The
Rockingham Arms at Wentworth was once owned by the father of ex-Tory
leader, William Hague. A converted stone barn, adjacent to the
inn is a well patronised venue for regular taditional folk concerts
although the organiser occasionally books acks like Cathryn Craig
and Brian Willoughby who tonight were making their third appearance
and certainly attracted a bigger audience than they had done on
their previous visits, proof, if proof were needed, that perseverance
pays off in the end. significantly, it appeared that many of those
present were either aspiring guitarists, or long time fans of
the Strawbs, with whom Willoughby plays guitar, and although during
the course of the evening he did more than enough to keep that
contingent happy, Cathryn Craig succeeded in winning herself many
new admirers as evidenced by the rising level of applause as the
night wore on.
Following
a brief set by a couple of local musicians, Brian and Cathryn
took to the stage. If I said that the duo only performed seven
numbers during their first 45 minute set, some readers might feel
that was not particularly good 'value for money', but they would
be wrong, Brian and Cathryn have learned to read their audiences
well and they proved their ability to do so with aplomb. Knowing
that this was a mix of folk fans who regularly support the venue
and a substantial group of gutarists of varying standards, they
adapted their show to cater for both groups. Cathryn took time
out to explain how and why certain songs had been written, including
a moving rendition of Take Me Back To Old Virginny which
she recorded on her superb PIGG RIVER SYMPHONY album and an old,
traditonal English folk song, The Rejected Lover, which
her great grandfather used to sing. These went down exceptionally
well with the 'folkies' while her heartrending reading of Alices
Song, which first appeared on Brian's BLACK AND WHITE album
and was later recorded by the Acoustic Strawbs' BAROQUE AND ROLL
album of 2001 and subsequently released, with the support of the
National Autistic Society, as a successful single the following
year, held the rapt attention of her audience who accorded her
the longest ovation of the evening. But the main reason for what
may have appeared to be a shortfall in the vocal department was
because Brian was allowed a number of extended instrumental breaks
which were quite mesmeric and kept those who had initially come
to see him play, more than satisfied.
The
duo's second set followed the patter of their successful first
45 minutes. Shortly before the present Iraqi conflict, Cathryn
had written a truly powerful song titled Rumours of Rain,
a plea for peace. It transpires that Brian has managed to persuade
some of the biggest names on the British folk scene, including
Ralph McTell, to record this song which could so easily become
a popular anthem in time to come. This was followed by the poignant,
and very fitting Goodbye Old Friend, both very sobering
songs which again won the appreciation of the entire audience.
But this was not some sort of peace rally, nor an anti-war meeting,
and Cathryn picked up the tempo with the caustic Mister Jefferson,
finally closing out with the rumbustious My Window Faces
The South, on which Brian held nothing back!
Not
surprisingly, the duo were called back, and again, knowing the
audience, closed out with Will The Circle Be Unbroken during
which they had no difficulty in involving the audience on the
chorus. A great performance by both artists who intend returning
for an Autumn tour in October. Should they happen to play in your
area, do try and give them your support. They are a class act.
Larry
Kelly. |
