Ray’s chat 75

Hi Folks
It’s RAYS CHAT Seventy FIVE

So: November has gone. And Shirley Folk Club is
Coming-up to the end of our First year, in our New Home.
And What a Great success Moving has been.
Just look at HOW MANY People now come.

And Here we are in December; with all those Many things to do.
Cards to write. Still got Prezzies to buy.
Decisions to make!!
Do you think We should get Auntie Maud GIN again?? After what happened last year?

And: Are we bothering with a tree?;
Now the kids have Gone!!
OH YES: BUT!! THEY’LL BE HERE FOR CHRISTMAS!!
Yes reckon they would like to see the Tree??
Put in:
Chris Rae – Driving Home for Christmas 3.11.

Oh YES!! Busy time of the year.. and time when Memories come flooding back.. YES: Memories!! Do you Remember,
The Very First RAYS CHAT?
It was in February 2016.
And the very FIRST Song I talked about was: CARRICK FERGUS. Which has always been a favourite of mine.

OH YES Lets Hear it again. Lots of versions!!
But THE CLANCY BROTHERS did a Great version:
which is worth hearing again.
Put in:
The Clancy Brothers- Carrickfergus 3.37

Oh Yes: and My early days memories,
Were of the Folk revival 1960’s. Which was partially inspired by Skiffle.
Oh YES Remember Skiffle?? Skiffle really caught on in the ‘50.s, 60’s.

There was a Great Skiffle Group called The CHAS McDeVITT SKIFFLE GROUP. and they did a recording We Loved.
Put In:
Freight Train CHAS McDEVITT SKIFFLE GROUP 3,23
WOW!! This was So New and We wanted MORE.

Then: Lonnie Donegan made a recording that really WAS OUR KIND of MUSIC. Put in:
Lonnie Donegan Puttin On The Style 3.33
That really was a Great song. Skiffle really did take off:
Skiffle Groups sprang -Up everywhere.. Lots of New Clubs sprang-Up.

Did YOU KNOW THAT THE IAN CAMPBELL FOLK GROUP STARTED AS A SKIFFLE GROUP.

But all that was a Long, Long time ago.. and as we have said before: You can’t live in the Past.
But; I have Great Memories of those early days.
And some songs will always be Absolute favourites:
At this time of the year Memories seem to come flooding back..
And there is One song, from a long time ago; That at this time of the year I remember and I have not featured for a while now.
AND: Every time I listen to this Song: I feel shivers down my back A perfect song so beautifully sung..
By a voice no longer with us.
And that song is: Fields of Gold.
Sting wrote it. And indeed He sings it superbly himself.
But really the most perfect version for me has to be this:
Put in:
Eva Cassidy – Fields of Gold 4.45
YES; Memories of the past.

BUT Where will we go in the years to come?? Who Knows:??
There are a lot of young New People singing Great Songs,
You have heard some of them in our own Club.
And I am sure Next year there will be Some ~ Great new finds.
There are a great lot of New guys bringing a NEW feeling to Folk.

I put in a search for someone New.. and just happened to find
This: a new guy to me.. and I liked it,: Put in
Mathew Fredrick – Hay –on- Wye 3.20

Then I found this new version of a great Bob Dillon Song
Put this in:
Mandolin Orange – Boots of Spanish Leather (Bob Dylan Cover) Audiotree Live 6.48

Now that really Does bridge the gap between Old and New. Mandolin Orange a relatively New Group singing a Song from the 60’s.

YES: FOLK IS VERY MUCH ALIVE:
Well just look at OUR Club!! More and more People come; and We are getting Great “In House” performers
With: Lots of great lot of Up and Coming New Singers.

I was searching for new young singers,
and I have found a New lady that I like:
This is an advance track from what will be her first recording
I thought Maybe YOU would like her??
Put in:
For Folk Sake Freya Ward I Would Do It All Again.

Yes Folk is VERY much Alive:
And what a fantastic store house We have of So many wonderful Songs:
And I am going to end this RAYS CHAT with one of those older Folk Groups that have given ME So much pleasure over many years: Put in:

The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem – Wild Colonial Boy 3.21

Till Next Time. Good Luck.

                  RAY