30-Jun-09 David Ferrard at Cramlington Folk Club

We were one of the two support acts for David Ferrard, a singer-songwriter based in Edinburgh. He sang a number of self-penned songs and some traditional songs interspersed with stories about where the songs came from. There was a good crowd in tonight and he went down well.

Club organiser Keith got proceedings underway almost bang on 8:00 pm - club policy is to start on time even if it means latecomers may miss some of the early music... good on you Keith, we enthusiastically support this initiative. First up were Gerry Tapscott and John Redpath, who were joined by John Baston on harmonica for one of their songs. For our 4 songs in the first half we did all self-penned numbers with the trademark jiva setup of Val playing 12-string (Missy) and Jimmy playing 6-string (Rio):

• Different Dreams (jiva)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• When (jiva)
• One More Song (jiva)

It was great to hear the Cramlington choir with us on all our choruses. However, the sound gremlins were at play again, despite taking our own balanced cables, as Jimmy had great difficulty hearing his own guitar but Val could hear everything! We were assured that the sound out front was very good... so maybe Jimmy's hearing is the culprit.

For our second spot we swapped to the alternate set up of Val playing 6-string (Nams) with Jimmy also on 6-string (Rio). We sang:

• Louise (Paul Siebel)
• Sonny (Ron Hynes)

Mike Jessop wrote a full review for the Cramlington Folk Club website - read it here.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Cramlington Folk Club
David Ferrard website

28-Jun-09 Durham Music Festival Hiring Concert

For a number of years now Fred Brierley, stalwart folkie from Croxdale, has organised the Durham Traditional Music Festival. This is a three day event which always takes place at the end of June. We went along again this year to take part in the Sunday afternoon 'Hiring Concert' - we had taken part last year too. The event was run by Jim Bainbridge, a traditional style singer who accompanies himself on the button accordion and he got proceedings promptly underway at 1:00pm with his own 20-minute spot.

The acts, in order of performance, were Phil Graham, Acoustica, Makepeace & Brindle, Chris Kelly, jiva and Terry Gorman. Then Jim Bainbridge returned to finish off the afternoon with a further 20-minute spot.

For our slot we played:

• Diffferent Dreams (jiva)
• When (jiva)
• Louise (Paul Siebel)
• Sonny (Ron Hynes)
• Some Way Home (jiva)

We were asked to do one more and happily obliged with 'Back Home To You' (Allan Taylor).

It was a very warm afternoon, and the extractor fan churning away loudly and open windows made it difficult sometimes to hear everything clearly - there was no PA, so everyone played acoustically. Everyone performed well, and it was a good afternoon of mostly contemporary music with many numbers written by the performers.

We doubt there was much (if any) 'hiring' initiated by this concert, but it was an enjoyable way to catch up with friends and fellow performers.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace

27-Jun-09 Acoustica at Seaton Delaval Arts Centre

Following our own concert at this venue in February we went along to watch our friends Acoustica (Andy & Cath). Andy plays various guitars and Cath plays guitar, violin and accordion and, of course, they both sing too. They had their friend John Brindle as a guest.

The room was set out nicely in cabaret style with lighted candles and some nibbles to eat on the tables. It's a BYOB (bring your own booze) venue and some people had even brought strawberries and cream... well it is Wimbledon fortnight! We went along with Terry and Catherine Ferdinand and there were a few other familiar faces in the audience, there to support Andy & Cath and also the venue which is doing so much for live entertainment in the area.

It was a grand night and we were treated to some new songs as well as many of our favourites.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Acoustica website

26-Jun-09 MIND Active

First visit to this home this year... we're due to play there again in December. It has such a a friendly atmosphere and we're always made to feel welcome by the residents and staff. They make a great cup of coffee! One resident commented how our songs are so nice and have lovely, easy to remember choruses!

As usual we played two 30-minute spots with a short break for a gargle and tuning of the guitars. We sang:

• Love At The Five & Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• Passin' Thru (Randy Scruggs and Johnny Cash)
• Sonny (Ron Hynes)

Then:

• Dream On (jiva)
• Maginot Waltz (Ralph McTell)
• When (jiva)
• Different Dreams (jiva)
• One More Song (jiva)

There was great interaction with the the residents with our song introductions and some good chat afterwards before we bade everyone farewell with promises of our return.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
MINDActive website

23-Jun-09 Foggy Furze Folk Club

This was our second visit in 2009 to this friendly Hartlepool folk club. Tonight we took along Gerry Tapscott, a friend and fellow resident at Cramlington Folk Club. There was a good turnout this evening and a good cross-section of styles and abilities - we had contemporary and traditional, folk and blues, jazz classics, sea shanties, guitars, mandolin, harmonica, a capella... and the usual supportive commentary and banter throughout the night.

For our first spot we played Ralph McTell's 'Maginot Waltz' and 'Tommy' by Kelly Joe Phelps. After the break, Chairman Ian De 'ath asked if we'd finish the night and we happily obliged with 'Different Dreams' (jiva) and Allan Taylor's 'Back Home To You'... so we sent everyone home singing. Great stuff!

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Foggy Furze website

21-June-09 Big Folk Gathering, Sleekburn

A weekend of music organised by Ken Phillipson and held at The General Havelock in East Sleekburn where Ken has arranged many music nights and events.

As we were scheduled to play a 1 hour spot on the Sunday we popped along on the Saturday to support the other performers and check out how things were being organised re setup and sound check etc. Unfortunately it was raining, and so the contingency plan came into effect - the music was being done inside the pub on a more adhoc basis.

Sunday came, and with it came the sunshine... no rain all day. There was a good audience sitting out on the grass, and in addition to the Sunday performers there were some Saturday performers who hadn't played their scheduled spot on their day... so we cut our set to around 40 minutes to accommodate the revised schedule.

Although there was a 'house' PA available we used our own Bose L1 sound system - it was a great opportunity to see how it performs in an outdoor environment... great! We played:

• Love At The Five & Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• Passin' Thru (Randy Scruggs and Johnny Cash)
• Different Dreams (jiva)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• When (jiva)
• One More Song (jiva)

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace

20-June-09 Netherton Folk Club

We just love going to this community hall folk club run by Jack Wilkinson. He makes everyone very welcome and very special - we always feel like celebrities there!

There was a sizeable audience who were entertained by a good mix of performers doing self-penned material, traditional and contemporary folk, pop/modern classics, guitar, harmonica, and accordion... it's all there. Jack runs a very welcoming club with a supportive and friendly atmosphere.

We played three songs in the first half 'Dream On' (jiva); 'Maginot Waltz' (Ralph McTell) and 'Lucky Man' (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), and Jack asked us to finish the night with a 20-minute slot. We sang four self-penned numbers 'Different Dreams'; 'Some Way Home'; 'When' and, of course, club favourite 'One More Song'.

Jack shared part of the jiva love story with the audience, was kind enough to remind people we will there in November for a full guest night when he promises to tell the rest of the tale - we're already looking forward to it.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Netherton Folk Club

19-Jun-09 Turning the tables on Terry Ferdinand

Terry Ferdinand of Bishop fm is a good friend and supporter to many MySpace artistes. His weekly Folk Show and Folk Up Front programmes have always been popular and we wanted to somehow say thank you for everything he does. So we thought, how better to say thank you then to turn the tables. We would interview Terry and get behind the 'legend' that is Terry Ferdinand!

We had been planning and scheming for a number of weeks:

• before Terry and Catherine went on their trip to France we'd set the date for them to come to dinner after their return
• we'd been in contact with previous Folk Up Front interviewees and other specific MySpace friends requesting quotes/questions... we also asked the first few to respond for permission to use a music track in the 'show'
• we'd prepared a 'draft working script' to ensure we got all the quotes and questions in
• we'd prepared all the quotes and questions and music mp3 files and loaded them onto our netbook
• we'd printed off an aide memoire from the draft script

They day arrived and we prepared the Blue Room, microphones were set up in readiness, recording software primed on the PC (in the dining room), netbook poised and at the ready, everything tested, listened to and listened to again through our Bose PA system to try and make sure there would be no surprises and that everything could be heard clearly and recorded properly.

Netbook, microphones, Bose, watch and script at the ready!

At the duly allotted time Terry and Catherine arrived (yes - actually on time!) and, while pretending to be showing Terry and Catherine our new digital CamCorder, we sprang the surprise! True to his nature of being a good sport he immediately agreed to the interview.

Needless to say we were more nervous than he was, and probably sounded a bit 'wooden' as we asked questions, pressed playback buttons and read out some quotes and questions... but Terry was great, very supportive and encouraging as always. One thing's for sure - we'll leave interviewing and radio presenting to Terry and co... don't think we could take the stress on a regular basis.

Much relieved that we actually had secured a recording we relaxed over dinner (Val having worked her usual magic in the kitchen), washing it down with good wine and good conversation... wish we'd been that relaxed while recording! Then we retired back to the Blue Room with coffee and chocolates - Terry asked if we'd mind if he videod us (for JoAnne) singing a couple of songs and, although we don't make a habit of performing after a meal, we were only too happy to oblige... will, the videos of 'Different Dreams' (with Terry providing some interesting vocal accompaniment) and 'Louise' ever find their way onto YouTube? Who knows...

Many thanks to Terry and Catherine for being such good sports - and many thanks to everyone who helped us by submitting quotes, questions and music. Now we have to find time to sit down and edit it all into a listenable show... wish us luck.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Terry Ferdinand MySpace
Bishop fm website

16-Jun-09 Cramlington Folk Club

We'd not been to a singers night for sometime (it's taken weeks for Val to shake off her sinus irritation and we're still note sure it's fully gone).

There was quite a high number of performers with everyone getting two songs each. The evening included a large number of 'big band' combinations - some of the regulars performing numerous times in makeshift bands where only the lead singer changed.

For our two songs we sang Allan Taylor's 'Back Home To You' and the Randy Scruggs/Johnny Cash song ' Passin' Thru'.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Cramlington Folk Club website

13-Jun-09 Eric Bogle at The Davy Lamp

We'd neither of us been to an Eric Bogle gig before and when we learnt he was on his final UK tour we knew we had to see him. Well known for many classic songs, eg. 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' and 'No Mans Land' (also known as 'The Green Fields Of France') we went along full of anticipation for an evening of good music. We weren't disappointed.

The room was full as the evening kicked off with an extended set from the resident band Backshift. Then, after a short set-up break, Eric Bogle and John Munroe took to the stage - John's guitar playing and harmony singing were the perfect complement to Eric's songs.

A grand night was had by all - classic songs delivered with professionalism and an easy manner with the audience who raucously cheered for the well-deserved encore.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Eric Bogle website
Davy Lamp Folk Club website

12-Jun-09 The Caffreys at Porters, Tynemouth

We went along to Porters Coffee House in Tynemouth to see The Caffreys. We were pleased to see them back to full strength with brother Paul in the line-up - we had missed his harmonies when we last saw them at Cramlington Folk Club earlier this year.

Being one of the region's most popular bands, the Caffrey's had a good turn out of followers, with some people having to stand - all adding to the atmosphere of a good, happening, night of music.

Our friends Andy & Cath (Acoustica) were there too and it was good to catch up with them. Conversation was somewhat difficult... although billed as 'The Caffrey's Acoustic' it was loud - in addition to the superb three-part harmony vocals Big Al on electric guitar and Michael Bailey on electric bass and Phil on acoustic guitar made for a big big sound!

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
The Caffreys website
Porters Coffee House website

09-Jun-09 Ewen Carruthers at Cramlington Folk Club

Ewen Carruthers kicked off his 2009 UK tour at Cramlington, giving us a night that showcased his songwriting ability and his easy relaxed interaction with audiences.

As is the norm at this club, there were two support acts before the guest. Terry Fletcher impressed with his deft guitar and vocal delivery, and Mike Hughes sang a mix of political comment and humorous songs... setting the stage well for Ewen's first set. Armed with new guitar (a Gibson) he mixed brand new songs (previously unplayed in public), songs from his new album and some all time favourites too. The Cramlington choir were in good form as he encouraged them to swell the choruses.

After the break there were more two more songs each from Terry and Mike, and the usual joke or two from Terry. Ewen had us singing right from the off in his second spot, playing many songs that had been requested during the break. After much enthusiastic applause and shouts for more he encored with an old song that had the audience raising the roof with lovely harmonies - we were still humming the tune as we left for home... nice one!

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Cramlington Folk Club

05 to 08-Jun-09 Allan Taylor Brussels Weekend

It had been a long time in the planning but this was to be a special 'Brussels Weekend' to include the premiere showing of 'The Endless Highway', a documentary film about Allan Taylor, followed by a concert with Allan himself. The event was being arranged by Henri Vandenberghe of Brosella (a voluntary organisation who arrange music events) and everything was to take place at the Moliere Theatre hosted by Muziekpublique.

We were involved in the co-ordinating of the 'Brussels Weekend' - ensuring that those wanting to be there and those organising all knew what was happening, where and when. There were people coming from all over Europe, from the UK, Denmark, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, etc, to be at this special event. Everything was ready... accommodation and travel booked and then, a week before, we received a phone call from Allan's wife, Wendy, that stopped us in our tracks...

Allan had been taken into hospital with a suspected heart attack and it was not going to be possible for him to travel to Brussels. We visited Allan in hospital and decided on a plan. It was too late to cancel everything, and Allan wanted his fans and friends to still have a weekend in Brussels and to be able to at least see the film and, importantly, get to know each other a little better. So the only thing that could happen did - the weekend went ahead, although Allan remained in England.

Allan is at home, well on the way to recovery and keen to get back to what he does best - being on the road performing... we were all relieved to hear that it had been an Angina attack, not as serious as a heart attack, but nonetheless a warning signal to be heeded.

We had a busy week communicating many times a day with different people, confirming arrangements and passing on good wishes for Allan from well-wishers.

When we woke at 7:00 am on Friday morning we were already shattered...we flew from Newcastle to Heathrow, took the underground to Kings Cross and then the Eurostar from St. Pancras. We had neither flown domestically nor travelled by Eurostar before so the whole day was quite an adventure. We arrived safely in Brussels around 5:00pm and made our way to the hotel after working out the intricacies of the Brussels underground Metro system.

Some of the Brussels Weekend party had already arrived with others due to arrive the following day. And what a weekend it was. We renewed acquaintances with old friends and made lots of new friends - everyone was determined this was going to be a special weekend even though Allan couldn't be there to share it with us all.

The film showing took place at 5:00 pm on Saturday 6th June and the theatre filled with spontaneous applause as the credits rolled. It was marvellous. The film is due for release on standard DVD and Blu-Ray within the next few months and we can highly recommend it. Afterwards we all made our way back to the hotel where we had dinner together.

Henri had also arranged with the hotel that we could have live music in their Bar Deco Verre that evening, and so he convened his version of a British Folk Club evening. We were entertained by Guy Stroobant and Didier Courtmans and Anders Mikkelson. Then it was the turn of 'scouse' Phil (who now lives in the Netherlands)... followed by jiva. There was only one way to start our short contribution - we decided it had to be an Allan Taylor song - so began with 'Back Home To You' and the sound of everyone joining in on the chorus was heartwarming. We then sang two of our own songs, 'Some Way Home' and 'One More Song' (again, with more singing along). We were playing on borrowed guitars (two 6-string Martins - thanks Didier and Anders) and, unusually for jiva, as one of the guitars had no strap pin, sitting down. It was great to be playing for Allan's fans and friends, and we received enthusiastic applause and many positive comments about our music. The night was rounded off with Guy, Didier, Phil and Anders leading everyone in a room-filling performance of Allan's 'It's Good To See You' - a moving finale indeed.

Having had a restless Friday night, we slept very soundly when we eventually got back to our room. Sunday was spent sight-seeing and generally slowing down and recovering after the roller coaster of hectic, nerve-wracking, tiring but ultimately enjoyable days we'd been through. So on Monday - having said our goodbyes, shared some hugs and addresses, and made promises to keep in touch and meet up again with friends we'd made - we did the whole journey in reverse, arriving home at around 6:00pm... exhausted, but exhilarated too.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Allan Taylor website

04-Jun-09 MIND Active

Only our second visit to this residential care home in Ashington (first visit was in 2007). Last time we played here it was very warm and we had our backs to the conservatory with the sweat pouring off but thankfully today was a little cooler (they had the skylight window open).

As usual we played two 30-minute spots with a short break for a gargle. We sang:

• Love At The Five & Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
• Different Dreams (jiva)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• When (jiva)

Then:

• Dream On (jiva)
• Maginot Waltz (Ralph McTell)
• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• Passin' Thru (Randy Scruggs and Johnny Cash)
• One More Song (jiva)

We played to a cosy 'crowd' and it was great to see feet and hands clapping and their smiling faces as we sang. One man, after every song, said 'very nice'... and he meant it! Others beamed and applauded and looked forward to our next visit. (Let's hope it won't be another two year gap.)

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
MINDActive website

03-Jun-09 Volunteer Awards Evening

Volunteering Northumberland held it's annual Awards evening at Longhirst Hall, Morpeth, for volunteers registered with with many organisations throughout the community of Northumberland. There were over 200 attendees, and we had been invited because of our work with MIND Active.

It gave us a chance to meet up with fellow MIND Active-ists and volunteers from other organisations in the area. After the Bucks Fizz at reception we headed off to our table in the main hall where we also sampled the delights of the free buffet. Entertainment was provided by a local magician wandering around and showing various tricks and by a young lad singing and accompanying himself on acoustic guitar (alas, we didn't catch his name)... we'd have preferred to be up there singing rather than being on the guest list, but with five years of regular MIND Active volunteering under our belt we had been invited to be entertained rather than do the entertaining.

There were awards to individuals and organisations alike, many thankyous and speeches and photographs etc... but we couldn't stay to the end as we still had a number of items on our 'To Do' list for Brussels and were rapidly running out of time.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
MINDActive website