5th December 2008, Cambridge Folk Club
A trip to Cambridge is almost like a trip to a home club. The welcome is always guaranteed to be warm and the acts are almost universally of the highest standard. This night was no exception. We shared the evening with two other acts – local heroes - The Ouse Brothers – who, as usual, played some truly excellent blues material, mostly self-penned, intimate and exceptionally well performed – and Sunday Driver, who are a most unusual band, blending successfully Asian sounds from tablas and sitar with harp and other more conventional folk instruments, to provide a very interesting sound.
31st October 2008: Barnet Folk Club
A trip home to north London for Rob. The Barnet Folk Club, run by JJ Dunne, now holds its events in the Arts Depot – in North Finchley. A surprisingly warm venue this, given that, to all intents and purposes it is in the Lobby of the Arts Depot. But, with an array of cafe tables and comfy sofas, and an excellent p.a. system, well managed, the venue wasn’t intimidating or remote, but was very cosy and welcoming.
15th October 2008: Ely Folk Club
An early escape from work, this one - St Albans to Ely to be there for an 8.00pm! However, the night itself made it well worth munching a soggy Morrisons sarnie in the car on the way over. Rob and I had met Ruthie, who is one of the people running the Ely Folk Club, when she was calling for us and our friends from Tam Lin at a recent ceilidh. Very kindly, after hearing our CD, she invited us over and provided us with a wonderful support slot – namely supporting the wonderful Mawkin-Causley.
Back in the Queen's Crescent studio, 7th September 2008
We are increasingly conscious that a lot of our current working material has not yet been properly recorded. The track that most people ask for and which fits into this category is 'The Bite' - our song about the experiences of George Wheeler in the Spanish Civil War. We also know that we haven't got enough video material either on You Tube or on our myspace site (www.myspace.com\namaramusic) .
So, we had a session with our great friend Andy who both video-ed us and made a recording of The Bite.
Recharging batteries - a wet week in Devon
Rob and family in Tenby and me and the family down in Devon, both drenched and pebble-dashed by the rain. However, rainy days meant a greater than otherwise focus on looking at new material.
Rob, who is not from a folk background, has just discovered Nic Jones and is absolutely blown away with his consummate skill and musicianship. He is very keen for us to attempt a version of 'Billy Don't You Weep For Me' - so, I've been working it through having worked out the basic chords.
12th August 2008, Broadstairs, Kent and home
A virtual day at leisure - what a luxury! The chance to soak up the atmosphere, do the bookshops properly, have capuccino in Morelli's and Fish and Chips later on. Our only commitment was the Tartar Frigate for a two hour Tam Lin gig, so we had a restful festival day just doing a bit of rehearsal and messing around with a bit of new stuff at Fiona and Rhona's.
August 11th 2008 Broadstairs, Kent
Monday morning and a different sort of work day ahead of us. Furnished and filled with a couple of fried eggs on toast, we began Day 2 of our Broadstairs baptism. After a bit of a stroll round, a rummage in a couple of local book shops, it was back to the house, pick up our stuff and then down to the Charles Dickens pub for a one-hour session. As with the Sunrunner in Hitchin, Alan and Sue looked after us p.a. wise again, and as at the Sunrunner and the main marquee the night before, friends from Baldock and Letchworth came along to support.
10th August 2008: Supporting Cara Dillon, Broadstairs Folk Week, Kent
This is it, this was what we had been looking forward to, and boy did we enjoy it!
19th July 2008: International Brigade Re-union and memorial, Jubilee Gardens, London
As a follow up to the gig that Rob and I played at in London to celebrate the Spanish Republic, we were kindly invited by the organiser Marlene Sidaway, to play some music as people assembled for the Annual Re-union of the International Brigade. This year it was in Jubilee Gardens in London, near the statue commemorating those Britons who gave their lives to fight fascists in Spain in the 1930s.
2nd July 2008 : The Sunrunner, Hitchin
Thanks to our good pals Alan and Sue Hewson, na-mara played a two hour set at the Sunrunner pub in Hitchin town centre. On a balmy night, the pub was packed inside and three deep outside. Alan and Sue provided the p.a. and many of our friends form the Baldock and Letchworth Folk Club came along to support us – which was really nice and gave us a wonderful lift.
