Another Great Night in Loughor at the Riverside Folk Club

By Gareth Cornfield

Monday 29th April, was yet another great night at the Riverside Folk Club.

Dewi ( Mav) Bowen, host & compere, kicked the night off in his usual inimitable style. Knowing that there were poets in the audience, he performed his musical setting of the John Betjeman poem, Slough, with the wonderful opening line, “Come friendly bombs & rain on Slough”. This got the evening off to a terrific start.

The musicians who followed were many & varied. It was a two song night meaning that everybody got to sing two songs. Even then, we overran! Luckily the bar staff was enjoying themselves so didn’t mind the late finish.

Paul, who had travelled down from Tredegar, displayed his guitar virtuosity. Playing in altered tunings, firstly a Bill Caddick song set to music by Tchaikovsky, then Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of my Tears”. Mike, Monkey, Silito performed two Neil Young songs, delighting the audience, who joined in with him.

(left pic)  Paul      (right Pic) Mike ‘Monkey’ Silito

A special treat was in store with the debut at the club of Rhea, a freelance poet (www.peregrinepoetry.com ) and editor. A shy start developed well when the audience fell silent, hanging on her words. She was warmly received and it is the earnest hope that she will be a regular

Rhea

There was a poetical feel to the whole evening, from Betjeman at the start, a professional poet, recitations of Dylan, I did a poem about Spoon players! Not written by me, but good fun. I also performed one of my own compositions. This was well received as the inspiration for the song was the wonderful backdrop of the Loughor Estuary, beautiful behind the performers.

Another new face was a stand-up comedian & comic poet, Paul Allen, with a mix of hilarious poetry & witty, pithy one-liners. He had the crowd in stitches! He commented on the fact that it was unusual to do a gig where people are so quiet & listening to you. He is used to doing more rowdy nights where you are struggling against the background d noise. I hope it is not too long before he makes a return.

The evening continued with a great mix of popular, original and traditional tunes & songs. Tony Gowman played Melodion, starting with a Zydeco tune, then into “Music for found Harmonium”, ably accompanied by Mav Bowen on Bodhran.

Sian Richards sang her self-penned songs, including one that, incredibly, she had written that day! As ever, she was well received by the supportive audience,

The night drew to a close with John Honor, joined by David Jones. David runs his own successful club in Llandeilo, at The Angel. There is a gig there this Friday which looks really good. Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman, “…blazing guitar and dancing harp.”

Also on Friday is the Singer’s Night at the Valley Folk Club in The Ivy Bush, Pontardawe. £3 entry starting at 8 o’clock.

Next week at the Riverside, we are being visited by a song-writing group. They will be performing some of their original songs. A Treat indeed!

The motto of the club is,” You never Know What’s Coming Next.” It certainly lived up to that.

I hope to see you there soon.