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        Pete Atkin >> Gigs >> Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
        
(Message started by: Pete Atkin on Today at 09:51)
Title: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on Today at 09:51
The admirable Russ Chandler has kindly asked me to return to the scene of my desperately late arrival last time.  Four and a half hours from Bristol was more than I had been expecting, but I shall make a suitably generous further allowance this time.   Hope to see some of you there.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Gerry Smith on Today at 15:35
Excellent news. Nothing doing in the meantime, maybe Eastbourne (if it's back in business after the fire)?

Do The Shrinks ever play on territory outside the Bristol area? I have yet to see them and what with the price of whisky and diesel these days...

Gerry
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by naomi on 24.09.08 at 00:00
See you at Walthamstow, folks !

(Book/turn up early to avoid disappointment: last time a couple of friends of mine couldn't get in ...)

Naomi
;)
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by BogusTrumper on 24.09.08 at 14:34
Can you delay it a few months?  I am not due to come to UK till April!  :D
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on 25.09.08 at 11:21
Oh dear, Bogus, that seems to imply that I'm unlikely to get another gig between January and April at least....
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by BogusTrumper on 25.09.08 at 19:41

on 09/25/08 at 11:21:10, Pete Atkin wrote :
Oh dear, Bogus, that seems to imply that I'm unlikely to get another gig between January and April at least....
well, I was figuring if I gave you a specific date and location you could arrange a gig there.  :D
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on 25.09.08 at 23:01
The thing is, I don't organise the gigs.  I've rarely - if ever - been known to turn one down, but someone needs to ask me.  I ain't expensive, so by all means lobby your favoured venue.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Seán Kelly on 29.09.08 at 08:51

on 09/23/08 at 09:51:48, Pete Atkin wrote :
The admirable Russ Chandler has kindly asked me to return


I always did like that Russ Chandler - and now here's another reason - well done Russ!  :)
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Kevin_Sheils on 28.10.08 at 18:56
Hi Sean and others, looking forward to seeing you all again.

We don't "normally" do advance tickets but I'll have a word with Russ and make a decision about Pete's night.

Will let you all know via here and on our website.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Russ Chandler on 25.11.08 at 22:06
Hi All

Just to let you know that there are advance tickets available for this evening.

You can get them online from http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=299795&interface=

They cost £8 each.

Please note that seating is limited and possession of a ticket does not guarantee you a seat so you'll still do well to arrive in plenty of time for the 7:30 kick off.

We'll see you there!
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on 02.01.09 at 16:00
I won't make any rash promises, but if anyone who's coming has any particular requests I will both do my best and be grateful for a bit of warning.  (Send me a personal message if you'd prefer.)

I'm thinking of not bringing a keyboard this time, i.e. doing the whole thing on guitar, which may mean I'll have a go at transferring across one or two of the more usually piano-type things, just to keep it interesting.  Ish.  
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Gerry Smith on 04.01.09 at 14:34
This is certainly a new angle. Born of artistic or practical considerations?

Gerry
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on 04.01.09 at 15:42
None of the above, really, Gerry. You could say - if you liked - that all that getting up and sitting down between songs just gets teejus given the oldness of the codger.  (Now that's a reference to a long-unrecalled record that made a great impression on me as a tad when heard on the wireless.)   And anyway it's not that new an angle, surely, is it?!
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Ian Chippett on 04.01.09 at 16:14
Here's a challenge: how about doing Thirty Year Man on the guitar? Do wonders for the old technique. Shan't be there to hear it alas but would be intrigued to read the reviews.

Ian C
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Richard Bleksley on 04.01.09 at 17:13

on 01/04/09 at 15:42:33, Pete Atkin wrote :
None of the above, really, Gerry. You could say - if you liked - that all that getting up and sitting down between songs just gets teejus given the oldness of the codger.  (Now that's a reference to a long-unrecalled record that made a great impression on me as a tad when heard on the wireless.)  


Ah! Now there's another memory dredged up from the depths. Here's another old codger who remembers it. I assume the record you mean, Pete, is the one that goes (in part) like this:

Hound dawg howlin', so forlorn
He's the laziest dawg that ever was born
He's howling 'cause he's settin' on a thorn
Just too doggone tired to move over...

And the reason I recall it is that my father had it on a 78. I can still recite the lyrics almost word-perfect (one of those childhood memories that stay with you). For all I know my mother may still have it stashed away somewhere.

The title: Life gets (gits?) teejus, don't it? The artist, I can't remember.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Kevin Cryan on 04.01.09 at 20:03

on 01/04/09 at 17:13:09, Richard Bleksley wrote :
The title: Life gets (gits?) teejus, don't it? The artist, I can't remember.


It was Hank Williams Sr, who sometimes recorded gospel songs, talking blues and such like under the pseudonym "Luke the Drifter"

Kevin Cryan

PS. Here is version (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zfefRvJ4sxY) by the late June Carter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Carter_Cash).
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Richard Whiting on 05.01.09 at 00:11
For people of a certain age, the version that they'll know best was by Peter Lind Hayes...it was a regular on Children's Favourites in the 50s and 60s. You can find it on YouTube.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on 05.01.09 at 10:04
Yes, it's the Peter Lind Hayes version I remember hearing.  I remember liking the way the last line of each verse doesn't rhyme with anything although the ear kind of expects it to.  And I liked the sound of his voice too - although the Carson Robison version, which I don't recall ever hearing before (also on YouTube), is much better performed IMO, despite the odd almost-classical-sounding fiddle.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Kevin Cryan on 05.01.09 at 16:08

on 01/05/09 at 10:04:01, Pete Atkin wrote :
.......  I remember liking the way the last line of each verse doesn't rhyme with anything although the ear kind of expects it to. ......


Many older talking blues songs I know of work in that way.  Johnny Cash's A Boy Named Sue and Bob Dylan's, Woody Guthrie influenced, Talking World War III Blues are two rather good examples that spring readily to mind.

Kevin Cryan
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Richard Whiting on 05.01.09 at 20:59
Whilst I reckon this thread has been hi-jacked enough already, may I put in a word for Loudon Wainwright's 'Talkin New Bob Dylan' on his History album?  At one point, LW was touted as the new Bob Dylan, and he even won a couple of sound-alike contests.  Huh, I bet Bob hasn't got as many famous kids as Loudon has!
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Russ Chandler on 05.01.09 at 23:52
Much as I'm anxious to return this thread to the very important subject of Pete's appearance this Sunday at Walthamstow Folk, The Plough Inn, Wood Street, London E17- tickets available in advance from http://www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk/ "London's Friendliest Folk Club"  I can't help but draw anyone who is interested in a really top contemporary talking blues tune to "Talkin' Ditch Weed" by Dana Robinson.

It's a really great song about the non-pharmaceutical wonders of hemp!

You can get it online from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Avenue-Of-The-Saints/dp/B001IKONQ8/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1231199395&sr=8-12
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Ian Sorensen on 08.01.09 at 23:17

on 01/02/09 at 16:00:01, Pete Atkin wrote :
I won't make any rash promises, but if anyone who's coming has any particular requests I will both do my best and be grateful for a bit of warning.  (Send me a personal message if you'd prefer.)

I'm thinking of not bringing a keyboard this time, i.e. doing the whole thing on guitar, which may mean I'll have a go at transferring across one or two of the more usually piano-type things, just to keep it interesting.  Ish.  




I hope it isn't too late for a request, but due to the opposite sort of luck that usually attends a gig announcement, I am unexpectedly able to be in London on Sunday. Yippee!

So, Pete, if the trusty axe can hack it, I'd love to hear "I feel like midnight" with twanging strings instead of the plonking piano.

See you on Sunday.

Ian
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Richard Whiting on 12.01.09 at 00:26
Just back from the Walthamstow Folk Club.  Standing room only, as before.  One song was new to me.  That was the one about the young having time to burn.  It followed on from 'Senior Citizens'.  Has it been documented before?
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Seán Kelly on 12.01.09 at 00:49
Ian Sorenson told me I had to post the setlist "before midnight" - hey I'm late, sorry Ian blame it on the post-gig tea and toast  [how rock and roll eh?  :) ]

Well a really excellent set (actually two sets) from Pete at Walthamstow tonight. I overheard someone in the Gents saying "He just gets better and better" - so right!

There were some good floor spots including MV's ; Russ Chandler who is a mainstay of the W'stow folk club played an excellent version of a Ewan McColl song and Alan Neville sang a very funny song he wrote inspired by the Chinese Terracotta Army.

And then it was Pete - as promised all songs were on guitar. I promised Jan I would take a setlist - since she couldn't come - so... Pete's setlist went like this

1. A Guitar Is a Thief in the Night
2. Pearl-Drillers Hands
3. Sunlight Gate - not an obvious choice for guitar only set - but really worked!
4. Ballad of an Upstairs Window- Pete said this was requested on this website by private message  :) [ Aside ; Like a moment of enlightenment I suddenly realised as Pete sang it that the comic effect of the whole song revolves around the use of the word "illumined"]
5. 30 Year Man [yes still on guitar - I know- unreal!  You had to be there - No idea if he'll ever do this again - I sat listening to it and not believing it even as I heard it!]
6. Senior Citizens - which without a break went straight into
7. Time To Burn - at least I guess this is what this one is called.  I asked Pete about it afterwards [but didn't check the title - sorry] and he confirmed it is a new song written with Clive - I hadn't been sure ; the lyrics are so compact I wondered if another hand had written them.  Pete said he has played it before - Jan can tell us where.
Then to finish the first set;
8. Girl on the Train

Then Interval - raffle - other singers - followed by our very own Naomi Hyamson accompanied by Jenny on Piano doing a setting of a song from Shakespeare called Come Away Death followed by a lovely version of An Empty Table - with an authorised line change Naoimi said, so that a woman can sing it. A rare treat this [especially in a folk club!].

Pete's second set went as follows - still all on guitar;
1. Have you got a Biro I can borrow?
2. Here We Stay -[many thanks indeed to Pete from the requester!] For those who heard both versions a while ago in Sheffield ; this was Version 2 with the marching rhythm which has obviously become the permanent version.
3. The Flowers and the Wine [requested by 2 people apparently]
4. Session Man's Blues
5. The Last Hill - someone [the requester?] let out such a big whoop as this started that it stopped things in their tracks for a moment :)  It was a rocking version too - great stuff.
6. Carecharmer Sleep - a song no-one ever requests apparently - so Pete's own choice
7. Errant Knight - lots of laughs from the audience - signs of this being new to some people - not everyonie in the audience was an MV!
8. I See the Joker  "I'll play the Single version" said Pete ie the shorter version. A terrific version of this song.  I think it was about this song that Pete said "I am about to take my life in my hands in an unprecedented act of hubris... in other words play it on guitar"!

Pete's setlst seemed to end here but there was time for another song - so an inspired call from someone in the front row [well done sir!] gave us
9. Perfect Moments
then more shouts/requests resulting in
10. The Original Original Honky Tonk Night Train Blues
and then finally Pete chose to go out with
11. Touch Has a Memory - which was a great way to end the night.

The second set was longer but there was time and Claire Chandler who was MC'ing kept encouraging him to do another - and of course we encouraged her!
It was very interesting to have an all-guitar set - and just a privilege to see and hear Pete perform all these songs; the mature delivery is indeed "better than ever".  Thanks to everyone (including Russ for the booking) - and Thanks Pete!
Seán
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Jan on 12.01.09 at 00:54
I think its the 4th performance of Time to burn, last heard at the rather lovely Ravenswood at Sharpthorne on a warm summer's night in 2006 (see the gig spreadsheet at www.peteatkin.com/download/petegigs.xls). I don't think the lyrics are up on the website yet though.
Jan
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Gerry Smith on 12.01.09 at 01:23
Sounds as though I missed a great night. But have been feeling tired all day after a late gig finish of my own last night - a three hour blow with loads of improv solos and only two ten minute breaks, as well as teaching this afternoon. I'm very much looking forward to The Lamb in Eastbourne though.  

Gerry
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by naomi on 12.01.09 at 02:42
Pete was on excellent form: from the arrestingly sinuous guitar-work that announced A Guitar is a Thief in the Night to the gentle poignancy with which Touch Has a Memory closed the evening, it was such an enjoyable performance.

It was nice that the audience was so attentive and responsive - as Richard says, the place was so packed that they were standing three-deep at the back. They came from far and wide. Indeed, at Wood St station I assisted a gentleman with directions to the Plough. ("Going to the Pete Atkin gig? So am I," I  replied authoritatively.)

Many thanks, Seán, for your kind mention of my floor-spot with my pianist Jenny Gould, who composed the Shakespeare setting that we did.  An Empty Table is one of my very favourite songs - and wow, it was quite something to be able to perform it at Pete's gig !!

Mrs and Mr Chandler were warmly welcoming hosts ... it was a truly convivial evening. Thanks to them for that - and thanks, Pete !

Naomi
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Seán Kelly on 12.01.09 at 08:57
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e117/SeanmKelly/m-IMG_4605tL.jpg

[ps thanks again Snoopy for telling me how to do this!]
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by CherryEdwards on 12.01.09 at 09:54
Wow!  I wish I'd joined this forum earlier!  Does Pete play often at Walthamstow Folk club or have I missed my only chance!?
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Rob_Rudderham on 12.01.09 at 10:15
I'll stop lurking for a brief moment to say that I was in the front row at Walthamstow last night and thought it was one of the very best Pete gigs I've ever been to (the first being circa 1974-ish). I loved that it was all guitar (perhaps because that's what I play myself).

I bought Midnight Voices from the man himself since I didn't have it and it really is a sublime and rewarding experience even if you have all the songs in their original versions. Particularly entertained to hear A Thief In The Night as a piano song, which contrasted nicely with the guitar 30 Year Man last night!

Pete last played Walthamstow 2 years ago, so here's hoping for a return with certainly no longer a gap than that! He does indeed get better and better, and I might have been the person in the loo who said that!
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by naomi on 12.01.09 at 15:36
Welcome aboard, Cherry !

Last night's audience made plain that they want Pete to return to Walthamstow a.s.a.p.

In the meantime, please keep an eye on the Gigs strand for details of his forthcoming performances. Eastbourne is probably not practical for you, but I wonder if Hove on Friday April 3 might just be ?

Best wishes,
Naomi
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Ian Sorensen on 12.01.09 at 18:12
[quote author=Seán Kelly link=board=App;num=1222159908;start=20#23 date=01/12/09 at 00:49:14]Ian Sorenson told me I had to post the setlist "before midnight" - hey I'm late, sorry Ian blame it on the post-gig tea and toast  [how rock and roll eh?  :) ]

Don't worry Sean - I wasn't able to check it until today. In fact, due to the extreme lateness of the 10.47 train at Wood St me, Yvonne and Dave didn't actually get to Euston until midnight. Dave scarpered off for his 12.04 to Tring and we stumbled across Euston Rd to our hotel which, because it was very posh, didn't have free wi-fi. (There's a rule: cheap hotels have it, posh ones make you pay.)

Anyway, as everyone has already said, Pete was in superb voice. He worked really hard to make the guitar arrangements work for the songs that would normally be done on keyboards, with only the occasional hesitation as his fingers didn't quite remember how to shape the chord - it must be hard for the digits to forget the piano shapes and reform for the strings - but he covered/recovered like a true pro every time and the songs flowed wonderfully.

I can exclusively reveal that it was young Guy whose whoop stopped Pete dead in his tracks on "Last Hill". I don't know: these kids are like Teddy boys at a Bill Haley concert!

I was stunned at how expressively Naomi sang "An Empty Table". Never one of my favourite songs, but she handled it superbly, with every word clear as a bell despite not using the mic. Perhaps at the next *OD we could get her to duet with Pete in the way he did with Julie Covington at Monyash?

The unexpected treat of the night, for me, was his inclusion of "Carecharmer Sleep" which I've always liked (and for some reason link it with "Double Agent" in my mind). It sounded lovely, and I think he sang it even better than on the original recording.

I remember my shock (and dare I say, outrage) when I heard Pete play "Original Honky Tonk" on guitar in Edinburgh in the 70's. Now it seems quite normal, and imparts a rolling rhythm that's different to the piano vamp.

I'm glad that circumstances allowed me to attend this gig, even if Pete didn't manage t fit in "I Feel Like Midnight" for me. Maybe next time...

Ian
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Russ Chandler on 12.01.09 at 23:34
Just a note to say thanks to everyone for making Pete's visit such a success.

Do remember that we have top quality music every Sunday at the club for those of you within striking distance of the Plough and it would be great to see you this side of Pete's next visit.

You can find all the details at http://www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Richard Bleksley on 13.01.09 at 19:30
Sounds like I missed a very good night (great photo, Sean!), but it's more pleasant driving down to the South Coast than it is dragging over to the other side of London on the Underground. Accordingly, I'm hoping to make either Eastbourne or Hove. Be seeing you.

Incidentally, the first time I heard Time to Burn was at Eastbourne in 2006. A good song, concise and witty with a snappy little tune.
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by BogusTrumper on 13.01.09 at 22:58

on 01/13/09 at 19:30:05, Richard Bleksley wrote :
I'm hoping to make either Eastbourne or Hove.


A college mate of mine came from Hove.  He always used to say "I come from Hove.  You know - the place where "sex" is what you put coal in."

:D  I guess that shows my age more than a little   :(
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Keith Busby on 14.01.09 at 03:24
Bogus,

I heard the same joke told about the Morningside area of Edinburgh.

Keith (-2F here at the moment)
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by BogusTrumper on 14.01.09 at 12:58

on 01/14/09 at 03:24:09, Keith Busby wrote :
Keith (-2F here at the moment)


About the same in Iowa, so I have gone south - I am in St Louis  :)
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Pete Atkin on 17.01.09 at 15:13
Big thanks to Russ and Claire and to everyone who came to Walthamstow, and in particular to Naomi for her exquisite version of An Empty Table.  It's always a unique thrill to hear someone else tackle one of our songs and this was more than a bit special.   And a gold star to Naomi's accompanist, Jenny Gould.    Thanks too to all those who posted such generous responses.   And apologies to Ian S for failing to get I Feel Like Midnight into shape on the guitar in time - it's those bloomin' extended chords.   Onward to Eastbourne!
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Seán Kelly on 17.01.09 at 23:36
Purple Kitten [nope I don't know either!] has put this picture from the gig on flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogret/3201235229/sizes/l/
now some of the audience can play recognising the tops of their own heads !
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Kevin Cryan on 18.01.09 at 11:13

on 01/17/09 at 23:36:28, Seán Kelly wrote :
Purple Kitten [nope I don't know either!] has put this picture from the gig on flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogret/3201235229/sizes/l/
now some of the audience can play recognising the tops of their own heads !


Seán, I believe this is Purple Kitten's profile (http://purplekitten.co.uk/).


Kevin  Cryan
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by Seán Kelly on 19.01.09 at 10:40
Thanks Kevin - top sleuthing!
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by purplekitten on 19.01.09 at 21:15
*decloak*
Title: Re: Walthamstow Folk Club - 11th January 2009
Post by BogusTrumper on 19.01.09 at 23:44

on 01/19/09 at 21:15:03, purplekitten wrote :
*decloak*
 :D

Welcome  :)


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