Hove Folk Club

The Hove Folk Club Weekender : 31st July to 2nd August 2009
Report by Harriet Bolter.

Friday 31st July

Walking towards the Eclipse on Friday night, it was hard to imagine a whole weekend of beer, folk music and entertainment taking place in the small environs of Poets Corner - but, taking a deep breath, I walked into the pub and climbed the stairs to the folk room... only to find it deserted, and the music moved downstairs to the public bar. The beer festival was taking place there, and according to the programme the music was provided by Hove Folk Club, which in the first place was Robb on voice and guitar with Naomy on cello, John on acoustic bass and Charlie on a small drum kit and brushes.

Halftime saw Lomans take the stage with his mixture of protest and home-penned TV Smith - and with his builders' and scaffolders' chavs choir, all was well.

An unaccompanied song from Naomy silenced the crowd, before the builders and scaffolders were back in action singing along in a less than lusty way.

It was definitely a case of taking the music to the people, and all who sang are to be applauded. We gave them Love and Death and Politics whether they wanted it or not.

Saturday 1st August - Roy Bailey

A large crowd returned to see Roy Bailey on Saturday night. It’s hard to describe Roy’s act but basically he sings songs in amongst his stories.

Dealing with the songs first, Roy sung songs in the traditional folk club manner with everyone singing along with great gusto. Songs like "How Beautiful upon the Mountain" and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (featured on the new album "Below the Radar") had the crowd lifting the roof off with their voices.

Roy is not just about the songs, though; he is the consummate performer, telling his jokes in a way that make you think he is actually telling a real story. Sitting in his bright red braces, he is as our host described him a "real diamond geezer."

Sunday 2nd August – Local Heroes day

The day started with Robb performing a children’s show for a select and lucky group of children songs including "Slimy", "the Animal Song" and of course the infamous "Aliens Stole my Underpants".

The first Local Heroes concert was a corker. POG started us off with his brand of punk folk. He sang many songs off the forthcoming album but favourite for me was the song about drinking, or choosing not to drink, with your work colleagues on a Friday night.

Mary Hampton then sang songs and lullabies, her soft and sweet voice having a haunting quality that enthralled many of the audience.

Phillip Jeays' strong, almost operatic, voice was a complete contrast. He opened with "The Great War" and "Terry's Dog", Clive and Lawrie's requests respectively, before treating the crowd to some new songs, and others from his new album "London".

The second set of Local Heroes included Lorraine Bowen and Attila the Stockbroker - at first glance two completely opposite ends of the musical spectrum! Lorraine’s cabaret style show was full of energy; one minute she is standing on a chair and the next hunched over her Harmonium. "All my songs have choruses and as it is a folk club you must all join in," quips Lorraine - and most of the time we did.

Attila chose a range of poems old and new from his vast collection of material. New poems on Swine Flu, thoughtful poems on the fall of the Iron Curtain, and familiar songs such as "Guy Fawkes' Table" finished off the day with a flourish.

Thanks to Robb for organising and thanks to all who helped, bought raffle tickets and drank beer. Cheers.

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