Folk Music
I was given my first guitar (a Levin Goliath) when I was 14, but it was not until university that I finally settled on folk music as my genre of choice – at least for playing.
Shortly after moving to the North-East I joined Dave Martin and Nigel Bond (brother to Pete, Trevor and John) in the group Blue Anchor. We played all over the region, and occasionally further afield, and made two recordings – an album shared with Pete Beresford and Mick Sheehan called “Some Cleveland and Dales Folk” and our own album “Plenty Love and Bacon”. We also ran the Pied Piper Folk Club in Osmotherly.
In 1983 I moved to Tyneside. Then Dave moved to Cheshire, and practicing got a bit difficult, so Blue Anchor called it a day.
Pre-covid my local folk club used to be The Davy Lamp Folk Club, held on the first Saturday of every month (except for the summer break) at the Arts Centre in Fatfield, Washington. The club has now closed. Each night would kick off with a session, of which this is a typical example.
I used to play with a semi-professional group called Backshift, along with Terri and Eric Freeman and Ken Tonge. With a few other singers and musicians we still comprise the residents at the Davy Lamp. Between us we’ve made several CDs – this is the latest.
Peggy Seeger is a consummate performer and true professional, but not above getting a local guitarist up on stage with her. One of my prouder moments!
Myself at the club, hoping that if I can only get the guitar (a Martin M36) in tune I will sound like a real singer. I used to play mostly ragtime, like the Dallas Rag (1,447 KB). This was recorded on my venerable (1966) Martin D18. If you’re familiar with Dave Liebman’s arrangement you’ll notice I’ve simplified a couple of bars! Since developing functional dystonia I can only use a plectrum – so when I’m playing on my own I stick with songs like the Brownsferry Blues (2,804 KB).
With Backshift I mostly played mandolin. I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to acquire a Sobell and a couple of Gibsons (1924 and 2004).
Amongst my other instruments are a really nice Weber Bridger Octave Mandolin (which I’m playing in the session above), a Hohner Musette IV accordian and a very old tenor banjo. Some of these can be heard on this home recording (4MB) on a friend’s 8-track.
For the past few years I’ve been playing with the Bones Creek Band, supporting Step This Way. This is a local dance group concentrating on Appalachian clog dancing. They are a delight to play for, being both friendly and professional. I know I’m biased, but catch them if you can!
Other music
For many years I’ve sung with the St Andrew’s Operatic Society. They put on a Gilbert & Sullivan opera every February, complete with full orchestra, and perform several concerts each summer. Choral music is fun to sing, and I find it very rewarding.
Videos
Here are a few videos, taken at a large anniversary party that Pat and I went to in 2019, held in a magnificent house overlooking Windermere. We’re both wearing our complimentary fleeces!
Pat – “The Building Of The Waal”
Colin – “My Old Friend The Blues”
Colin – “Come Take A Trip In My Airship”
Colin – “Roman Folk Song”
Colin – “Walking On Sunday”