After a summer break, the new season of Over Hulton Folk Club sessions resume with an excellent evening of acoustic folk welcoming Mark Radcliffe and David Boardman.
TONY WHITE
Atherton singer, Tony White, kicks off proceedings. His original songs are mainly dedications to family members and cover versions. His style is an ideal warm up for the evening.
A song about the ‘Lighthouse’ of his life for his special lady, and long distance life, a homage to his father show his song writing prowess. There are also some nifty acoustic guitar licks. These songs blend perfectly to his renditions of Johnny Flynn’s theme to the Detectorist TV series, the self penned Always A Rover (written in response to John Martyn’s version of Spencer The Rover) and Richard Thompson’s classic 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.
As well as cheekily recruiting Mark Radcliffe as a roadie, he acquits himself well when tackling songs by these folk rock legends which is both risky and brave.
MARK RADCLIFFE & DAVID BOARDMAN
Bolton born, well Farnworth actually, Mark immediately draws comparison to most of the audience having been born in Townley’s Hospital (now Bolton RI) but quickly, and amusingly, distances himself with a song about Glasgow Merchant City Driving Rain.
He returns closer to home with Steal The Sea, which concerns the opening of the Bridgewater Canal. Not only did his close harmonies and and musicianship with David come to the fore, but his amusing anecdotes and patter show an equal warmth with the audience. Observations of how the local landscape has changed immeasurably over the years resonate with the local audience when he recalls his childhood with Tear The Old Place Down. David takes the vocal lead on out On The Shore observing the victims of the terrible bushfires, as we head to Australia.
Now residing in Knutsford Ratcliffe pays tribute to Noddy Holder with one of Slade’s more melancholic songs; How Does It Feel. It is introduced with tales of pizza nights with Noddy and Roy Wood. Appropriately, to finish the first set, and reminding folk that it was time for another pint, he sings his drinking song Last Orders.
ALONG EUSTON ROAD
The bar at Over Hulton Conservative Club might be wildly different in appearance and atmosphere to drinking in Italy, however Radcliffe reminisces about pleasant times with In The Bar In San Calisto. Nick Drake is paid a loving tribute with First Light highlighting sleepless nights.
Ratcliffe’s early career in radio, arriving in London, is the theme of Along Euston Road. The song resonated with me in particular as a young 20 something experiencing the cultural change experienced of a wide eyed northern lad living in London.
Giving Hank William’s the title of ‘The First Rock n Roll Star’ segues into You Saw The Light and David singing Your Cheatin’ Heart. Intending to finish the evening, the last track on their current album (Hearsay and Heresy – our review here), Not So Grand Hotel begins with super acapella harmonies before acoustic guitars come in with a hint of sea shanty in the vocals.
CHEESE AND BEER
‘Jack’ might be the shortest chorus in folk music in Fairport Convention’s Festival Bell, but Mark encourages folk to join in with the minimalist refrain for Cheese And Beer. People were ‘encouraged’ when the threat of two encore songs is levelled; with one of them being Tubular Bells!
Their harmonies highlight a close singing relationship. Not for the first time at Over Hulton have artists announced the inspiration of the ‘best ever two part harmony duo’, The Everly’s. So the evening ends with a lovely rendition of Love Hurts rounding off a wonderful evening.
During the evening, Mark had remarked upon the friendly atmosphere in the room. With that, we look forward to more when Rolling Folk, fronted by local favourite Virginia Kettle, appear in October. You can buy tickets for that event, here.
Mark Radcliffe & David Boardman: Official Website / Instagram / YouTube
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