Christchurch Folk Music Club
Joel Fafard releases his ‘Fowl Mood’ CD
13 March, 2018
Joel features on the cover of the current ‘Hear Ye’, maybe not as prestigious as the cover of the “Rolling Stone” however a real kudos statement for our club. Joel certainly met the challenge with his performance on Sunday night.
This was his third time visiting Christchurch and having been at all three of these local concerts I unequivocally state that this was the best of the three. In 2010 Joel added vocals to his performance; prior to this it had been instrumentals only. The vocal techniques that he generously gave the audience belied the relatively short six years of honing this craft as the timbre of his voice was solid, rich and unfaltering, matching the guitar playing underneath the melody with equally strong and rhythmic finger picking with accentuating licks of slide thrown in.
The achievement looked even more remarkable as the majority of Joel’s left hand work was done with slide on his finger which meant the other fingers were making the chordal changes in lightning speed. The night gave us variety, a mix of Joel’s own storytelling that gave us the reasons for his set choices, his own song and instrumentals, including ‘The Mosquito Buzz’ inspired by the Saskatchewan mosquito reported to be calculated at 25 bites per minute as a timing measurement. Some tried and trusted blues interspersed among some spine chilling gospel created a well-rounded night that was enjoyed and evoked a rousing request from the audience.
It was with irony that Joel as a Canadian with a Gaelic heritage played on the stage bedecked with the remnants of the decorations celebrating the previous day’s St Patrick’s Day commemorations. Not that we noticed this at all as Jowl was on stage to present his creativity and that he did with fine musicianship. Music creates relationships, both with the music itself and with those that it touches. Friendships have arisen and continued from Joel’s previous visits to Christchurch, a very special acknowledgement of the connection that our club offers and to see those supporters in the audience heart-warming. There were also supporters of Joel’s wife Megan, also on this tour, who as a student spent time studying at Canterbury’s University Fine Arts programme. Creative collaborations abound in this family as Megan’s artwork features on the CD covers, an amalgamation fostering creativity well matched.
I look forward to the next concert that Joel brings back to us, and as one audience members shared with me Joel has the makings to be a big star. Deservedly so I reiterate.
By Judi Smitheram, Secretary
More Reviews
Jed Rowe, with Monique Aiken, 30-09-2018
The night opened with the returned to her home city after seven years proving her guitar and singing skills in the Wellington folk scene, was Monique Aiken Monique presented confidently bringing us her own songs eloquently crafted delivered with vocal...
read moreWomen of Folk Concert 23-09-2018
A special concert to celebrate the important contribution that the women of folk have achieved. Music permeates our hearts carrying a strong message that has both challenged for change and acknowledged achievements to coincide with the Suffrage 125...
read moreThe Ceilidh Dance 16/09/2018
A cèilidh is a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering, where dance and music is the binding factor. The dancers were certainly bound in joy for the dance and the Monday Night Session Band brought music that was dance-able and enjoyable. The delight...
read moreThe Muddy Mama Blues Band 26/08/2018
What a night we shared at the Folk Club on Sunday! From the moment the first few bars hit the air the audience was captivated by The Muddy Mama Blues Band. Lead singer Judi Smitheram showed great form, revelling in the mighty musicianship of her five-piece...
read moreOpen Mic Night 05/08/2018
Christchurch Folk Club attracted performers from Scotland, USA, those recently moved from the North Island and some well voiced locals brought colour and artistry to the stage. As always a great night of diversity and original talent. by Judi Smitheram...
read moreMatty Smith and Josh Braden 29/07/2018
A soft, acoustic approach for a night filled with the creativity of Matty's original songs to the fore and shining. There was contrast throughout the night. The night opened with the tones of the David Gray sound-alike Matty crooning his songs with a depth...
read moreBeyondsemble – Back of Beyond Tour 04/03/2018
Back of Beyond generously gave a funky, folk, good fusion feel when they played at the Folk Club on Sunday 4th March 2018. With Craig Denham on accordion, piano, vocals and percussion, along with Nathan Torvik on guitar, vocals, bass and mandolin, and...
read moreFolk Club 40th Birthday
Tracy Kolenchuk has made a pictorial record of the Folk Club's 4oth Birthday, and it is shared here:...
read moreRyan Neville and the Midnight Blues Show Band 15/07/2018
An audience member commented that it was impossible to sit still with this fabulous music playing, they just had to stand up and dance. This summarises the night, music that offered toe tapping danceable grooves. Just back for a tour in USA the tight and...
read moreToo Many Chiefs – 22/07/2018
I was pleased I went to Christchurch Folk Music Club on a cold Sunday night. 'Too Many Chiefs' are very good musicians. I enjoyed all their unique songs as each band member performed their own work. If you are like me and enjoy memorable lyrics go and see...
read moreMatty Smith and Josh Braden, acoustic and harmonious
29 July 2018, A soft, acoustic approach for a night filled with the creativity of Matty's original songs to the fore and shining. There was contrast throughout the night. The night opened with the tones of the David Gray sound-alike Matty...
read moreBottlelake Junction
Christchurch's newest Celtic-Bluegrass Band, Bottlelake Junction wowed the audience with some awe inspiring music by three musicians individually accomplished and together they were dynamic. This trio emerged from the Canterbury Folk Festival...
read moreDan Walsh combined ‘virtuoso playing and winning songwriting’
18th February 2018, Fresh from a nomination for BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year and off the back of the busiest world tour of a successful career, Dan Walsh returned for a third trip to New Zealand, and his third to the Folk Club, to...
read moreAlan Reid in Concert, guest artist 2018 Auckland Folk Festival
We heard him here first on 21st January 2018. On his way to the Auckland Folk Festival Alan Reid from Scotland of Battlefield Battle claim, shared his wealth of experience with us in the beautiful Addington Haven. Nearly fifty years of...
read moreAlistair Brown – a well traveled Scottish singer & concertina
Alistair Brown has been singing the old songs, and new songs written by people who like the old songs, since he was fifteen years old. He began his career helping out in the folk clubs of his native Scotland during the folk revival of the 60s,...
read moreGraham Wardrop and Roger Lusby
A night when two Otago raised lads brought their well-founded and honed skills to a Christchurch stage, amidst a room filled with anticipation and a full audience. If there was expectation in the air for a fantastic night of entertainment,...
read moreThe Squirrelly Bills & Gary Elford
25th March 2018 Like the phoenix rising from the ashes this night shone with the changed billing. Due to unforeseen circumstances The Squirrelly Bills stepped up from their support act role and covere3d the first half of the night with Gary...
read moreThe Port Hillbillies
27th May 2018 The Port Hillbillies concert marked the end of a joyous union of four talents that met majorly through Christchurch Folk Club connections. Kris Brown on guitar has taken the opportunity of a ‘dream job’ and will be returning to...
read moreFerris Family and Friends
22nd April 2018 A night where the music soared with eagles wafted on the up draughts of some great music generated by a flock of Ferris family and or Ferris family friends. The evening promised and delivered a show with lots of variety, colour,...
read moreAdam McGrath
June 2018 There is an interwoven thread of connections between Adam McGrath and the Christchurch Folk Club spanning many years. He has previously performed at both the Folk Club and the Canterbury Folk Festival, and we hope to have him or The...
read more