Christchurch Folk Music Club
Cam Ye Oér By Bus?
They came frae the north, the bogs and the moors
attacking the heartland as oft times before
They came armed with guitars, accordions and more
and one had an organ and played it full sore
It became with a banquet of beasts freshly slain
and cooked on the platform where folks catch the train
and when hosts and raiders were fed and replete,
why then said their leaders,” now take to your seats”
So all sat and listened as they sallied forth,
a singin’ and playin’ for all they were worth
And first twas the Bantams – an opera well led
by David the Hart helped by Sue and Big Red
And when they had finished their jaunty wee songs,
the Harts they withdrew but Sweet Sue, she stayed on
A song of a bike ride played on Barkman the One,
I smelled the salt sea, I laughed in the sun
Then Philip played nicely with voice sweet and true
and played for the host a wee number or two
Then joined by a lady whose name I forget,
but good vocal style, it stays with me yet
And then was the audience totally destroyed
by the organ, afore-mentioned, and John Sanchez- Lloyd
He played and sang so well that you may be sure,
men, women and kinder were howling for more
So after a drink stop we looked to the floor
to see if these Raiders could come up with more
Up stepped a lean Scotsman, we knew he could do it,
he plays lovely music does that Davy Stewart
A beautiful ballad of love that was gone
and one of a place where the people moved on
And then some flat picking, a jig, a strathspey,
better than he looks, some people might say
Then T. Kiesonowski or Tony to you,
played us some blues songs and joined by our Sue
Then one he had written that blows us away,
Coming down from Paradise on a diamond- hard day
How could they finish ? they’d all played so well,
with a superstar songstress, Isabella Miller-Bell
With Sue Grant on guitar she launched into song
and easily carried the audience along
And then all these Raiders assembled as one,
their final finale was finally begun
“Will the circle be broken?” they asked us in song,
“Hell no!” we replied, as we all sang along
And so it was ended and everyone left,
the Station, as usual, of people bereft
As our friends all returned to their swamp on the plain,
we can’t wait for the time when we see them again
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
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...
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...