Tony Hall Concert

• Norfolk

From Dr Badphil
Tony Hall's melodeon playing has long been much revered, and can be heard on Maddy Prior and June Tabor's 'Silly Sisters' album, on Nic Jones's 'Penguin Eggs' album, and on his own recordings: 'Field Vole Music' (1977), 'Mr Universe' (1995), and 'One Man Hand' (2008). Despite his many live performances over the years (not least with the weekly performances of The Vonn Krapp Family Band for around 50 years), there are few videos of Tony playing live. So here is a video of a short set, performed by Tony after the harvest supper at Oulton Church (Norfolk, England) in September 2022: a mixture of instrumental tunes, songs accompanied by melodeon and one unaccompanied song, all being traditional pieces.

Roland Harris recorded and filmed the performance, and Matt Phelps and Rob Moore helped considerably in preparing the way. There is more about the recording on my blog: https://drbadphil.com/tony-hall-man-a... 00:00

SET LIST
Hard Times of Old England (melodeon and vocal) 04:01
The Mist Covered Mountains (melodeon) 09:05
Down in the River to Pray (melodeon and vocal) 13:39
Kean O'Hara and Rip The Calico (melodeon) 17:10
The Farmer's Boy (melodeon and vocal) 22:58
Henry My Son - Green and Yeller (vocal) 26:47
The Flowers of Edinburgh (melodeon) 31:05
Kitty the Handsome Cat (melodeon and vocal)

New Youth - how oldie musicians are doing it for themselves

• Cambridgeshire

Article by Les Ray

My colleague at Cambridge 105 Radio Julian Clover and I were chatting to Neil King of Fatea at Cambridge Folk Festival back in the summer. Neil was saying that Fatea aims to promote up-and-coming folk artists, particularly those who are not at the young end of the scale but are now at the age when they have the time and opportunity to pursue their music, plus they have a wealth of experience to bring to the songs they write; he mentioned Marina Florance in particular.

The truth is, Marina is just one very fine example of older performers from our region making headway on the local and national folk scene. Marina is slightly different in that she didn’t start performing in public until she was in her late forties. A more common phenomenon is that of musicians who played in bands in their youth but gave it all up to focus on family and career. Now that the children have flown the nest and they are close to retirement age, if indeed that exists, they have the time and maybe a bit more disposable income to devote to that passion that has never left them - music. I’m thinking perhaps of the Boxwood Chessmen, Thursday’s Band, Kelly & Woolley, Cambridge Walker, Two Coats Colder, or even my own band, Red Velvet. And that’s just the start of a very long list of performers that I’m calling the “New Youth” movement, since these are musicians enjoying a new youth in music.

Read more: New Youth - how oldie musicians are doing it for themselves

Old Glory Molly trip to Kent on video

• Suffolk
• Morris

Old Glory's recent trip to Kent was captured on film by a Brighton based young film maker, Conan Roberts of Unfolding Films.   Filmed on a very cold day at the end of November in the harbour and on the beach at Whitstable, Kent.  The film conveys, in a few quick frames, some of the essential magic, mystery, energy and power of the Molly and is enhanced with a voice-over by one of the dancers.

If you like this one another film by the company with a flavour of the Morris called "Modern Nature - Nature" may also interest you.  If you can identify any of the sides involved please let me know so that I can give them a credit.  I suspect that some of the sides may be from the Brighton area where Unfolding Films are based. 

The film maker, Conan Roberts, has expressed an interest in filming a wide variety of Morris traditions, events and performances, so it may be worth contacting him through their website (see above) if you have something which may be of interest.  I've already suggested that he might like to visit Thaxted in June.

Dave Evans, Mardles Morris Correspondent

8th January 2020

Music for the Soul

Sometimes there is a piece of music that really lifts the spirits. This is one such piece. I realise most of you have heard this many times but there is something magical about this particular clip. I particularly like the slow and gentle lead in before the waltz time takes over and then there is nothing to stop you waltzing round wherever you are with whatever or whoever you have in your hand. 

I'll add more clips to this as the mood takes me but if anyone has a particular clip that has something special about it, please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Probably better to keep it folk related 

New Old Glory event at the Locks

• Norfolk
• Suffolk
• Morris

Having previously reported that the traditional Old Glory Winter Solstice event at the Locks, Geldeston scheduled for 22nd December had been cancelled due to local flooding, I am now pleased to let you all know that a replacement event will take place at the Locks on Saturday 11th January at 8pm.  So this Winter you will still be able to witness the eerie sight of Old Glory emerging with flaming torches from the marshes into the pub yard. 

Other opportunities to see the Molly dancers and musicians will be tonight 4th January at the Oddfellows, Nightingale Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft NR33 7AU, 18th January at Whittlesea Straw Bear festival and finally for this season on 25th January at the Mark Jones Day of Dance starting at 10.30am at the Cutter, Ely.

Dave Evans

Mardles Morris (and Molly) correspondent

Derby Folk Festival 2022

Derby Folk Festival is back this autumn bringing amazing acts and a great atmosphere right into the heart of the citProduced by Derby LIVE and in association with Bob on Arts this year’s festival will run over three days from Fri 30 Sep to Sun 2 Oct. After the sell-out success of last year’s festival, which saw visitors travel from around the UK and Ireland to attend the 15^th Derby Folk Festival, this year’s impressive line-up continues to prove that Derby is the place to be for all things folk. This year, as usual, events will be taking place in fantastic venues including Derby Market Place, The Old Bell Hotel and Derby Cathedral. The festival will also be working with the Museum of Making and QUAD on more activities.

Organiser Bob Rushton from Bob on Arts said This year’s list of artists continues our long tradition of mixing well known established acts with those who are newer to the scene. We’ve tried to reflect the wide range of genres from across the folk scene and really hope you’ll enjoy it as much we know we’re going to!

The festival will kick off on Friday on the Mick Peat Stage in the Market Place with performances from Lady Nade, and Sound of the Sirens – all introduced by festival patron, Lucy Ward. Saturday sees concerts in Derby Cathedral as well as the main marquee, and includes Granny’s Attic, The Carrivick Sisters, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, Bob Fox & Billy Mitchell and more. There’s even a special performance of the fantastic show, The Pitmen Poets. Spiers & Boden will make a welcome return to the city as Saturday’s final act. Sunday kicks off with another show Nelly; a folk musical, about Nell Gwynne – along with Jez Lowe, Old Sea Legs, Narthen and more. The festival closes with special guests Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman.

Read more: Derby Folk Festival 2022