7th October 2004

Once again, the Folk Bar was packed with more performers than audience. We had the usual eclectic mix of musical genres - from traditional tunes, through thunderous chorus songs and gentle reflective ballads to unaccompanied humour.

What else could anyone ask for? More ! ! !

Many have asked for more... more nights. So from October we'll be opening our doors on the 1st and 3rd Thursday each month.

1 Dave Donohoe (with a new guitar) started the night with gentle interpretations of 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale', followed by 'Rusty' and the Ralph McTell Classic 'Clare to Here'.

2 Then we we were entertained by Doug Wood with two lively banjo-picking songs, 'Muirsheen Durkin' and 'Dooley'.

3 Is it really 4 months since we've seen Rob & Lynn at Ashington? Time flies when you're as busy as we are! They impressed us with two sets of tunes which clearly demonstrated their multi-instrumental talent. Who knows, maybe one day we'll see the other half of Real to Reel' at the club.

4 Next up was our own resident bluesman John Campbell. He played Bob Dylan's 'Blind Willie McTell' followed by a song by Blind Willie McTell called 'Writing Paper Blues' - great!

5 Our first unaccompanied singer of the night was Diane Green who sang Eddi Reader's 'Simple Soul' and Maddy Prior's 'Someone Waits For Me'.

6 Ann Sessoms is one of our new Ashington regulars - she started with 'The Curlew's Return', and followed with 'Miss Claire Smith' and one whose name I've forgotten. (Was it 'Wavehampton', or is the memory playing tricks?) We're delighted to have Ann as our featured Spotlight performer on 18 November.

7 A welcome 3rd visit from Steve and Noeline gave us more of their distinctive gentle guitar and vocal arrangements. Tonight we were treated to 'Wounded Heart' (Bonnie Raitt) and 'Gypsy Sally'.

8 Ray Derrick will be our December Spotlight act, so there's bound to be plenty of foot-tapping chorus songs. Tonight he was joined by fellow Northerner Eric Laverick. They had us singing along (and clap-clapping in time) to 'The Belle Of Belfast City' and 'Home Boys Home'. Rumour has it that Eric will feature with Ray in December, so don't miss it.

9 Alex has got the better of his nervousness, and is enjoying his regular performances at Ashington. We were entranced by the beautiful classic guitar pieces 'Habanera' and 'La Grima'.	10 Opening the second half, Alan Bailey played  a fine tuneset of 'The Eriskay Love Lilt' and 'Parnell's March'.
11 Peter Murphy demanded that we join in the choruses of 'Calico Printers Clerk' and the great Jimmy Miller song, 'Shoals Of Herring'. And, sure enough, we did!	12 In fine country style, Jack sang 'Before The Next Teardrops Fall', then raised our spirits with a fun performance of 'The Way It Used To Be'.
13 Jim has an inexhaustible supply of self-penned material looking at everyday life. He started with 'Agree To Disagree' and finished with an audience-participation song, 'Barking', inspired by his neighbour's dog.	14 Pat Yeowart shares our first Spotlight night on October 21st with son Ben's band, The Magick Circle. She gave us a great unaccompanied taster with 'Thirsty Boots' and the classic 'Buddy, Can You Spare A Dime'.
15 What can we say about Ben Yeowart? In his usual impish style he gave us 'Golden Rain' and Bob Dylan's 'Brand New Leopardskin Pillbox Hat'.	16 It was after 11:00 pm when George Rosenthal finished the night with the thought-provoking 'I Thought I Heard Them Tell Me That They Love Me' followed by David Gray's 'Babylon'. There were shouts for more, but alas we had run out of time...
16 acts, 32 songs and tune sets. Yet again, the numbers speak for themselves - and it was also a good social evening where pals met up for a good natter (not during actual performances though... at least for the most part!). Don't forget... Singers, Musicians & Poets on the 1st Thursday of every month, and more of the same but with extended Spotlight sets on the 3rd Thursday. Be sure to come along and experience the Ashington Folk Club magic... and bring your friends.
Heartfelt thanks to audience and performers for another enjoyable night.

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