About time I put something on the blog!

Yes I have been letting things slip in the blog department, no excuse really so I won't make one up. What have I been up to then? Well on Tuesday I had a cyst removed from my neck - it was only a little tiny spot, but you would have thought I was having my head cut off, if you had stumbled in on me at the minor ops dept in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich. There was this Chinese doctor hacking away at my neck with a machete. There was blood pumping out at 10 gallons a second and two nigerian nurses pinning me down on the operating table. I'm glad that's over!

Dave Kenningham Mick Woods Bill Gardner

I went to Clancy's last Saturday and had a great time. There were only a handful of us there but who cares? It's quality not quantity. Special mention for Colin & Helen who seem to get better every time I hear them - their voices sound so good when singing in harmony - I love it! Also George who was fantastic. It's so good to see more of George these days. He is a talented performer and also a really nice bloke - good on ya George!

The Tudor Barn was a singaround this Wednesday. A few new faces turned up including Sean who treated us to an unaccompanied ballad in Welsh, which I am informed is a first for FolkMob. Sean also played some nice guitar. The rest of the evening seemed to have a Scottish theme to it. Probably started by Robin, who kicked off the evening with a fine version of The Proclaimers hit "I would Walk 500 Miles". Tony (Croydon) was as usual exceptionally good with a super version of Richard & Linda Thompson's "Down Where The Drunkards Roll" I'm looking forward to Tony's extended stage spot next week. I must also mention Peter who we sometimes take for granted he really has a great singing voice. His rendition of Eric Bogle's "Now I'm Easy" was probably the best that I've ever heard.

Thursday night Orpington Folk Club had Mike Ryan and Pete Harris who were very entertaining. They played mostly original material some unaccompanied and some with guitar or bazouki. There were songs about navvies, poppies, Tom Payne's bones and The Tolpuddle martyrs. I would have liked to see the second set, but had to leave at 10 o'clock to get a lift home.

Mick Ryan & Pete Harris

surprise floor spot from American guitar-harp virtuoso John Roan John has recorded with Burl Ives, Donovan and Ricki Lee Jones. He has been nominated for an emmy and his last album won "Celtic Album Of The Year" in the States. Very strange looking instrument but it sounded fantastic. Brian has asked him to come back and have an extended spot but looking at John's diary I think that won't be in the near future.

John Roan

Brian Bruce & Elaine finally tied the knot last Saturday at a quiet wedding ceremony down in Warminster. Congratulations to them both! Sorry Elaine I haven't got any pictures of you!

Brian Bruce