Ashington Folk Club - Spotlight 20 April 2006

20th April 2006

Two spotlight acts for the price of one and a return visit for past residents of the Club. Wow!

First Spotlight was on Dave Donohoe and he treated us to his relaxed and gentle style with a mix of contemporary song. The second Spotlight was on Ben Yeowart who, in his own inimitable style, gave words of wisdom with his maxims on life and played both 12 and 6 string guitar (but not at the same time!).

Because there were 3 extended sets we had to limit the time for our our floor spot performers - they covered many genres, all contributing to a grand night.

You can Listen to an mp3 Soundbite of each performer, and...

Full piece performed by Dave Donohoe

Full piece performed by Ben Yeowart

Full piece performed by The Amazing Bean Bag Band

1
Starting the night was Ray Derrick who sang his winning song from The 2005 Morpeth Gathering, 'Leaving Harbour'. Will he win again this time, making it 3 years in a row? Good luck Ray!

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2
With banjo in hand Doug Wood was next. In fine style he played 'How Mountain Girls Can Love' (with some of his own lyrics added) and 'When The Train Comes Along'.

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3
Vince Carr, in relaxed mood after his recent Spotlight, sang the Moody Blues song 'You Can Never Go Home (Any More)'.

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4
Then it was the turn of John Campbell with Bobbie Gentrie's dark and mysterious song 'Ode To Billie Joe' (he later told the MC that he first played this in 1967!).

5 Spotlight
Dave Donohoe began his set with Christine McVie's 'Songbird' which he followed with his self-penned 'White Lightning' about the evils of cider! Then came 'Whiter Shader Of Pale', 'Clare To Here' and a few songs written by his good friend Kevin Robinson; 'Spirit of America', 'Urban Cowboy', 'High Time' and 'Cowboy Heroes' which he dedicated to Jack. Next was Dylan's 'I Shall Be Released' and then, with dropped bass tuning and bottleneck, his own 'Money'. He finished his set with another Dylan song appropriately called 'It's All Over Now Baby Blue'. Thanks, Dave, for a great spot.

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6
To begin the second half we had The Amazing Bean Bag Band (who were regular performers at the Club in the early days). They were playing together again for the first time in about 20 years. It was all their own stuff as they sang 'Pitman's Holiday', 'One More Dance', 'Deep Water (Falling In Love With You)', 'The Soldier And The Raggle Taggle Gypsy'. They finished with their well known song 'Matty's New Restaurant' (celebrating the first Chinese in Ashington!). They had a great time and so did we. Thanks lads.

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7
Time then for Pat Yeowart and Kevin. They gave us 'The Nearness of You', originally written by Ned Jones and Hoagy Carmichael for the movie "Romance In The Dark".

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8
Jack Hakin has been away a while with a broken arm! It was good to see him back on form with the Hank Williams gospel song 'I Saw The Light'.

9 Spotlight
Ben Yeowart was theatrical and entertaining, changing from 12 string with sound effects to 6 string, sometimes sitting, sometimes standing and with maxims for life thrown in too! He began his set on the 12 string with 'Hello'. 'Million Dollar Bash' by Dylan was next, then 'Playing Tricks', 'Broken' and 'Best Friend'. He ended with the traditional song 'Shady Grove' and, following shouts for more, he encored with his own song 'Laughing In The Corner'. Thanks, Ben, for another great spot.

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