Folk On The Moor

Open and Inclusive Folk and Roots Music Sessions

Singers, Musicians, Poets and Story Tellers of All Styles and Traditions Welcome

Final Friday Open Evening Session -

Held in the bar on the last Friday evening of every month, 8.15 for 8.30 start

Complimentary snacks provided whenever possible

Bar open until Midnight

Second Sunday Practice Session -

Held in the pub on the second Sunday lunchtime of every month, 1.30 - 4.00

For more information please call Gary or Diana

on 01548 - 831288 or e-mail crookedgaz@aol.com

OFFSHOOTS - The Crooked Roots Folk Band

Available for community events, festivals and other occasions by arrangement

For more information about Offshoots contact Ian Smith 0772 - 017 - 4634

March and April 2010

The March Crooked Roots session traditionally celebrates St Patrick's Day from an All-Ireland perspective. This year 15 performers contributed to a relaxed and enjoyable evening. The singers and players were: Caroline 'Boony' Bower, Charlie Harris, Chris Thomas, Jackie Francis, Joe Higman and Peter Knight (all guitar/voice); Alan 'Scottie' Clarke (guitar/bass/voice); Ian Smith and Nick Hanbury (both guitar/mandolin/voice); Derrick Carter (melodeon/voice); Linda Hanbury (melodeon); Ali Thomas (English concertina); Patrick Patterson (whistles/voice); Beth Lawson (bodhran/whistles) and Lewis Bean (voice).

Topical musical highlights included Patrick's strong unaccompanied singing of Rosin the Bow, which is also known as Kilcash or Caoine Cill Cháis in the Irish Gaelic language, Jackie's superb rendition of the traditional song The Bard of Armagh and Peter and Beth's interpretation of Jimmy MacCarthy's 1980's song Missing You, popularised by the great Irish singer Christy Moore. Reflecting some of Ireland's the more troubled and contested episodes, Boony performed a moving version of Mickey McConnell's song about Northern Ireland in the 1960s Only Our Rivers Run Free, learned from the singing of the legendary Irish band Planxty and Ali played the tune Kelly the Boy from Killane. The latter dates from the Battle of New Ross during the 1798 rebellion or liberation struggle.

Given that it falls between International Labour Day and St George's Day each year, the Crooked Roots session on the last Friday of April adopts and reflects these topics. The 13 musicians, singers and poets who performed were: March sessioneers Ian, Jackie, Lewis, Linda, Nick and Patrick; Jean Emdon (bouzouki/voice); Martin Fenton (octave mandola/voice); Graham Avery (guitar/mandolin/voice); Andy Lewis (guitar/voice); Muriel Palmer (recorder/voice) and Crooked Spire licensee Gary Wilson (poetry), all making welcome returns to the session, plus Alan Homer (guitar/voice). This was Alan's Crooked Roots debut. The highlights of the evening included Jackie's spirited rendition of Matt McGinn's working man's song Three Nights and a Sunday (Double Time), Graham's fine version of Ralph McTell's song England and Patrick's lively arrangement of the English Morris tune The Winster Gallop, performed on Scottish Small pipes.

Although he is known principally for his powerful singing of Sea Shanties, Lewis Bean has a growing repertoire of traditional material. This was demonstrated to good effect when he introduced the session to a fascinating English song from the 1870s called The Scarlet and the Blue. Lewis told Crooked Roots that this was written by John J. Blockley. It is a jingoistic 'ploughshares into swords' tale involving a ploughboy's move from peaceful country life into military service in a horse artillery regiment. It is also known under other titles, including The Warwickshire RHA (RHA is the Royal Horse Artillery). The tune is The Merry Ploughboy. Lewis notes that the song was appropriated and its lyrics adapted to their cause by Irish Nationalists during the Easter Risings of 1916. It has subsequently become well known in this Irish version which is popularly known as We're All Off to Dublin in the Green.

As April also marks the Anniversary of the First World War Gallipoli landings, Andy led the session in an ensemble performance Eric Bogle's classic song And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda.

Both sessions were anchored by Ian Smith.

Crooked Roots has a nucleus of members from the Erme Valley and nearby towns and villages. It also regularly enjoys the company and contributions of performers from a 10 - 20 mile radius of Ermington, with some participants coming from further afield again. This healthy mix is entirely welcome. t undoubtedly adds to the creativity, quality and diversity of the contributions, which keeps the session vibrant and interesting. However, there is a growing awareness that a number of talented local people have not yet taken the plunge and come along to a Crooked Roots evening. This is a direct appeal for you to do so soon! A warm welcome awaits you. Thank you.

session photographs provided by Ian Smith;

they appear in chronological order....

Rovers Return ...

Fred and Steve McMullin, September session

Local boy makes good...

Matthew Board on his Crooked Roots debut, October 2007

the much missed Geoff Rodd - master of the shanty!

Inspired by Buddy - Nick Hanbury

February 2009 session