Tamworth Folk Club Guest Night January 2008

Bisiker and Romanov

This is the first review I am privileged to write at Bonehall Manor. The previous guests performed either when I was on holiday or working, I can hear you laughing already.

We had a fairly good audience turn out for what was to become an excellent night. The support act was our old favourites The Old Castle Band. Some of you may remember these from times past, in fact I have reviewed these performers before at another venue.

Now, I could just repeat my last review of them because some of the songs did not appear to have changed to me, but to be fair, some new ones or at least different adaptions of the old ones did prove that you cannot stop progress, and with the addition of an autocue in the forms of a collapsible music stand with large print scores, did have an added edge to their performance.

But to be serious, Bob, Peter, John, Jim, Mike and Jim Richie did start the night off wonderfully with their usual mix of songs and banter which has become the hallmark of the club and is genuinely appreciated by all.

After their spot, Steve Swoffer introduced Bisiker and Romanov and if like me you had not seen them before you were in for a wonderful experience. They have been on the folk scene for many years. In 1989 they received critical acclaim for their album `Bisiker and Romanov` with Mick Bisiker playing guitar and bouzouki and Al Romanov playing gypsy fiddle. In fact the album won the Music Retailers Award for best folk album.

The start had a very classical piece performed with such dexterity that the fiddle bow was a blur in Als hand. Mick’s self penned songs which include Home again, Both ends of the Street, and because he lives at Napton on the Hill includes many canal songs.

The whole of their performance was exceptionally professional and the audience was enthralled with the sounds which included the fiddle actually talking. At the end of the evening Steve and Bob thanked Bisiker and Romanov and we all thought it was one of the best nights at the folk club.

RDC 2008