John Waltham's wonderful unaccompanied singing at Crewkerne brought tears of laughter to my eyes

On a weekend mainly dominated by the excellent Priddy Folk Festival 2008, I managed to get in a visit to a very pleasant private party hosted in Crewkerne by a musician friend I met at the excellent Wheatsheaf pub South Petherton folk music session and, besides playing some great tunes with the other guests, met one of the finest unaccompanied singers I've heard for a long time.

Apparently a farmer by trade, John Waltham's rendition about the trials and tribulations of farming, based on a version of an old pop tune about a prison inmate, brought tears to the eyes - of laughter.

To be honest, I'm not very good at listening to singers. My mind wanders and the words are usually lost on me. However, John Waltham has the curious knack of very gently taking his listeners attention and keeping them enthralled until he has come to the end of his story. A fine singer based around the Crewkerne area and well worth a listen.

It was a busy weekend but very enjoyable and I have to confess I added fairly substantially to my carbon footprint with all the car journeys I made but it was all great fun.

This week, I'm helping my brother and his wife publicise their excellent and comfortable Newpoint Hotel bed and breakfast guest house in Southbourne, Bournemouth. With a bit of luck, I'll get the opportunity of getting down there.

(I wonder if their bed and breakfast guests would like to be serenaded by some folk music as they tuck in - well perhaps not.)

Finally, thanks to R. and A. for a great party with some of the best Brie and other food I've tasted for a long time :-)

Bye for now

Rob
(Peripatetic online blog author and folk musician)