TAMWORTH FOLK CLUB GUEST NIGHT - April 2002

Hugie Jones and The Old Castle Band

Click on the colour images for larger versions

A guest night at The Gamecock can be unpredictable, not in the quality of the music, but in the content and format of the evening. Aprils guest night could certainly be described as nautical.
We had the full repertoire of maritime songs from fishing to shipwrecks, in fact I wish I had taken a sea sickness tablet before entering.

Steve Swoffer walked tall up to the "stage" to announce the first performers, The Old Castle Band had a familiar ring to it but on inspecting the line up, could this be the same group who has been seen in and around the area for decades? The lead singer and guitarist had a lean and somewhat youthful look, and the addition of Scottish pipes certainly made one question the fact. Then upon closer inspection :- Bob trying to erect the music stand, deck chair fashion, Pete scurrying round looking for a plectrum, Nick arriving late shouting abuse from the door, it was indeed the same band. The addition of pipes, albeit a miniature electrified version in the shape of a penny whistle allowing Jim Richie to smoke whilst playing, had a heightening effect on the overall musical ensemble.

They started up with a rousing rendition of Fishing For A Whale which set us all up for the theme of the evening. I have to say that their performance was impeccable, indeed our guest remarked how well they finished together, not necessarily in the same key or playing the same tune, but together. Well done.

Our guest this evening was Hugh E Jones, or Hughie Jones, it matters not which, but who has been around for many a year in the international folk scene. Hughie plays guitar, banjo, ukulele, and was taught to play harmonica by the redoubtable bluesman, Sonny Terry. He was a member of the Spinners Folk Group until it was disbanded in 1988. During their career the band made about 30 LP recordings and dozens of compilations have been produced.

The one thing I was struck by with Hughie, was his stories, which were almost on a one to one basis with the audience, weather this was due to the intimate atmosphere of The Gamecock, on a not so full night, or just because he was interesting, especially with his Liverpool accent, it does not matter. His basic love of all things maritime came over very clearly and were well appreciated.

M.C. Steve interrupted Bob who was trying to end the first half, with the usual parish and raffle announcement and the odd joke. Hughie's assortment of cassettes were on sale with his music book, Hugie's Ditty-Bag which was bought by many of the audience, and signed by himself.

The second half began with The Old Castle Band reminding the "Brummies" in the audience what the Bull Ring was like before rebuilding, there will have to be another few verses now that it has been demolished again, suggestions please. A couple of new songs to accompany their "new" image and some old favourites rounded off the support and Hughie, now accompanied with his pet dog rejoined us.

More stories and sea songs abound, amongst which was The Ellen Vannin Tragedy, written by Hughie, but not always attributed to him, by the way did you know that there was an inn in Castletown I.O.M. named The Ellen Vannin Arms which stood on the quay, flanked by the Police Station on one side and the offices of The Isle of Mann Steam Packet Company on the other. The house is now a private residence. My indebtedness to the Internet, a reviewers saviour. Hughie changed his guitar for the next couple if songs and played a Martin 12 string Powerhouse, immediately Nick moved to the front and was able to confirm Hughie's stories with regard to drugs and rock and roll, I cannot comment about the sex.

I any event the evening culminated with Hughie singing with the Old Castle Band, not the other way round, and Malcolm has exclusive photos.

Looking forward to the next guest night, thanks to all.

R.D.C.

Whatever happened to The Spinners?