Settled in

The Autumn's really begun. My favourite weather. Crisp sunny mornings -  Fresh air in the park in the mornings. Fresh starts. 

A weekend of fun coming up. Lunch with Ali la Peche on FridayParty on Saturday, Jacqui McShee gig at the Half Moon Putney with Phil, Di, Patricia and Alan on Sunday...all good at home, an optimistic time. One violin lesson with Pete Cooper lined up, as far away as November. What will I wear at our party? who will come? will there be enough of everything? Noooo! there's a scottish dancing night at church the same night, how can that happen?

Finished reading Dracula last week - what an excellent, cleverly written book. Am in the mood to write. Have got into dancing again, three times a week at the moment, having no discernable improving effect on my figure. More soon

Whitby Folk Week

So here for Folk Week again. The second time intentionally. Fifth time in wonderful Whitby. 

Folk Week is very hectic - we are staying in a flat a little out of town this time, so haven't been dipping into quite as many activities as before. Activities we have done have been a mixed bag.

I was overjoyed to see activities aimed at the inexperienced this year, but several of these have proved disappointing. Somehow you are already assumed to have a very good ear, or a working knowledge of the more popular tunes. The two workshops that really did what they said on the tin, and were suitable for all abilities were, in no particular order, Pete Cooper's Appalachian tunes workshop, and an all abilities fiddle workshop where we learned a couple of tunes from the South West. What both did was to call out the notes, rather than just expect you to hear them accurately and judge what the next one is going to be in the space of a nanosecond. Anyway, both good, and the only ones that I have left feeling I've joined in properly and also learned something.

Dancing - haven't done so much this year, partly because the teenager's been in two minds about whether to come to the Ceilidhs and we've only had one set of keys to the flat, so Phil's had to zoom backwards and forwards with the boy between the Pavilion and the outer reaches of the town towards the new bridge. Did go and see Eliza Carthy and the Park Bench Social Club on Monday night, with a lead in from Eliza and Saul Rose on the accordion. Exciting stuff. A harp player with a flautist went first and were dreamily magical. 

Tonight is the Queen ceilidh. Last year I dressed up for the Abba one, but this year, although I can picture how men could dress for the Queen ceilidh -ie flamboyantly, I have no idea what to wear.  It will be a non-Queen specific swirly dancey frock.

Our flat: Although it is very nice, it's a long way from everything...also, we have a disagreeable neighbour who greeted us on day two with demands that we did not bang the doors, and telling us that he lived in Whitby all the year round. All this said very aggressively. He is the only unpleasant person I have come across in Whitby, apart from, of course, impatient and intolerant ceilidh dancers. They are of course a tiny minority of our fellow revellers.

What I'm really pleased about though, is that we have managed to secure a house for next year's Folk Week, and over in our favourite part of Whitby, too. Clever us.

More tomorrow.

Not Long Now

Two weeks to go until we're in Whitby. Folk week first this year, then a week to recover afterwards. How fantastic will it be? We've already got the programmes for folk week...last year there was an ABBA ceilidh, this year there's going to be a Queen ceilidh..what shall I wear. Just about managed a 70s ish outfit last time - big hat, flares, long top...the Queen were 70s too....weren't they? More glam maybe? more rock 'n roll? 

I've been in training for the hills and the dancing recently. For a month or so I've been to back to my dance classes, tried to be a bit more careful re: food, and walked very quickly to work with Ali la Peche ! With all the stresses of the past twelve months, I'd abandoned it all, and a very unwanted few pounds crept on. Never mind, off it will all jolly well come, and hopefully in time for our holiday. I'm also revisiting the cCanadian Air Force exercises which got me into pretty good shape before I had Jake I seem to remember. 

This folk week there seem to be a few more things going on for people who aren't already experts at joining in sessions. There are fiddle workshops suitable for all abilities, and some sort of sessions for people who aren't quite ready for a full blown session. That's me. 

So, I'm in training with the violin, too. That has suffered over the past year, but I'm probably still better than I was last time we were in Whitby. We've barely seen Pete the guru. Time to stop now, as I've promised myself a quick practice this evening.

Folk Day at the Proms

Phil and I went to Folk Day at the Proms on Sunday. First we went to Kensington Gardens, and saw Bellowhead play a few numbers. They were on excellent form - lots of tunes to dance to - madly in the midday-ish sun. Then we were wandering over to another tent and saw Pete Cooper playing for a mini ceilidh, so we had a little dance in there, too...nice to see Pete and Sue, but a very long time since we've had a lesson. Soon it will be Whitby, and the folk week so we'll see Pete and Sue a lot more then.

Anyway, we went to look at the Serpentine gallery, and the striking outdoor structure before going to the Albert Hall and the free folk prom. It was amazing, in particular the four piece Musicasz, who then had a play off with the orchestra, joined by Folkestra. can't be more specific as we didn't have a programme.

Then there was a break, and we went to meet Di, Alan, Bernadette, Yasmin and Jim to go into the main evening prom. Phil and I managed to get tickets for the Ceilidh, but the others didn't. So the folk prom -  Bella Hardy, pretty and talented, the last two songs she played were the best. Martin Simpson - seemed to be playing/singing cover versions ! There was a song 'when a knight won his spurs...' that I'm sure we used to sing in assembly at primary school, also a version of Matty Groves - brilliant dark folk soap oper, a song about wishes, very beautiful, but I think was a Pete Seeger song. Thing is, loads of folk music is new interpretations of old stuff, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. Magical guitar playing. Perfect. 

Then....Bellowhead. This is the best I've seen them play, and that's saying something - I guess it helps that there was room to dance, unlike in Lewes - they really were exciting to watch, dance and listen to - all quite momentous being in the Albert Hall. To cap it all there was a Ceilidh - cleverly organised - rousing dance tunes, some played and danced at breakneck speed- a good warm up to Folk Week indeed. So Bellowhead, when are you playing at the Southbank again?

Back to Crouch Hill

Today we made the lengthy pilgrimage to Crouch Hill to see Pete Cooper. So much for improvements to the Silverlink/North London Line. It is now styled as London Overground and has stuck on black tube signs on the side of the trains. The trains are still dirty and crowded. Phil and I have to plan our exit from the train several stops before we have to change at Gospel Oak. Feel sweaty and panicky at the thought. All ok though. 

We get off the train and look for the times of the trains going back. A random fellow passenger tells us that they go at half past and on the hour, which we know is completely wrong. In the excitement I have forgotten to touch out my oyster card. After walking along with the fellow passenger chatting about how long she's lived in CH and how many times she's travelled on the filthy overcrowded North London Line, we go for a quick snack in the Larrick as we're early for the lesson. Long for a quick glass of wine, too, especially with it being Friday night and therefore traditional. Decide that the fabled bow hold will be even more elusive if I do that and the lesson will be a washout for me as a result. So, sensibly we share a plate of tasty morsels and some fizzy water, and stride purposefully up the hill towards Pete's flat. 

Wonder about what it would be like driving to Pete's for our lesson.  It would certainly be less stressful in terms of getting on and off the trains with the violins, work  bags etc. We get to Pete's flat and think about how to park on such a steep hill, as we are wondering about this, Pete pulls up in his car and we think he'll demonstrate, however, he drives into his own parking space behind the flats.

Lesson is good, but I can really feel that I haven't been for ages and have been practising in a rather slipshod way. Having mastered the bow hold to a certain degree, I must now focus on holding the violin in a more effective way. We book another lesson for three weeks' time to avoid lapsing too much. 

On the journey home we meet several people who notice the fiddles and chat, which is nice and surprisingly unusual. One says he is a bass player, and encourages us to get in touch should we ever need one. Wonder how we would have got in touch as he doesn't offer any contact details.

Best of all is meeting Barry Grant on the 267 bus, the last leg of the journey. Aah Barry, Luthier and maker of Phil's electric fiddle. Late night smoking and backgammon companion. He's on his way to see the lovely Anna. We wish them both well as we get off the bus, and head off for a fantastic chicken salad takeaway and then home.

update

It's been a couple of weeks since I wrote, a bit of a whirlwind. Dad is getting frail and needs people around him a lot. This has had an upside in that my brothers have all rallied round to help. It's been weird and good. My three brothers are younger than me, and the only one I see with any regularity is my youngest brother, who lives in America. My next brother down is Barney of No Hit Records/Sounds that Swing - he lives in London and we may see each other once a year or so, and the middle one is Matt, the concert pianist, who I almost never saw. So strange seeing Barn and Matt, and looking for similarities and differences between me and them. So great to have a ready familiarity between us. Such a project to work on together, such complex arrangements. It takes all our energy, and work is just an unfocused blur at present, nothing getting done. Nice all meeting up in Putney together.
Phil and I made the pilgrimage to Pete Cooper again last week, and he said I could play something with Phil at his fiddle party at Cecil Sharp House at Christmasstime. Wow! Nervewracking. My new violin is very beautiful though and I am pushing myself to work hard at things I find difficult. It's very hard though, but will be worth it. If I look back to this time last year, or even December, and how I've moved on, there has clearly been some progress. A long way to go, but I may well be session-ready by the time we go to Whitby next year.

back from Whitby Folk Week

Well, we have returned from Whitby; all blogging ceased during Folk Week, because there was simply too much to do! Firstly, tried loads of violins for size and fell in love with the first one that Geraldine Stephenson got out of the back of her van. It's about 100 years old, and comes from France via the Shetlands; it's lovely and has transformed the sound I produce when I play. Then, it was ceilidhs and other assorted related dances every night 'til 1, and up at 8 to go to workshops! Phil and I managed not to annoy quite as many people with our dancing this year, I think we only got things badly wrong about three times, and that was also other people getting it wrong. I'm sorry to have to report there were still a couple of very sour faced people who crossed our paths once or twice during the week. What an amazing week though, and what a brilliant holiday. During folk week, the whole town becomes infused with folk music- all kinds of it, dancing is everywhere, some of it village green type morris dancing, and some more extreme like the Wytchmen- how I wish I got to see them and their exciting band more than just on the first night.
There was an Abba Ceilidh, with the classic tunes done ceilidh band style, and a band formed by Eliza Carthy for the occasion. Her dad Martin played the electric guitar for the occasion, all the band and the caller, Martyn Harvey dressed up 70s disco style. It was excellent, and Phil and I managed to join in quite a few dances without stuffing them up. It really is an incredible feeling dancing with about 500 other people, holding hands and swinging each other about. I'm going to avoid the polka in future though, it's dangerous, as the young people tend to charge about manically and I received a polka related injury when Phil and I, too, were charging about in a rather stupid way and collided with another couple; well, they were dancing crazily too and collided with us. I fell flat on my bum right in front of the band. The band Pete Cooper, my fiddle guru was playing in. Embarrassing as well as painful.
The last night was especially moving. They had a ceremony that we hadn't noticed last year to do with a 'heather garland.' It was brought in serenaded by the Goathland Plough Stots. Early in the evening, children were all encouraged to take a sprig of heather, and then later the adults. Before we took a sprig, everyone sang 'Will ye go Lassie Go'. It was very moving, probably about 5-600 people there, maybe more, all singing gently together. Lots of not very dry eyes in the house as a result. The heather is supposed to bring us back next year. I don't need heather for that, but took some anyway.

Nearly time for Whitby

Last night, made the last pilgrimage to Pete Cooper before we go to Whitby; yes Whitby!!! I've looked forward to it since we came back last year. Can't wait. The programme for folk week arrived this morning....no molly dancing this time, might try clog instead. I'm having an afternoon of immersing myself in folk music today; having read two Guardian articles yesterday, one on Fairport Convention, and one on Anne Briggs.Well, the Guardian was raving on about the album Liege and Lief, so downloaded it from iTunes, but it's a bit of a disappointment compared to Full House (in my opinion!). Sandy Denny's voice rather weedy when compared to Anne Briggs'. Could be the mixing on the album, the remastered version. The vocals sound weak, the music not as interesting as on Full House. Anyway, phoned Donna to arrange what time to meet, when she said she was going to do some food shopping, I resisited the urge to say make sure it'll be nourishing. One day Donna had cooked us a fantastic meal, and Phil said 'very nourishing....' never to be forgotten.
Anyway; last night at Pete's we rushed up the hill as we were a few precious minutes late and arrived very hot and sweaty-I was nervous and flustered and couldn't play anything properly, even things I could play alright at home. Was enjoyable anyway, but I'm not quite ready to join in a session yet! lots of workshops though, and the anticipation of all the other joys our trip up North will hold,

Floods and Pilgrimage

On Friday, I went to meet Phil in Richmond to catch the Silverlink to Crouch Hill. When I got to Richmond Station, all the Silverlink and District line trains had been cancelled due to the flooding. I went into panic mode-an already difficult journey was about to be rendered impossible. Rang the boy at home and asked him to read alternative routes to our destination to me from Pete's website...this he did, and Phil and I set off to Finsbury Park instead of Crouch Hill. In the event, we got there the same time as we would have done going our usual way. Had a great lesson, Pete even said he could give us a lesson in Whitby if we liked, too! Yes, yes!
The journey home was another matter. The Silverlink seemed to be running, so feeling optimistic, we got it to Gospel Oak where we would have needed to change anyway. There were no trains going back to Richmond. Bummer. It was awful we tried to guess how we would get anywhere on alternative routes, and went to a bus stop. Luckily lots of fellow sufferers about who told us if we got the bus to Swiss Cottage, we could get the Jubilee Line. From there we knew we could get to Waterloo, and then catch one of the many trains back home. Brilliant. Alas the bus was alittle bus very, very packed, grumpy passengers, driver refusing to move, but eventually did. At Waterloo, loads of trains cancelled. We got home at 10.15, and watched wonderful Nick Lowe on TV.

Whitby soon

Whitby, Whitby, not long 'til Whitby.....another fiddle lesson with Pete Cooper tomorrow, and I can now almost play four tunes off by heart. Still trying to get jig bowing to come a bit more naturally than it does at present. I'm quite looking forward to the pilgrimage this time, it's nice when you get out at Crouch hill, some wonderful houses and views going up the hill to Pete's flat. Bow hold now coming quite naturally, so hopefully the rest will follow. I will have missed three tap lessons in a row. Not good, and will feel really clumsy when I go back. Being in Whitby will be so good; like a child, I can't wait to see the sea, and just wander about being on holiday. All agreed it will be the Khyber cafe for our first dinner.