Bromyard Music Sessions

Bromyard Music Festival - Report on Falcon Concert

The first Bromyard Music Festival was a great success, especially the opening night.

It kicked off on Friday night with a folk concert at the Falcon Mews, the new banqueting hall at the back of the Falcon Hotel. It really is a magnificent venue for any kind of event from a banquet to a concert.

The night started with me, Tony Burt, and I soon handed over to Foxtail Soup (Bob, Rebecca and John) who were followed in turn by the Cajun music of Les 'Ot Potatoes (Kay, Ed, Norrie and Jacques) and then AngelCynn (Rex and Patrick). A moderate but appreciative audience started to grow as the night continued and by the time Dave Haigh's turn came it was nicely full.

I was lucky enough to be joined by a number of highly talented young Bromyard musicians for my second spot. David Whittaker joined me on lead for one number and then Remy Harris and Sam Hughes backed me with some blistering Gypsy Jazz guitar on my last rendition.

Then these youngsters were joined by Mark, the first jazz bodhran player I have come across, for what indisputably the highlight of the evening. They treated us to half an hour of Gypsy Jazz and a bit of blues of an incredibly high standard. Foxtail Soup and then AngelCynn had the unenviable task of following them but as you would expect left the evening on a real high.

I think everyone was amazed by the standard of the music on offer and the relaxed atmosphere among the musicians and between performers and audience. Personally I had never experienced such a large group of performers working together without a trace of ego getting in the way.

I'd like to thank the performers for providing the music, the audience for (apparently) enjoying it, John and Sylvia for the venue but especially to John Taylor who provided and managed the PA and made sure we all sounded our best. No easy task with the number of changes he handled.

Bromyard Music Festival

There is a free folk concert in the Falcon Mews on Friday night (2nd May) featuring Foxtails, Angelcynn, Les 'Ot Potatoes (Cajun), Sam and Remy (Gypsy Jazz), moi and others. If anyone else would like a spot let me know. Doors open to the masses at 8.00 with music starting at 8.30. Format will be folk club style not a sing around.

Please spread the word as best you can. Other sessions over the weekend are:

Saturday 3rd - lunch and afternoon - Singaround in Falcon Bar
Sunday 4th - evening - Rosie, as usual
Monday 5th - lunchtime and afternoon - Singaround in Hop Pole - also beer festival there.

This is part of Bromyard Music Festival - hastily thrown together to replace the cancelled Town Criers' Contest.

COUNTRY MUSIC/BLUEGRASS SESSION AT THE WHEATSHEAF, WHITBOURNE, A44, TUESDAY 29 APRIL

Just a reminder about the Country Music/ Bluegrass Session at the Wheatsheaf on Tuesday. The first session at the end of April was well attended, with plenty of good old Country Music, and plenty of free butties generously supplied by the management. They have really sorted this venue out, and we are greatly appreciative of their enthusistic support. There is plenty of space, good acoustics, and an interested audience. The Session meets on the last Tuesday of every month. All welcome on Tuesday!

Bromyard Music Festival

Make a note in your diaries for 2nd to 5th May is going to be Bromyard Music Festival.

The European Town Criers Competition was due to take place in Bromyard but has been cancelled at short notice. Can't say it bothers me much, fat old blokes in hose, waving bells and bawling unintelligibly ain't my idea of fun! But it does leave a vacuum. Bromyard was all dressed up and ready to go and we don't want the weekend to fall flat. Hence Bromyard Music Festival.

The idea is to have a range of musical events in the pubs over the weekend, of various styles. My job is to organise the folkier end of the events. It's a bit sketchy at the moment but will go something like this:

Friday 2nd May - Folk Concert/Club in the Falcon Mews
This will be in concert or folk club style rather than a singaround. I have tentatively secured 3 or 4 decent turns (more detail soon) and welcome volunteers if you want a spot. Probably just a nominal cost at door of £2 or so - to cover expenses.

Saturday 3rd May - Session in Bar of Falcon Hotel - led by me

Sunday 4th May - Daytime session in Bar of Falcon Hotel - led by Pete Geoghan

Sunday 4th May - Evening session at Rose & Lion

Monday 5th - Session(s) tbc

For those wanting to start their own sessions they will be welcome at the Rose and Lion, Hop Pole, Bay Horse and Falcon. If anyone wants me to arrange this or just publicise on the blog let me know.

There is a real ale festival over the weekend at the Hop Pole (NB - newly re-opened, Hobsons & Woods beers plus guests, really nice food).

There will be other types of music going on too - I'll post details as I get them.

Sunday Session at the Rosie in Bromyard

Just to give an update on this long established session that meets every Sunday at the Rose and Lion in Bromyard.

If you haven't been for a while you'll be amazed at the place. The final part of the refurbishment was completed last week and the new "back room" is finally open. There is a new toilet block and a covered area with loads of standing room, I would guess the floor space of the pub is increased about 60% or more which will be very handy come the Folk Festival.

Good news is just about everyone agrees that although the alterations are fairly radical they have greatly enhanced the look and atmosphere of the place and made it much more comfortable. The beer is better than ever too as the cellarage has been improved along with everything else.

On the music front we have had a run of several really great sessions. Of note is the attendance of a growing number of young musicians from the town. We had three lads last Sunday, 18, 19 and 20 respectively playing some absolutely awesome Gypsy Jazz. They also made a real effort to contribute to our more folky material and also did some of their blues and rock stuff in an acoustic, folksy style that fitted in well.

I really believe we need a real push to attract younger players or these sessions will die out as we become too old and decrepit to participate (what do you mean, it's too late for me?).

So please come down and see for yourself and bring the kids if you can! (BTW - we've even got them drinking real ale).

The Admiral Rodney, Berrow Green

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT FOLK SESSION AT THE ADMIRAL RODNEY WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY APRIL, 23RD TO CELEBRATE ST. GEORGE'S DAY, AND WILL BE RUN ON AN 'OPEN MIC' FORMAT. ALL SONGS AND MUSIC TO BE ENGLISH AND (REASONABLY) PATRIOTIC. EVENING STARTS AT 8-00 pm.

The May session will return to its usual slot on the THIRD Wednesday (21st). Theme for that month will be songs and tunes with reference (how ever  tenuous) to the month of May in the title or in the song.

Hopefully see lots of people at both. JT

The Talbot at Knightwick

The folk session returned to the Back Bar last night after renovations necessitated by the floods of last July. The refurbishment has made a vast improvement to both ambience and acoustics, and it goes without saying that the ale was as good as ever it was. Not quite so many people (only 14) turned out this month but that was due to Easter holidays and other committments which I knew about anyway. Be good to see some 'new' faces one of these months. JT

WHEATSHEAF TUESDAY SESSION REMINDER - 25 MARCH

Just a quick reminder about the new Country Music and Bluegrass session at the Wheatsheaf, Whitbourne - last Tuesday in the month - first one is this coming Tuesday 25th March. The landlady and landlord are very supportive and have kindly promised lots of butties, so lets make it a great first night!

Easter Sunday Session at the Wheatsheaf, Whitbourne

There will be an open mic' session at the Wheatsheaf this coming Sunday. There's a barbecue and a few real ales on tap and cover if it rains.

Music kicks off about 3.00, most of the "Rosie" crew will be there, all others most welcome.

The Wheatsheaf is on the A44, on the corner of the right turn up to Whitbourne. Was a dreary place in the past but the new landlord and landlady are setting high standards on food and drink.

Session at the Falcon, Bromyard 18th March

Just a reminder of the session at the Falcon on Tuesday 18th March.

We were a bit thin on numbers last month so if you are wavering make the decision to turn up - it's lonely without you and lovely as Sylvia's food is I can't eat it all!