeris QED. One man's meat etc. Which is why I think this thread pointless at best. Especially when many clubs (in the 70s, 80s and 90s sense) are increasingly becoming isolated from the wider folk scene of fests, sessions and cafe-type venues. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 08:19 AM (#2316076) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST, Richard Bridge Oh come on, Dave, it was a wind up, wasn't it? Even I had to chortle once I had got over the culture shock! |
|
15 Apr 08 - 08:35 AM (#2316099) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Big Al Whittle The thing about Reg Cooper is that he pre-dates all this bollocks about tradition and god knows what. He comes from an age when everyone from tommy Roe singing the Foksinger to Alex Campbell was folk music, or folk and country and nobody really knew the difference, or cared. Rather like the sane and sensible portion of the population at this very moment. The other thing about Reg is, he's been around such a very long time, I bet he's met and had stories to tell you about every musician you idolise. He's played alonside most of them and interviewed the rest for Radio Nottingham. A very interesting guy. Occasionally weird music - but an interesting guy. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 08:42 AM (#2316111) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Big Al Whittle Anyway, I told you that night to go to Bingham. I went to Bingham and sat there all night with the traddy gang waiting for you to turn up - listening to tales of what it bugger it was being press ganged, etc. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 09:47 AM (#2316165) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Bill S from Adelaide I'm a singer in a bushband and I love to entertain But theres one situation would drive a bloke insane Its Friday night down at the club, I've just begun my song And what's that bloomi noise I hear over the intercom It goes number 97 to the snackbar please carton of chips hamburger with cheese Number 97 to the snackbar pleeeeease Noumber 97 to the snackbar please I used to sing sweet love songs, winning the ladies' hearts Till the night my brother hit the jackpot right in the romantic part There were flashing lights and ringing bells coming through the door and 500 bloody two bob bits rattling around the floor I was singing a song the other night, had the audience in my hand They were rolling round with laughter which made me feel quite grand I'm coming to the punchline draw my breath and then Daphne Duffy wanted on the telephone theres that noise again Well I don't mean to brag a lot but I think I sing quite well But there's one place I dont excel its the local RSL (Returned Services Club) So I chucked it and geaded off to the local pub Im just getting into the swing of things there's a noisy overdub Well I've gone back to the club you know and now I am a star Though Im not singing any more, I work behind the bar And its ILUV69 you've left your headlights on Fred Jones is on the telephone You're wanted in the foyer Ron Describes what actually happens to singers down under, Can't find the source though. I remember years ago at a festival they were calling out meal numbers and when they reached 97 we all sang the chorus. Went down like a lead balloon. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 12:24 PM (#2316310) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST, Richard Bridge Maybe we should have swapped - but I thought you were going to meet me at the club I didn't name! Anyway, it was a bugger being pressganged, wasn't it: happened to both of us! |
|
15 Apr 08 - 02:07 PM (#2316435) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Big Al Whittle Actually everyone at Bingham was very nice to me. And the lady on the door said as I left at the end of the night, oh do YOU go to other folk clubs as well..... |
|
15 Apr 08 - 05:43 PM (#2316678) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Bert LOL, Bill S. Here's one of mine in a similar vein Espresso Machine (Tune: Spinning Wheel ) Last Wednesday night at the famous Steel City It came to my turn to sing a short ditty In the midst of a song of a lass and her lover The Espresso machine goes Shhhh, shuff, shuff, shuff, shweeee shoooooooow shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. My turn came again, thought I'd try something loud A song of our flag that would make us all proud When I got to the part where the flag started waving Shew shew shew shew shew Shhhh, shuff, shuff, shuff, shweeee shoooooooow shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Now came my last chance it was nearly nine thirty A song that is funny, perhaps a bit dirty I got to the part where they all roar with laughter When that blasted machine goes Shhhh, shuff, shuff, shuff, shweeee shoooooooow shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 06:16 PM (#2316717) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: The Sandman East Stirling,Bottom of the Scotish third division. |
|
15 Apr 08 - 06:55 PM (#2316763) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: The Fooles Troupe Oh this is TOO easy - the last one I walked out of... |
|
16 Apr 08 - 05:45 PM (#2317706) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Graveyard refresh |
|
16 Apr 08 - 08:06 PM (#2317806) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST,Bill the sound I don't know which is the worst because I haven't seen them all YET! But anyone who is prepared to run a folk club gets my vote if you think it's bad don't complain -get in there and improve it, because if they all close you really will have something to complain about. |
|
17 Apr 08 - 01:55 AM (#2317972) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Rasener Well said Bill |
|
17 Apr 08 - 01:27 PM (#2318424) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Celtaddict As George has said, we all have clubs or nights that we find better or worse. I think this thread idea would be more useful to those of us in varied places, and probably more civil, if we could describe what makes a bad experience, and what makes a good experience, from the viewpoint of a performer or an audience member. As an audience member (at concert-type clubs far more often than singaround type) I most object to cutting the guest short for any reason, the loud machines (espresso and frozen drink blenders), and, especially, loud talking, almost unavoidable when the bar is in the same room. It is discouraging when the 'regulars' of that performer talk; maybe they hear him often and are glad to get together, but I want to hear the performer! I also think it would be good if there were established expectations about when the audience sings along. If the performer asks us to join in a chorus, either well-known or taught then and there, great, I love singing together. But I go to hear the guest performer, and find it distracting, and detracting from the experience, if there are people who feel they must sing along with everything, including the verses or obvious solo type songs, and even when they do not even know the words and just 'aahh' along. |
|
17 Apr 08 - 01:37 PM (#2318436) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Rasener We close the bar, when the music is on. We also have the following notices around the room and on the front of the hand out diaries. FOLK CLUB ETIQUETTE - To maximise enjoyment of Faldingworth Live, there are a few considerations we'd like you to make towards the performers and fellow members of the audience: PLEASE do not let small children, dogs or your conversation disturb the performance; PLEASE switch off your mobile phones; PLEASE do not enter or leave the Room during songs. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION. I agree entirely, that when you pay a lot of money to put a performer on concert style and people pay decent money to see them, then we as organsiers need to limit the noise as best as possible. |
|
17 Apr 08 - 02:00 PM (#2318464) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Dave Sutherland About a year ago someone started a thread "What Was The Worst Thing You Have Seen In a Folk Club". It pretty soon disappeared as people were complaining that such a thread was "too negative". Personally I thought that it wasn't a bad idea especially for those of us who attempt to run a folk club to a high standard to see what turns people off and ensure that we are not making the same mistakes. |
|
22 Apr 08 - 08:05 AM (#2322440) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST,Peter Stockport Have a look at this on My Space- He could be singing about any folk club. down the folkclub Click on "down the folkclub" Best line for me is "It don't seem to matter if you're me mum down at the folkclub" Which club is it? Work it out for yourself...Sounds like a great club to me! Cheers Peter |
|
22 Apr 08 - 07:07 PM (#2323129) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: The Vulgar Boatman Aah, Reg. When Les Barker wrote "Nobody's as old as Derek Brimstone", he obviously didn't know about Reg. If we had any sense he'd be listed as a national treasure. And as for Bingham, I've yet to experience a more welcoming club in such a potentially bloody awful venue. It's modern, utilitarian and with a bar in the room. Fortunately, it has organisers who appear to go back to the sixties and carry that etiquette with them, and when you get on your hind legs to perform there's a really appreciative audience. In any field, there will always be the self-serving, the arrogant, the bullshitters, and in the arts in particular, those with a great deal more attitude than ability. When they club together, it only gets worse. Let them be on their way; fortunately, they do not constitute a majority. |
|
22 Apr 08 - 10:19 PM (#2323246) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Backwoodsman Another vote for Bingham as a Good Place To Go. Friendly people, welcoming atmosphere, well-organised, no head-up-arse types, lovely lady on the door (Rosie??). And they bought copies of my CD. Woo-hoo! And I agree with the comments above about 'one man's meat...' etc. It's a question of personal taste. The club I disliked the most was packed out with people, all clearly having a great time. Was it the club that was bad, or just my taste that was out of kilter with theirs? I suspect the latter. |
|
23 Apr 08 - 06:08 AM (#2323427) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Acorn4 On the question of etiquette, I think one of the things which can be slightly annoying is folk who flip through their own folders of words when others are performing. It's as if to say:-"I'm not really listening to what yoiu're doing, but an just deciding what I'm going to do when my next turn comes." I must admit to being slightly guilty of this at times when, for example I've arrived late, but it's normally just to avoid having to faff around when the turn comes which can be equally irritating. I would normally try to find said piece of paper quickly and with minimum of fuss. I think this is especially noticeable when the organisers of a club do it - new arrivals aren'y likely to return when not showed respect. |
|
23 Apr 08 - 06:19 AM (#2323432) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work) When I moved to South Yorkshire in 1979 I started going to a club somewhere in the Dearne Valley. It was a club blessed with an inordinately number of good unaccompanied singers so me being a guitarist/singer was an exception. One Club/Singers Night I followed two guitarists who I had never seen before said hello dumped the guitar and went downstairs for a pint. When I returned upstairs the two said musicians were leaving with guitars in hand. On asking one of the 'committee' on the door it transpired they had come all the way from Manchester only to be told by this person that there was no room for them to sing. Well she said 'You've got to look after your regulars' The club was full of the usual suspects. |
|
23 Apr 08 - 06:22 AM (#2323434) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Backwoodsman It would be even better if they actually took the time and trouble to learn their stuff, so they don't NEED to fart around with books, folders, sheets of paper, Blackberrys, backs of fag-packets, etc. I speak as a past-farter-around, who used 'I can't learn words' as an excuse for my indolence. Now I DO learn the songs, I find that it's far easier to do a good performance, make eye contact with members of the audience, and I enjoy performing far more. |
|
23 Apr 08 - 06:33 AM (#2323443) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Georgiansilver IMHO any club (if we are actually talking Folk Clubs) that has at least two people in, where there is live music, and at least one of the people attending enjoys it has got to be OK. If you know of such a club that has only one person attending...thats probably the worst! |
|
23 Apr 08 - 06:49 AM (#2323459) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: TheSnail Backwoodsman no head-up-arse types I am now conjuring up the image of someone with their head up their arse while wearing swirly, panchromatic, floral trousers (with optional fairy wings). Georgiansilver If you know of such a club that has only one person attending...thats probably the worst! What's the sound of one folk singer singing? If a folk singer sings in a folk club and there is nobody there to hear him, how can you tell if he was reading the words from a notebook? |
|
23 Apr 08 - 06:57 AM (#2323465) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Mr Happy Some years back, me & the fiends went to one in Mold where there was a tom-tom player & another chap with an African drum, so I guess if we'd not gone, there'd only've been the two of them |
|
23 Apr 08 - 05:08 PM (#2323565) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Georgiansilver The Snail...he was reading the words from a notebook...reckon it was me! LOL |
|
24 Apr 08 - 04:20 AM (#2323961) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Acorn4 Having read all this, and pointed out one or two bits of minor annoyance, our social life now centres around the folk scene. We had ten years when we hardly went out due to work and being occupied with our autistic son. Most of what we experience is great,with only a few minor annoyances at times. When you spend a week at Sidmouth, you really come down to earth with a bang when you stop at a motorway service station, and are remided how the "muggles" live, with their baseball caps, tattoes, Sky TV, etc. Let's face it, if you are prepared to stand up in a folk club and perform in front of others, you have to have a bit of an ego, so there will be the occasional clash.On the whole I think most of us are fairly tolerant of others' foibles. |
|
24 Apr 08 - 03:21 PM (#2324599) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Cats The worst folk club for me is the one in the town where I teach. I don't go, although it is rated as an extremely good club, because of the unthinking parents who go and who want to talk to me all night about how wonderful their son or daughter is now that I'm not teaching him or her any more! Even on the night I was guesting there, she cornered me as I was walking out as part of the end of the first 'act' and did not leave my side for the whole of the interval. I don't want to talk work when I'm out and I don't want to walk into a pub and see my students who are underage proping up the bar. So, I don't go. |
|
24 Apr 08 - 09:17 PM (#2324890) Subject: RE: Review: Worst club and why From: Big Al Whittle 'On the whole I think most of us are fairly tolerant of others' foibles.' So far nobody has whipped out their foibles at our club. I suppose in the sunny south, people have a more relaxed attitude to those sort of goings on. |
