HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Happy Christmas to everyone who has been so supportive this year. Hope you all have a good time. See you when its all over for another year !
COMPLIMENT ON FACEBOOK
Club wordsmith Ken Stott delights the audience . . . . .
After performing my Christmas song at the Sandpiper Folk Club in Pattingham last Wednesday, I received this message via Facebook :
" Congratulations on your Christmas song about the Evening Star, Ken !
Brilliantly written and performed ! My only regret is that I didn't buy you
a gallon of whisky, to say Thank You . . . . ."
Vincent Raymond-Barker
For those who haven't heard the song, it is my tribute to the members of the RAF who are away on deployment over the Christmas period. Lyrics are below . . . . .
Evening Star
1. December in Afghanistan, not where you’d choose to be Caught up in the struggle so the country could be free
Regarding personal safety, no-one could guarantee
Be guided by the evening star
Now the last tour had departed, they were flying back to base
And the squadron who took over were the next to take their place
And so it was that evening they were staring into space
Looking for the evening star
2. Now reports came on the radio of some troops without support
With no other option but their mission to abort
And their call for some assistance was their very last resort
Out beneath the evening star
Well they said there were some wounded and some bodies in the sand --- The orders came to fly out but don’t try to understand
Just take the helicopter there and do the best you can
Head towards the evening star
3. Now the village was in darkness when they finally arrived
And they found the wounded men who’d had the courage to survive
But they also found a mother who was only just alive
Underneath the evening star
Now the girl went into labour, there was nothing else to do
But to call the paramedic from the helicopter crew
So they waited till the baby came, the time was overdue
Underneath the evening star
4. They hadn’t brought him frankincense, they hadn’t brought him myrrh --- But they wrapped him in a flying jacket, collar made of fur
While his mother was unconscious and supremely unaware
She couldn’t see the evening star
So they called the baby Jesus, as the date was just the same
And they flew the family back to base and wondered at his name
Was it history repeating or was it just a game
Following the evening star
5. Three kings were looking out for you 2000 years ago
And they found you in a stable, there was nowhere else to go
But the shepherds and the animals, well they just seemed to know They’d been guided by the evening star
Now you’ve got to know the difference between what is right and wrong --- And there won’t be choirs of angels who are singing evensong --- But that really doesn’t matter, just remember to be strong --- Be guided by your evening star
ANNUAL UPDATE
As we come to the tail end of the year, here's my gig diary for the whole year. We've had a year of participation in local clubs and the NEON COLLECTIVE has had several more gigs in various venues around the West Midlands.
JANUARY 2016
Mon 4 Jan : Hatstand @ Kitchen Garden Cafe : 17, York Road, KIngs Heath, Birmingham, B14 7SA
This eclectic happening takes place once a month – and deserves to be better supported ! Singers, Musicians, Songwriters, Poets and Artists are all welcome here. Knight School, The River is still Rising & You Can’t Talk to Him
Tue 5 Jan : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
The River is still Rising, You Can’t Talk to Him & Knight School
Monday 11 Jan : The Neon Collective : Local singer-songwriters on tour :
Crescent Theatre Bar, Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, B16 8AE. Evening starts at 8.00 pm. Four song set @ 9.20 pm.
Towpath, Festival, You Can’t Talk to Him & Pentonville Angel
Tue 12 Jan : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion, 150, Sandwell Street, Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Fifteen performers and as always a fantastic standard of song writing – we seem to be one of a very few venues in the UK who cater for songwriters themselves ! The River is still Rising & No-One There
Fri 15 Jan : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5
A very quiet night — and five songs !
First Half : No-One There, Towpath & Festival
Second Half : The River is still Rising & Pentonville Angel
FEBRUARY 2016
Tue 9 Feb : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Knight School & Festival
Wed 10 Feb : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham :
Keeping England Free & Another Sunrise
<< You can always expect something different from Ken Stott. Tonight he was in controversial mood singing about Syria and the NHS. Thanks for the NHS song, a personal favourite of ours >>
Thu 18 Feb : The Neon Collective : Local singer-songwriters on tour :
Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17, York Road, King’s Heath, Birmingham, B14 7SA
Doors 7.30 pm. Evening starts at 8.00 pm.
Album Launch : Rising Sun, Jane Austen’s Eyes & England, as it used to be.
Wed 24 Feb : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Rising Sun & Take Extra Care
A great night with an amazing amount of talent about – I put a CD in the raffle and the couple who won it asked me to sign it ! Does it get any better ?
<< This guy Ken Stott can write a song about anything. Who would have thought you could have a song about safety notices ? Well done, Ken, so inventive ! >> Geoff & Brian.
MARCH 2016
Tue 8 Mar : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion :
150, Sandwell Street, Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Lord of the River & She Walks into the Light
Wed 9 Mar : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Last on tonight, before the extra songs. Keep the Music Live & City by the Sea << Equally prolific Ken Stott, who seems to be able to write a song about anything, as he demonstrated. Helen and Ken are part of the NEON COLLECTIVE who are holding a series of concerts over the coming months. Good luck with the project guys >> Geoff & Brian.
Sat 19 Mar : Acoustic Cafe at the Bell Inn, Harborne :
Five songs : Towpath, Rising Sun, Keep the Music Live, Keeping England Free & Odd Man Out
Wed 23 Mar : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham :
Latest ever here – really last on tonight at 11.10 pm : Jane Austen’s Eyes & Zoe’s LullabyThe last song was really appropriate !
Sun 27 Mar : Chaos Acoustic Club @ The Old Moseley Arms
Tindal Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9QU.
Easter Sunday Night : 30 minute set, starting around 9.30pm.
No-One There, Rising Sun, City by the Sea, Take Extra Care, Towpath & Keeping England Free
APRIL 2016
Tue 5th Apr : Folk @ the Oak : Royal Oak, School Road, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Take Extra Care & Zoe’s Lullaby
<< Sad news tonight that, due to family circumstances, both Marilyn and Mick are unable to continue running the club. So the last night will be next month, 3 May.
Wed 6 Apr : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham : First Half, Act 4.
Lord of the River & No-One There
<< Ken Stott, another superb wordsmith was next. Thanks for your continued contributions. Ken is part of the Neon Collective who are putting on a concert on the 16th April in Broseley. A number of singer/songwriters will be performing their original material, Tickets available from Ken Stott or Helen Brown.>>
Tue 12 Apr : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
City by the Sea & Borrowed Time
Sat 16 Apr : The Neon Collective : Local singer-songwriters on tour : Birchmeadow Centre, Broseley, Shropshire. Doors 7.30 pm. Evening starts 8.00 pm.
No-One There, Towpath & Pentonville Angel
Wed 20 Apr : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham :
Lean on Me & Red, White & the Blue
<< Super wordsmith Ken Stott was next. Keeping in line with the patriotic feel, although an anti-war song, the memorable, 'Red, White and the Blue'. Great words and song, Ken. >>
Sun 24 Apr : House Concert : Ouseley Farm, Aston Eyre, Shropshire :
Towpath & Pentonville Angel
MAY 2016
Tue 3 May : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
No-One There & Pentonville Angel
JUNE 2016
Fri 3 Jun : The Neon Collective : Local singer-songwriters on tour :
The Swan, Fradley Junction, Staffs. Evening starts 8.00 pm.
No-One There, Towpath & Pentonville Angel
Tue 7 Jun : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton.
Faded Photograph & Matter of Time
Sat 11 Jun : Bradford Arms Mini-Festival, Ivetsey Bank, A5.
The River is still Rising, Festival & Towpath
<< And the inimitable Ken Stott also graced the stage! Thanks Ken! >>
Tue 14 Jun : Songwriters Night @ The Longhorn, Sutton Road,
Walsall, WS5 3AR.
The River is Still Rising & Two Cities
Wed 15 Jun : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Wheelie Dancers & English Blues
<< Ken Stott performing, hot off the press, the new "Dustbin Song". >>
Fri 24 Jun : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5.
Rainbow, She was One of Us [first outing], England, as it used to be
<< Nice to see Ken Stott at the club - his understated style can mislead - some clever writing and playing going on there! >>
Wed 29 Jun : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham :
She was one of Us & West Coast Line
<< Ken Stott was in a very thoughtful mood as he sang about the murdered MP
Jo Cox. The song got a special round of applause. Thanks, Ken.>>
JULY 2016
Tue 5 Jul : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
London Bus & Shakespeare in Stratford
Tue 12 Jul : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Don’t Let Go, West Coast Line & English Blues
Wed 13 Jul : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Don’t Let Go & Knight School
<< Super wordsmith Ken Stott was next. So many words, so many songs - where do they all come from? Thanks Ken, for your contribution to the club.>>
Tue 19 Jul : The Neon Collective : Local singer-songwriters on tour :
Chequemates Folk Club, Coton & Hopwas Social Club, Tamworth, Staffs.
Evening starts 8.00 pm.
Festival, Towpath & England as it used to be
Wed 27 Jul : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Guardians & Don’t Fight with Me
<< Next, Ken Stott, prolific singer songwriter. Two songs from Ken about indigenous nations. Thanks for making us think, Ken.>>
AUGUST 2016
Tue 2 Aug : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
West Coast Line & Guardians
Tue 9 Aug : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Je t’adore & Pity the Couple
Tue 9 Aug : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Je t’adore & Pity the Couple
Wed 10 Aug : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Rainbow & You Can’t Talk to Him
<< Prolific songwriter, Ken Stott. Both songs he performed were self-penned. Ken was off to London the next day, so we guess there will be a song about that trip. We can't wait, Ken! >>
SEPTEMBER 2016
Tue 6 Sep : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Kathy’s Song, Festival & Tell Me [first outing]
Wed 7 Sep : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Festival & Tell Me
<< Ken Stott performed a song about music festivals, just to remind us
of the summer. Thanks Ken, we can always depend on you to give us
some thinking time.>>
Mon 12 Sep : Warwick Folk Club : Warwick Arms Hotel, High St, Warwick, CV34 4AT.
No-One There & Festival
Tue 13 Sep : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
No-One There & Tell Me
OCTOBER 2016
Wed 5 Oct : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Knight School & Towpath
Tue 11 Oct : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
Don’t Let Go & Arromanche [first outing]
Fri 14 Oct : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5.
Arromanche & Precious Memories [first outing]
Fri 21 Oct : Bewdley Museum - “Made in the Museum” Event
Load Street, Bewdley, DY12 2AE.
Two 1hr spots. 6.00 - 7.00 pm in the main alley inside museum & 7.00 - 8.00 pm in the main entrance foyer. 21 songs in 2 hrs !
Gig Song, No-One There, Towpath, Pentonville Angel, Rising Sun,
City by the Sea, England as it used to be, Knight School, The River
is still Rising, Tell Me, Keep the Music Live, Arromanche, Precious Memories, Jane Austen’s Eyes, Horse Fair, Take Extra Care, Faded Photograph,
Keeping England Free, Rainbow, Odd Man Out, Zoe’s Lullaby.
Fri 28 Oct : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5.
Rising Sun & Festival
NOVEMBER 2016
Tue 1 Nov : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Precious Memories & You Can’t Talk to Him
Wed 2 Nov : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
West Coast Line & Guardians
<< A man never lost for words and with always something profound to say. Wordsmith Ken Stott gave us two self-penned numbers, one about the North American Indians plight. Ken, another great supporter of the Sandpiper.>>
Fri 4 Nov : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5.
Tell Me & Keep the Music Live
Tue 8 Nov : Songwriters Night @ The White Lion : 150, Sandwell Street,
Walsall, WS1 3EQ.
City by the Sea & Keeping England Free
Fri 11 Nov : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5.
[Hosting the night !] Ferry & City by the Sea
Tue 15 Nov : Tap & Spile : Gas Street, Birmingham.
No-One There, Towpath, City by the Sea, Guardians, Odd Man Out,
Don’t Let Go & Keeping England Free
Wed 16 Nov : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Precious Memories & I Woke One Morning [first outing]
<< Thanks to Ken Stott for opening on behalf of the artists. Two self-penned numbers, one brand new. Great song Ken, with clever words as ever. Keep
them coming ! >>
Wed 30 Nov : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Two Cities & Pentonville Angel
<< Ken Stott gave us two thought provoking songs about the homeless,
very appropriate for the time of year. Thanks for your many songs over
the year, Ken >>
DECEMBER 2016
Tue 6 Dec : Folk @ the Oak : Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Charity begins at Home & Evening Star
Fri 9 Dec : Bradford Arms Folk Club : Ivetsey Bank, A5.
While Shepherds Watched & Evening Star
Wed 14 Dec : Sandpiper Folk Club : Pigot Arms, Pattingham
Christmas Party Night - one song each ! Evening Star
What a year !
Love & Peace, Ken.
COMPLIMENT
Recently received, via Facebook . . . . .
"This artist is the whole package, fabulous lyrics that get you thinking and questioning from word one and a beautiful lilting guitar style played so consistently it belies the underlying technical skill. Above all though his style transfers very well to CD, I have
to say, the songs are beautiful !"
Richard Gibbons - Crooked House.
NEW SONG
Well, I'm still getting used to this new website of mine, after the old one was infested by someone with an altogether different agenda !
Here's my first entry of the next generation. It's about my new song Precious Memories, which deals with memory loss as you get older. I forgot to get the car booked in for its annual MOT test and so was unable to tax the car. This event inspired this song !
Precious Memories
1. What did I just come upstairs for? What was I about to do ?
I'm becoming more forgetful, losing track of what is true !
Chorus : Sometimes lost, sometimes found,
Precious memories leave without a sound.
2. Mine's a world of missed appointments. Places I was meant to be
I forgot one in September, Now I have no MOT ! > Chorus
Can't remember what's on TV, progammes that I'd hoped to see
Find that I can't cope with Freeview, safer with a DVD ! > Guitar Break
3. What's that word I can't remember ? Who was that upon the phone ?
MOT expired September, suddenly I feel alone. > Chorus
Don't forget about tomorrow ! What did we do yesterday ?
Life delivers joy and sorrow, memories either leave or stay. > Guitar Break
4. Did I take my medication ? Am I safe, at least today ?
Doctor tells me it's important, maybe took them yesterday ? > Chorus
How did we cope raising children ? Holidays merge into one
Forty years of busy teaching vanish like an evening gone ! > Guitar Break
5. So much worse when one is older; to recall I try in vain
Care home looming ever closer, lack of links within the brain. > Chorus
When I'm sitting in the Circle, staring at the TV screen
Will I know you when you visit ? Just what will Dementia mean ? > Guitar Break
Out. What did I just come upstairs for? What was I about to do ?