Britain's Folk & Acoustic Specialists
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“there is nothing stable in the world – uproar’s your only music“ John Keats, 1818 ince our first effort hit the streets in July • Our primary focus for content will be we’ve been greatly encouraged by the on folk music and dance, whilst also Smany messages of support you have sent taking an interest in the wider roots us, together with your valuable suggestions for and acoustic scene. developing the magazine. Naturally, some of you • We will promote future events, and will are more equivocal, while others fear that the review recent events where the artists or the changes introduced so far herald the ‘uproar’ venue are likely to be of continuing interest of upheaval – of which, more from the quill of to readers. Long Lankin. • Articles (such as cd, gig and equipment Varied though these reactions are, they share reviews and interviews) will showcase local common themes in a feeling of relief that clubs, artists, organisers and businesses. Unicorn is continuing, together with a sense • We plan to replace the current listings of ownership in Unicorn among the local folk formats with two Diaries covering Music community. We are extremely keen to maintain and Dance respectively. this bond, and feel that we should say more We don’t seek the ‘uproar’ of change for its own about our plans at this early stage of our tenure sake, but rather a process of evolution which as editors. This should also help any of you preserves the essential character of Unicorn. wishing to join our growing list of contributors; If you feel this is in danger of being lost, tell the target word count for articles is 260 words. us – we may disagree, or we may not be able to Here’s the plan: oblige, but let’s have the discussion. • Unicorn will remain a free publication See you round the clubs. financed by advertisers. • Our geographical focus will be on the Simon, Clive & Mike counties of Beds, Bucks, Cambs and Herts, and neighbouring areas. Editorial 1 Club Profile: The Watford Folk Club 26 Editorial Staff: Contents 1 Advertiser Information 29 Simon Bailes Chatterbox 5 Shall We Dance? 30 07808 535110 [email protected] Club Profile: Moggerhanger Village Folk 7 CD Review: Ragged Staff 35 Clive Batkin Sessions 10 Broadside by Long Lankin 36 07771 822414 CD Review: The Foxglove Trio 13 [email protected] Feature: A Challenge to Songwriters 14 Front cover photo by Al Rogers Mike Nacey 07879 024193 Review: Dacorum Folk Fest 15 “Instrument in Peril #2: Flute” [email protected] Unicorn Diary 17 – 19 Flute courtesy of Ruth Larbey Contact address: Club Index 20 10 Chapel Street, Dunton, Song: Diamonds in the Dust 22 Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8RW Printed by KJB UK Ltd © Unicorn Magazine 2013 CB1039 • September 2013 ViSit oUr wEbSitE at www.UniCornMagazinE.org UniCorn MagazinE: issue 124 1 Concerts at St Mary Magdalene Church, Dunton, Biggleswade. 7.30 for 8.00pm - £10 (Children free) Pete Morton – Saturday 19th October Pete’s shows are dynamic and intense, while remaining approachable and fun loving. His songs are an unruly mix of humour, politics and love. Kristy Gallacher and Luke Jackson Monthly Sessions Saturday 16th November First Tuesday of every month. March Hare, Dunton Folk’s first double header. Two of the brightest new stars on Dunton, Biggleswade, the scene 8.00pm. Victorian Christmas – Blast From the Past Andy 01767 316 124 th Saturday 7 December Simon 01767 310 424 A festive exploration of the Yuletide the Victorians would have known. An evening of [email protected] music, song, stories and drama from the time of Dickens and Hardy www.duntonfolk.co.uk Ely Folk Club presents Wednesday 16th October 4Square £9 (£8 advance) Wednesday 13th November Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, R2 is a bi-monthly Steve Tilston magazine packed with folk, roots, blues, rock, singer-songwriter £9 (£8 advance) and world music coverage. Our extensive, authoritative review Wednesday 11th December section and entertaining, informative interview features, plus Paul Downes & Mick Ryan FREE cover-mounted Un-Herd CD (every issue) will keep you up to date and in the loop. “Who Stole Christmas” £10 (£9 advance) We’re distributed by Comag and available at WH Smith and all good newsagents. You can also fi nd us in numerous independent record stores Old Dispensary, 13 St Mary’s St., Ely and bookshops across the UK and around the world. For latest information check out CB7 4ER Alternatively, order direct online: request a single issue or get yourself a special, www.strawbear.org.uk 01353 740999/664706 recession-beating six-issue subscription at only £19.75 – UK rate only) at or ring 01733 208245 www.elyfolkclub.co.uk • www.rock-n-reel.co.uk • 2 PLEASE MENTION UNICORN MagazINE WHEN REPLyING to ADS UniCorn MagazinE: issue 124 UniCorn MagazinE: issue 124 WWW.unicornmagazINE.ORG 3 R2 AD_135x93_04.03.13.indd 1 05/03/2013 17:38 The Full English Tour marks the launch of Stevenage Sword Dancers are still going strong the world’s biggest digital archive of English and celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2013. traditional folk music and dance tunes. Seth Founder Brian Kell was recently awarded the Lakeman, Martin Simpson, Fay Hield, Nancy Kerr, British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to music Sam Sweeney, Rob Harbron and Ben Nicholls will and to the community of Whittlesea, where he now perform new music inspired by material which lives and where he played a major role in reviving Fay Hield found in the archive. the Straw Bear Festival. Folkstock continues to gather momentum. Unicorn Ceilidhs (advert Page 16) will hold a New The inaugural Festival is attracting great interest, year’s Eve ceilidh at Pirton Village Hall, with The while the first intake of performers for the Watch and Barry Goodman calling. Tickets are £25 Foundation has been successfully recruited – adults, £10 children including a two course buffet, watch this space for updates… available from Unicorn Ceilidhs or Alan on 07946 439095. See www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk. The Straw Bear Festival (advert Page 2) will take The Devine Family Irish Family Band place in Whittlesey from 10 – 12 January, featuring Ely: The monthly session on the last Wednesday concerts, dancing, mummers, storytelling, poetry, has found a new home at The Kings Arms, a mini melodeon workshop for children, and of St Marys Street. Contact Liam, course the Burning of The Bear. [email protected], 07905 044932. For tour dates, biography, bookings, to hear us or purchase the latest album from the “The Devine Family”, please visit our website: Folk Radio: your very own Unicorn editors recently Benington: Monthly sessions on 4th Tuesdays will appeared on shows hosted by both John Devine, continue at The Bell, where the keen new manager www.johndevinemusic.com (www.radioverulam.com) and Daria Kulesh has even had the piano tuned. Contact Kit Burgess, [email protected] (www.facebook.com/radiodacorum.org) – you can 01438 869435. ‘listen again’ to the shows on the new Unicorn website, www.unicornmagazine.org. Hemel Hempstead: Leather Bottle Folk now meets every 1st & 3rd Wednesday at The Olde Following a successful exhibition on the history of Leather Bottle, HP3 8QQ, run by Keith White. folk in St Albans, discussions are underway about Text 07847 073462 for details. further archiving work. Please address enquiries to [email protected]. Watford FC’s Song Competition (advert Page 9) The has had a great response, but there’s still time to Rakes Everybody’s Dancing by Judy Barker is a collection submit your entry before it closes on 18th October. of songs for children. Published by Carolina Music The Grand Final on 15th November will be judged BARN DANCES (www.carolinamusic.co.uk) at £16.00, it is a CD by a panel of seasoned folk performers. and handbook with words and chord symbols TREFUSIS, CECIL SHARP HOUSE Unicorn has been spotted as far east as Bury 2 REGENT’S PARK ROAD, NW1 7AY for use by parents, teachers of KS 1 &2 pupils and music group leaders. Well produced, clear St. Edmunds, where the lively Milkmaid club Call: 020 8527 8419 and easy to follow, each tune is accompanied by meets on Fridays. They have a full programme suggested activities. of guests and open mic nights, and will perform £7 on the night 2013 throughout the Bury Christmas Fayre at Moyses doors open 7.30pm start 8pm -11pm Hall. Contact Brian at [email protected], and see the club website at www.milkmaidmusic.co.uk. Wednesdays Autumn 2013 25th September . 30th Ocotober Staplers Country Dance Club are holding St Albans: Wednesday sessions have for the workshop at St Ippolytts Village Hall on Sunday time being moved from the White Lion, Sopwell th . th November 27 18 December 27th October 2 – 5pm ‘More Gary Roodman Lane, to the White Swan, Dagnall Street, where Reg Hall, Michael Plunkett, Paul Gross Dances’ led by John Turner, music by Paul the landlord also hosts occasional Irish music & Ken Lees are joined for this new Hutchinson, details 01582 881966. sessions and other events led by John Devine. series of dances by caller Steve Roud Cambridge Portland Folk Club are having Plans are in hand for New Roots 2014, the problems with the availability of the Portland and competition for young musicians under the age of + guest callers & song spots may have to move some events to another venue 25. The closing date is 14th January 2014 and the – these are shown in the Unicorn diary as “venue finals will be in April at Trestle Arts Base, LICENCED BAR tbc”.