Dear Grayshott Folksters,

Well, where did those two months between our last gig on Saturday July 20th 2024 and last night (277th September 20204) go to and who stole our Summer?

Despite a delayed departure from Donegal, a miserable trip along the M1, M25 and M3, The Henry Girls got our season off to a flying start last night. With the help of our stand-in Sound guys (Elliott and Kaylum from Elite Sound), who did a brilliant job in getting the girls sound-checked in record time, we were ready for take-off at exactly 8.00pm. 

And what a gig we had! 

A house full to the brim of supportive punters makes for a happy band and a happy band always makes an extra effort with their performance. Once again, I was able to let the music wash all over me, with just the a slight interruption to ensure our Sound Men were fed. These guys arrive at 2.00pm and their work is not finished until near midnight, when the last cable is packed away and the van loaded for home.

The Henry Girls were straight into their stride with the title track from their most recent album, called “A Time To Grow”. It features their wonderful harmonious vocals and was a reflective song written in lockdown about where they are now and what the future holds for them in a musical sense. The immediate future includes a couple of gigs here and then a tour of the States and Canada.

Throughout the evening, The Henry Girls showcased a range of genres of music; from Folk to Folk Rock and from Jazz to Americana. They sang some songs that tackled serious issues and others which were sung for fun alone. They also demonstrated their versatility as they changed instruments for different songs. Fiddle, Accordion, Ukulele, Harp and Tin Whistle were all employed but underlying all the songs and tunes were the sibling harmonies that give The Henry Girls their unique sound.

Their sets covered songs from their most recent album, including the title track as mentioned but also “Leaving Dublin”  (which explores themes of leaving, loss and the promise of a new beginning) and “Breathe” (which is about the resilience required to face uncertainty and how simply taking a breath can help ground you and embrace your strength within).

They also featured songs from their back catalogue, including a beautiful ballad called “A Friend Like You” and “Slow Down” from their album “Far Beyond The Stars” as well as “Sing My Sister Down” from their album “December Moon”.

Perhaps it was my personal preference but the loudest applause of the evening seemed to be for a Harp solo played by the quietest and youngest member of the trio, Joleen McLaughlin. It started with a tune written by blind Harper O’Carolan, which seemed to link right back to our visit in January this year by Simon Mayor & Friends when they played a lot of tunes from Simon’s latest tribute album to O’Carolan. O’Carolan’s music has remained popular for several centuries already.

Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin took their band name from their grandfather, hence the name The Henry Girls. I don’t doubt that he would be incredibly proud of them all, as they take their musical talent and natural charm to far flung places but they always return to their childhood roots and continue to live in County Donegal, where their song writing Summer camps have been attended by people from all over the World.

It has been almost nine years since their last visit to us on 31st October 2015 but judging by the rapturous and uplifting reception they got from our audience last night, we need to organise a return gig much more quickly than that.

Thank you to everyone who came out to Grayshott Folk Club last night to support live music, our wonderful volunteers who help us on the night, to our Sound Men, Elliott and Jaylum but most of all, to The Henry Girls for kicking off our new season in style.

NEXT UP at Grayshott Folk Club:

Saturday 19th October 2024 @ 7.30pm

Grayshott Folk Club introduces:

RACHAEL McSHANE & THE CARTOGRAPHERS

https://rachaelmcshane.co.uk/home

Rachael McShane is a renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player from the North East of England. She was an original member of the award-winning folk big band Bellowhead, touring with them extensively and making a number of television appearances.

The band recorded five studio albums and, together, won a staggering total of EIGHT BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Parting ways in 2016, the band re-united in 2022 for a series of ecstatically-received performances that reminded audiences of their unique alchemy, energy and talent.

Away from her Bellowhead fame, Rachael is a much sought-after performer and recording artist. Her debut solo album "No Man’s Fool" arrived in 2009 via Navigator Records, establishing impressive credentials that eventually led her to signing with the prestigious Topic Records, the oldest independent record label in the world.

Rachael is also the leader of The Cartographers, a band that features the exceptional talents of guitarist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing), and melodeon player Julian Sutton (Kathryn Tickell, Sting). Their music is a powerful blend of traditional folk and contemporary sounds, with Rachael's stunning voice and instrumental skills leading the line.

The Cartographers have garnered a loyal following thanks to their impressive live performances and critically acclaimed debut album, When All Is Still (2018, Topic Records).

Listen to "Ploughman Lad" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y36PksjUxWg&t=6s

and a live version of “Green Broom” from Beardy Folk Festival 2022 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbECGHRJQqc

In recent years, Rachael has lent her voice to a new adaptation of The Transports alongside The Young’uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr, Greg Russell and Matthew Crampton. The resulting album was a stunning showcase of Rachael's range as an artist, and is testament to her ability to breathe new life into old folk songs. With her extensive experience and formidable talent, Rachael McShane is a sought-after performer and workshop leader.

We are delighted to welcome Rachael McShane & The Cartographers to Grayshott Folk Club as part of their new Album Launch Tour.

“You’re in the presence of something very special…what a voice”

- BBC Music

“A delight”

- R2 Magazine

“Delivered with such rebellious verve and wit – they are a life-affirming joy” - Songlines

Tickets £18

Available from:

Grayshott Post Office (in person only)

Call Des O'Byrne on 01428 607096 to reserve your tickets.

Or buy online from Ents 24 at:

https://www.ents24.com/hindhead-events/grayshott-village-hall/rachael-mcshane-and-the-cartographers/7176259

***

“The Proms” by Simon Armitage

On a different subject entirely, I don’t know if any of you watched The Last Night of The Proms on the Beeb and some of you may even have joined the audience at St. Luke’s Church in Grayshott to share the occasion with others a couple of Saturdays ago but it really has become a National Institution and Treasure.

As I watched it, two things stood out for me;  the first was a poem written especially for the occasion by our Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage.

You can hear him recite it here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0jqm652

I have tried to find the words to it on the internet but having failed, I have attempted to transcribe it.

I’m not sure it is entirely accurate but here goes:

“The Proms”

A London evening, leaves its hustle and hassle outside,

Enters the hushed dome, the upholstered dark.

Here comes the soft percussion of footsteps, wandering down to the front,

A fluted burble of small talk and chat.

The air in the Hall seems tuned to the wavelength of songs.

Every box, alcove and arch is an ear cupped for what happens next.

So, the Violin gathers its thoughts,

And the Oboe holds its breath

And the Trombone strains at the bit

And the Piccolo bites its lip

And the Bass Drum slows its pulse to a dead stop,

Until the conductor touches the tip of a wand

To the sweet spot of silence

And something called Music begins............

Look how the Music falls like light on the faces of strangers,

See how the Harp is a Heart.

How the Cello is Human, in body and mind.

Music; its own gravity, bending the Natural Laws.

Music is all time and no time at all,

In the split-second gap between sound being made and sound being heard

Eternity hangs.

Audience, You are the instrument,

You are the tune.

A moment’s pause, after the final note,

Then all your hands are suddenly playing the music,

We call applause.

Simon Armitage.

Although this poem was written specifically about The Last Night Of The Proms, I think it admirably describes any live music event you might attend but with different instruments substituted in. The sense that music can unite, excite and entertain us all, is a powerful one. On the best nights, musicians and audience become one.

***

The second thing that stood out for me (and always does), was a rousing version of “Jerusalem”

This takes me right back to my school days, when the only thing our rebellious sixth-formers would ever sing during School Assembly was “Jerusalem”. Hearing them sing left a deep impression on me and it has always been one of my favourite poems and hymns of all times.

Blake meets Parry in a marriage made in musical Heaven...........

Des O'Byrne

Grayshott Folk Club

01428   607096
grayshottfolkclub@btinternet.com
www.grayshottfolkclub.co.uk