We had our usual excellent turnout at The Prince Albert, with our usual mix of tunes and songs, and the traditional and the relatively-contemporary (and some contemporary in the traditional style).

Dick is preparing for his gig at Tudor Folk Club, Chesham on 23rd August and is digging out some material we don’t often hear. Tonight we heard All Things Are Quite Silent and Cuckoo in April. No doubt his set list will include some old favourites too. Do try to go along to support him.

Fred’s originality knows no bounds. He probably lives in fear of a writ from Joni Mitchell because of his Chuchtown Morning adaptation of her Chelsea Morning – not sure the Churchtown Tourist Board would be keen on it either. We enjoyed it though. His other adaption of the evening was a neat willow flute version of Melanie’s What Have They Done To My Song Ma. Indeed.

For some reason, Steve was in a James Taylor sort of mood and played two of hi songs: Anywhere Like Heaven and (my favourite JT song) You Can Close Your Eyes.

We also heard:

• Karen and Roger: Kate Wolf’s Give Yourself to Love (practicing for singing it at a wedding next weekend), Karine Polwart’s Sun’s Coming Over the Hill
• Richard: John Kirkpatrick’s tunes Petal of Spice and Blossom Made of Fire on accordion and the song The Farmer from Chesire
• Rosie and me: the tunes Schottische à Bethany and Shaskeen/Pigeon on the Gate and the songs You Go To My Head and Willie Nelson’s The Time of the Preacher.
• Kerraleigh and Martin: Rev Gary Davis’ Sally Where D’You Get Your Liquor, Damien Gerado’s Best Dress, a distinctive version of the traditional Black Jack Davey, Low Anthem’s The Ballad of Broken Bones
• John: Don’t Slay That Potato, Kris Kristofferson’ Casey
• Martin B: Norwegian Wood, Please Read the Letter (originally on the Page/Plant Walking into Clarksdale album but probably better know by Plant/Krauss)
• Paul: Henneseyside Reel/Sligo Fancy and the lovely song Flower of the Hazel Glade
• David, Alison and Simon: Steve Knightley’s Tall Ships, Jacob’s Dream, Madeleine’s Waltz, Monsieur le Curé
• David: Loudon Wainwright’s New Paint
• Delia: If I Were a Blackbird
• Stuart and Delia: Huntsman’s Chorus (concertina duet)
• Roger and David: Far Away

We’re at the Dog and Badger next week and hoping for another good turnout.