FaB CLUB REVIEW – 16.10.05
Jem
Our compere today was Jem, and as is the custom he started off proceedings. For this he chose a Littlefeet song (why just one, Jem?) called “Willing” – a heartrending account of the trials and tribulations of a truckdriver. Jem’s guitar was slightly amplified, which gave us the opportunity to hear the lovely guitar accompaniment, as well as his strong voice. Great way to start a really interesting afternoon.
Bill and Len
Bill and Len followed. Len is no stranger to the club, but this was the very first time he brought his guitar! He also brought his friend Bill. The two of them last played together twenty-six years’ ago, so this was a memorable “reunion gig” . They started with a Beatles number “I’ll follow the Sun” which immediately got everyone joining in, and followed with an R.E.M. song “Everybody Hurts”. For both numbers they used their individual voices to good effect, including some tasteful harmonies from Len. Please don’t make us wait another twenty-six years for another appearance!
Gordon
Mike Parrott was called out to sing next, and he told us that he had only heard the song “Girls from
When someone commented on the crazy frog decorating the front of Gordon’s T shirt, he explained that a frog on the chest was better than a frog in the throat….!! We were doing well for jokes today.. Gordon sang a poignant song called “Crash and Burn” which he wrote in memory of his writing partner who died young. He said he had been waiting for many years to write it, as he wanted it to be the definitive composition about his friend, but then had decided that he just has to do it. Glad you did, Gordon, as it’s an excellent song. He then recited a clever poem ( we really went for variety today!) which had been written whilst imagining what it would have been like if Dr. Zeuss had been a real GP and gave plenty of advice as to when not to take pills!
Mike Parrott
Clive and Linda
Two more newcomers to the club were called out next.
Clive and Linda are not new to the local folk scene, but had not been to the Orsett Cock before. They sang two traditional songs unaccompanied and with great gusto. John Barleycorn, which again gave us the opportunity to join in the singing, and Claudy Banks. Two really good numbers. Hope to see you again at Orsett sometime soon, you two!
Mag
As Jem rightly pointed out, Margaret needs no introductions at the Fabclub. Today she brought her mandolin, as well as her tales of the morning’s visit to Oldchurch Hospital, where to her surprise the operator of the scan machine was a member of her jive club, which made up for the predicament of having had to drink one and a half litres of water early morning whilst refraining from going to the toilet. We were quite anxious by the end of her tale to find out whether she did find the toilets in the end! Apparently there aren’t that many of them at Oldchurch…Anyway, she did sing as well “It’s a blue, blue day” and “Careless love”.
Lydia
Another first visit to the club!
Click here to find out more about Lydia...
and listen to "What love is"...
Mark Reed
After the break, which had to be short today, in view of the fact that there were so many people anxious to bring us their music, we had some notices and the commercials, including Mark’s bargain priced CDs at £6 each. He very generously donates £1 of every CD he sells to the club. By the way, today we were also able to buy paper copies of the many photographs that Claudine takes at 20p each. These, too, will help raise some much needed cash to fund future events. One of which, by the way, is very soon, a week on Thursday when we have our very first guest night, with Paul Downes.
But back to Mark! He brought us one of his excellent instrumental numbers, “Classical Jazz” and then followed that with a self penned song called “Sunset Vision” which had a lyrical quality about it.
Click here to listen to " Sunset Vision"...
Mick and Nora
Mikanora came after Mark, whilst Claudine bemoaned the end of the summer, which means Mick is wearing trousers again (as opposed to shorts, of course..) We sang a well known Ewan MacColl song, “Shoals of Herring” and an Irish number, “Murchin Durkin”, which also gave opportunity for people to join in.
the Cheeky Gulls... in bed... 
When the Cheeky Gulls were announced, we wondered what other confessions we might be hearing, when Claudine admitted sleeping with Margaret the other day! Anyway, she ended up downstairs, because of the snoring (where have I heard that before?).. They sang “Manic Monday” and so did all of us!
Claudine then sang one on her own, which is a rare event, but which some of us wish she would do more of. Her song in French was a tale of two daughters and a stranger that comes to the house and wants to marry one of them.
Claud
Dennis Homes
We drew the raffle after that, which is well worth buying tickets for these days, as the variety of prices on offer is amazing! Today we could choose from a CD, a bottle of wine, free entry tickets, and a big bunch of bananas…..why did no one want the bananas? They’re a great source of energy.
Dennis sang next. Claudine made a request for the “condom song” but this got a bit lost as people were still discussing bananas, so instead Dennis sang two very romantic songs. One about a love affair that started at the cheese counter in Asda, and the other (especially for Claudine) expounding the virtues of Dagenham!
Rockin Bob
Bob Cash (or “Rocking Bob” as everyone at this club calls him) was invited to perform next. He said he had a dilemma, in that he gets around the local folk scene so much these days, that he fears some people are having to hear the same songs two days running.. Don’t worry, Bob, I don’t think anyone tires of hearing your charming songs. Today he sang “Pretty Baby” and “You belong to Me” which, gave us another opportunity to join in. We were all in very good voice today!
Joe and Kathy Migdal
Joe Migdal was asked to conclude the afternoon with two numbers. He had brought his harmonium (which he explained makes funny noises down below), accompanied by a little keyboard (try and make sense of that, but it was actually very effective). His first number was the traditional song “Ploughman’s Dream”. For the second he asked his wife Kathy to join him in adding some nice harmonies to the song “Malts Come Down” which apparently is about the Civil War and had a French connection? Great way to finish a really good afternoon!
Lots of announcements were also given before we all parted, including one from Mike Parrott, who works for the radio programme Link FM (101.4 FM) and has been asked to do four folk music programmes between the 17th December and 13th January. For this he would like people to give him ideas of folk music (in its widest sense) they’d like included. You can contact Mike via Claudine to lend him your CDs which, of course, you will get back after the programme goes on air.
Well, that concluded an afternoon packed with a wonderful variety of song, poetry and music. Thank you to Jem for ably steering the proceedings…
…And...
thanks to Mick and Nora for writing a great review! 