But is it folk?

Late in the night a man was balancing a pint on his head and then spinning on his back on the floor.  I was stood on a chair so I could see over the top of the party animals who were having an almighty good time dancing to the tunes of the fantastic Three Sheets T’ Wind, followed by Ottersgear (above).  Jake Manning, the talented young song writer who had helped get the night going was stood on a chair next to me, and next to him was the equally talented singer song writer Kathryn Luxford – all of us bouncing up and down to the good times.  The atmosphere was vibrant, fun and one of those moments when everything comes together to create beautiful mayhem.  A pint got kicked over the fold backs, someone fell drunkenly against the speaker stands, and all of a sudden Mikey of Ottersgear started singing ‘Let’s Go Fucking Mental, Let’s Go Fucking Mental La La La’ – the people drank Cellar 88 dry and danced late into the night.

This event was not the kind where you sit and listen attentively to diddly dee music in hushed silence, this was a let’s get shit faced and enjoy ourselves kind of event.  I loved this celebration of life and being alive, I loved the joyous sounds of the accordion, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and drums that weaved a tight musical euphoria in our ears.  And I loved the drummer of Three Sheets with his Mohican haircut and friendly manner, he helped us out big time by loaning his kit to Ottersgear.

Earlier in the night a man had said to me - it's not folk is it?  I'd answered by saying it was music, and great music at that, and this was all that mattered.  He'd shrugged and left a little while later in search of a quieter spot.

Scott Wainright and Chris Martin began the evening’s celebrations with stories of allotments and life in Barnsley.  And I’ve seen these guys playing many a time as solo artists but I’ve never seen them playing with each other!  They went down a storm with dobro guitar, stomp box and some blues harp thrown in for good measure.  A unique and highly entertaining force.

Dariush Kanani (left) started his set with ‘Everyone’s talking about me’, and you’ll know it as the theme from Midnight Cowboy a haunting melody.  Dariush is an up and coming force to be reckoned with on the acoustic circuit.  His songs such as Ease Your Worried Mind and May You Never wash over you in a way that leaves you feeling good about everything, and if that sounds a little 60’s, it’s because there is a hint of something 60’s going on his song writing.

Nig Richards and the Primates turned up fashionably late and blew us away with his Aldi broom stick blues and a guitar made from a toilet seat – by this time, a little worse for wear, I’m trying to get in on the action and provide backing vocals for songs that I didn’t know.  And all of this following another storming impromptu set from local hero Dan Gallo, helping me out because the Primates were running late.

I don’t really know what folk music is and I’m not an expert on such matters or even a follower of the scene.  All I know is that the music that hits you in the heart and soul, music that can get the whole place up and dancing, music that has something to say and gets into your bones, making you move about is what makes for a bloody good time!

Pie + Peas + Song (Open Mic #4)

Fast forward to the end of the night and the good people of the valley (above) are spell bound by another storming set from local musician Dan Gallo.  By this time there is live venue sweat pouring from the walls after a very busy night of music, the best of the best – so busy I didn't get my second pint until around 9.30, when everyone else was tucking into their free pie and peas.

We had banjos, fiddles, Cajon, mandolin, guitars, keyboards, a drum kit, saxophone, acoustic and electric bass, with the music stretching from acoustic rock, through to folk music, country, jazz and Holmfirth hillbilly.  It was a mini festival of talent with a super attentive audience from start to finish; a contrast to the previous month’s rowdy start to the Bank Holiday.

Ian Evans began the night with his own songs.  Sometimes the early shift is tough one because it comes at a point when everyone is arriving, greeting friends and finding a place to settle for the evening.  But tonight was different, Ian got a good hearing and one particularly catchy tune was stuck in my head the whole night www dot I’m lonely - a piece about internet dating. 

Jacob Fullalove made a welcome return, this time with a young fiddle player by the name of Jamie.  After an Adele cover :( they played some awesome gypsy influenced pieces that got everyone in the mood for an upbeat night of local talent.

I was also thrilled that Sophie (pictured left) and Liz brought some of their songs to the party.  I’ve been nagging them for some time to come and play, but Sophie had complained that the quality was too high!  The fact was Sophie and Liz were extremely good and but anyway; these nights are not about how good you are, they are about having fun and developing your music and performance.  Sophie and Liz have come on leaps and bounds since I last saw them play a year or so ago, and their guitar picking and harmonies were a treat.

Heidi & family threw some more country music our way, this time towards the rocky end of the spectrum, with a dash of hillbilly banjo thrown in for good measure.  Heidi has a lovely voice and the whole band had a very watchable stage presence – I’d like to hear more of what they have to offer.

Iona, who is only thirteen years old, had a shaky start on keyboard, but was encouraged by the friendly audience to play more of her songs.  And we shouldn't forget that it’s a nerve wracking thing getting up and playing in front of a crowd of strangers for the first time.  But everyone in the room helped her through those nerves with friendly support, and the reward was the last of her songs, which was one of her own, and an impressive piece of piece.

More young players followed Iona as Folkus took to the stage, a group made up of players from Penistone and Barnsley.  I first saw them play at The Farmers Arms up the road and I loved their confident and fun approach.  They also play their own songs - a big plus for me, one of which advocates the concept of a tube station in Penistone.  A random idea but the more I listened, the more it made me think, why just Penistone, why not a Yorkshire underground – that would be so dammed handy.

Robert Sharp brought some excellent songs also accompanied by Tom on drums and Tom on acoustic bass.  I have to say I really appreciate bands and groups of musicians turning up and playing because it adds so much to the night.  Technically it stretches the sound control to the limit, and also eats into setting up time, but it's well worth it for the variation it brings.  Robert’s songs never disappoint, with a darkness to the tone and a sense of foreboding which I love in music.

RPM (right) took us in completely another direction, with some jazz influenced song writing from Simon on guitar, joined by James on bass and Nick on saxophone.  These were cheerful tunes complimented by skilled playing.  I’m not sure how long these guys have been together but they are a welcome addition to the local music scene.

The variety on this night had been superb and the range of different musical styles kept things interesting and constantly changing.  Irene didn’t disappoint, with songs that brought the night to a logical end.  Except it wasn’t the end, because Dan Gallo was in the house and some of my pals had clocked this and kept asking me when he was playing.  Dan wasn’t on the original list, but the list never goes according to plan and there was space at the end of the night for more, so he played us out with a storming good set of original material and covers.

This night had been a celebration of local music making, and I almost forgot to mention the free pie and peas for everyone, plus free drinks for the performers.  So I’m going to end this review with a big thanks to the staff at Cellar 88 for helping to make this happen.  It's a fact that nowhere else in town provides such a generous welcome to music lovers and players.   

Open Mic Announcements:

Sunday 12 May - Folk Festival Open Mic at Cellar 88 from 1.00pm

Thursday 30 May  - Open Mic at Cellar 88 in aid of Oxfam from 8.00pm