The Railway Folk Club Newsletter

This time it's the turn of Richard Gray, who has stepped in at short notice to replace Loose Elastic. Brian is unwell after a bypass operation, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Well done, Richard! Despite feeling somewhat under the weather himself, he gave us an evening to remember - some of his own songs, including club favourite 'The Diamond and the Rose', and songs by other writers including Richard Thompson.

Ben and Chris took a night off from Chorlton Folk Club to be with us, and our other 'visitor' was 'Flying Fingers' Grant Baynham. A good time woz 'ad by all!

Yet another outstanding performance - Cath and Jay always put everything they've got into their performance! Photos to follow later...

This time it's the turn of Eddie Bentham and Terry McKenna! Eddie tends to lean more towards comic songs, whereas Terry prefers the more 'serious' material with that wonderfully lyrical voice of his.

STANDING ROOM ONLY! Yes, Ed and Terry played to a capacity audience! They had obviously been working hard on their presentation, because they managed to cram a lot into the short time they had available! There was no faffing about wondering what they were doing next, and they even handed out chorus sheets! The evening flew by, and most of their material was stuff we hadn't heard them do before, which was an added bonus. Well done, lads!!

Leon Rosselson has been a guest at the Railway before, and is highly respected for his songwriting talent as well as for the quality of his performance. From the early days of the folk revival as a member of Galiards on radio and TV, he started writing songs seriously (and humorously!) in the early 60's and hasn't stopped since. His eary songs were topical-satirical (some on TV's That Was The Week That Was) but he broadened out from there. He's performed in every conceivable venue around the UK and toured USA, Holland, Belgium, Switzrland and Australia. His children's songs and stories are truly inspiring.

This time it's the turn of globetrotters Don and Heather Davies, who are taking a break from their hectic holidaying schedule to let us hear their latest compositions... we can hardly wait...!!! ...They must have landed in Kapsali Bay... dum-di-dum!! Oh, and Rob - there's a new version of the 'Borrowed Guitar' especially for you!!

Another great Big Spot! Don and Heather started with 'Dances for Dollars', and included 'The Man Who Was Our Friend', dedicated to the late Trevor Morton, which was probably the most poignant of tonight's offerings.

There was the amusing anecdote about the Spanish town with no campsite, so they had to park the camper on a multi-storey car park (aaaah!!), leading into the song 'Home is Where You Park It'!! It seems this was inspired by an Australian camper van with that legend on the back!

The final song of the evening was 'It's Time To Go' - a tongue-in-cheek reminiscence of the club, with verses about some of the regulars (including yours truly...!)!

Well done, Don and Heather - a worthy Big Spot contribution!!

Once again, Garva played to a capacity audience. Plenty of foot-tapping songs and tunes, including Lesley's legendary rendition of Shane McGowan's 'Fairytale of New York' (she paid me to say that!) and 'Afternoon Delight'. Kevin Webster was on his usual top form on the button box, Terry played his flute and assorted whistles which are Garva's trademark sound, and Tony Gibbons told his usual assortment of terrible jokes!! Seriously, though, Tony has been front man for Garva ever since the band formed, and still seems to have the same fresh enthusiasm as if the band had only just got together!

'Jane and Amanda Threlfall, with Martin Ellison and Roger Edwards' have adopted a new name... which is a lot easier to type!

Now recognised as brilliant ambassadors of English traditional songs and music. Their lively and refreshing approach, coupled with considerable skill, passion and respect, has earned them a remarkable response from the traditional music establishment. From the amazing success of their debut album "Morning Tempest", in September 2000, they go from strength to strength.

Mike Harding's enthusiasm for their quality performance meant regular exposure on his Radio 2 Show and an immediate nomination for the Horizon Award for Newcomers in the 2001 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. "(They are) terrific performers of English traditional material," he declared. "A great delight to come across music that's got that edge of authenticity - very traditional, very English, but also wonderfully done." Their second album, "Gown of Green", launched at Sidmouth 2002, also got the Radio 2 treatment.

CD sales remain strong, and regular postings on radio playlists throughout Europe and America, together with positive reviews from fROOTS, The Living Tradition and innumerable regional folk magazines, confirm them as "one of the brightest stars in the folk firmament".

Threlfall Ellison Edwards are quietly unassuming, until they actually do their stuff! Suddenly everything's awesome quality! They really must be seen live to be fully appreciated. Currently working on their third CD, they plan a release date either later this year or early 2004. Get on their mailing list now!

As we've come to expect, they just get better every time you see them. It is easy to see why they work so well as a band - there isn't a clear 'leader'. Too many bands are really just one person with a backing, which often results in internal friction because the other members feel somewhat overshadowed. Threlfall Ellison Edwards used to be 'Jane and Amanda Threlfall'... the name change reflects their own realisation that they all have an equal footing.

This time it's the turn of Alan Grace, the Railway's own shantyman. If it's good chorus singing you want, then Alan's yer man! Oh, and he doesn't only sing shanties!

Tonight is also the first anniversary of the death of our friend and resident poet, Trevor Morton. Our efforts will be dedicated to his memory.

Strong memories and a touch of class... Alan had a difficult job to do, but rose to the occasion in great style - along with vocal support from his family. It was plain to see who was boss... yes, daughter Lucy!!.

All in all, it was a grat night from start to finish. Lots of people paid tribute to Trevor during the first part - the Singers Night - and after the break, JJ started Alan's spot with a shanty... swiftly followed by a couple more from Alan! It was good that Alan chose to finish with Trevor's favourite - Home, Lads, Home. Did you know that Cicely Fox-Smith was born in Lymm?

Flossie is a French singer who started getting involved in the English folk scene in 2001 while she was on a teacher exchange in the North East.

Singing in France for many years in bands or with her own guitar, she found it quite natural to turn up one night at the Darlington folk club and perform a couple of songs...

Now Flossie is back in England and has been singing in folk clubs and festival all over the place since summer 2001, making new friends each time!!

Flossie has a voice as clear and tuneful as a lark, with a pureness of quality to stop you in your tracks in the forest of a song (Colum Sands)

What a refreshing change! Flossie is unlike any guest we've ever had at the Railway! She started with Piaff's 'Padam, Padam', and finished the evening with another Piaff song - 'Je Ne Regrette Rien'. Flossie sings them better than Piaff did, too! In between times, she sang a mix of traditional English and French songs, with a litle Country thrown in for good measure - oh, and even a Beatles' song!

We'll be having her back!

This time it's the turn of Nick and Lin, who sometimes sing unaccompanied, sometimes Lin sings to the accompaniment of Nick's guitar or banjo, and sometimes she plays mandolin or autoharp. Best arrive early to be sure of a seat!

This time it's the turn of Dave Pugh, a sublime guitarist and singer who is guaranteed to enthrall you!

He is regarded as one of the finest & most distinctive acoustic guitarist in the folk scene. After serving a 'local apprenticeship' with bands like Full House, Fiddle Band and Garva, Phil became a solo performer taking to the road with a powerful, self-written song selection.

This time it's the turn of Sally Williamson - last seen at the Railway with Six of One... six singer-songwriters who frequent Bromborough Folk Club.

This time it's the turn of Mark and Jan, our husband and wife team, assisted by 'The Brat' (alias daughter Kath)!! Better bring your Welsh phrasebook...

Although living in USA, Clive always finds time to visit one of his favourite clubs, the Railway. In a recent BBC interview Mary Chapin Carpenter named Clive as one of her favourite songwriters. His songs have been recorded by many artistes and according to Guitar Player, he is one of the '1000 great guitarists'. He's also an accomplished singer, keyboard player and record producer.

On the morning of Saturday October 25th 2003, Clive managed to fall off his roof whilst cleaning out the gutters! He sustained a broken left arm and shoulder, bruised ribs, badly cut left leg, and bruised fingers on his right hand. We wish him well, and hope to see him fully recovered in time to be here tonight!

A sell-out last year so get your tickets early (£7.00 in advance, £8.00 on the night if any left!).

This time it's the turn of Julie, John, Colin and Bob - JJCB, hence 'Stuttering Bulldozers'... groan!! Colin's jokes are... well... Colin's jokes!!

...and what a night! The audience were enthralled and entertained from start to finish. These three are going from strength to strength - don't be surprised if they start appearing on festival lists in the very near future!