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Posted by Mike Jessop
on September 11, 2009, 3:57 pm
217.206.230.2
“Don’t bother about any Music , Just come for the Raffle !!!”
A night where Folk Club proceedings took over from the music, the main memory for all will be the amazing Raffle, but still …………..
Tom Mitchell, son of Billy gave opening support with 4 fine songs on guitar, what an incredibly confident performer he has become, his strong and deep vocal delivery was haunting; highlights were his version of Northern Lights and the closing E descent on his own tune, Convenience.
With both Billy and Bob on shorts in an incredibly hot room, we kicked off with the 12&6 string arrangements with some fine lead notes from Bob in Pitman and Blackin. With varieties in instruments including mandolin and harmonica, highlights in the first half for me were their new cover of Child Of Mine, the beaty Devils Ground and the long and complex sounding instrumental close to the final tune, The Sheel Row Flood. Despite a sell out of 140 and more standing in the back the locals did not warm up too much in the first half of 40 minutes, till the raffle got under way………………….
Hazel , as chief Raffle girl, got it all sorted in the break with a very generous collection for CD and booze prizes. Another unannounced kick off from the guests to part two suggested they had much to do and ended up limited, picking out part of the tunes tunes from a prepared list. The second half came alive with much better humour and singalong aided by some fine tune selections, all well played.
Shiftin’ has been revamped with a better ending, whilst Born At The Right Time
( 1946 Billy tells us ! ) on a pair of 6 strings capoed up sounded brilliant.
Where My Heart Lives moved up to the key of E also went down well ahead of Billy calling out for the raffle.
With subdued lighting and two faintly coloured ticket books, it became quite a hoot to the performers and bewildering to the visitors as Billy drew ticket after ticket , all colour claims being checked by host Pat ( “That makes you the Boss tonight pet” , quips Billy! )
Following the raffle it was a wonderful sequed combination of the two Knopfler recordings from their latest CD – Back On City Road – that were both fresh and played with vigour and passion – Sailing To Philadelphia was a treat and a half.
Ending again with another fine instrumental sequence, reminiscent I felt of earlier Jack The Lad days , they were well called back for more by MC Doug , performing the contractural obligatory but still strangely popular Meet Me On The Corner.
The whole evening was ran by Ashington Folk Club and it was sponsored by the generous folks of English Heritage ( Thank you Barry Mead and friends – who also had the first raffle ticket ! ) giving a fine night out in Ashington. Missed out on some personal favourites –such as, 1915 -1972 , and Mr Bojangles but most felt this was a good delivered set.
Billy and Bob are currently touring the UK and have promised to repeat the unique raffle in Whitley Bay though as a Tombola – you had to be there to get that one !
Mike Jessop
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