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TAMWORTH FOLK CLUB GUEST NIGHT
REVIEW Lvivski Muzyky and The Laners Welcome to the review page at The Gamecock once again, if you were in the Black Country, it would start, "ow am yow", if you were in the Ukraine it would be "Vitayemo", can you spot the difference? Well you certainly would if you were at the club this September evening. It was a sell out and for a good reason, East meets West was the theme this night, and just a fact that not many people know,if you were standing on the top of Rowley Regis hill, in the heart of the Black Country, the next highest ground due East are the Urals, which is near enough for me to the Ukraine, a good link yes? Enough of the geography lesson, Lvivski Muzyky is the name of these wonderful musicians who appeared at the Gamecock two years ago, they must hold the record for travelling here for a gig, 1350 miles, they only got lost negotiating the islands around Tamworth. They have been playing professionally together for 15 years, and travel to raise money for local charities back home, the proceeds from our raffle this night was donated to them. Their repertoire contains Ukrainian country, romantic, sad and lively songs and they had the fastest fiddler since John Davies's accountant. In all, their first set was a rousing musical experience not to be forgotten. It was now the turn of the other foreign group from a land of strange tongues, The Laners. It's only fair I tell you a little of their history. Formed fourteen years ago and included at that time Albert and Dave, who are still singing their little hearts out, but two new additions recently, Martin and Dereck add to make their music they are renowned for. The Ukrainians were in their national dress, as were The Laners, an assortment of flowery shirts, woollen hats, shorts and sandals, is as you know, traditional in the Black Country. They started off with a drinking song (what a surprise) quickly followed by a sea shanty about a submarine, Bernard knew all the words. The Kings Shilling, a fighting song drew a great chorus from the audience, the break approached all too soon. After the raffle, Lvivsky Muzyky back up front throwing themselves into more great foot stamping songs and instrumentals. One was an audience participation song and we learnt that "chom-chom" means kiss-kiss, another was a love song where we sang "thoi-oi-oi-port" I am not at liberty to interpret. A great performance from truly professional folk musicians, can we have them back please Bob in the future. The Laners returned from the bar and we were soon into songs like "The Phantom Flasher" and "Children of Africa" which proves they do not hold any political allegiance. They finished with a wonderful rendition of "Mean Pinball". Who were The Who? I here you say. A night to remember indeed, with my Ukraine language improved, I will now catch up on my vowel's east of Dudley. RDC 2003
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