Tom Lewis

support by Evonne Parkes

 

I have to say that as I was given the tickets to sell for a time for this evening, it became apparent that we were not going to achieve a full house. But being on the door with Mike it was pleasing to find that more tickets were sold then than we expected, and in the end we had a respectable audience.

Bob was the MC for the evening and after shutting up the assembled throng, without his "knocking stick" or that thing he also uses to play his "drum", he introduced the support act Evonne Parkes.

Her face was familiar to me an after asking her where I might have seen her, the answer came as, the A1 and Bridgenorth Folk Festivals, (don't I get about) She has not got the stongest voice especially without PA and the content of her songs were to me more the experience of a Christian mission, with the disciples sitting around the room drinking their "holy water". A new experience for the Gamecock. The audience gave their reverent applause.

Tom Lewis our main guest, was again not known to me, but with the support from some of his fans, some came as far a field as shrewsbury, he is loved by a great many. He has got one of the best websites around, www.tomlewis.net From this I give you a précis of his history. He's a former British Royal Navy submariner who now lives in British Columbia, and appears internationally. In various venues. The theme of the sea is never far away and his powerful voice captures the senses, he certainly did not need a PA

Many of his songs were known to the audience, probably from our own Castle Bands sea fairing members i.e. John, A.K.A stoker Davies, but this time sung properly.

"I'm Going Inland From The Shore" - that's how it should be sung Bob!
Mike Hadley commented to me that "Down by The Dockside" brought the "Sirens" to tears. They knew it was a compliment, compared with the "Witches of Eastwick"

It was all to soon for the break and raffle, and Toms CDs sale seemed to be doing a good trade.
With everybody topped up with grog another naval term ( words like this don't come easy) Bob introduced Evonne once again, she continued in the same vain as before and one could appreciate the complete contrast with our main guest, but as before we gave her a polite round of applause.

Tom started with a great version of "The Sloop John B", Graham Hewitt compared it with his. Toms songs and stories, one of a canal trip around Polesworth where his party got lost, but doesn't everyone get lost around Polesworth? Have us all quite enthralled.

This all proves to me that even if some of our guests may not be known, you cannot afford not to miss which is always a great inexpensive night out. Indeed Tom emailed Steve after the concert and said how much he had enjoyed the night with the audience in great voice. Size isn't everything, that's the story of my life, buts that's another tale. See you soon.

RDC 2005