pic Bev Edwards
Final
preparations for the concert in the church at Upholland were coming
to a close by Thursday evening. My rehearsal with the St Thomas the Martyr church choir for their
chorus parts on the song Our Daily Bread was a fairly short affair. I
had sent them an MP3 of the song and they were soon singing the song.
I really enjoyed this at the end of what was a long day. The
rehearsal with Ella and Brenda for my improvised yoik piece was even
shorter. We had quickly reached a stage where it seemed that we
should leave refining any thing and yoik some thing on the night. I
think the concept was understood and so we left it there.
The day had seen our electrician Ken fix the church chandelier and test all the electrical gear. Other lighting was minimal and a few spots supplied by Richard Hart, our sound engineer, fitted in nicely. I wanted the interior of church to be seen and enjoyed rather than fill the stage area with flashing lights and other rock props. So many people worked hard through out the day and we managed to sound check a couple of the local artistes who dropped by to check out the church and the stage set up.
The day had seen our electrician Ken fix the church chandelier and test all the electrical gear. Other lighting was minimal and a few spots supplied by Richard Hart, our sound engineer, fitted in nicely. I wanted the interior of church to be seen and enjoyed rather than fill the stage area with flashing lights and other rock props. So many people worked hard through out the day and we managed to sound check a couple of the local artistes who dropped by to check out the church and the stage set up.
Friday
saw me in church after lunch. Luke was first to arrive by train.
Arthur arrived soon after and we got his bass sorted while we waited
for Steve, Rik who was to record the show and Ramblin', my mate Dave
Randell who was driving them from London and who would be taking
photos on the night.
Soon
every one was sound checked. The stage was set and the die cast.
So
many people had worked hard for this and many hours of preparation
had gone into the planning and execution of the various aspects of
promoting and rehearsing for a show like this.
By
eight oclock on Friday evening the church was nicely filled. Ian, who
had supported the project from it's early days, started the evening
with a cool compere style and he kept the show moving along nicely
between acts through out the evening. There was an expectant
atmosphere as the concert began with Leah Wallis. Leah is a fourteen
year old singer who opened the show with a lovely version of the show
song I had a dream.
pic Dave Randell
As I listened to Leah's vocal soaring around the
stone walls of the church, I began to relax and enjoy the wonderful
acoustics of this very beautiful place. Her choice of song seemed a
perfect opener as a dream was where it had all began. I stood at the
back of the church with Arth and Steve and I admit to feeling a
little proud of what we were doing and that all the voluntary work by
so many was coming to fruition.
pic Dave Randell
Next
up was Joe Kirkbride who performed a song of his own. Every one had
tried to choose a song that would fit with the theme of Our Daily
Bread and the ethos of the event. Joe's song was about being down and
the support of a friend. My son Luke remarked how Joe had all the
traits of the north western approach to song writing. It is easy to
see why so many great song smiths have emerged from the north west.
Next
on stage was young Sam Birchall who is thirteen years old.
pic Dave Randell
He played Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles as an instrumental on acoustic guitar. It
was a real treat and like all of the young ones on the bill he will
go far. Sam stayed on stage to accompany Olivia Garcia as she sang
Imagine by John Lennon.
pic Dave Randell
I was becoming quite emotional as I watched
the thing I had imagined take shape. It was a lovely rendition and as
they did for every act, the audience burst into delighted applause as
the song ended.
pic Dave Randell
Next
we had Acoustic Routes. A lovely family act that have the trad folk
sound down. Mandolin, acoustic guitar and four sweet voices. Celtic
sounding and pure. What a great way to pause on the journey before
the next phase!
So it
was time for your's truly to take to the stage and the audience gave
me a very warm welcome. It was all coming together. I knew we had
sold enough tickets to give The BRICK a nice sum for their coffers
and with the contribution from Mike and Julie at The White Lion via
the barbecue and beer sales, now it was all about the music.
I
played five songs and then Brenda and Ella from the church choir came
on to help me perform our experimental yoik. No words just sound and
vibes. This was so good! It just came together in a moment and there
we were, out there some where new. I know for many in the audience, the
yoik was a high light of the evening as it was for me. My good friend Jarle who came from Stavanger in Norway to see the gig, said that I was beginning to sound like a Sami. Praise indeed.
There
was an interval of half an hour while people got a drink and some
barbecue from the White Lion. The church bells, silent during the
first half of the concert, pealed to announce the second half.
Hilary
Hanke, the vicar, spoke about the event and how it had developed and
then Louise from The BRICK homeless project, spoke about the project
and thanked every one for their good work.
pic Bev Edwards
Next
up was my son Luke. He performed three of his own songs in his very
distinctive style and that all went down very well. He has a lovely
song that brings me to tears. It did at the sound check but I kept it
together during the show.
So
next was me, again. I sang a relatively new song On the news which is
about that little black girl who stares out of the Oxfam, et al,
adverts for aid. Of course it isn't necessarily the same child but it
could be and I am sick and tired of seeing her sweet little face, so
sad.
pic Bev Edwards
pic Bev Edwards
After
this Arth and Steve took to the stage and we played a selection of
old and new songs. It was so good to have the guys with me again. All
of the rehearsing and planning had achieved it's aim and we were all
very happy to be there. I had written the song Our Daily Bread for
the show and the church choir joined us for the choruses. What a nice
noise that was!
pic Bev Edwards
A
rousing Poppy was the encore and then it was over. Wonderful!
Special
thanks to Hilary and Ian and Richard, Sue and Mike and Julie, the
Totally Wicked shop, Dean for his wonderful art work, Clusky for his special vibes, Ken for his
electrical supervision, all of the church community who supported and
worked for the event, Winstanley College for filming the event and my special thanks to Val and John Bradshaw who
look after me and work hard to support my dream. If I have left any
one out then I am sorry.
So it
was back to John and Val's for the apres gig party and some top
snacks. Apparently our audience had cleaned out the barbecue stocks
and no one thought to save us any ha ha! Actually Val had a back up plan, as always, and we all tucked in. It was very nice to
have every one together and we all sat up very late enjoying the
company. The drink flowed and eventually it was time to retire after
what had been a momentous day. It was great to see old friends at the
gig and many folk for whom I had performed FDPFAFDW shows.
Onwards
and upwards. It looks like there will be spin off events from this
and I like that. Thanks to all who supported OUR DAILY BREAD. I hope this event will be the first in a series and a sign post to other fund raising events in churches, by the people.
peace
Amazing.Wanted to go but didn't so feeling a little ashamed I had not made the effort. Good to see yourself and Luke, Steve and Art performing together.
ReplyDeleteDon't stop!
Best Wishes
Alan in Southampton
Looks like it was a really successful night.
ReplyDeleteReally wish it was closer so I could have gone.
Please let me know when you will be playing closer as would love to see you play again really soon.
Sadly my brother and I could not make it afterall.Our loss based on your overview.We will make the next one wherever that may be?
ReplyDeleteThis was a treat. A splendid show. It was obvious that lots of work went into this and it really was special. My partner Jill had never seen you before and now we are both confirmed fans.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see you with Luke and Steve and Arthur.
Timothy Bastock
It was a special evening/night. Beautiful surroundings, beautiful church, lovely priest, impressive young talents on stage and the Band including Luke together, what else is there to ask for ?
ReplyDeleteThe apres party....what can you say....Val and John...I love you both :)Thank you for your hospitality, very good food and excellent cognac and on top of it all, being brought safely home to my hotel by John himself at night, or rather in the morning. Also very nice to meet Steve, Art and Luke again, not to forget my second...Loz...Rob, now yoiking like an old and real Sami Shaman. Thank you all, I'll definately be there next time too :)
Hey Edgar. Who was the loud mouthed Geordie in the White Lion on saturday evening when you and Luke were singing? Couldn't you get him on a free transfer to some where like Syria?
ReplyDeleteAlan Pardew
Great weekend,2 brill nights,agree with Alan,what an obnoxious little man,surprised the bar guy didn't kick him out.Fancy coming all the way from Geordie Land and making such a puerile show of himself.Bet the White Lion are glad he's not a local and they don't have to put up with him every week.Professional as always guys totally ignored him and put on a great show especially with the local guitarist.Cant wait for for the next one !!
ReplyDeleteA very special night. A good cause. Didn't expect such variety of music and you chaps were magnificent Edgar. More of this please.
ReplyDeleteJen from Wirral x
Hi Edgar. Richard here. Really enjoyed doing the sound for you on Friday and was an honour to play guitar with you on the Saturday. It was a magical weekend. Hope to see you again soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Richard. Thanks again for the great sound you mixed for us all on the Friday in the church. The jam on Saturday was great fun.We'll have to do it again some time. Loved your set. Nellie the elephant? Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteHi Edgar, just dropping in to wish you a happy Birthday. Tim sends his regards too. x
ReplyDeleteGaladriel
Thank you Galadriel and my best to you and Tim.
ReplyDeleteMy brother and I have just booked to see you next year at the Robin,cannot wait.
ReplyDeleteRob, I know you are busy yet we are all waiting for your next blog!!!
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