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CVFolk - December Round-Up


The B Road - Keith Nickless and Kate McAllister. Photo (c) Pete Willow.


CV News by Pete Willow


Both our 2nd Sunday event and the follow-up afternoon concert took place in the near-refurbished Foyer of the Albany Theatre which continues to prove itself an excellent and atmospheric venue.


12 November featured six local acts offering a rich variety of styles and approaches, all of which were very much part of the folk canon and all winning great audience reception. Coventry and Warwickshire offer a huge choice of excellent artists in the folk circuit and it would be possible to stage several ‘Six of the Best’ shows with completely different line-ups and equally good entertainment.


KC Jones. Photo (c) Pete Willow.


On this occasion, we were treated to some first-rate singing and guitar arrangements from soloists Adam Wilson, and Carol Whitworth, enthralling and contrasting deliveries from the duos, The B Road (generally gentle and melodic harmonies), and Firedaze (powerful, energised folk-rock), and an exhilarating final set from Urban Fox whose tight arrangements of original songs and twin-fiddle instrumentals are creating a big local following for this recently established trio.


Steve Redshaw. Photo (c) Pete Willow.


The sixth act was also the MC, i.e. yours truly, taking the opportunity to sing and play some of my own material, an experience I’m beginning to enjoy again as a sideline to my appearances with Willow & Tool Band. I’ve even been offered some solo floor spots in January at Lighthorne and Stockton Folk Clubs – perhaps see some of you at either venue?


Tyburn - Jan Richardson & Hedley Stone. Photo (c) Pete Willow.


19 November saw our special afternoon concert with the wonderful Gilly Darbey. This was her first of three UK appearances during her brief homecoming trip from New Zealand and I found myself busy pulling out extra chairs as the Foyer started to fill up. Gilly was understandably nervous, as the audience included family and friends that she hadn’t seen for many years, but she soon got into her stride to treat us to a repertoire of folk and blues with the distinctive expression and passion of old, bringing out the emotion of the lyrics.


Gilly Darbey. Photo courtesy of the artist.


Playing a guitar loaned by Jan Richardson, Gilly established good audience rapport with anecdotes and experiences of nearly 20 years as an ex-pat. She won a well-deserved encore and sang her own humorous take on the classic Charlie Chaplin song, ‘Smile’. There were certainly plenty of smiles in the room.


Special thanks to both support acts who played brilliant sets that afternoon – Steve Redshaw, plus Jan Richardson and fiddle-player Hedley Stone, aka Tyburn. And thanks to the many of you who turned up – and to the Albany Theatre team who ensured everything ran smoothly, from the sound desk to the box office to the bar!


Pete Willow. Photo courtesy of the artist.


So, what’s next? We’re very much looking forward to this coming Sunday, 10 December when our guests are popular and talented Warwickshire folk-rockers, The Redhills. They played a terrific set of songs and tunes on the CVFolk Stage at last June’s Coventry MotoFest inspiring much handclapping and lively dancing in city’s Upper Precinct. They’ll be setting up their guitars, bass, drums and electric fiddle in the now refurbished Studio where we’ll also enjoy performances by accomplished and harmonious singer-songwriter duo KC Jones, and Melbourne writer, singer and broadcaster Ian Bland, on a brief return visit to enjoy (!) the UK winter.


The music starts at 7.30pm and admission is free – but as always, we hope you’ll be generous with the Caddy Collection during the interval.


Urban Fox. Photo by Pete Willow.


I’m delighted to announce a fabulous line-up of guests for our 2024 Second-Sunday events:

14 January – Tu-kay & Ryan

11 February – Stylusboy

10 March – The Lost Notes

14 April – Celebratory Cruise on ‘Tiny Boats’ with Lauren South plus Keith Donnelly, John Parker & Ben Haines

12 May – Liam Vincent & The Odd Foxes

Advance tickets will soon be available for 14 April when we celebrate Lauren’s highly-acclaimed debut album Tiny Boats. All other dates so far will be free admission / caddy collection. I’ll keep you updated on support acts.

One more date for your diary – Leamington’s Temperance Café has invited CVFolk back to curate another of their monthly Leamington Folk Clubs, on Thursday 8 February. Full line up to be confirmed soon.


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