Awesome carvery, traditional English tunes with Irish step and Morris dancing on the side as the Loose Knit Band winter reunion big music session goes from strength to strength at The Balfour, Sidmouth

Terry Pearson remembered with Myrtle the double bass

The winter reunion of the Loose Knit Band big session last weekend (5th-6th April 2013) was amazing and clearly going from strength to strength at its new venue in The Balfour pub, 26 Woolbrook Road, Sidmouth with its friendly and supportive landlord Steve and brilliant carvery. (See more photos of the Loose Knit Band Winter Reunion here). (Checkout The Balfour on Facebook here),

Like many years before in winter, the many folk musicians, who enjoy this mainly traditional English tune session during Sidmouth Folk Week in August hosted by the Loose Knit Band, like to meet up for a winter reunion. Recently moved to its new home at The Balfour, Sidmouth, this big traditional music session has now started to take advantage of the excellent food facilities the Balfour has to offer to make the weekend reunion go from strength to strength.

Awesome Saturday evening carvery before the music

So, after a great evening playing tunes on the Friday evening then a pleasant music session at lunchtime in the skittle alley, lots of musicians took advantage of the very reasonably priced carvery menu to meet up and share a meal before the main session of the weekend took place on the Saturday evening. Everybody I spoke to said that getting together for a social meal before the main Saturday session was a very welcome addition to the weekend because it gave everybody a good chance to chat without the temptation to 'join in with the next tune'.

It was a wonderful weekend meeting, greeting and playing traditional tunes with friends old and also some new. Of course Terry Pearson, longstanding member of the Loose Knit Band and this big session, was missed but 'Myrtle' his double bass stood in pride of place in the centre of the session so he seemed present in spirit and several sessioners made sure Myrtle's deep sounds kept this large session playing together just as its much loved owner Terry has done for so many years.

Irish step dancing at Loose Knit Band winter reunion

In the course of the evening, everybody was treated to some very athletic Irish Step Dancing and English Morris Dancing proving that the Balfour dance floor was as good as its acoustics and great food.

All to soon it was time to say goodbye but everybody agreed it had been a fabulous weekend and everybody was looking forward to meeting up again in August at The Balfour during Sidmouth Folk Week to play some more tunes. So, if you are a traditional folk musician, whatever your level of playing, you may like to join us when we meet again. It's completely free to join in. Just buy a drink at the bar or grab a meal if you are hungry. The Loose Knit Band prides itself on hosting a friendly session and Steve the landlord has been more than welcoming so you should feel quickly at home. Personally, I'm going to fewer sessions these days because I'm spending  a lot of time performing street music busking as Wandering Windstrel but the pull of seeing my many friends at this very friendly gathering may well draw me back so perhaps I'll see you there :-)

Why traditional folk music pub sessions rock but busking might be more satisfying eventually for a musician entertainer, especially with a good busk buddy accompanist

Busking under dark skies on Minehead sea front West Somerset

Amateur musicians often ask me these days why I would want to be a busker / entertainer when I can enjoy, as I have done for many years, amateur traditional music sessions in pubs locally or at festivals further afield in the West Country or UK.

What could be better, my musician friends say, than playing in pub sessions and sharing our love for the traditional music we enjoy in a warm environment where there's lots of companionable chat and camaraderie.

Why would anybody want, they argue, to be playing on a street corner or a cold sea front in winter in the knowledge that anybody passing could take offence to the music and complain about the noise to the Local Authorities or directly confront the busker in a threatening manner, especially if the busker (as I don't) hasn't really got an urgent need the money.

In answer, I would say that the reasons were illustrated by the events of the previous weekend (9th February 2013),  when I decided to go down to Minehead sea front in West Somerset to busk and play some tunes.

It was all the things a musician wouldn't want. It was wet, windy and there were hardly any people about. But there were a few people and a lot of them were kids. One little girl, over by the bus stop, was soon dancing with her mum to my music. I wondered if any of them had read my blog entries and had been looking forward to seeing the 'crazy' busker at Minehead sea front. If so, then I wasn't letting them down because I'd braved the cold and was making the effort.

As I played my ragtime, Klezmer, train tunes and traditional English and Irish folk dance tunes, people started coming up to me saying how much I was brightening up Minehead sea front on this cold day. Some even popped a few coins into my soprano saxophone bag. Others asked about my instrument. Most people don't know about straight saxophones and it's always a point of interest. Some told me a little about their lives, how they were down for the weekend from London or the Midlands. Nobody seemed to object to my impromptu performance. One lady said she was a bit of a musician but could never be brave enough to do what I was doing. I agreed that it was a bit like walking out on a stage and made the adrenaline flow to start with but it was worth it because of the people one met.

It was then that I realised the point of it all. Suddenly it became clear why I enjoy doing this difficult, cold and potentially confrontational thing called busking. The answer is quite simple. It is because people appreciate me doing it. What I do, apparently, makes the world a better place for people passing by or listening. Maybe it leaves them with dreams and memories and recognising that made me feel good.

Of course, the more musicians in the band, the better the sound which is why a busk buddy to come busking with me in West Somerset or elsewhere would be such a good thing.

So, perhaps you are an amateur folk musician or singer and you too have been enjoying traditional folk music pub sessions for many years but feel you would like to expand your musical activities to share your music or sing your songs more directly to the general public. Or perhaps you have already made the transition to professional musician or singer but would like to work with a soprano saxophone player to share your musical ideas. Whatever your motivation, I'd love to hear from you if we are in the same area. Simply contact me by direct message through Twitter (@campervanbusker). I look forward to us making music together. Er, and, as people often wonder, I made just under 4 pounds in the hour, less than usual :-)

Porlock Wassail 2013 in West Somerset, UK bringing the community together was a great success plus some thoughts on buskers busking for the community

Porlock Wassail 2013 began at Dovery Museum

Porlock Wassail in West Somerset, UK was a great success last night (5th January 2013) with numerous visits to orchards, wassailing songs, evil spirits scared off by a combination of shotguns and horrible noises made by the many people attending and then a brilliant community singing and music playing session with mummers at the Ship Inn at the bottom of Porlock Hill.

Right from the beginning when everybody met up at the Dovery Manor Museum at 6pm, it was clear it was going to be a well organised and popular night with free spiced apple cider juice and nibbles plentifully available at the museum and later at the many orchards we attended to wassail the apple trees.

Martyn Babb at Porlock Wassail 2013

Martyn Babb was doing his usual great job of leading the celebrations and, with George Ody and Gerry Mogg providing strong musical and singing support, I knew it was going to be an excellent wassail. Many other musicians and singers were there too, even from as far as Appledore in Devon in the form of members of Tarka Morris.

George Ody and friends Porlock Wassail 2013

Gerry Mogg, family and friends

Porlock Wassail 2013 with traditional cider toast

To me, wassailing is all about bringing a community together and the procession from orchard to orchard is an all important part of the evening. Processing around Porlock playing wasssail tunes in great numbers was a wonderful way of telling the local community that something was happening even if they (this year) weren't all part of it. It is this sort of expansion of public knowledge that makes an event and tradition grow.

Which gives me an opportunity to mention a bit of a hobby horse of mine. Recently, I've been wondering if too much folk music, which is meant to be a community event, takes place hidden away from the public eye.

The practice of folkies meeting in a pub to play tunes and sing songs is actually not a well known activity. I've met many in the general public who are astounded that this sort of thing still carries on. Yet, when they know about it, the general public seem enthusiastic.
Which is why, I think, wassail processions are such a good thing, as would be any method that could be found of bringing joining in music and song, the essence of folk music, out on the streets of our towns and villages.

As far as I know, all the organisers, musicians, singers and other helpers at the Porlock Wassail were providing all their efforts freely, as I was, which all contributed to a wonderfully friendly event.

However, in a small slightly different way, I have actually started trying to do my bit to take community music out more to the general public by doing a bit of busking recently - well, last Summer, when it was warmer. The proof of the pudding was in the eating and I reckoned that loads more people saw me perform and heard my music when I was busking on Minehead Sea front last Summer in West Somerset than have seen me in the pubs and clubs I have been playing at over the many years I have been performing as a folk musician.

In 2013, I hope to do much more busking traditional folk music tunes wherever I can find lots of people who are happy to gather around me and listen to my music.

Not only do complete strangers talk to me in between my tunes when I busk but I have seen apparently complete strangers talking to each other too. The humble public event created by myself playing a saxophone busking by the Minehead sea wall was enough of an event to bring a few people together which is surely a healthy thing for a community.

Of course, I cannot compare my humble busking to the excellent community event that was the Porlock Wassail 2013 which involved so many hard working people to make it happen. As we walked in our procession down the main street, there were organisers in hi-viz vests making sure cars slowed down and understood what we were doing. The food provided at each orchard venue had to be organised and the fires lit. The electric lighting fixed up in the orchards so we didn't fall over too much. The list of people who must have put in enormous amounts of work hidden away in the background seems almost endless.

So thanks to all the good people in Porlock who were involved in the Porlock Wassail last night and I look forward to joining you next year for, hopefully, an even larger event involving many more in the community, which is what it is all about.

And, if there is anybody out there who agrees with me that music should be more available in the community to bring the community together and is interested in joining me as a busk buddy, I would like to hear from you. Perhaps you play a guitar or possibly a piano accordion or similar instrument. You need a laid back relaxed attitude and to be flexible about locations yet to be decided in the West Country, UK, as it is all a work in progress. I play traditional English, Irish, French and Eastern tunes (Klezmer) and am expanding my repertoire into ragtime and other popular stuff (because the public like it, which is what it is all about). So your instrument needs to be able to cope with musical keys a little bit more extensive than G and D normally available on the basic melodeon. Busking money is generally lousy and it's often cold but at least the public donations cover travelling expenses, insurance etc. to some extent and you can get that warm feeling from knowing you are bringing a community together! Find  me, Rob Hopcott Watson, on Facebook or Twitter, if you are interested.

Similarly, if you have an event local to me in West Somerset with a reasonable footfall, where you would like a bit of traditional music from a community minded busker, I'd also like to hear from you :-)

So I look forward to seeing you all next year at Porlock Wassail 2014 in West Somerset, UK for a great evening of community entertainment and a few glasses of apple juice and, before you go, why not check out professional photographer George Ody's great photos of the 2013 Porlock Wassail :-)










 

Musicians playing for tips could rejuvinate pubs in Exmoor and West Somerset, UK and perhaps in the rest of the country

Minstrels gallery Tithe Barn Dunster West Somerset

When I was asked to join the musicians that were scheduled to play in the Tithe Barn for the Farmers Market in Dunster for Christmas 2012, I thought 'well it will be a new venue and interesting for that'. It was, in reality, a brilliant experience.

Situated in the minstrels gallery of the recently renovated and massively upgraded Tithe Barn, the band was looking down on the stall holders and their customers which meant that, although we were just an acoustic band, our sound carried really well to the other side of the Tithe Barn. (I know because I went down and checked!)

There was a wide range of interesting stall holders and I was pleased to spot a fellow musician called Rocky amongst the stallholders who plays a brilliant piano accordion and contributed some of his wares to me by way of special thanks for the music. The apple juice flavoured with beetroot tasted brilliant. I reckon it'll be the taste of 2013 and everybody will soon be drinking it!

Beetroot flavoured apple juice - yum!

We played a mixture of Christmas carols and tunes from many traditions including Eastern Europe, Ireland, Scotland, France and many more and had a fantastic time for two hours. By way of thanks, the management provided some tea and coffee and a few mince pies, for which we were grateful.


One of the really nice things about these community get togethers is the people you meet. It was several years ago that I met Jamie Robertson and, after playing our tunes, I got an opportunity to have a chat. It's always a pleasure talking to Jamie who is so full of exciting ideas about the community. He was talking about having a Stogumber Music Festival. I contributed my thoughts about my experiences busking on Minehead Sea Front last Summer (2012) and suggested he had a buskers festival in Stogumber. My argument was that buskers play for tips. There is no risk for the organisers and there are loads of musicians who would just like the opportunity to play in front of an audience who would regard it as a bonus if they received coin of the realm. Other places in the UK are putting on buskers festivals too so it was an accepted festival strategy.




In fact, I even argued that the pubs of West Somerset, UK and Exmoor would be better off if they regularly had musicians playing on the basis of a tips jar paying their wages. Pubs on Exmoor and in West Somerset in most cases simply do not have the expectation of customer footfall to risk agreeing to pay £70 - £100 (possibly per head) to a band. However, there may be many musicians locally who would welcome taking their chances busking with a tip jar, especially if the odd half pint and a sandwich was on offer from the publican too. It's much better than the musician sitting at home waiting for a gig and the publican sitting in his bar wishing he had a live music act! To me, it seems a win win situation.

Jamie Robertson is such a power house of innovation, perhaps he might just make this all happen to the benefit of publicans and musicians who want to go beyond merely playing for fun and become semi or completely professional.

The Stogumber Festival is largely organised already and is taking place, Jamie tells me, from 30 August to 1 September with some classical, some folk & maybe some other genres still to be added but, watch this space, perhaps there will be scope for some buskers in the main street during the festival :-)

For more photos of our Tithe Barn gig, see my Facebook account.

Whatever the arrangement, I look forward to playing at the Tithe Barn in Dunster again at some time in the future. It's a brilliant venue and a great place to play music or hold an event. Perhaps I'll soon be playing there for you :-)

Dulverton West Somerset Christmas 2012 homely music entertainment at Bridge Inn for musicians and audience

Soprano sax, clarinet & flute folk music session

 There was some great music entertainment at the Bridge Inn for musicians and audience alike last night (3rd Saturday of the month) in Dulverton West Somerset together with carols and other tunes to celebrate Christmas 2012.

Particularly prominent were Arwen, Bex and Viks of the Phantam Chic  band recently formed and now available for gigs and events.

Probably of all the places I go to play music, the Bridge Inn in Dulverton feels to me to be the most homely and comfortable. There is usually a good and appreciative audience of diners who having finished their meal and are happy to stay on and listen to the music provided by local musicians and singers. Others just drop in later to listen to the music and to get a drink at the bar. At the end of the pub, there was a glorious log fire to give warmth that also contributed to the pleasant atmosphere.
 

Whistle and bodhran playing at Bridge Inn, Dulverton

With a range of music that included ragtime, traditional English and Irish reels and jigs plus traditional carols plus probably more that I have forgotten about, there was likely to be something there for everybody and those in the audience that I spoke to were very complimentary.

Instruments being played included melodeon, piano accordion, banjo, fiddles, guitars, alto flute, my soprano sax, a mandolin, C melody saxophone, various recorders (bass, descant and treble) and a bodhran.

Banjo, guitar and recorder at Dulverton folk music session

Some of the music was played by ear which is my preference but, unusually for folk music sessions in my experience, the musicians often played from music on music stands giving the session a very experimental flavour.

Ukelele and other instruments at Dulverton Bridge Inn session

So, if you are around West Somerset, UK, on any evening of the third Saturday of the month and feel like listening to some home spun music in a relaxed atmosphere or if you are an acoustic musician who would like to join in making the music,  the Bridge Inn, Dulverton, West Somerset might be a good venue for you to consider visiting.


As always, it is worth confirming with the proprietor of the Bridge Inn that the music is planned to take place the evening you are looking to visit as arrangements can change). Perhaps I'll see you there :-)

Sheet music playing musicians welcome at Bridge Inn, Dulverton

West Somerset, UK musicians from Minehead, Williton, Watchet, Luxborough and elsewhere band together for Christmas traditional folk music tune session at Stags Head pub, Dunster, West Somerset, UK

West Somerset, UK musicians got together for a brilliant monthly tune session of Christmas traditional folk music as an impromptu band playing at the Stags Head pub, Dunster, West Somerset, UK last night (2nd Wednesday of the month, 12th December 2012).

Bodhran and Piano accordion at Stags Head, Dunster folk music session

 Combined with an excellent range of traditional tunes which included traditional English, Irish, Scottish and Eastern European tunes, a fair range of traditional Christmas tunes were played as well to a very encouraging and cheerful audience.

Banjo at Stags Head, Dunster folk music session

 In appreciation of our music, the landlord put on a really tasty spread of sandwiches and other nourishing nibbles that probably easily outdid the other pubs we play in.

Guitar at Stags Head, Dunster folk music session

 The Stags Head in Dunster, West Somerset is usually full of diners when we are there so it seems that we are not the only people that appreciate good food.

Banjo, accordion and bodhrans at Stags Head, Dunster folk music session

 The local folk musicians have been meeting at the Stags Head in Dunster on the 2nd Wednesday of the month for many years for a folk music tune session that is advertised as Half Pace Irish but in reality includes tunes from all traditional genres and countries.

Harp and melodeon at Stags Head, Dunster folk music session

All acoustic traditional folk musicians are welcome at the Stags Head, Dunster session, of any standard, although space is a bit restricted in the session playing area. It's free to all, just buy a drink at the bar. Musicians wanting to start a tune just jump in and ... start a tune. Not too difficult really. But you have to be quick because the pace is often fast and furious. After all, we usually have a good audience to entertain as well as having fun ourselves enjoying playing with other musicians.

Of course, it's always worth checking with the landlord first to confirm it is taking place in case of changed circumstances. I always enjoy the folk music tune session at the Stags Head, Dunster, West Somerset, UK and the audience seems to as well. Perhaps I'll see you there :-)

Halsway Manor, West Somerset, UK Sunday evening traditional and folk music tunes Christmas session

Halsway Manor, Crowcombe, West Somerset

Halsway Manor monthly Sunday evening music session

After a day playing my new EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) and battling with the 8 octave changing contacts giving my left hand thumb lots of exercise, it was a pleasure to get down to some good old straight forward traditional tunes at the December Halsway Manor Sunday evening traditional tune session on my very much acoustic soprano saxophone.

This mainly tune session is a favourite of mine because of a number of reasons.

Halsway Manor is an incredible place to visit. Hidden in the countryside next to Crowcombe in West Somerset, UK, it may look to some grand and forbidding on the outside but has a warm feeling of friendliness on the inside.

Certainly nobody should be afraid of entering Halsway Manor's  portals. Steeped in folk music traditions, the shared common interest of the folkies, of all ages, who visit Halsway Manor for courses, dancing, singing, playing tunes or other events gives it a welcoming homely feeling.

Another reason I like the sessions at Halsway Manor is because so frequently the musicians, singers and other folk music experts who have been running the courses, playing in the events or generally dropping by regularly participate in the sessions. On this occasion it was Hannah Cumming and James Findlay. Last time I was there, it was Corrie Schrijver (violin maker and teacher).

Halsway Manor has been undergoing a process of rejuvination under the new CEO Paul James of Blowzabella bringing in a strong emphasis on younger performers and he was also at the session playing his soprano saxophone.

If you have known Halsway Manor in the past and haven't been back for a while or if you have never experienced its unique folky pleasures, much has changed recently. Whilst it still retains its essential olde worlde charm, there is also the feeling of tradition moving on to exciting new places. From my experience, whether your are returning to revisit or discovering Hasway Manor for the first time, it's a world of folk arts and music that is worth checking out. Perhaps I'll see you there :-)

Birthday music session of Christmas and other traditional tunes and songs to a good audience at Washford Inn, Washford, West Somerset

Log fire at Washford Inn, West Somerset

When I arrived at the Washford Inn, West Somerset for a special birthday evening session and saw the blazing log fire, I decided we were in for a lovely evening last night (4th December 2012) and I wasn't wrong.

There was a good audience who enthusiastically participated in the traditional songs and the birthday girl was pleased with her cake and the evening of music. The sandwiches were of a very good standard too :-)

Traditional tunes and songs at Washford Inn session

The regulars of the Washford Inn pub are very keen for us to make it a regular session but it's difficult to know where to fit it in, especially with all the other pubs that want folk session nights.

However, it's a great way to spend a Winter's evening. A blazing log fire, good food, good company, a few songs and lots of tunes.

Thanks to the member of the audience who took these photos to enable me to carry on playing my soprano sax. (For more of the photos, see this link to my Facebook page.)

If the Washford Inn, Washford, West Somerset becomes a regular venue for us, perhaps I'll see you there :-)

Porlock Late Night Shopping with West Somerset Morris men dancing in the High Street and later in session at the Royal Oak, Porlock, UK with a look forward to Dunster by Candlelight

Audience getting involved in singing Christmas carols

It was Saturday night and I felt like going out and playing my soprano saxophone somewhere so I decided to pop down to Porlock Late Night Shopping and see what the West Somerset Morris Men were getting up to.

As always, when I arrived, the West Somerset Morris men  were really friendly and invited me to play with them in Porlock High Street and then in the session afterwards where they were singing carols in the Royal Oak pub, Porlock, West Somerset.

Ladies learning Morris dancing after pub session

We had a fantastic time. The carols sounded great and the tunes we played in between playing the carols rocked! The audience was absolutely amazing and very involved in the carols and music. By the end of the evening, there were at least four ladies who were learning Morris dancing steps.

As it happens, the West Somerset Morris Men are looking for new members but, although it is a much discussed topic among the West Somerset Morris Men as to whether ladies should be allowed into the West Somerset Morris dancing side. unfortunately, the decision has not yet been taken to include ladies. So these ladies who enjoyed learning the Morris dancing steps will have to wait a while, even if, in the cold light of dawn, they still want to take part in this very much specialised form of street entertainment that is Morris dancing.

Morris is about public involvement singing and making music

West Somerset Morris Men at Royal Oak, Porlock

Rob with the West Somerset Morris Men in session

However, if they were to pursue their interest in Morris dancing, they would find that they are joining a community of people that is country wide. Not only would they be involved in street performances but they would be part of a wider community of Morris members that visit folk music festivals all around the South of England, frequently camping together, and almost always spending time, when they are not practising their street entertainment, playing in pub sessions.

At some stage in the evening, I was invited to play in the West Somerset Morris Men's band next Saturday at Dunster by Candlelight and then afterwards in session at the Lysaght Club session in Old Cleeve, West Somerset ... This sounds like a great idea for next weekend ... So the fun goes on!

Whether you are a musician seeking a band to play in or a dancer who would like to join a dancing troupe, or just somebody who likes participating in street entertainment and live music as part of the audience, I would recommend you get involved in the Morris movement. It's loads of fun and actually, if you are a dancer  ... even if you have never tried Morris dancing ... it is very good exercise!

Checkout more photos of this evening on my Facebook account!

In any case, it looks as if I am to be more involved in the West Somerset Morris Men so, if you get involved and respond to their recruitment drive, perhaps I'll see you at one of their sessions or street performances in West Somerset or elsewhere in the West Country, UK. I look forward to that :-)

Sea shanties get whole bar singing with Dave at Pebbles Bar, Watchet, West Somerset, UK 1st Friday of month

Last night (1st Friday of month) at the regular monthly acoustic music joining in session, excellent local singer Dave Milton had almost everybody in Pebbles bar, Watchet, Somerset singing along to the popular sea shanties Haul away Joe and Bye-bye, my Roseanna.



I'm constantly amazed at the talent that can be found at these local joining in sessions where established musicians, who are often paid to perform at gigs, happily rub shoulders with musicians and singers who just enjoy music and singing for the pleasure it brings.

Dave is a well known, as far as I know, amateur singer around Watchet with a wide repertoire of songs and frequently changes his songs to give them a local flavour. Any mention of girls in the song is likely to be changed to 'Watchet girls' and one of the main streets in Watchet, Anchor Street, is likely to be mentioned if the song includes mention of 'walking down a street'.

Not only is Dave a fine singer but is also a stone sculptor, football referee, cricket coach and Punch and Judy entertainer - not to mention also Watchet’s new town crier.

In these difficult economic times, the community in Watchet has been hit as hard as any and I have heard some sad accounts of redundancy there recently. However, perhaps hard times encourage people to come together to sing, play music and forget the current miseries of our economic climate. On the other hand, the community in Watchet has always been strong so perhaps it is just one of the strengths of this small Bristol Channel harbour town.

In any case, if you enjoy an evening of home spun entertainment with some really talented performers, the 1st Friday of month acoustic music joining in session at Pebbles Bar, Watchet, West Somerset, UK. Of course, it depends on who turns up on thenight but, based on my recent experiences (see the videos), Pebbles bar, Watchet, West Somerset, UK is well worth checking out. Perhaps I'll see you there :-)