Bob Fox – Over Hulton Folk Club – 6th November 2024

The North East is a rich source of talented entertaining folk artists, amongst the best of them is Bob Fox, who captivated a full house at OHFC.

There were plenty of pin drop moments at this month’s Over Hulton Folk Club when the evening’s compelling performance from folk troubadour Bob Fox was preceded by a half hour of poetry focussing on coal mining .

Local artist, Nigel Gore, who has many links to local coal mining, read a couple of moving poems from his Uncle , Brian Clare. A historian and local politician, he wrote poems to commemorate the devastating Praetorian Pit disaster of 1910. Amongst his self penned work, we heard Shadow Of Our Future and Can I Carry Your Lamp Mister? Sandwiched inbetween, came two poems from Corrie Shelley. 48,000 Bevan Boys and Rag ‘n’ Bone. All the poems gave a vivid picture of the local mining community, the stark reality of the hardships of those times and the strong character of the people living through those times, leaving the room spellbound.

Bob Fox began his spot with a song from Fairport Convention member and songwriter Chris Leslie. My Love Is In America is a tragic love story of a couple separated after the Irish potato blight. Bob’s connection with Fairport is very close having worked at their Cropredy festival and recording his Dreams Never Leave You album with them. This album was visited on several occasions during the performance, singing Jez Lowe’s amusing tale, Greek Lightning and the early contraception song about the Galway Shawl, the story of a chap’s failed encounter with a bonny musical Irish girl!!

Every song had a captivating anecdote or story. None more so than the Ballad Of Jack Crawford. an inspiration for the phrase ‘nail my colours to the mast’ and allegedly is the origin of naming our nation flag the Union Jack!! His warm rapport was matched by audience participation; the crowd regularly invited to chorus along or accompany him on the refrains…even if they could only manage one word!

Bob’s strong yet warm vocals and guitar proves delivered Ralph McTell’s emotional Peppers And Tomatoes describing the fragility of friendships in wartime. In fact many of Bob’s songs although traditional and steeped in history, reflected recent social issues both local and global. The corruption through the exploitation of working people came through on several occasions particular through his association with the Pitmen Poets.

His roots are clearly in North East England, which came through clearly via the traditional Dance To Your Daddy and a tune about the bonniest lass in Gateshead, Sally Wheatley. There was a return visit to Dreams Never Leave You album in his parting songs, The Waters of the Tyne and Jimmy Nail’s Big River after the audience had clamoured for more having hung on to every word he spoke and sung.

Bob had everyone transfixed throughout and his warm reception was well earned. Perhaps one of the strongest themes that came through this evening is the unity between the British people despite the diversity in our local language and customs.

A busy tour rolls on in November before his solo performances resume in March (see bobfoxmusic.com for tour dates).

Bob Fox: Website

A great night is in store to add to the festive mood with the wonderful Tennessee Waltz appearing early December

As the year comes to a close the acts for 2025 were announced and more high quality evenings are anticipated with Merry Hell, The Hayes Sisters, Edwina Hayes amongst the acts returning. (See website for further details).

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