Christchurch Folk Music Club
Dave Hart & James Bowen
Club concert – 21 May, by Tony Kiesanowski
With the evening billed as an English double feature, James “Bar” Bowen began by introducing us to his view of some of the world’s characters he has come across in his travels. Reminiscent of the in yer face, no nonsense style of Billy Bragg, and displaying a touch of punk in both appearance and delivery, he soon pulled us into the varied lives of the actors in his songs. His skills in observing the human condition were well showcased.
In particular, he showed that his song writing skills had not lain idle during his stay in this country, with a moving rendition of “She is a Loving Mother”, taken from his experience of offering a lift to a late night traveller. His simple but effective playing style serves him well in forcefully delivering those songs with a social bite. However he also showed some deft touches on his more reflective numbers. He rounded out his performance with introductions which gave us a doorway into his thoughts and set the scene. His version of “Laughing Lenny” Cohen’s “Halleluiah” showed that he knew the canny performer’s trick of getting the audience to sing along in the encore. A fine appetizer.
The second half then saw Dave Hart, club stalwart, band lynchpin, and altogether solid and sound man, take the stage for our edification and amusement. Bantam less and Slim less, Dave proceeded to showcase his wide and varied repertoire, ranging from the rigours of the Australian outback to the delights of colo-rectal surgery. It was a surprise, but a welcome one, to be told just how fortunate we were in having Dave on stage playing for us, given that one of his forebears had been the favoured selection on an Indian menu. As always, Dave’s poetry renditions will move the mildest mannered audience to hooting and guffawing. This duly occurred with his rendition of “Bonaparte’s Retreat from Wigan”, complete with enthusiastic audience participation (at least for those wearing vests!).
A bantam then fluttered on stage in the persona of Sue Galvin.
Together, Dave and Sue performed a lovely traditional rendition of “Man of Constant Sorrow”, with Dave continuing to showcase his versatility by accompanying himself on autoharp. Dave really knows how to capture the idiosyncrasies of the English working class, and the highlight of the set for me was his version of Jeremy Taylor’s “Job’s Worth”, backed by Sue’s driving guitar work, and second fluttering bantam Jane Hart’s lusty trombone accompaniment.
For our fortunate benefit, Dave possesses all the qualities which make him a fine raconteur, singer and musician. His performance was literally delightful. Come back soon Skipper, you’re welcome any time.
Darrell Scott: CD- “Live in NC”
Reviewed by Christine Smith Darrell Scott: Vocals, guitar(electric/acoustic), songwriter Danny Thompson: 'Victoria' (Acoustic Double Bass) Kenny Malone: Percussion If you're looking for a CD which will leave you gob-smacked, then this is the...
Cam Ye Oér By Bus?
By Vic McDonald, New Edinburgh Folk Club 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...
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...
Andrea Zonn – Love Goes On
If you are anything like me, the name Andrea Zonn means absolutely nothing to you, but, rest assured, when you hear this little gem it will spend hours in your player of choice. She's a Nashville gal. Her mother and father are musicians and she...
Fat Boy & Slim Review
Sunday 1st March, 2009 By Marjorie Mitchell God Bless the Queen! Victoria that is. Dave Hart (Fat Boy) and John Jones (Slim) right royally entertained us at the Folk Club last night. Vaudeville is what Fat Boy and Slim excel at - like you have...
Iain Mitchell
Review: Iain Mitchell, 5th July By Dave Hart What a breath of genuine Scots air, in more ways than one. A voice like a Scottish gale indeed. I’ve known this wee lad for some decades now and his ability to regale with song and yarns is...
‘Pulling the Ton’: The Muddy Mama Blues Band
22 March 2015 At 9:30pm the satiated audience rose to its feet as the encore of St Louis Blues faded away. The somewhat staid interior walls of the Irish Society Hall had rocked all evening to, at times, a 10-piece band intent on remaining...
Gats, Gats and More GATS!
Guitarist Tony Hale had been working on an idea to bring together some of our best local finger- pickers for a guitar-laden concert. It came to fruition recently as 'Fingerpicking Delights' and was warmly received by a full house at the...
Ryan Neville and the Midnight Blues Show Band
Born in Christchurch New Zealand, Ryan Neville has been entertaining for 25 years. Having a huge appetite for Blues and its Colourful legacy, Ryan has with guitar in hand, song in his back pocket been taking the world by storm.. Having an...