English Country Music Weekend 2009 (ECMW 2009) a great success at Ampthill, Beds organised by Taz Tarry and friends from Redborne Morris

Last weekend (19th - 21st June 2009) the Rugby Club and pubs at Ampthill, Bedfordshire rocked to the sounds of some of the best traditional English folk musicians who were gathered for the annual English Country Music Weekend 2009 (ECMW 2009) this year brilliantly organised by Taz Tarry and friends from Redborne Morris.

I always enjoy the English Country Music Weekend which mainly consists of playing one traditional English tune after another with a room full of people who are experts in playing traditional English music. In between playing tunes there is the opportunity to make new friends, catch up with old ones and listen to some very knowledgeable discussion about where traditional English folk music is today and how it might develop tomorrow.

Particularly rewarding last weekend was seeing so many young musicians who played their violins, melodeons and other instruments with such verve and energy and who brilliantly led the Saturday evening session at the Rugby Club. (Photo above).

Traditionally, the ECM Weekend is hosted at a different venue each year and there was some discussion about where it should take place next year. I believe that the organisers are open to suggestions. However, many people seemed more than pleased with the efforts of Taz Tarry and friends from Redborne Morris so currently it looks as if we are all likely to return to the Rugby Club at Ampthill, Bedfordshire again next year.

Personally, I always feel saddened when I return home after an ECM Weekend because it will be another year before I will be able to play along with such wonderful English Country musicians therefore, wherever it is located next year, it is an event I will certainly look forward to.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - sometime English Country Musician

Captain Banjo's Streetband successfully rocks Barnstaple Town Centre

Yesterday, Captain Banjo's Street Band exceeded all expectations for a new and largely inexperienced band and rocked Barnstaple town centre to its core. Enthusiastic onlookers were seen dancing in the streets and collections for the North Devon children's hospice exceeded all expectations with the band returning to its base in Pilton with collecting boxes packed full of small change adding up to an amazing £350.

OK, I must admit that I am a bit biased because I was part of the band but there is no doubt in my mind from the smiling faces that greeted the motley group of performers that invaded Barnstaple Town Centre hugely appreciated the outlandish fancy dress of the performers, their cheerful smiles and the pulsating beat of their music.

Perhaps Captain Banjo's Streetband could even show the way for a new community led street culture that might cheer up recession hit high streets in Britain and bring back the crowds to our town centres.

Not bad for about 30 enthusiastic musicians, many relatively inexperienced, and one banjo player with a vision.

Rapidly moving from strength to strength, Captain Banjo's Streetband is to have its own web site or blog to tell the public what's on with their many already scheduled future appearances and more about the people involved in their amazing evolution. To find out more, checkout my previous article on Captain Banjo's Street Band or watch this space :-)

Bye for now

Rob - online author and enthusiastic sax performer in Captain Banjo's Street Band

Captain Banjo's Streetband entertainment to rock Barnstaple Town Centre 23rd May 2009

Recently I have been spending less time in traditional folk music sessions and have instead been playing my saxophone with an exciting new community entertainment street band based in Pilton, Barnstaple who are playing their first gig on Saturday.

Captain Banjo's Streetband leaps into dynamic (and very loud) action on Saturday 23rd May lunchtime in Barnstaple Town Centre. If you are around the Barnstaple or North Devon area and are wondering what's on or are looking for entertainment or something to do, why not pop along and check us out. We are the one's making lots of noise playing folky / rocky tunes wearing fancy dress with big friendly smiles on our faces.

In addition to the banjo of it's charismatic band leader Dave, Captain Banjos Streetband has a lots of bongo drums, a couple of squeeze boxes, a saxophone (moi!), a whistle, an Australian Aboriginal didjeridu, lots of guitars and things that make sound when you squeeze or rattle them. The noise generated is huge and the energy is even bigger so it is guaranteed to make you smile even on your glummest day.

In the tradition of so many good community enterprises, Captain Banjo's Streetband meets to practice its cheerful art in the skittle alley (see photo) of the local pub at the Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple which also boasts its own Barum brewery and serves up pints of excellent Barum Original and several other Barum beers.

If you do get to come along to Barnstaple in North Devon's town centre on 23rd May 2009, be sure to bring along a few pennies for the collection box for the North Devon children's hospice which is the good cause that the band supports.

With over thirty instrumentalists already, Captain Banjo's Streetband is probably not looking for additional performers just for the moment but, if you are a musician, why not check out your local community streetband. They are lots of fun, very noisy and their entertainment is guaranteed to raise a smile and often raise money in support of worthy local causes. What could be more worthwhile?

See Captain Banjo's Streetband rocks Barnstaple for how we got on!

By for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - Online author and newly converted streetband musician

Crediton Folk Festival 2009 at Cheriton Fitzpaine

Just got back from a great weekend playing in the sessions at Crediton Folk Festival at Cheriton Fitzpaine with lots of other great folk musicians including the renowned Bill McKinnon and John and Wendy from the Hips & Haws English Country Dance Band.

Several interesting looking folk festivals came to my notice, particularly West Somerset Folk Festival, Roger's Rant , Dulverton Folk Festival and for a great session (recommended by Bill McKinnon) the Wittfest - according to its web site 'the best FREE festival in Oxfordshire (or anywhere else for that matter!)'.

Best laugh of the weekend was seeing Stanley Accrington who was absolutely brilliant and extremely talented.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author and folk musician
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Winter Sidmouth folk festival musician's reunion at Sea Angling and Sailing Club, Sidmouth

Last weekend I nipped down to Sidmouth to join in this Winter's Sidmouth folk festival reunion at the Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club and had a fantastic time.

Hosted by those friendly and sociable musicians, the Loose Knit Band and the ever welcoming Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club, we played a wonderful variety of traditional English folk music tunes and tunes from other countries throughout Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime and Saturday evening and watched some fine Morris dancing on the sea front too Saturday lunchtime.

Good music and a relaxed atmosphere with welcoming hosts and feeling part of a friendly group of people, many of whom have enjoyed playing together for a considerable number of years, is a recipe that is hard to beat for a great weekend.

Previously in this blog, I've mentioned that I wondered whether it was wise to give this fine traditional folk music session more publicity because it has grown so much in size. Last weekend (3rd - 4th April 2009), Terry Pearson was telling me how there were some worries about it becoming unmanageable in the Summer sessions and it may be necessary to limit numbers at sessions towards the end of the August evenings to prevent overcrowding.

However, I'm sure newcomers will always be made to feel welcome at this sociable music session and I'm really looking forward to the Summer sessions at the Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club during the Sidmouth folk festival in August .

Perhaps I'll see you there to play some great traditional tunes at the Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club in August but ... pssst ... don't tell too many people what a great session it is ... and be sure to come early to get a seat :-)

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author and folk musician

French traditional English and Irish folk music sessions at l'Homme Vert, St Pierre Sur Orthe, Mayenne, Pays De La Loire, France

If you like playing in traditional English and Irish folk music sessions and would like to do it in the traditional French countryside village setting of St Pierre Sur Orthe, Mayenne, Pays De La Loire, France, the French bar / English pub l'Homme Vert might just be the place for you to be Tuesday evenings.

Like many, I have occasionally wondered whether the French joie de vivre would be a great backdrop for a somnambulant retirement amongst leafy French glades but have been somewhat put off by the thought of being separated from my sources of traditional English and Irish pub folk music joining in sessions en Angleterre!

So, when I spotted l'Homme Vert bar / pub website, I immediately sent off an email to the proprietor asking for more information. Within less than the space of a few good traditional folk music session tunes, I had my reply and couldn't resist sharing it with all you globe trotting instrumental folk music session players out there.

Landlady Jen said:

St Pierre sur Orthe is a very pretty village ...The Tuesday night sessions would suit you, I think. It is nearly always instrumental, although, occasionally someone will burst into song if they know the words. Hearing Frenchmen sing to 'Leaving of Liverpool' or 'Whisky in the Jar' is a real treat!

I have played piano accordion for years, mainly Irish/Scottish/English folk, but also go off into Eastern European stuff. I have just bought me a diatonic accordion (melodeon) which I am determined to master... just can't get the hang of the push/pull bit yet.

One of our regulars has a Mongolian viola which adds hilarity to the sessions. We are not sure what he does with it or what he is playing but, somehow he manages to end on the same note as the rest of us.

If you or any of your friends fancy coming over, be sure of a very warm welcome. We have a gite next to our house which sleeps 4 in a large family room, and the house is only 20 metres from the bar!! (Which also has a great English pint on tap) ...

If you are about on 1st May we are having a 'Green Man' festival ... One of the finest examples is only 40Kms away at Le Mans Cathedral.

So, if you are passing St Pierre Sur Orthe, Mayenne, Pays De La Loire, France or are looking for a French gite to pass a musical week away from home, it may well be worth checking out Jen's warm welcome, traditional English and Irish folk music sessions and other musical events at l'Homme Vert.

Au revoir mes amis!

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author yearning for le joie de vivre under English leaden skies

Traditional English folk tunes rocked at Sidmouth Folk Festival February 2009 Radway Inn Reunion, Sidmouth, Dorset

Traditional English folk tunes rocked at the Sidmouth Festival February 2009 Radway Inn Reunion, Dorset last weekend with the wide variety of instruments played proving traditional English folk music remains a truly vibrant musical art form.

However, there were also moments of sadness as some beautiful tunes were played in memory of Rosie Turner-Bisset, a stalwart of the Radway, who unexpectedly died on 31 Jan 2009.

As one traditional English tune led smoothly and expertly into another, there was the usual variety of melodeons, violins, recorders, concertinas and flutes normally found in an English folk session.

But the Radway has its own special way of evolving and building on tradition springing, I believe, from the talents and artistry of the many excellent folk musicians who come together there to play during the August Sidmouth Festival and then subsequently at the February Radway Reunion.

To hear and join in with the many varied and beautiful English tunes played last weekend at the Radway Reunion was a great pleasure but when the trombones, saxophone and cello were in full flow, it really made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck - a true 'Sidmouth moment'!

We played from about seven o'clock on Friday evening until closing time, Saturday lunchtime until closing time, Sunday morning for the Herbaceous Border Morris with a bit of busking at the bus stop near The Ham and had a fantastic time.

After two o'clock on Sunday, as the tunes were beginning to slow and many musicians were beginning to drift away, I noticed the late arrival of a couple of members of the Dartmoor Pixie Band who brought with them a young toddler who was playing with a small piece of paper on which I could see were printed some tunes. I remember him as a baby in his mother's arms last year at the Bampton Folk Festival and, already, he is a toddler.

Perhaps in years from now, that young man will take his place amongst the excellent musicians of the Radway Inn ensuring the tradition of playing English tunes at the Radway Inn remains not only vibrant but also one that continues to renew.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author and folk musician

Butcher's Arms Carhampton Wassailing 2009 a success despite bad weather

The Wassail celebrations in Carhampton were going with a swing at the The Butcher's Arms when I finally got to this popular West Somerset pub on 17th January 2009, after a desperate dash from a gig I was playing with some other folkies earlier in the evening.

As a consequence of all this rushing about, I managed to forget my little digital camera to record some of the festivities.

Thanks, therefore, to expert and professional local photographer George Ody for stepping in and giving me permission to publish these Wassail photographs he took.

I had wondered whether the Wassail would take place because the weather was seriously rainy for the rest of the evening. However, at one point, apparently, the weather suddenly went calm for a few minutes allowing the Wassail ceremonies to take place.

Strange, you might say, but then the Wassailing tradition has continued for many years unbroken and perhaps that hasn't been by accident :-)



Wassail means 'good health' - it's an old tradition, designed to ensure the local apple trees would serve up a good harvest in the coming year. Guns are shot into the branches of the apple trees to scare away evil spirits and toast dipped in cider are placed about the tree while the Wassailing song is sung.



For me, it's a great opportunity to get together with all the local West Somerset and Exmoor folk musicians and play a few traditional folk tunes.

Perhaps I'll see you there next year - if the Wassail be willing :-)

By for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author, folk musician and avid wassailer

Transfer of Wheatsheaf, South Petherton English folk music pub session to The Bell Inn, Ash, Martock Somerset

Martin Hughes has just emailed me to say that his excellent fortnightly English folk music pub sessions are no longer to be held at the Wheatsheaf in South Petherton, Somerset.

The new venue is to be at The Bell Inn in Ash, Martock, Somerset. As Martin says:

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick email to let you know that, despite the closure of the Wheatsheaf, we now have a new home at The Bell Inn in Ash. Sessions continue there fortnightly from Wednesday 21st January in the main bar (first bar you come to on entering the pub) starting at 8:30pm.

Please try to make it a good turnout so that we can give a good impression and demonstrate the versatility of our music and songs.

Also a big THANK YOU to Geoff Turnbull for successfully negotiating with the staff at The Bell to allow us to play.

See you on the 21st

The cost of using my camper-van has come down recently somewhat with the lower fuel prices so perhaps I'll be able to pay this nice session a visit.

As always, in case of last minute hitches or changes of plan, it is always advisable to check with venues before travelling.

The photo showing Martin above was taken during the Sidmouth Folk Week at one of the popular sessions he is involved in hosting at the Sidmouth Sailing and Sea Angling Club.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author

Mama Stone's, new live performance venue in Wellington, Somerset could easily become addictive

Last night, 18th December 2008, Mama Stone's, the new live performance venue at Wellington, Somerset, rocked to the sound of some fine local bands as Mama Stone's new folk and roots evening 'Acoustic Roots' got under way - an evening of live music that is hoped to become a regular event on the second Thursday of each month.

One of the great things about the folk music scene is meeting people you haven't seen for long time and I was pleased to see Richard Wood, a fine fiddler, playing with Tony Woollard and Chas Jacob as the Iron Dukes, setting the evening off to a cracking pace with some great traditional tunes and a few songs.

Jamie of Under One Sun was there and I took the opportunity of catching up with the exciting work he is doing with the local Wiveliscombe radio project, 10Radio 105.3fm on www.10radio.org on Sundays 10am to Noon, repeated on Thursdays 6 to 8pm.


Another interesting aspect of the night was Mama Stone's itself and I have to confess that I suspect that one visit was not enough to do it justice.

I liked Mama Stone's and I liked it a lot. It is just the sort of place that I would like to have in my local town and I think, if it was, it could easily become very addictive. To me, it's the sort of place where one could go and chat, take a coffee or a beer and listen to some great live music with friends - or even make some great music. They also have recording studio facilities in the building and provide artist development courses so there's a lot of musical know-how on tap.

If a room full of folk music fans and performers were to be asked to describe their ideal folk club meeting place, I suspect they would describe a place like Mama Stone's. Its free and easy atmosphere, the low lighting and the colourful wall paintings that really give the venue its flavour.

So, if you like a good open mike folk music evening (any artists interested in playing are invited to call on 01984 656526) and if you live in Wellington, Taunton, Wiveliscombe or surrounding areas or even further afield, why not check out their gig guide and what's on at Mama Stones in Wellington, Somerset. The plan seems to be for a mixture of free nights and paid for events with bigger bands being booked as demand grows.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author and folk musician