Woodman Folk Club - Newsletter

Well here we are again, almost in the merry month of June…and the years just seem to keep flying by so swiftly that I don’t know where I am most of the time! But at least we still have most of the summer and autumn to look forward to with all the festivals and holidays that those sunny seasons bring…..not to mention all the delights that we still have in store for you on Friday nights down at the marina and June will commence……

…..on Friday the 6th when our good friend, the irrepressible Mr Dave Gibb dons his summer clothes and makes his annual pilgrimage to the balmy southern climes of Kingswinford to delight us all with tales of scrapping pensioners, randy gypsies slippery...erm...thingies, pirate flags, and all manner of other weird and wonderful delights his prolific pen has conjured up in his bothy up north! Dave has entertained us magnificently on many occasions in the past and I’m sure that this will be no exception. He describes himself as ‘a left-handed, balding, middle aged, songwriting folky from Scotland’s highest village’ and that’s a pretty good summing up really. If you’ve managed to catch him at a festival or on one of his previous visits to the club then you’ll know what you’re in for. If not come down and find out - you won’t be disappointed, I can guarantee it! Dave is an excellent singer songwriter, no mean guitar picker either and he’s sure to raise a chortle or two with his anecdotes of life on the road. You will no doubt be instructed to….. ‘SING’!

Then on Friday 13th oo-errr!! We are bringing you another debut act I think, in the form of The Salts. I'm not 100% sure whether the Salts have played at the club before - certainly not this century - although their front man, Lee Collinson, appeared as a solo artist in 2001, for those of you with sufficient memory cells! The Salts are frequently described as a Shantypunk band and, as you might expect, are a pretty lively bunch. Twenty first century folk fires a respectful broadside at the traditional. The Salts are a co-operative of 5 seasoned musicians, creating what is fast becoming one of the most exciting and energetic folk concepts of recent times.

They have developed their own unique sound mixing well written original compositions alongside traditional tunes we all know and love, their live shows are guaranteed to get you dancing and singing along. They also have a couple of CD's which will be available.

This takes us to Friday the 20th when another new act graces our hallowed portals this evening in the form of father and daughter, Chris & Louise Rogan. Described as having a “pure and soaring voice”, Louise is a performer of the highest quality. Audiences enjoy her arrangements of traditional favourites as well as her self-penned songs, often requesting ‘Evie’s Lullaby’ a song written to the tune of Jessica’s Lullaby written by John McCusker. In 2023, Louise won the Audience Vote of the Great British Folk Festival. Then in January 2024, she headlined the UK West Coast Folk Festival replacing an unavailable Cara Dillon and was followed onstage by Richard Thompson. Whether in the intimate surroundings of a Folk Club or the grand setting of a Festival’s main stage, Louise creates a “relaxed and engaging manner” with her audiences and is regularly invited back - the greatest of all compliments. Currently performing as a duo with her father, Chris Rogan, the pair have been described as “flawless performers” by FATEA’s Tim Fox. “With his guitar and vocals added to Louise’s piano and wonderful vocals, the pairing is one which sits so easily with one another”. As a duo, they released their début album “Things That Matter”. The album is a mix of traditional and original songs which Bob Leslie of FATEA Magazine described as “one of the best début releases in the traditional genre I have heard”.

Finally for June, on the 27th we have yet another of our legendary Singers Nights. You must know the drill by now but as a memory jogger suffice to say Get there early to book your spot as Singers' Nights are very popular and slots are limited However, to be sure, it would be best to book a spot in advance by contacting Debby & Derry - contact details are on the home page.

Please note that if you have pre-booked a spot you need to be at the club before 8:00 to confirm, or the slot may be re-allocated.

Well that’s abaht it fer now but there’ll be a couple of things happening in early July before we break up for the summer so more about that in the next Newsletter.

Cheers

Rob x