FabClub Review
12 06 05
A very special FabClub today, not only being the last until we re-open on 4th September, but more importantly, celebrating Claudine's birthday earlier in the week. With guests from far and wide, the Purple Room was soon filled to capacity to witness a diverse range of entertainment that could only ever happen at a FabClub meeting.
Claudine wasn't the only one getting a surprise on the day, I was not expecting to write this review, but stepped in at short notice. I call
Tim, our compere for the day opened with a beautifully 'soporific' guitar piece, full of intricate melodics that had the audience silenced.
Gordon Shears then delighted the crowd, especially the fellow musicians amongst them, with a brand new comic song describing the mixed emotions of performing live, and how he didn't want to be there! Not really true, for all who performed today, an opportunity for an encore would have been welcomed, but with twenty five performers (yes I was counting), there wasn't much chance of that.
Margaret was keeping something close to her chest today, her Ukelele. She gave us 'Lord of the Dance', and there was more dancing from Margaret to come, in part three.
After leading a chorus of Happy Birthday and co-ordinating the launch of a barrage of Party Poppers in Claudine's direction, Paul played us his version of John Barleycorn, accompanied by his beloved Ovation.
Then came one of the real surprises of the afternoon, I had earlier noticed Bernard with some sort of 'props' by his table, but was too polite to ask what they were. All was soon revealed, as Bernard 'and friends' (see photo!) played the Can Can on a twenty-note paper roll organ. Writing as someone who can't can't, I was well impressed. Was this a wind up?
It was then Jane's difficult job to follow that, which she did beautifully, with a lovely unaccompanied rendition of Scarlet Ribbons.
The ever popular 'Rockin' Bob' then pleased us all with his performance of 'Pretty Baby'; one of those songs where you may not be familiar with the verse, but once the chorus kicks in, everyone is with you.
I was very pleased with the audience's willingness to join in the chorus of my new song, 'I Miss Her Enormously', a frivolous ditty about two friends and the woman that they had unknowingly 'shared'. Their response inspired me to write even more nonsense in future!
Tina Tate described herself as being a 'peasant' for having a backing track, but it was worth letting the acoustic halo slip in order to hear Tina's great voice deliver an excellent and heartfelt performance of Carol King's 'You've got a Friend' in Claudine's direction. Tina was happy that the audience joined in too.
One of FabClub's most distinctive voices, Jo, then kept the audience spellbound for a full five minutes as she sang a tale of 'Blood, Gore & Guts', as she put it, the silence in the room only occasionally interrupted by the whirring of the bar till.
Tim then welcomed a special guest to the stage, John, who I had only ever seen play once before (If you ever feel you need to know to where, ask me!). He played a delicate piece, which he described as being special to his family. Eventually, I recognised the West Ham anthem, 'Bubbles'!; and no, he didn't need the score, and did not run into extra time.
As today's event was split into three sections I could not continue by saying that we had reached half-time, nor did we change ends. We did have a short break though to replenish our glasses, and fill our plates with the wonderful array of food that Claudine and Paul had spent all morning preparing.
The music soon continued with 'Either Of Us', Tim playing guitar backing Claudine's vocals, on Tim's song about a missing housekeeper in Equador who had 'done a runner'. We later learned that Tim is off to
Bill then took to the stage for an unaccompanied favourite, 'Will you go lassie go', which had many in the room singing along.
Josephine was unsure whether to perform a serious or funny song today, but settled on a funny one which I hadn't heard in years, Paddy Roberts' 'The Ballad of Bethnal Green' (my father has the EP, remember them?). I wasn't the only one present who seemed to know it though!
The ever-popular FabClub regular Gerry then gave us Jackson Browne's 'After the Deluge'. A delighted audience wanted more, which they got in part three (see below).
Helen, who was new to me, and who confessed to having been 'away from playing for a bit' sang 'Rain and Snow'. Let's hope she comes back to FabClub once we re-open before the real rain and snow sets in.
Maureen then gave us a cautionary tale of a grandmother who took her daughter's baby to the doctor's, and ended up …well…if you were there you'll know what happened, and if you weren't, ask Maureen next time you see her, she tells it better than me!
With audience laughter slow to subside, Terry than had another of those 'How do you follow that?' moments, but he coped admirably with the crowd-pleasing 'Ferry Cross the Mersey'.
Claudine was then joined on stage by Chris for a lively, and apparently un-rehearsed jive routine. I watched in awe, not only at their confident performance, but also at my new guitar perched on a stand perilously close to the action. It was OK, I rescued it during the cake-eating interval which followed.
FabClub's favourite duo, Mick and Nora, became FabClub's favourite trio with the addition of Paul, to open the third segment with everyone's favourite, Mr Tambourine Man, a song which strangely, is never done justice when played on tambourine alone.
FabClub is developing a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what people can expect from 'Folk', and the next act 'Cartouche', was such an example, a lively and captivating belly dance duo. A true touch of the east, and no I don't just mean Southend.
Tony then produced his trademark orange book, and gave us an unaccompanied rendition of Cyril Tawney's 'The Oggi Man' (Cornish Pasty seller to Grockles like us) I could not manage a Cornish pasty after all that cake.
Mark Reed apparently doesn't do requests, so his song about 'the loo & the blues' heard at the previous FabClub will have to wait for another day. Instead, flushed with success, he gave us 'You', dedicated to 'Her', the lady in his life with whom he has developed a very special relationship; he earns it, she spends it.
John New, another new face to me, brought fresh lyrics to an old favourite with his song about the problems encountered with his White Rover and its dodgy camshaft. We all joined in!
Following the raffle, Claudine explained arrangements for meeting up at
Leigh Folk Festival on Sunday 26th June, and also reminded us that the FabClub is to have special guests on some Thursday nights once we re-open in September.
We were then fortunate to hear again from three of the afternoon's highlights, Gerry gave us 'Won't Go Home'. A lively and rousing performance, as usual.
Bernard and friends were back, this time also featuring Claudine's cheeky monkey Maurice, with no less than Rossini's William Tell Overture. A highlight of the afternoon for me. Maybe one day we will see Maurice dancing, I have heard so much about it.
John Clarke returned to centre stage and……he can sing too! A delightfully over the top version of 'Sealed With a Kiss' (or was it Kissed With a Seal?)
Is it gonna be a cold lonely summer? Hope not!
FaBClub returns to the Purple Room on Sunday,4th Sept
Be there!…and bring your guitar!
Mike Parrott 12th June 2005
The Clarke Family...
Tim and Barbara Almond...
Bob and Lorna...
Maureen, Carol, Jean, Clive and Bernie...
Pam and Len...
Barbara, Len, Tony and Jane...
