2MBS-FM Blues / Folk / World Blog

Much to the joy of the people living in the Northern Beaches area the old Shack Folk Club that had closed down some time back has re-opened its doors at the Tramshed Community Arts Centre, 1395a Pittwater Road Narrabeen. it is between the car park and the Ambulance Station in the Shopping Centre.

On the first Saturday of the month you can enjoy good folk music there. Last month they had Wheelers and Dealers, the award-winning Celtic Australian band with impeccable musical credentials. Experienced musicians with backgrounds from rock, country, world and traditional Irish music. ‘Awesome musicianship’, ‘fantastic music’, ‘wide ranging repertoire… feeds the brain and heart’. Check their website www.wheelersanddealersmusic.com.au

Plus Peter Miller-Robinson, great guitarist, riveting performer - he has performed at The Basement and on Radio National - songs from the personal to a sardonic look at contemporary customs and contradictions.

Plus Penny Davies and Roger Ilott - for years, they have reinvigorated the bush ballad, kept alive the protest song, and celebrated being Australian with their own songs, popular on ABC’s ‘Australia All Over’ and played regularly on Focus on Folk on 2MBS.

The Shack promises Contemporary and folk music, gently amplified, of high standard. Tables and chairs in smoke free, candle lit atmosphere. Free tea, coffee, biscuits. BYO drinks and nibbles. 7.30-11pm. $15.  0413 635 856, info@shackfolk.com

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One evening back in the late 70s a friend invited me to the Governor’s Pleasure to hear folk singer/songwriter Bernard Bolan perform.  I must admit to being a bit jaded at some of the folk singers who sang all 52 verses of the Childe Ballads but I was assured that this evening would be nothing like that.  There were some floor spots on but nothing outstanding.  In walked a ‘city gent’ in a suit, and my friend said, there, that’s Bernard Bolan.  He looks nothing like a folkie I said.  You wait, said my friend.  Bernard had walked over to a lady and she handed him a holdall and he disappeared. A short while later he came back in jeans and open shirt and a corduroy cap carrying a guitar.  He started with the Rose Bay Ferry (which had been top of the hit parade for him) and then went on to ‘No Fish in the Harbour Today’ and the audience joined in. From there the evening went from good to better and culminated  with a song called Basingstoke, a story about a cat who jumped into the fire while chasing a canary.  The audience were rolling in their seats with laughter.So I asked more and found out that Bernard was born in the North of England (well his accent gave that away). He had come to Australia and worked by day, as a lawyer and by night he entertained.

He can move people to tears with the pathos of his songs like Tear in the Pages or to tears of laughter with his funny songs like The Gnome.  He has made several records and tapes and now CDs.  His latest one is ‘The Quirky Works of Bernard Bolan’ and covers a lot of his funny songs.

He has now been in Australia over 35 years and was the first folk performer to appear at the Sydney Opera House. Since then he has appeared at most Festivals and Folk Clubs in Australia and has made himself a National Treasure with his unmistakable blend of words, wit and finely crafted music. His lyrics reflect his many moods and his compositions reveal his inherent musical talent.

He has been President of the Folk Federation of NSW on two separate occasions.  He says he has never regretted moving to Australia 35 years ago: “In Britain, it would not have been possible to combine two careers to the same degree as I have in Australia”, he said. He is now “blissfully” settled in Beechworth, N E Victoria.  Whether he sings of his dogs, his loves, his life as a city gent or getting his equipment caught in lift doors, a Bernard Bolan performance is an unforgettable experience.

Bernard will be appearing at the Newbridge Festival and at the Cobargo festival in January.  Wherever you are, if you see Bernard is ‘on the bill’ don’t miss him.  He is pure value. Of course, you will also hear him on Focus on Folk on 2MBS FM 102.5 from time to time.

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Singer, songwriter, storyteller, reciter, raconteur, guitarist, or tin whistle player. He has, for over 40 years, been doing all these things at Folk Clubs and Festivals. He is often introduced as a ‘living legend’ and if his name is on the programme you can be sure you are in for a good time. He is probably best known for his political satire but his songs, poems and stories encompass a wide range of Australian experiences, none more so than the songs he has written about various people in his family, portraying in song, some of the hardships of the old days. From his mother, as an orphan girl in Gundagai, to his Uncle in the Second World War or his father who became a sheetmetal worker of excellence but was brought up in an orchard at Carlingford. Most of his songs are set to traditional tunes (mainly Irish) but some are original e.g. Train Trip to Guilford, a satire on the railways which is as applicable today as it was 20 years ago when it was written, only the indicator boards have changed.

The Bush Music Club granted him life membership for his services to Australian Culture. He has published two books of songs and poems and his latest double CD is entitled Australian Son. You may hear him busking on Sydney’s streets, an occupation he has taken up since retiring from being a school teacher, or you will certainly hear him from time to time on Focus on Folk on 2MBS-FM 102.5.

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Kate’s voice is in the category of famous female singers like Buffy Saint Marie and Joan Baez. As well as singing a wide range of contemporary songs, Kate’s strong, sensual voice breathes life into many of the old Celtic favourites. Kate started singing many years ago then she met and teamed up with Gordon McIntyre when they were doing a series of school concerts at the Opera House and as a duo were well known around the folk scene both here, across the Tasman and in the U.K. They were star entertainers at the many folk festivals including the National and Woodford (formerly Maleny) and the Auckland Folk Festival. They were also two of the original members of the Larrikins.

Kate is the surviving member of that well loved folk duo. After Gordon’s untimely death a few years ago it seemed the folk scene had lost them both but Kate has recently decided to sing again, mainly solo. She toured Europe in 2002 with the Rocky River Band. She has recently made a CD with some friends and has also worked up an act with the brilliant fiddle player Tony Pyrzakowski, Craig Kelly and Ben Atamney. Tony also plays with the Wheeze & Suck Band and The Mothers of Intention (yes, the mind boggles at the last one) Next Friday (16th November) they unleash this act on the folk scene at the Hornsby-Kuringai Folk Club at Willow Park, Edgeworth David Ave. Hornsby. Also on that night there will be a competition to see who can sing the most Tragic song. Barry says, “We are inviting all singers, almost singers, poets and want-to-be reciters to come and present a Tragic Song or Poem.

We are looking for broken hearts, stabbings, oozing blood, divorces, lost puppies or beheadings. The audience will be encouraged to voice their horror with moans and groans, tears or cries of joy at the villain receiving his comeuppance. Everyone will be given a scorecard to rank the performance. Our winner will receive a wonderful ‘Baritone Uke/six string travelling guitar’ donated by the Music Workshop West Ryde… but wait, there’s more. Every contestant will receive a CD from Northside Folk as a consolation prize or encouragement to enter”.

It should be an entertaining night. Phone Barry or Pam on 9807 9497 for bookings. Kate is also a folk presenter on 2MBS and her next programme goes to air on Saturday 24th November at 6pm when she will play a selection of her favourite songs.

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A really magical way to experience Sydney is from the moonlit deck of the 133-year-old square rigger, James Craig – moored at Wharf 7, between the National Maritime Museum and the Foxtel Building, Darling Harbour. Each month – usually on the fourth Thursday – Shanty Singalongs are held in this uniquely splendid environment.

Usually someone prepares a selection of sea songs and shanties with a particular theme; there’s a break for supper after the main presentation, with delicious home-cooked treats followed by a Shanty Circle singalong. The evening finishes around 10.30pm - all for less than $10. Compare that with the cost of the bridge walk!

The next James Craig Shanty Session and will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 15th November and there will be a special guest all the way from Maine, USA – Charlie Ipcar. Charlie formed his first folk band in 1960, and has been singing ever since. He is a member of the shanty group Roll and Go, and sings a wide range of songs, but sea songs are his specialty. He has made a special study of sea poems & has set many to music. Charlie has released two CD’s as a solo performer: ‘Uncommon Sailor Songs’ in 2004 and ‘More Uncommon Sailor Songs’ in 2005. Both of these CD’s include traditional songs, nautical poetry that he has adapted for singing, and original songs.

The next night of songs on the James Craig coincides with an event organised by the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Members (and their guests) may like to attend an early evening session of Tall Ship Stories. The subject matter is Biscuits and Buckets - eating, washing and other necessities under sail - with demonstrations. Our purveyors will be Peter McAdam, John Delandro and Jon Simpson. The evening starts at 5.30pm with tea and biscuits and the talk starts at 6.00pm followed by wine and food at about 7.15pm. Just in time to head aboard the James Craig around 7.45pm for the Shanty Session. $6 per person, payable when you arrive on the evening.

For more information about the Heritage Fleet and the James Craig sessions, see: www.australianheritagefleet.com.au/JCraig/JCraig.html

Public transport abounds, but if you’re coming by car, parking is available in front of the National Maritime Museum. Turn into the driveway in Pirrama Rd opposite the big white building and then turn immediately left - press the button on the Intercom at the right of the gate, give your name and tell them you are there for the Shanty Session on the James Craig. Otherwise, the Casino Underground Carpark is the nearest.

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Last night at a house concert in Ryde, Dan McKinnon performed to full house. Quite a number of those present were singers themselves and they gave an enthusiastic welcome to this Canadian singer-songwriter on his first ever visit to Australia. The evening started with a couple of numbers from a local group called Wayward Folk at 8pm, then Dan took over and enthralled us for the next hour. As this was his first visit no one knew what to expect, there was this middle aged balding man standing with his guitar and introducing his first song with a little story about it and then he started to sing. Wow, is the only word that comes to mind to describe it. Such a rich voice and every word clearly heard. The next hour passed very quickly especially as Dan encouraged his audience to sing the choruses with him, and they did. So much so that he said that to get that response in Canada he would have had to use a cow prod - we told him here it would be impossible to shut us up! He laughed and that set the tone for the rest of the evening.

We had a supper break when Dan was very pleased to talk to anyone who wanted to speak to him. After supper he continued with his concert and the enthusiastic audience continued to sing along with his choruses. Sometimes he gave us the words first but others we just picked up as we went. In addition to his own material he also sang some Stan Rogers songs and the audience really let rip. Near the end of his show he put down the guitar and sang Stan’s Northwest Passage which had been requested. Barry was lucky he had a roof left on his house. It was a phenomenal experience as I don’t think there was a person in the room who didn’t know the chorus to that as it had been a favourite of the late Dave Alexander’s and sung on many occasions.

All in all a wonderful night, Dan’s rich voice and warm personality made this an evening to remember for a long time. He will be giving one more house concert in the Sydney area, at Lawson on 24th November and his last appearance here will be at the North by Northwest Folk Club at Punt Rd. Gladesville (Old Gladesville Hospital) on Sunday 25th November at 2pm.

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The Wheeze and Suck Band
$25 available from jmilce@sherborne.com

Hold onto your hats, ladies and gentlemen, the Sydney based Wheeze and Suck Band have primed the firing pan, lit the blue touch paper and launched their new CD – Flash Lads – with an almighty bang! This recording is full of joie de vivre, delivered in true folk rock style, featuring songs you can dance to and dances you can sing – what more could you ask for? All the old Wheezers magic is there, plus some new tricks that will delight the ear and tickle the toes.

The opening track – TNT – commences with a rocket launch countdown to some explosive tunes from Tony (Pyro) Pyrzakowski – perhaps he really did do a deal with the Devil to get his shiny new five string fiddle! He’s certainly appears to have been taking some supernatural instruction on the application of electronic effects to the band’s material – with stunning results!

The album also features a mixture of traditional English ballads and original songs from both Ian (The Pump) McIntosh and Nigel (Muddy) Walters. Ian and Nigel share the lead vocals, with Ian’s in-your-face delivery and raw energy driving songs like Down Workers Down and The Flash Lad. He also does a creditable impersonation of George Formby (if you can imagine George in a frock with a melodeon instead of ukulele!) on The Day the Virgin Mary Came to Coogee.

Nigel strikes a gentler and more reflective tone in ballads such as William Walker and the beautifully delivered Cornish Leaving Song. The cover of Richard Thompson’s Ditching Boy is a great audience charmer and is well worth a listen.

One of the delights of these songs is the lavish use of four-part harmony in the arrangements. These guys can really sing and they do so with great gusto and enthusiasm. The exuberance of this CD is firmly underpinned by Geoff (One Shot) Woodhead on guitar and John (Red Tips) Milce on drums, ensuring the musical mayhem never gets out of control.

It makes great interactive listening on the home stereo! Or at a live performance – I had the great pleasure of attending the Flash Lads CD launch at the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival and it was just magic, one of the highlights of the Festival.

Buy it, it’ll have you singing, dancing and, above all, smiling!

Jane Harding
Folk Presenter
2WCR FM Coonabarabran

The CD is being launched at @Newtown on Sunday afternoon 14th October.

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