Christchurch Folk Music Club
Babelfish
Feb 12, By Jan Driscoll
One very hot night in more ways than one, having missed Babelfish the last time they appeared at the Club, I was looking forward to a good evenings entertainment and I was not to be disappointed. For those, like myself who had no idea what the name Babelfish represents, Kerrin and Tim explained, a babelfish is evidently a mythical little fish that one inserts into ones ear thus enabling one to understand all languages, and in their case it works! Their repertoire is wide and varied, from originals, trad, contemporary, bluegrass, jazz and beyond, all handled with flair and verve. Babelish opened their first set with Sincerely Yours, one of Tim’s songs, bursting into it with great energy and good harmonies which the audience really appreciated. From then on the pace barely slowed with song after song interspersed with delightful instrumentals.
Stand-outs for me were Mountains of Mourne where Tim’s voice struck just the right balance between humour and pathos, Butterfly and Drowsy Maggie where Kerrin’s fiddle wove in and out of Tim’s rhythmic guitar work in a toe-tapping blizzard of sound. Also an Indigo Girls song Closer to Fine where two voices and two instruments blended beautifully. Babelfish are definately the “Dynamic Duo”, full of energy, strong delivery with excellent guitar and fiddle work, voices that blend beautifully and they can take old songs and imbue them with a new freshness and deliver new songs with delight. All in all an entertaining night in front of a very appreciative audience…so thank you Babelfish
Monique Aiken and Ryan Fisherman 28.04.19
Two local young talented local musicians shared their music, their collaborations, the inspiration behind their creativity and most of all their love of performing. A night where the craft of singer-songwriting was truly to the fore, as Monique and Ryan both shared...
Women 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...
Colin Henderson and Jeff Bell 09.09.2018
Colin and Jeff brought their favourites to become our favourites. Jeff and Colin both respected musicians in their own rights joined forces to play a mixture of covers featuring songs from Bob Dylan to Adele. We were promised a laid back night and songs we could sing...
The Chaps, the final concert to mark the 50th Celbrations
The finale concert on Sunday 25th November 2018, to celebrate the Folk Club's 50th anniversary weekend, we welcomed The Chaps from Dunedin acknowledging the long supportive association that exists between the Folk Clubs in Christchurch and Dunedin. Since 1989...
Uke Nomad: Anu and Laurie- uke vibe and energy 24.03.2019
Uke Nomad Uke Nomad - Anu Grace and Laurie Bycroft, Australian kiwis at heart on their third tour of the south island are re-living the rich troubadour tradition of writing/storytelling and singing up the places, rivers and people they meet. The connections made over...
Beyondsemble – Back of Beyond Tour 04/03/2018
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Folk Club 40th Birthday
Tracy Kolenchuk has made a pictorial record of the Folk Club's 4oth Birthday, and it is shared here: http://www.pbase.com/tracyk/2008_11_23_christchurch_folk_dance_music
Ryan 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...
Too 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...
Matty 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...