Black Parrot Seaside

Parrot are Back On The Perch

2012-01-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

Well, Happy Christmas, a Happy New Year and a Happy Everything Generally to BPS followers near and far, young and old, past and present. It's been a while since the last Blog, primarily because of Festive Stuff. Band members tend to use December as a bit of a Lardfest generally, reducing the performing opportunities to a minimum whilst maximising the social occasions.

Shortly after the most recent post above, for example, I went off to The Harz Mountains in Eastern Germany, for a birthday treat. I'm a bit of a railway fan, so hammering up through the snow-covered pine forests to a white-out at the summit of The Brocken was damn near an orgasmic experience for me. Beer,Sausages,Steam Trains-come on-it doesn't get much better than that.

At the same time, Arnold was in Kracow, I think. And Eddie's just come back from Madeira. So no time for much practical music making in between. I squoze in a couple of local solo spots before Santa came, but nevertheless, we also managed to fit in two seasonal BPS staff "do's." One before Christmas at Wood Farm Brewery Tap, and a New Year session last week in the wonderful Byatt's Kingdom of Whitefriars Alehouse, Coventry.

Today I'm delighted to say that we finally got back down to the serious business of music making. A full rehearsal of the four piece format. And a jolly good work out it was too. Interestingly, we selected all cover versions to work on today. They were: "The Poacher's Lament": "Man of Constant Sorrow": " The Bonny Black Hare": "Courting is a Pleasure": "Requiem for Steam" and "Over The Hills and Far Away". The last few are regulars: the first two are very close to being new additions to the current set. We've done the Poacher publicly before-but we're working on a longer version now, with four-part harmonies and "The Foxhunter" and "The Galway Hornpipe" as two instrumental pieces added at the end of the vocals. MOCS is the song made famous from O Brother Where Art Thou. A Good excuse for some good Ol' Country Music whilst slugging from a jug of Chicken Whisky. or something.

It looks like the first airing for the two new songs could be The Cock at Rowington in February-unless of course, someone out there has an earlier opportunity they'd like to float past us?

The Gravy Train

2011-11-30T01:29:00.000-08:00

On a day like today, after the working public have been trashed as militant money grasping scum by POLITICIANS ,( erm...pot, kettle,black?) I thought it appropriate to post on here the full lyrics of one of our most popular ditties.

Oh the Gravy Train is coming,but it's not for you and me
It won't stop at your station, unless you're an M.P.
Oh the Gravy Train is coming, hear it rumble down the track
It's loaded with our money which they say they're giving back.

If you're standing on that platform just wave as it goes by
At all those smiling faces subsidised by you and I
You cannot have a ticket and you do not get a ride
All seats reserved for the privileged just sitting there inside

Don't trespass on that railway line it isn't very safe
Unless you're flipping mortgages whilst acting in good faith
They claimed lots of expenses whilst "sticking to the rules"
And if they think we'll swallow that they must think we're bloody fools

The Gravy Train is coming, it's all weighted down with cash:
-Allowances and handouts for Opportunist Trash.
Ministers and politicians of every shade and hue,
Their second homes and Porno films paid for by me and you.

Oh the Gravy Train is coming! Can you hear the whistle blow?
They say there's an enquiry-but we'll never get to know.
They will hope we've all forgotten when next time to vote has come
And if you do not vote at all in come the Nazi scum.

We need a revolution, let's roll those tumbrils out,
They're the perfect resolution for a mud encrusted snout,
For those with a flat in Chelsea and a farm in Warwickshire
Who say they're living hand-to-mouth on a hundred grand a year.

( repeat First verse).

words are copyright of BPS 2010. Can be reproduced-but only with my permission.

Barking at "The Bell"

2011-11-28T03:11:00.000-08:00

Last night I was in the company of the Sly Old Dogs and Friends at The Bell, Monks Kirby. It drew a hectic (for me!) but comforting programme of four live performances in seven days to a close. In contrast to some other pub venues I've sung in recently, a welcoming host, free food (offered without demanding gratuity or reward), and a building overflowing with customers on a cold Sunday night out in the Warwickshire Tundra. Good to see some friendly faces fresh from our, erm, experience last Monday there, too.

I do like this particular venue. It reminds me of the Folk Clubs of my youth. A huge room, with good acoustics, and a separate bar. Plus, the singing from the audience here really is rather good. This all seems to lift the performers, and they respond with spirit. The musicianship is accomplished and varied, reflecting a group of friends who are obviously relaxed in each others' company. There is good natured banter between the audience and the performers. The material is mostly(but not exclusively) traditional-but the format is refreshingly fluid. That fluidity is infectious. I went along with a set idea of what I was going to sing-but changed it completely over the course of the evening.

I had been working hard for example, on resurrecting one of my favourite folk melodies recently-the bittersweet “Peggy Gordon”. I renewed acquaintance with this song, after seeing a disturbing version of it during that excellent Ray Winstone film “The Proposition.” I'd thought about giving it an airing last night. But the guy next to me sang it as I was thinking! How often this happens when trying out a new song. It was a slightly different version to the one I've been working on-so I might still give my version a go if they'll have me back. And I managed to sing along with every verse, without the words and from memory. (Wonder if I can do that solo!)

My first song instead was therefore the blatant crowd-pleaser. “Black Velvet Band”. Although this is on our 2008 CD, I'm just not allowed to do it with the band any more. BVB was one of the only songs I sang in public during the couple of decades when the Parrot were “resting”. It was one of the first I remember hearing sung in Folk Clubs. Belfast, a Partitioned Ireland, petty street crime, Alcoholism and Transportation are perhaps things the Guardian-Reading, Knit your Own Tofu Tree-Huggers would probably rather not think about. But Hey! That's Folk Music-sometimes it speaks the unspeakable! I suspect the other Parrots feel it's dated, schmaltzy, corny and just too, well, Irish. It may well be,but the audience didn't seem to mind, roaring the choruses out with gusto. Despite me pitching it down in a vocal area Pete Willow later described as “Lee Marvin/Paint Your Wagon territory”. That's just one of the challenges of not playing an instrument, and in singing unaccompanied when you've spent the last thirty years or so fronting a band. As the nice lady sitting next to me very kindly said, “ it must be very difficult.”

It is. Little voices in your head say, just as you're standing up and clearing the tubes, “ I think it's about here.” Once under way, the nerves kick in, and the same voice mutters “ Are you sure? Is that not a little too high? Too low? Too fast? Too slow?” (With a band intro, you follow whatever tempo and key they begin in!) In the third verse I also inexplicably and incorrectly referred to the “roving black eye “ of the thieving miscreant luring young country boys into trouble on Broadway, as a “roving glass eye.” Well that got a good laugh, didn't it!

Along with some country influenced stuff , came another one of my favourites, “The World Turned Upside Down. ” I have always really liked the Dick Gaughan version of this immensely. Now that's what I call ANGRY! Along with a couple of excellent comedy songs, we then seemed to hit a seafaring patch, trading songs about whaling, trawling, and angling for Perch in the Oxford Canal with a stick float and a size 14 hook. (Actually I made that last one up). It was good to hear " The Little Pot Stove", popularised on the Nic Jones's Penguin Eggs album, given an enthusiastic rendition here.

Inevitably with a seafaring theme, Yarmouth got a few name checks. Three songs at least, as I made a late decision to drop "Vigilante Man" and do “Shoals of Herring” instead. (a request!). Got hoisted by my own deck winch there as it happned, as I'd left the full lyrics at home. Ewan McColl is another folk voice I grew up enjoying. Both Shoals and The Thirty Foot Trailer we used to do, when we ran the Folk Club in Brinklow many years ago, It was always a truncated version of Shoals we did. The full radio documentary version is quite long, but since I've started doing solo spots, I've revisited it. However, confidently striding out to the car during an interval, I realised that it was this full version I'd left on the music stand at home, after using it as my “warm-up” piece this week! Ah well. Our Drifter didn't quite make it to Canny Shiels, but the audience didn't seem to mind a shorter version. The little voice in my head incidentally, this time suggested pitching this one a little too high, so my eyes were watering by the end.

I must mention the magnificent medley of Morris tunes which the ensemble plays during the third part of the evening. Featuring a brass section, and a Tuba sustain note which just goes...on and on. Remarkable. And very foot-tappingly infectious.

We'd already had songs about a Teddy Bears Orgy and a monumental pub crawl of Manchester. ( Took me back to the stag “do “at Nottingham Beer Festival in October!) So I felt it appropriate to do a medley of erm, adapted and personalised Christmas Songs as my finale. Well it was Advent Sunday. This is a little collection BPS have put together over the years, as part of a Christmas Party package. That raised a few laughs too.

The company finished (as they always do) with a version of "Wild Mountain Thyme." This is a very different version to the (Alex Campbell?) one I've learned and performed over the years. There must be half a dozen versions of this song doing the rounds in Folk Clubs, but in most venues, it's always belted out magnificently by all. I really enjoyed the evening. Thanks to all The Dogs and the Audience for indulging me. Hope to see you again soon.

Gig Update

2011-11-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

London Bus time. Very quiet then three gigs come along at once.

Starting Monday with The Boat at Newbold. With our good friends Borderline Crossing as hosts. And with other good friends Brian and Marie Phillips and Malc and Gill playing there also. Sizeable BPS following swelling the numbers and putting lots of money over the counter. Singalonga Parrots until....

Only managed eight numbers-which were very well recieved. Encore demanded but not able to oblige due to change of management in the morning. All over before drinking up time. Odd. At least it wasn't about us, or our material. Apparently. Even though " Poacher's Lament" went a bit awry. More work on that required-relegated to the Sub's bench for Friday (see below).

Friday 25th saw us paired up again back to back with The Borderlines (Mmm. Bagsy being next to 'Chelle!). We warmed up a decent audience for them with about the same number of songs. Once again, demands for "Vacuum Cleaner" overlooked due to time constraints. Good crowd, excellent beer (three from Church End), fine communal whistling and a morale booster after some recent experiences.

Saturday saw us back at Bedworth Folk Festival. A more traditional set than last night. Good sized audience sparked off a good performance from us. Good to hook up with all kinds of people at BFF this time round-from the past, Enchante,Rob Armstrong,Mr. Donnelly and Mr. and Mrs. Melodeon. New friend-Ali O'Brien. All thoroughly nice people. Loved the Craft Fair. And the Appalachian Dancing.

Rowing Against The Tide

2011-11-23T12:22:00.000-08:00

Bit of a cliché this, but I have some really good friends who run pubs. Isabel and Bloc at The Blue Pig, and Julian at The Crown in Nuneaton for example. Both establishments support live music, both serve fabulous beer, offer decent honest grub and have helped me personally with various projects. Their boosers are popular, welcoming and busy. What can we learn from this? We can learn that “Manager” means someone who manages. Having a B.Phil (hons) degree in Management and Organisation, I can tell you that a good definition of management is “getting things done through people.” Not “to” people, or “despite of” or even “with.” But through. Using them as a conduit for successful communication. Important distinction, that.

Pub rock has uncovered and showcased some of the greatest music acts in the U.K. We were never one of them, but we've played in pubs, Inns, taverns and beer festivals all over the place. Mostly for free and usually just for fun. Am I imagining it, or are some places getting greedier as the Recession bites? They invite the public in, are happy to take their money over the counter, but then also want them out again as quickly as possible. Providing a few trays of leftovers meantime, warmed up in ancient deep fat, is looked upon as a privilege on a par with a knighthood. There's a little more than that to being a good host than that.

I've been a singer in bands providing live entertainment since 1975. Admittedly with a few gaps in between. Over that time I've seen all kinds of irrational behaviour exhibited in pubs, and not just by the audiences! We've been made really welcome in loads of venues, and have often received fabulous hospitality. We've also occasionally been treated as if we were somehow inferior. That strikes me as silly, because many British pubs are in deep, deep trouble. Publicans with “attitude” don't help. I love pubs and I don't want any to close. But sometimes you're in one,and you just get a premonition. You think, suddenly, with a bit of a chill, “ Here's another one on the critical list. Lots of bluster here, but these people really haven't got a clue.”

You get used to various reactions over such a long period of time. Alongside all the many triumphs and exhilarating moments there are a handful of memories one might rather forget. I've seen fights break out Blues Brothers style on the dance floor in front of us. We've been turned off by sound meters, halted by Bingo sessions and paid to leave by a back exit. We've been barred for swearing (tame stuff by modern day standards). We've been told “never come back” purely for playing a reggae number. We've sent (accidentally) a firework into a hastily evacuated police tent. But mostly these incidents ocurred at bigger venues than a pub.

What some publicans fail to understand is that it's a two way street, pubs and music. Putting on Live music, especially where admission is free,carries few overheads. Especially in establishments where P.R.S. and M.U. are just abbreviations. Publicising events properly can fill an unused room on less busy nights. Musicians, and the audiences they bring in will buy drinks and bar snacks. If free food is offered, it may well encourage potential customers to drink more, and to come back and have a meal. In a busy pub, visitors who are there solely for the music may also note other forthcoming future attractions and may return. If the beer is half way decent, real Ale followers may come back to sample it again. All a lucrative return just for making people feel welcome. Conversely if staff make it plain that punters are only there on sufferance and are viewed purely as a wallet on legs and a transient nuisance, then that too is noticed. Takings will dive eventually and people will simply stay away.

REMINDER: NEXT MONDAY AT THE BOAT,NEWBOLD

2011-11-16T07:53:00.001-08:00

Well we had our last rehearsal today pre-Boat next Monday night. (Have I mentioned that at all?). I can reveal, without giving too much away, the proposed running order next Monday.

1. BONNY BLACK HARE our new version with "The Gravel Walk" added at the end.
2. RAILWAY MAGAZINE. Well-loved BPS singalong tune about saucy books in Newsagents.
3 WEE MIDNIGHT HOUR BLUES Scrapper Blackwell and Leroy Carr Blues number:
4. BOLD PIRATE. BPS original about Health and Safety Bureaucracy gone mad:
5. WAG of SHOP 14. A request. Featuring The Ryton Spanner Dance and a Lathe Shanty
6. POACHER'S LAMENT trad. New extended version. First airing in public.
7. SEPTIC MONKEY The Folk Club from Hell: features a raffle no-one wants to win:
8. THE GRAVY TRAIN Tumbril-laden irony about greedy, grasping, cheating politicians:
9. THE WHISTLER Singalonga Parrot (and whistle with us too?)

ENCORE-unlikely, but if asked, is likely to feature a Vacuum Cleaner somewhere. Mobiles in the air:swaying audience:emotional chorus singing.

THREE chances to take flight with BPS in November

2011-11-08T04:13:00.000-08:00

Oh you lucky people. Not one, not two but THREE opportunities to catch Black Parrot Seaside in ONE WEEK during November 2011. We must be mad! They must be mad! Even the keenest parrotophile will surely be sated by 26th November?

BUT! We offer you three different sets featuring 20-30 different songs. (Though obviously not all at the same time-that would be just too much for all but our small army of stalkers!) With a promise to include something to please everyone. From the well-loved anthems such as "I am a Vacuum Cleaner " and the oft-requested "Wag of Shop 14 " with it's now historic Ryton Spanner Dance. To more recent arrangements such as "The Gravy Train" "Courting is a Pleasure" and "The Poacher's Lament." Our usual mix of Traditional Folk with Jigs and reels, waspish satire with silly choruses and spoof raffles, and localised parodies. Blues,Social Comment and Group Whistling. Who could ask for more? Songs about Risk Assessment, Coventry's Car Industry, and one of only two known songs written about Bedworth.

First off is Monday 21st November which sees us return as the featured act at The Boat Inn, Newbold. A canalside pub with loads of parking,good ale,a friendly crowd and free food. What more could anyone ask? And it's FREE admission! Plus the evening will undoubtedly feature one of our favourite bands, the resident hosts, Borderline Crossing. Let's get there in numbers people and give this excellent venue a night to remember! Share a car, hire a minibus-but get there.

On Friday night, 25th November, we'll be mobbing up at Bedworth Civic Hall. We'll be in the Touch FM Lounge between 22.25-22.55. Once again we'll be in the company of Borderline Crossing, this time warming the audience up for them before they conclude the evening session there. This is the first of two stints for us at the 2011 Bedworth Folk Festival. We reappear the next day, at another session in the Touch FM Lounge between 1pm and 1.45pm. We intend to perform two different sets at this year's Festival-so it could be a collector's item. Even if you catch us at the Boat-there will be many additional and different BPS songs-both covers and originals-featured over the two days.

Festival details at www.bedworth-festival.info or by phoning 07519787469

Finally if anyone is still lusting after the last CD-produced in 2006 and launched at Bedworth Folk Festival, they'll be on sale for a fiver at all three sessions-but we only have about 25 left. So hurry! (Re-print? Or new album?)

October, then.

2011-11-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

Began with: "Death In Leamington. A poem by John Betjeman and a folk music experience," as I wrote on our BPS Facebook page after the post below. And then came radio silence on here during the rest of the month. Blogs are supposed to a regular thing, aren't they? Sorry about that!

Let's just say The Somerville didn't quite go as we expected, and leave it at that.
There followed, not so much inactivity, as a different direction during the rest of October. The Parrot Boys, being the diverse,interesting bunch they are,had other activities to pursue whilst yours truly attempted to extend his portfolio by doing some solo spots.

After many years cowering behind musicians, it can be quite intimidating performing unaccompanied material without any instrumentation. What it does do though, is provide an opportunity to revisit or rework material. At The Miner's Arms a couple of weeks ago,I was surprised to be asked to do more numbers than I had originally planned for. I opened up with "The Old Triangle". I often use this as a larynx-stretcher before rehearsals, but had never sung it in public before. I followed it with "Bonio Romeo," a BPS song with more canine puns in it than you can wag a tail at. In another existence, when BPS were a three piece, with myself and John Walker and Arnold both on guitar, we used to air this occasionally. Don't think Arnold likes it very much in this format, but the audience did, so there.

I finished the first half with "The Poachers Lament." This is a song we have occasionally done acapella,although we are currently working on a full musical version of it with a couple of jigs at the end courtesy of fiddle player Eddie. During the second half, I thought I'd try "Santy Anna," a shanty we used to open with when we ran the Bulls Head Folk Club in Brinklow. Now I like shanties, with their call and response, but the very mixed audience seemed a little glum about it. Probably would have gone better if I'd given them some ropes to pull? Preferably around my neck. Always one for a challenge, I finished off my contribution by doing a Ry Cooder-inspired cover of a Gospel song-"Jesus on The Mainline." The audience fared a little better with this,and together we got to the end of it without any tears. Amongst those also on that night were The Thruppenny Bits, Malc Dave and Gill, and a lady who did a very um, interesting version of Paper Roses.

At a fairly quiet Bedworth Rugby Club the following week, John Neal was showcasing his new CD. Brian and Marie sang with their usual panache,and I sang "Bonio Romeo" again and "Bring It On Home." In which the audience once again bravely joined in.

And so on to a new venue for me, The Bell at Monks Kirby,whence the Sly Old Dogs and Friends had decamped since quitting the pub over the road a few months ago. A nice big pub with a big room and a sizeable audience. Hosted by Pete Willow and featuring a plethora of talented musicians. Despite only living three miles up the road I got eyeballed by a few locals as soon as I entered the building. Very much like the New Kid at School. Possibly because of the Nuneaton Boro' hat I was wearing.

More instrumentation than Mad Frank Instrumentation was uncorked from boxes,bags,and by sleight of hand.Whole trees of the blooming things appeared. As the cases were unopened beforehand, I thought I might have stumbled into a Bring and Buy Sale by mistake.

A good Craic however, as the saying goes. Three halves, free grub, and a broad mix of performers and material. I did "The Old Triangle" and "Bring It On Home." This was atonement for the truly remarkable version of BIOH loitering on You Tube. My vocal there,guesting in with Borderline Crossing,sounds like Dr. John on Helium. I got a much more comfortable pitch this time.The audience sang along. I think drinking lager shandy instead of San Miguel definitely helps hitting the right register.

Considering that there were apparently three other Folk and/or acoustic events going on locally that night, I was surprised by the number of people there, the quality of musicianship, and the enthusiasm of the singing. Lots of traditional stuff, but I especially enjoyed a percussive version of "Copperhead Road," and Chelle's rousing rendition of "Wayfaring Stranger". Definitely going back-and I'm assured they'll have me.

As for the rest of November, as a four piece, we are having a London Bus Period. Nothing at all and then three gigs come along at once. Of which, more, much more, on this very spot, later.

Our Next Outing

2011-09-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

We've been asked to take part in a fundraising Charity gig for "Somalia Aid" at The Somerville Arms, Campion Terrace Leamington next Saturday night. October 1st. There are six solo artists on the list to play, followed by three groups-The Chromatones, The Quiet Men and ourselves. Starts about 7.45pm apparently.

We'll be on last at about 11.10pm. Should be interesting. We don't get out to this part of Warwickshire very often. Played Warwick Folk Club a few times, but haven't been to Leamington since we played a folk club in a big hotel there many years ago.

Beside The Seaside

2011-08-18T02:46:00.000-07:00

Another rousing night at The Miner's Arms in Bedworth. Hosted by Malc and Gil, with loads of entertaining and original Floor Singers-some we'd seen before, some new to us.

Whilst last month here there were only three of us, this time it was the full Parrot Ensemble. Somehow we'd found ourselves as the main feature. Quite a coup,as this was one of the few days in August when we were collectively available. So, we finished the night off for a very supportive, appreciative crowd. It was a special treat for our mate Dennis, a BPS fan of many years, who'd dropped in from Tilburg and also for Matt, my nephew who had nipped over from San Jose. This was the only opportunity they had to see us before going home.

We'd promised Malc a " Night of 1000 Accordions", this time. We only brought two with us as it happened. Having performed the same set at several venues this year, we thought we'd change things around a bit and revive some of the older stuff. So instead of opening with "Courting is a Pleasure " we started with that good old Anker Delta standard, "Wee Midnight Hour Blues." No, not Wilson Pickett, but a lament written and recorded in the 1930s by Scrapper Blackwell and Leroy Carr.

I was hoping that one of the several Blues harpists who've guested with us on this number in the past would be around to help with the instrumental break. They weren't, so I shyly produced the Echo Super Vamper and tooted and parped out a two-note solo. No one ran out, so that went well. Replacing the piano on the original recording with our accordion and mandolin arrangement just seems to work. You could be out on your porch y'all, chewin' bacca and sippin' whusky, yessir, as the four grizzled old geezers slowly ease this venerable old tune out.

But you're not, you're in Beduff, and the next song brought everyone swiftly back to Blighty. Three years since we'd performed the eponymous "Beside The Seaside "-so a good job we'd practised it earlier in the day,eh? A collector's item for BPS fans this song. It's not on any album, although it was shortlisted for the last CD. It's a BPS take on the original music hall song written in 1907 by John Glover. We retain only parts of the chorus: the rest is all our own work. A cryptic look at the wonder of English holiday resorts. It is the longest chorus song we feature. The shortest being " Baaaaa!"-the prolonged bleating during " If I Were a Goat." ( Hope Beyonce never hears that version).

Arnold always used to produce a toy monkey during this number and do unspeakable things to it. He did not disappoint last night. Whilst I also usually shoulder a little primate, in a visual gag about Scam photographers ("Picture with the Lady sir? No thanks, I'll have the monkey!"), I make no attempt to do violence to it. Arnold is usually such a gentle soul. He scares us when he goes like this. Fortunately I think the batteries had gone due to sustained misuse. Instead of shrieking in a faintly oriental accent, his monkey just moaned softly. His disappointment was funnier than the song. (Can I point out that no toys were injured during the performance of this number?)

With most of the audience in stitches now and only a few outsiders looking frightened, it was time to move on. The cumulative age of the two songs was 184 years-almost as old as three of us put together. And another old BPS Warhorse "The Wag Of Shop 14" was then wheeled out. Complete with Cowgown and the legendary Ryton Spanner Dance. When we first started doing this song, 30 years ago, it was topical social comment. It has now evolved into a true folk song, in that it evokes images of working practices and things now only a memory in our part of The Midlands. Factories, Assembly Shops, Production Lines. Stuff like that. It may not yet be Ewan McColl territory, but it seems to get a fantastic audience response. You can see people who have worked in the Motor Car Industry chuckling and getting all the nuances and sly digs.

"Midlands Lullaby" followed. Renamed "Tilburg Lullaby" specially for the evening. With its initial nod to Stan Kelly,Cilla Black and The Spinners, once past that awkward moment, we could progress through the song to more contemporary references. "You looked so sweet with club and shield, playing Looters in the field," for example. Or " If you grow up you'll be a man. They'll carry you away in a Big White Van." Cutting Edge.

The AccordionFest concluded with "At The Septic Monkey." Our homage to Folk Clubs everywhere. A shortened version, with no rigged raffle at the conclusion. So that coveted Raffle prize "How to Live With Your Chinchilla" stays in the dressing up box until we visit a Folk Club near you. A sweet little old lady made two unrehearsed appearances during this song, en route to the toilet. I've never been heckled by a Senior Citizen before, but I guess it served me right for following her down the corridor during an instrumental break and coming back to announce on mike, "I think I've pulled." Anyway....see you this afternoon at The Whist Drive, Maudie?

By this time the bellows were straining, there was much panting and gasping and wheezing and exhalations of hot air. But enough of Arnold. We put the accordions down and performed "Beduff Bank" on home turf.Newly added verses about Atherstone and Warwick received an appropriate response. In fact the audience contribution to the choruses of BB was just blinding.

We were about ready to go home by then, but an encore was demanded. Nay, a request even. So " Albert Balls"-was uncorked again, which most people knew, and those who didn't sang along with anyway. Even if, underneath their bench seats, they were digging their fingernails compulsively into the upholstery.

Cracking food, good company, diverse artistes, receptive audience, Sharps Doom Bar. Ad Libs:beer tokens for the artistes-what more could anyone want?

There's always a mixed blessing at any venue in headlining/Topping The Bill or Playing Out The Dead Hour as we call it. The pluses include a delusion of one having status: the fact that those who've been drinking all night need no encouragement to join in with the choruses, and a bonus of later audiences generally seeming to get the jokes and the visual gags in a way that a "warming up" audience sometimes doesn't. And, as happened with last night, it sometimes means the staff can come out and enjoy the fun too.

The (very few) negatives of going on last are that Eddie doesn't get to have his cocoa and electric blanket until WAY past his usual bed time, and sometimes a few Wusses in the audience have already begun sloping off. Presumably their metabolisms are still programmed to catch a last bus that doesn't run any more.

Personally, I don't really begrudge people leaving early if they have to go to work next day. Or, if the cat is ill, their house is on fire or the babysitter is only paid till 11pm. Fair enough. But if you are a performer and you have been done the courtesy of being offered a floorspot, and have enjoyed the audience's attention yourself earlier on in the evening, then I just think it's bad form to do your stint, expect appreciation and applause for it and then just b*gg*r off somewhere else. The furthest I've ever been for a one nighter was Portsmouth, at Shep Woolley's Club there. And we stayed till the end. In fairness, we were then driven home by our manager Nevertheless, we arrived home at sunrise and went straight on to work. But hey, people, that's rock and roll.

If you have to leave early next time we're on last PLEASE BRING A NOTE. A twenty pound one will suffice.

Warm Welcome at The Miners Arms

2011-07-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

Three out of four of Black Parrot Seaside joined a roomful of jolly folkies at this welcoming North Warwickshire hostelry last night. We were shorn of banjo mandolin and accordion as Mick had decided there wasn't enough golf on t.v. at present and was of on tour for a further fix of ball stick hole stuff. Lack Arrot Easide it was therefore who closed the first half, with Courting is a Pleasure/The Odeon/Albert Balls/Bedduff Bank. Rousing chorus singing, helped by the fact that the audience there knew these songs as well as we did!

You know,it has always saddened me slightly that a minority of Folkies living south of our part of Warwickshire tend to look down on Bedworth. Last night we joined some quality acts. The Miner's Arms in the town is one of several venues there. I worked out, whilst chatting to Malc Gurnham afterwards, that we had performed " On Bedduth Bank," our epic homage to the old mining community in something like nine venues in or around the town.For rivet counters amongst you, that includes The Civic Centre,The Con Club: The Black Bank, The Navigation,The Miners,The Rugby Club,and The Corner House. I don't reckon you'd get as many venues hosting live folk music in towns of comparable size in South Leicestershire or South Warwickshire.

Obviously, I'm biased. Warts and all my dad lived in Beduff for a while, and my daughter still does. Kenilworth,Rugby,Stratford Warwick or Oakham it aint. But last night (for free, with Doom Bar on draught and with superb pub grub added) you had every form of acoustic music imaginable. All delivered with passion, humour, intensity and real ability. On view were Artistes new to the area and old stagers like ourselves.

Malc and Gilly, (supplemented with various backing musicians),opened both halves. The usual mix of tuneful harmony balanced with Malc's relaxing guitar style. Brian Phillips, without Marie,sang a couple, as did Jan of Cider Annie. Already I'd heard "Long Black Veil" and "John O' Dreams"-two of my personal favourites.
Enchante, who had kindly invited us over to their club in Lichfield earlier this year, performed, as their name suggests,charming material. I mean-a roomful of people in Beduff, belting out choruses in French,and with the locals in the bar next door not batting an eyelid. Enchante featured a double base-as did The Somervilles-the main feature, and were on last. Two new artises or "Beduff Virgins" as Malc cheekily kept referring to them as-were Karen(?) and Graham. Both solo singers. Both confident performers,strong voices and with distinctive guitar styles.

What splendid chaps The Somervilles are. We'd last shared a stage with them at Coventry's Maudslay Hotel. They were impressive then, and excellent last night. I had a good old chat to them beforehand. Nice to meet up with others who admit that occasionally they forget the words, drop a note, have to have set lists and music stands-and don't give a damn! With our combined ages of about 7000 years we have much in common! Their set featured lovely harmonies, tastefully arranged songs and thoughtful instrumentation. All delivered with panache and enthusiasm.
They started with a version of a song we also do occasionally-The Poacher. Same words-different tunes. Our version is acapella. Theirs fairly romped along. Like us too, they do a Nic Jones song. I couldn't help feeling that it would be nice to share a venue with them again, as I think our contrasting styles and combined Jedi wisdom would compliment each other.

Us at The Boat, Newbold June 2011

2011-07-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

The Miners Arms, Bedworth Festival and The Boat

2011-07-19T02:14:00.000-07:00

Three of us are hoping to make a cameo appearance at a relatively new venue The Miner's Arms in Bedworth tomorrow. Part of a recently-launched "Free and Easy" Folk session.
One of the difficulties with being a four-piece band (as opposed to a solo singer-songwriter), is matching availabilities to gigs offered. You don't need to be a mathematician to work out that this quadruples the variables for us, making the probability of accepting a date much more hypothethical. Framed in clearer English-we find it tough finding days each month when we can rehearse/play a venue. We have to operate a matrix in fact, with all holidays,family commitments,work schedules, gigs etc, inked in, months in advance. It doesn't leave much free time for Folking about.

For example, at one time this summer we potentially had ten places who had either offered or requested an appearance from us. (This is besides those venues who have asked us to get back in touch with them for a return spot) Both The Crown and The Horseshoes in Nuneaton are cracking Real Ale pubs for example, who put on Live Music. Julian and Mark have both said they'd like to put us on at their pubs. The Boat in Newbold would like us back after our erm, triumphal debut there last month. (See below). The Blue Pig in Wolvey is always ready to welcome us back. Plus we had invites to four private Summer functions, (all declined) and longstanding floor spots offered at Hinckley Act and The Miners Arms in Bedworth which we've yet to take up.

Personally, I really regret us not being able to play together publicly more. It seems so ironic that we got back together in 2006 after a huge gap (30years) and we're now writing and performing together as well as ever. If not better. It's very frustrating that we cannot do more. Also, being so evasive doesn't go down well with some publicans and/or promoters-I quite understand that. Speaking for myself I'd be much happier doing at least one floor spot a week. However, the other three lads cannot manage that and as I don't play an instrument that leaves our options fairly limited.

However: besides the Miners, two new diary dates are confirmed for the Autumn. Like London buses-suddenly two come along at once. We are definitely on the bill for Bedworth Folk Festival in November. We don't know on which days or where. As soon as we do I'll put more info on here. And we're delighted to reveal that we'll be taking a fuller Parrot Show back to The Boat on November 21st.

I think we've proved with our floor spot format wherever we go that we can do traditional and comedy folk combined. However, floor spots mean that you have to minimise the visual, cut down on the gags and keep introductions short and sweet. Hopefully at The Boat and Beduff we'll be able to share once again with an audience, numbers such as "The Wag of Shop 14" with the immortal Ryton Spanner Dance, and that homage to Folk Clubs everywhere " The Septic Monkey" with its spoof raffle. It would be nice also once more to air (if you'll forgive the pun)"Manure." And "The Bold Pirate" alongside a canal would be apt. (Or should that be "aft"?) Doesn't everyone love a watery swipe at over-cautious Health and Safety bureaucracy?

Afloat at The Boat

2011-06-21T10:38:00.000-07:00

After being away many years, it was nice to return last night to that excellent Rugby pub "The Boat" sited alongside the canal at Newbold. Would have been even nicer if they hadn't run out of Draught beer. I'd forgotten how rough Carling was!

A cameo appearance from a full four-piece Black Parrot Seaside (hurrah!) at the Folk Club hosted by Chele and Pete Willow. Previously we've played The Merchant's Inn and Newbold Rugby club in The Town. We were well-received on both occasions, and last night made it a hat-trick.

It was a very high quality depth of field on show. A packed room with a responsive audience. Our good friends Brian and Marie Philips were in fine voice, as were all artistes appearing. Headlining were Three Dollar Tag with an appealing mix of American folk and gospel music. Steel guitar, banjos tasty fiddle playing and they even brought their own dancer. Hard to believe at times, out there in the sultry heat of a Warwickshire night approaching the Summer Solstice (!!) that we were still in England! Not out on the porch, with bullfrogs calling across a levee. Three DT's rousing versions of "Sweet Chariot" and "Amazing Grace" almost silenced the Rugby Massive who were noisily drinking Lager in the bar next door.

We got a fantastic introduction from Pete, always a staunch friend to B.P.S. We did a by now familiar sample of songs, opening with "Courting is a Pleasure"-our version of the trad. arr made famous by the great Nic Jones on his album Penguin Eggs. Two of our own followed-"The Odeon" and "Albert Balls." Both good hearty tongue in cheek Parrot mimicry with the audience making a brave attempt to join in with us on the ridiculously long choruses. It's always fun to see a folk club audience twitch as one announces " And now: A Bryan and Michael cover." And always a relief to see their eyes light up as they realise what we are doing to it!

We finished with our arrangement of Dave Goulder's emotional tribute to the steam locomotive, "Requiem For Steam." Just to show once more than we can perform the serious stuff alongside our lighter material. Before we released our last album, I sent Dave an MP3 clip of this version of his song. He was grudgingly complimentary about it,which is apparently about as good as it gets. Still performing in clubs in the Scottish Borders when not dry stone walling, our Dave. God help the sheep.

Some nice comments from people new to The Parrot style as they made their way out afterwards, and a couple of CD's sold! All in all a good night. The icing on the cake for us is that we've been invited back. Come Autumn we'll be doing a fuller set back at The Boat with a few more visuals and a little more audience participation. can't wait!

Dave Coburn

2011-05-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dave is a singer-guitarist from the past,now living in Suffolk. He doesn't play any more, but still remembers the 1970-1980 Folk era in Coventry with great fondness. I've been been chatting to his son, Mark recently. Mark is very interested in acquiring a vinyl copy of our mini-album "Roll It Up and Eat It" for his dad. ( He already has a copy of our latest CD and some radio interviews). Anyone who has a spare vinyl copy-Mark's prepared to pay good money for one. Please email me if interested.

Mark and I have also had a good reminisce about Steve Adams, and his album, which both of us have. Parrot once recorded some stuff with Steve at his place near Tamworth long ago. Wonder what happened to that? Mark and I are agreed that Steve's "Please Don't Leave Me " was a great favourite of ours.

Mark's been very busy shipping BPS stuff onto U-tube. You might enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWhx251CSq4

- it's one of several video clips loaded by various Parrot-minded folk. Some good, and some not so good.

( Also doing the rounds on Facebook at present is a clip of a BPS-Borderline Crossing collaboration " Bring It On Home," which is a real collector's item, filmed at Bedworth Rugby club only a few weeks back).

Mark's dad used to be a regular at The Pitt's Head Folk Club in Far Gosford Street, which was one of Pete Willow's many folk initiatives. There's a poster featuring this somewhere on this blog and also on our website. Dave remembers sitting in on some of our songs during Black Parrot Seaside's Christmas pantomimes there, which makes him an honorary Parrot. In particular he remembers that song we used to do about dysfunctional field mice sitting under trees. Very Dadaesque, that one. Another Christmas song featured lyrics about Dave himself and Pete. Utterly defamatory, of course. Happy Days. There's a line about "wallpaper" in "Septic Monkey" that goes right back to that room upstairs at The Pitts!

Footie and Folk on a Sunday

2011-05-09T02:44:00.001-07:00

I notice that lots of Folkies on Facebook like to add their helpful tips on performance and songwriting to their profiles. Well,I can heartily recommend warming up the tonsils before a gig by standing on the terraces with 3,400 others singing "Storer is a Nutter." As a vocal warm up exercise it's really useful. Watching my beloved Nuneaton Borough slip bravely out of the Conference play-off final at Telford yesterday afternoon was emotionally draining. By the time I'd taken to the boards with Black Parrot Seaside a few hours later, my voice had dropped an octave with all the shouting-but it was an ideal way to round off a challenging day.

Last night saw us featured at the Styvechale Folk Club in Coventry. We brought along some musical "friends" in Jackie Shipley, Brian and Marie and Malc Gurnham. Lots of other floor singers turned up, making the evening kind of...interesting. We also brought along a sizeable part of the audience. I counted 21 who had definitely come to see us, and quite a lot more familiar faces in the crowd. That might be no big deal for Bellowhead, but it made it quite exciting for us and enhanced the chorus singing! There were several Parrot Virgins (in the musical sense) there last night too. As always, it is great to look out at an audience and see the mix of emotions unfolding on their faces as our set gets into its stride. ("Did they really just sing that?" " Why is he putting on a high-visibility jacket?" " Good God No! Not a Beyonce cover?")
As a rock band, "Small Maladjusted and Mean" was often (literally) a show stopper for us. As Vance and I used to grapple over the drum kit at the Golden Cross or Warwick University,audiences were not always sure what was theatre and what was actually happening. " Bold Pirate" with it's abrupt ending is still in that genre.

For the rivet-counters amongst you, the set was:

Courting is a Pleasure*
The Odeon
Requiem for Steam*
Albert Balls
Coventry Lullaby
At The Septic Monkey
The Gravy Train
Black Jack David*
I'm only a Poor Little Rhino
Cockney Power
D.I.Y.

The usual eclectic mix allowing the boys to air their musical dexterity (!!) and yours truly to prance about like a fool. Those asterisked are to identify them as "folk songs" as someone last night incorrectly said that we don't do any. Perhaps that was tongue in cheek. If it wasn't, it's just wrong. Incidentally, "Courting" and "Requiem" are as sad as any finger-in-the ear laments about dockside farewells or the Brig Levantine sinking with all hands off a Cornish reef. (Perhaps people should listen to the words?). But you can have enough of that kind of thing, and three hours of hand-wringing, wailing and mourning can tax all but the purist. Which is why we mix it around a little, and always will do.

Next up is an appearance at "The Boat" (Newbold) in June, and hopefully a set at one of Nuneaton's many fine Real Ale pubs.

Many many thanks to those who sang, laughed and joined in with us last night. And to Rob and Karen for inviting us.

Fund Raiser at Beduff

2011-04-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

A grand night at Bedworth RFC clubhouse last night, as Blind Boy and myself made a late decision to attend Bedworth Folk Club's Fund Raiser.

It's good to see this venue so busy. BFC at the Con Club was never one of our favourite venues, and attendances were really dwindling last time we played it. (Not our fault, honestly). Last night it was rammed. Standing room only.

It was good to catch up on news and gossip, and touch base with old friends like Malc and Gilly, Brian and Marie and Pete and Chele Willow. Yes, BPS have still got plenty of friends in the Folk/Blues world!

Musically, there was a bit of everything on offer. Country, Blues, Trad folk, self-penned stuff, the inimitable Joe ("Up The Boro'!), Beatles and Buddy Holly covers. Well done to all.

Mick was away "golfing" (we reckon that's his euphemism for attending the Royal Wedding), so it was just Blind Boy and me. An opportunity for BPS to air their Blues repertoire again then, so we did " If I Had Possession" and "The Odeon."

"Possession" is a Robert Johnson original, also covered by some bloke called Clapton. It has several challenges for me as a vocalist. (No pressure then).

We don't do it that often so I had to brush up on the lyrics before I left home. It begins in an unusually high pitch for my range and if I don't hit that first note right it throws me and occasionally also temporarily fazes the Great Bluesman himself. I was born n' raised on this "Dust my Broom " riff,so I know versions by Elmore James (dozens!) Johnny Winter, PGFM, Taj Mahal, Spencer Davis Group, Cream, Bluesbreakers etc. All with various alter egos such as
" Rambling Pony" "Rolling and Tumbling" etc. All imprinted in my sad old head. I have to blank these versions out and concentrate on Arnie's magnificent Dobro intro to get that opening right.

Odeon went as it always did, although due to a surfeit of San Miguel I totally fluffed the lines about Ha'penny Chews and Sherbet Dips. Don't think anyone noticed though.

As a Blues Bonus we also joined in with Borderline Crossing's Finale, "Bring It On Home." I think I'm right in saying that BPS performed this glorious Sam Cooke song at the same venue last time we were there. Honoured to have Pete Willow describe my vocals in it as "like Dr. John." I am not worthy. Pete and The Parrot go back at least 30 years and we can prove it! He has championed our em, "distinctive" style and song catalogue throughout that time. In the Press, by booking us at venues,and by belting out our choruses at gigs. But rarely have we shared a stage together. He reckons the last time was at The Bulls Head Club we once ran in Brinklow. He could well be right. Let's not leave it so long next time, eh?

Parrot and Friends at The Sty Folk Club

2011-04-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 8th 2011 sees the band doing a couple of feature spots each side of the interval at this venue in Coventry. It is a club we have visited before, and it marks a welcome return to our home town-our last appearances there being at The Maudslay "Reunion" in March 2011 and at the erstwhile Tin Angel last Autumn.

The full four piece format will perform the usual eclectic mix of traditional folk and blues numbers with some self-penned comedy songs and scathing satire. We guarantee to feature a few of our newer numbers not on the "Aint It Grand" album such as "Albert Balls," "Courting is a Pleasure" (Nic Jones) and "The Gravy Train" We also hope to air old favourites such as "The Bold Pirate" and " D.I.Y."

The friends we hope to bring along will include Malc Gurnham and Gil Gilsenan, and Phutnote.

For Nuneaton Town fanatic and singer Geoff, the evening will involve a cross-country rush back from a Conference play-off semi final somewhere in the U.K. Arriving breathless, and either demoralised or ecstatic depending on the final score. Hopefully not hoarse though, whatever the result.

Belated Match Report on The Maudslay

2011-04-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Another Interesting Sunday Evening March 27th at a Good Old pub in Good Old downtown Coventry. A venue we've played several times before.

Cancer Research Fund-raiser. Artistes appearing:

Pete Grassby:
Sarah Bennett and Friends:
A Finbarr who was billed as Furey but who turned out not to be:
Kev Dempsey:
Threepenny Bit:
Katherine Fear and Jon Harrington
Sean Cannon
Jan and that other blokey

and finishing the evening yours truly...Black Parrot Seaside.

Nice to be, um...headlining again..

We did:
The Gravy Train
Courting is a Pleasure:
Albert Balls
Midlands Lullaby

March 2011 Guest appearances

2011-03-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hopefully continuing the gradual recuperation and convalescence of the four-piece format of Black Parrot Seaside, we hope to do a spot at Pete Grassby's night at The Three Horseshoes, Bubbenhall next Thursday (17th March)

Following on from that we also hope to be at The Maudslay, Coventry, on Sunday 27th March. A venue we always enjoy playing.

Back on The Perch Again

2011-02-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

There followed another long and enforced break after the the post made below. It was due to a second bereavement involving my family. No point in going on about it. But the second death did prevent me from being available for the second attempt at getting to the Back Room Folk Club in Lichfield. Which we had to cancel in December 2010.

However, we finally managed to honour that commitment at the third time of asking, last week. Wednesday 16th February 2011 to be precise. Two funerals and several flu outbreaks later, Black Parrot Seaside were at last back on stage.It felt good.

Nice club. Nice people. High standard of musicianship. Good to see a familiar face there who remembered us (fondly!)from Brewood last summer.

Set List: (in order):

Courting is a Pleasure
The Odeon
Albert Balls
Midlands Lullaby
The Whistler
The Gravy Train
D.I.Y.

All four of us on form, and the full range of instruments were featured-mandola, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, banjo, accordion.

Thanks to all who listened and showed their support and appreciation.

Take the pins our of the little dolly now, PLEASE!

2010-11-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

We've all had enough. We promise we'll try to be good.

Just six days after the optimism of the post below, my dear old Mum died, leaving me an orphan. Another blow, rendering the poor old Macaw a bloodied mass of feathers spinning in the road again.

But we get back up. We must always get back up. The day Mum died we were due to play at The Back Room club in Lichfield. Obviously, that was cancelled, but we are working on setting up a return visit asap.

Just a week after Mum's funeral, we're on the road again this Thursday. Off to Shirley, this time.The full foursome so lucky Shirley folkies -enjoy that it's a bit of a collector's item at present! Mum would have wanted me to carry on. She loved the Parrot stuff-she reckoned we were a but naughty sometimes, but we made her laugh.

WHAT'S ANOTHER YEAR?

2010-10-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

The previous post here was made just over a year ago. I still find it challenging to read it. (It's in the 2009 archive now). I was so full of hope and expectation when I wrote it. Anyway, I would like to apologise to anyone who has logged on since I wrote that and who has found...nothing, for over a year.

I've picked up the Blog baton again a year on because I realise (to my surprise) and from talking to people recently,that there are still folk out there who care about us, and indeed, there are still folk who want to read about what we are doing. So after an explanation of why we disappeared (again!) I will update those of you who want to know, about what we are up to now. Before I contine however, I would like to thank a few local people who have given us encouragement during 2010 whilst we tried to pick up the pieces.

Step forward Malc and Gilly, and all the audiences and performers from Bedworth Folk Club. Probably our spiritual "home" they have championed us from Day One. We let you down badly over the Christmas Party and we hope you'll give us a chance to repay that debt one day. Likewise the Festival. Please think of us for 2011! We always know that we can air new and "interesting" material at Beduff. Quite a lot of our current set list got its first run out there! And wherever we go-if there are folk from BFC present-they'll belt out our slightly odd choruses.

Rob and Karen- of The Sty and Tump Folk Clubs respectively. Thanks for your continuing support and encouragement. We've got to know you you as people, and you've stuck with us-ta. The gorgeous Kristy Gallagher-patient,understanding and immensely talented. We enjoyed the Tin Angel ducks, and we hope you'll have the full complement back sometime. Kevin Dempsey, Chris Tobin and Pete Willow-thanks for the nice things you said when we all hooked up at the Sty last month. Genuine, and appreciated. (And reciprocated,naturally). And to our two "Honorary Parrots"-the two harp players who have jammed with our bluesier numbers at various venues during 2010-thank you so much. Get in touch when you want another session!

Anyway, in October 2010, the Old Macaw is (just about) still fluttering. After the events of October 2009 though, it very nearly wasn't. Indeed, just after posting the October 2009 entry the band folded. For a third time! So: an explanation is due then.

2009 was a ghastly, horrible year for the four of us. It started with a bereavement which shook us all. It ended with no band after a horrendous "Lunch of The Long Knives," at the delightful Watermans Arms, in Hatton.and me plunged into the worst depression I have ever experienced.

You can tell from reading the archive entry for October 2009, that the day before this meeting I was upbeat, positive and looking forward to expanding the BPS Empire. Indeed, we had got to the point of exploring our new venue, having had a sound check there, and we were beginning to compile a monthly guest list for 2010. The venue management were excited and enthusiastic-which those brave souls reading this who run folk clubs will know, is a rare asset! The venue had a huge, plush, adaptable concert room, ample parking our own bar and separate toilets. The management were champions of real ale, and were keen to provide food. It would have been an exceptional Club. Honestly, I still believe that.

Sadly, it was not to be. We met with a really good friend of ours,the day after that post. Someone we had grown to like, respect and trust. This was a person we had fully intended to go into partnership with, in running the new venture. We had met finally(we thought) to put the finishing touches. It is pointless now to attribute blame for what then ensued. It just happened.

Some kind of madness seemed to fill us on that day.I tried for months afterwards to pinpoint exactly why, but I'm afraid I cannot. There is no point in going over it too much now, except to say that it caused me personally immense hurt, destroyed my self-esteem and caused me a great deal of personal mental anguish. It was genuinely not my intention to destroy the band or the proposed club that day. I was mortified that both outcomes resulted from that meeting. I suspect it might have had a similar effect on the others present.

We had quite a portfolio of Autumn gigs lined up, and we had to cancel them all. It affected our wives and families too. By January 2010 I was emotionally in bits, on every front. This was compounded by the fact that I had a horrible Christmas, with an unseen family tragedy and my wife recovering from surgery. Whoever was sticking the pins in my particular little doll at that time caused maximum damage.

But somehow, as real friends do, eventually we rallied. We realised, that having been playing music (intermittently) together for over 35 years, whatever had happened and however much hurt was caused, there was too much to give up. We know we're not the most aesthetically or musically competent band around, but we've written some good tunes together, and we've put on shows that have made audiences laugh, think and reflect.

By about April, we had resolved most of our differences,and had begun rehearsing and gigging together again. All kinds of personal commitments limited what we were able to do, but we managed to start working the Parrot publicly in various formats-two of us, then three, sometimes even all four. I've also been doing a few solo spots. None of us are getting any younger, and a couple of us have health issues-but the will is still there to entertain.

In a newer Blog post I will detail the venues we've played, the venues we've worked in and those we would like to explore. We are a bit shaky and still scarred by what happened. But you move on. You have to, The alternatives are too terrifying to contemplate.

Parrot Bulletin

2009-10-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

We got a namecheck on BBC Radio WM yesterday. A feature about Bands who reformed after a long break away. Frankly I don't think we've ever reformed, but we did get back together in 2006, after an absence from the local music scene of 30 years or so...

Anyways. Busy engaged on subterfuge, undercover work and secret missions at present, planning a new Folk Venue opening in 2010. We're running a full sound check in the new venue tomorrow, and having a "business meeting" the day after that.

The new club will be run jointly by BPS and another Midlands Folk Celebrity. But...if you want to see us before the year is out, then owing to the fact that most Festival Organisers are scared of us, here's the only places where we'll be at, up until the end of the year. After that-you'll be able to catch us somewhere local, once a month, for definite. More on that to follow.

Sty Folk Club , Green Lane WMC Coventry Sunday November 1st

Tin Angel, Coventry Wednesday December 9th

Bedworth Folk Club, Bedworth RFC December 16th

CATCH US LIVE (and for free) on FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER

2009-09-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

(Pictured above: Black Parrot Seaside at "Concert For Judith" The Maudslay, June 2009

Audiences in search of a laugh and some decent entertainment will be delighted to hear that Black Parrot Seaside resume their antics next Friday night after a Summer break. They take the stage for the first time since July, appearing at The Blue Pig pub in Wolvey. They plan two sets, starting after 9pm, and admission is free.

The band are promising that the Wolvey gig will “definitely” see a first airing of what they hope will be another Seaside classic, a new number entitled “ If I were a Goat.” The song laments the relatively lonely and unexciting life that some tethered goats can lead. Singer Geoff Veasey has a twinkle in his eye when he explains that, “It’s ever so slightly tongue in cheek. It has the easiest chorus refrain a folk audience will ever experience…and it may well be the first Beyonce cover version performed before a Folk Audience.“ Coming from a band who pay homage to the unfair treatment of vacuum cleaners, and who have recorded a sea shanty sung by a Pirate who is a victim of Risk Assessment, it could be interesting!

As always, the band will also be including plenty of traditional songs, including an new, extended version of “The Bonny Black Hare,” and covers of material by John Tams, Bob Dylan and The Incredible String Band. BPS had a torrid start to 2009, and had to cancel a lot of gigs at the start of the year. Previously regulars at The Pig, this is their first appearance there in 2009, and replaces a performance cancelled previously owing to bereavement.

Hopefully that is behind them now and Geoff hopes that a change in work commitments for three of the members should also see them more widely available for weekend and evening dates from now on. “ We really want to put ourselves about a bit more during the Autumn,” he says, inviting Club Organisers and Festival promoters to contact him or the band via their website. Following the Wolvey date they already have appearances lined up at The Tump and Sty Folk Clubs in Coventry, and will be hosting one of their infamous Christmas parties at Bedworth Folk Club (Rugby Club Venue) on 16th December.

On the theme of getting more exposure, BPS are also looking into the possibility of starting up a new Folk Club working in partnership with another popular Midlands performer. “Very hush hush,” winks Geoff. “ We’ve got a couple of venues lined up and so far we’ve shortlisted one in Nuneaton and one in Coventry. “ BPS ran their own successful Folk club in Brinklow during the late 1970’s. Many artistes still on the local folk scene played there. In fact, it would not be a first for either party. Their mystery partner, still as yet to be revealed, has also run and hosted many Folk Clubs. “ Just watch this space. “ says Geoff.

Albion Magazine-Album Review

2009-09-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is the second decent Magazine Review we've had of "Ain't It Grand." It's written by James Turner, who I've never met-but I'd certainly buy him a drink if I did. It appears in the Autumn 2009 edition-alongside reviews of Amazing Blondell and Southside Johnny. That'll do me.

Black Parrot SeasideAin't it Grand?
Spindrift Records Spin118

Originally formed in the mid-seventies at the tail-end of the electric folk revival, Black Parrot Seaside always kept things light' parody, satire, humour and a great tune were their trade marks. They eventually folded in 1982, but in 2006 they re-formed for a charity gig and enjoyed it so much that three years later, they are still together. On their latest release, the quartet of Geoff Veasey (vocals, tambourine, and swanee whistle), Mick Harris (mandolin, banjo, and accordion), Eddie Jones (fiddle, accordion, and pub piano) and Arnold Chave (acoustic and electric guitar) turn their humorous gaze on all sorts of subjects. They cover DIY on the opening track (with which I identify so much….I'll tell the story of the foot through the kitchen ceiling another time), nostalgically look back to the old days of the cinema (Odeon) and the steam locomotive (Requiem for Steam), and take the mickey out of the current trend for Mockney accents on the brilliant Cockney Power, with a brief medley of London songs. This amusing and affectionate look at the world today is an album well worth listening to.

Concert For Judith- Photos

2009-08-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Our thanks to Norman Wheatley and Viv for these candid snaps of what was a great night. Pictured in descending order are: Maggie Coleman: Phutnote: LazyManzFlute: Rod Felton: Tanza: Black Parrot Seaside and, finally, The Company assembled on stage to finish the night with an emotional rendition of "Go Lassie Go." If you look very carefully you can just see Norman Wheatley's head right hand side in bottom photo. Norman compered the show,lent moral support and advice,and with Viv co-ordinated The Raffle. Thanks to to "Tanza" for providing setting up and driving an excellent P.A.

Concert For Judith 28th June 2009

2009-06-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who made it a memorable experience Upstairs at The Maudslay last night. With the heat wave on and even with the windows open, it still felt more as if we were playing Lousiana rather than urban Coventry.

The room is a good one for acoustic and semi-acoustic music, and we had stimulating sets from everyone. Norman Wheatley started us off, expertly compering and singing a selection of pleasantly summery songs. LazyManzFlute followed, and they were really excellent. Maggie Coleman provided the first solo spot of the evening, with some thoughtful and typically tuneful renderings.

Tanza finished the first half, and they were a revelation. B.P.S. were due to appear with them at the cancelled Blue Pig gig in February. We must re-arrange this, for we’d be good on a bill together. They did a wide selection of very broad material which complimented the more traditional material very well. Good musicianship and splendid vocals. Excellent!

During the Interval we had the draw for the most lavish raffle I’ve ever seen at a Folk venue. Very different to the tongue in cheek Mock Raffle we conduct at the end of “At The Septic Monkey”! (When we get most of the prizes returned by an embarrassed and slightly flushed audience!Many thanks to all those who donated such lovely prizes.

Norman kicked off the second half, and he was followed by Phutnote. We knew all about them, having seen them many times at Bedworth Folk Club. They did not disappoint. They also brought along Declan, a prize winning Irish dancer who had appeared in Riverdance. Declan’s routines were an appropriate background to Phutnote’s set, and they all received a rapturous ovation! Phutnote finished (at my request!) with Eric Bogle’s “Willie McBride.” What a haunting song that is!

Then it was time for a Rod Felton slot. A True Legend, Roddie was enigmatically Roddie. He refused to use the stage or the P.A. and sat instead, cabaret style, on a chair at the front of the hall. Which was fine for those at the front. He opened with “Thighs” (at least I think that’s what he said!) and included typical examples of Feltonesque humour and one-liners during his set. He finished with my favourite Roddie song “Curly”-another of my requests. To my surprise he performed this unaccompanied-forsaking his beloved guitar. Some inspired singing by all those present who knew the song-it’s about his baby daughter-who’s a very grown up lady now!

And then it was time for Black Parrot Seaside to close the evening. One of Judith’s last wishes before she died in February was that B.P.S. should continue to play together after her death. So it was apt that I think we played a rousing and varied set. We opened with Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm.” And followed it with “The Bonny Black Hare,” accompanied by a much longer instrumental finish. Time then for a (semi) Parrot song after that. “Albert Balls” has very quickly proved an audience pleaser wherever we have done it-and the choruses were simply roared out! “ Wee Midnight Hour” was a simple low-tempo blues, and then it was time to lift the hilarity again with “ The Bold Pirate,” and its shock ending. (The HSE ring us and get it stopped during the 4th verse). (Honestly..) We finished with “ D.I.Y “

Finally, we got the whole company up to lead them in a frankly spine tingling version of “Go Lassie Go.” Which seemed somehow a kind of emotional closure. Singing so moving, it brought people up into the room from outside, to ask what it was. (One of whom was a music producer, interested in recording it-but that’s another story!).

We all had an ace time despite the miserly input of landlord Ambrose. Having previously promised us a bar, he promptly closed it, after less than an hour of the concert. His rationale for this? Not enough people were drinking, apparently. Despite the fact that almost 70 people turned out to raise funds for Myton Hospice, and to pay tribute to Judith. You might think that kind of turnout on a Sunday night might please a landlord who we had once thought was sympathetic-but apparently not. The audience and performers had to traipse downstairs thereafter, where (oddly, given the fatuous excuse for closing the bar upstairs, considerably less than 70 people were sprinkled around in corners of the Maudslay’s less than imposing lounge.

Finally the thanks. To Norman Wheatley and his partner Viv, for the immense work they put into the event and into organising the raffle To Norman for compering as expertly as always, and for superb advice and moral support. To Tanza for installing, providing “driving” and dismantling the P.A. To Jill Gilsenan who brought along a donation from Bedworth Folk Club and helped out selling raffle tickets. As always with Jilly, she also provided encouragement for the performers by her beautiful accompaniment of backing singing.

Thanks to the audience, of course, for turning up. Some had come from as far away as Bristol! The audience was a really eclectic and responsive mixed bag-of young and old. Many familiar faces from the clubs we’ve played since reforming-thanks for that, folks!

Thanks to Pete Willow who gave the event a great write-up in Friday’s Coventry Telegraph. Thanks to all those (including Pete), who had hoped to help out but had other commitments on that particular evening. Kristy Gallagher, Malc Gurnham, Pete Grassby Chris Tobin and Keith Donnelly to name but five. There’s always next time!
Finally, thanks to the performers, who gave up their time or for free. Ladies and Gents you were all superb. I salute you. We must do all that again some time. But possibly, not at The Maudslay.

We think we’ve raised over £200 for Myton Hospice-I’ll make public the final total.

On The Road to Warwick

2009-06-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

We had a splendid night at Warwick Folk Club last night. Because of the tragedy that had hit the band earlier in the year, this was only our second appearance of 2009 as a four-piece-and our first as a four piece since Rugby in April. Many of you reading this will know that we have appeared in all kinds of other permutations since January, but the four of us together is really our favoured format. And the best experience of the Parrot magic that an audience can hope for.

We started our feature spot there with "The Septic Monkey," our homage to the Folk Club from Hell, as they had so obviously enjoyed it when we'd done it there last time. (So much so that during the interval that night someone had scrawled out "Septic Monkey" and put it over the "Warwick" bit of their Club Banner!

I don't think we've ever started a set or a floor spot before with The Monkey-but it is turning out to be a very good interactive song for getting Folk Audiences involved and warmed up. The Mock Raffle at the end of Monkey is getting a bit scary, though. I try to make the "prizes" so vile that the audience will give them back. Increasingly we're finding that some folk are keeping them. I lost "Scratch and Sniff Halloween " at Beduff last week like that (shame on you!) and last night someone with issues hung on to an album of Barbara Cartland reading extracts from her greatest works. Val returned "Get to know Your Chinchilla" though. And the "Hitler's Birthday" DVD was left under a chair, unsealed. Incidentally-the real raffle followed ours. I won it-but I'd thrown my ticket in with all the stage stubs-so it was redrawn and compere for the night Maggie Coleman won my box of chocs instead. It just serves me right for taking the p*ss out of so many clubs.

We followed a fairly riotous version of the Monkey with "Albert Balls" and "The Odeon" and finished with " The Bold Pirate." Albert Balls isn't on the CD but it is proving to be very popular.The chorus singing was really good. I think we scared Warwick Audiences a bit at first, when we first started playing there, but they seem to really get us now.

Maggie Coleman compered, and sang. She gave Concert For Judith a big plug and so did we. There were only a couple of other floorsingers besides Maggie. Ian? was an excellent guitarist, and a lady called Sue? Sang two delightful songs. One of them was Fairport's " Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" My own personal Sandy Denny performance. That was a very brave choice but I have to say that she pulled it off and got the whole room singing.
Main Guests were Fairfield, from Bromsgrove Folk Club. Strong singing,good instrumentalism and punchy banter. A mixture of wistful songs and funny, good-feel ones.

During the Interval we were introduced to some Hotel Guests from Jersey who had drifted in as we started. They had been falling about during our spot and wanted to buy a CD-"Pirate" had absolutely knocked them out! The shock ending usually catches some audience members out but we'd done this one there before too and many were ready for it. Not the usual ending to a BPS set-we usually finish with an extended version of DIY-but it worked tonight. Onto the Maudslay on June 28th and then Newbold Rugby Club in July.

We still owe loads of venues cancelled or re-arranged bookings, and we're working on the backlog, but as we get into Autumn, availabilities should become easier. If you're a solo artist it's easier to say "yes" when an Organiser offers you a booking.
But with four of you, three working full time, that means there is a four to one chance that we can make a first offer. But we'll get there. And do more floor spots, too.

A CONCERT FOR JUDITH-JUNE 28TH

2009-05-29T01:28:00.000-07:00

MAUDSLAY HOTEL, COVENTRY, SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2009. FREE ADMISSION. STARTS 8PM

RAFFLE AND COLLECTION IN AID OF MYTON HOSPICE

ALREADY APPEARING:

NORMAN WHEATLEY....LAZYMANZFLUTE...MAGGIE COLEMAN....TANZA.....PHUTNOTE...ROD FELTON...BLACK PARROT SEASIDE.....

A brief REMINDER here about what we (Black Parrot Seaside) are doing, and why.

Many of you know we've been around as a Folk Band since the late 1970's. ( O.k. we had a Gap Decade or two, but in 2006 we accepted an invitation to reform for a one-off Charity Fund Raiser in Brinklow). But it wasn't a one off. We got back into the swing of things,and many local venues began to book us. We did floor spots elsewhere when and where we could. Our four-way work commitments meant that we were a little more elusive than some artistes, and when there are four of you, logistics in accepting a booking are four times more difficult. But Things were going well. Festivals, Radio, a CD-it was a lovely second chance for four Old Fogeys which we never thought we'd have.

We are a close unit. We have known each other as friends for over 35 years. The guitarist and I have known each other since 1961. So we were devastated to hear at the start of this year, that his wife Judith was terminally ill. The diagnosis was sudden: the decline brutal: the ending in February of this year was swift, but very traumatic for all of us.

It looked as if we would fold again, but amongst Judith's last instructions were,
" Don't let the boys down." So he's gritted his teeth and wiped away his tears and forced himself to get back into music. Some of you may have seen us since we finally got back into public performance. We've appeared as a two-piece, a three piece, as solo artistes and as the original four piece line Vinyl up. It was really hard at times, to be honest. But several Folk clubs-and Bedworth in particular-have been VERY supportive to us.

We agreed when we got back together a third time, to organise a Concert For Judith this summer, as a Fundraiser. This would have the effect of supporting Myton Hospice where she died, and celebrating her life.

Judith's ashes are being scattered somewhere on the Roseland Peninsula at this very moment-another late pledge they made to each other. It's an odd thought. We played and entertained at their wedding only a couple of years ago-and now this.

Please help us if you can, to put something back into a very worthy cause, and to remember a really nice lady. Come along in droves, drink lots of beer, listen to some ace music and buy loads of raffle tickets.

Thanks for reading.

Keep On Squawkin'

2009-05-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

A busy week this week. Mondays rehearsing (Yes we do, whatever people might think of our live appearances!) And Tuesday out to The Green Man at Long Itchington. It was not my first time at this pub. I rather overdid the circuit on the Long Itchington Beer Festival in 2008 there and had a little bit of Tickers Tummy afterwards. But this was our first time at the Folk Club there, and I enjoyed it. It was as you youngsters would say, absolutely rammed:packed to the gunwhales, with steam trickling down the windows. Just how Folk Clubs used to be.

A good programme, featuring Alan Sprung first and our old mates Malc Gurnham and Gilly, second. Alan turned out to be an old mate too, as it happened. We discovered we went to the same school as him. In the same Year Group in fact. A very high standard of floor singers, so we were lucky to get a spot, even having made a fifty mile round journey to get there. Being without our multi-instrumentalist Mick, we did " The Odeon" and " Requiem For Steam." Both were a bit serious for us, and in stark contrast to the superbly hyped up intro which Martin had given us. (Thanks for that Martin-we'll try to be a lot sillier next time). Both went well. There were quite a few people there who'd seen us before, so the choruses to The Odeon were particularly rousing.

Excellent performances from compere Martin (Warwick Folk Club) and Pam (host/organiser,) were followed by Guitar dexterity from Styvechale Folk Club's Rob, and Dave Fry having a bit of a knees up. Sorry Dave-I'm sure the surgery will hold up. A band new to me, "Green Man Rising " virtually filled the place on their own and did three numbers featuring so many instruments I lost count. Alan did his bit, with some thought provoking material and Maggie Coleman added her contribution.

On Wednesday I did a solo spot at Bedworth Folk Club. Geoff Higginbottom was the featured act and he was excellent. Something for everyone there. Traditional, comedy, everything from Sea Shanties to Richard Thompson. I did three Parrot Songs that don't feature that often in setlists, but which do have a place in our history.

I started with a traditional song "The Lincolnshire Poacher." We used to do four part harmonies on this, but I sang it alone and unaccompanied. "Bonio Romeo" followed-one of our own we haven't done since John Walker on electric guitar days. It was a dogged performance, even though I was terrier-fied. I finished with one of the Blues songs we do," Struggling Again." Being an Anker Delta worksong featuring Morris Marinas and monthly pay, although this has a traditional 12 bar form, the lyrics are as you might expect from a band of our genre. I greatly missed Blind Boy's Fender thrumming along behind me, and perhaps I should have brought the harmonica. Anyway it all got polite applause, and nobody walked out.

We were also able to confirm that all four of us-The Full Black Parrot Seaside package in all its glory-will be hosting BFC's Christmas Party at Bedworth Rugby Club on 16th December. You have been warned. Another Rugby club nearer home is Newbold, where we are featured on July 19th. We're at Bedduth again in a couple of weeks time, and at The Maudslay in Coventry on June 28th. Of which more on here later.

BACK ON THE PERCH

2009-04-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

Belatedly, here is an account of our first full gig in almost five months-a rousing Tuesday night session at The Merchants Inn, Rugby. Most Parrot Bloggers will be aware of exactly why tragic circumstances had sidelined us since November, but if any reading this are not-just scroll down. It’s all here.

What a fine pub this is! That was my opinion before we played it-and it remains my opinion afterwards. Being part of their Annual Beer Festival, we were looking forward to sampling some of the wares on sale, but alas, as it turned out, three of us were driving. Ah well: another time. It’s a pub we know well!

The place seemed as busy as ever. We set up in the fag machine corner and caused a spot of consternation by shutting the external doors there and playing in the area normally reserved for those who wish to nip outside for a quick drag. We had taken the precaution this time of having someone other than us drive our P.A.-and this helped the sound levels enormously.

The crowd were noisy, enthusiastic and erm, predominantly “relaxed.” Not unlike The Tuns gig we played in Coventry last year-except there were a lot more punters here. The Merchants was also a very mixed age group whereas the Tuns crowd were predominantly youngsters. This might have intimidated some Senior Folkies, but not us. We’ve played The Cross The Dive Bar, and various University Bars. We can deal with good natured raucousness. In fact, we can give it back. Our first half set was as follows:

1. BEING NOT WELL
2. SALT OF THE EARTH
3. REQUIEM
4. BEDDUTH BANK
5. BLACK JACK DAVID
6. WAG of SHOP 14
7. HOOLIGAN’S HORNPIPE
8. BONNY BLACK HARE
9. DIRTY GERTIE
10. BLACK VELVET BAND
11. THE WHISTLER

“Salt” was a particularly good version, well received and with good chorus singing from the audience. With The Strawbs having reformed, our riposte to “Part of The Union” continues to raise wry grins, and helps redress the balance a little. After all, crushing the Unions and selling off The Family Silver didn’t really get any of us very far did it?
If the crowd did not know what they were in for, they did by “The Wag,” which we managed to do in full theatrical mode. That is, with the Ryton Spanner Dance performed out on the floor, in a sort of mosh pit between us and the Real Ale casks, and with me sitting on a chair reading the Daily Mirror whilst the boys bashed out some jigs n’ reels. “It’s like the Edinburgh Festival,” one luvvie twittered enthusiastically, afterwards. ( I wish-but very flattering!).
Spurred on by the dozens of real ales available, Black Velvet Band seemed to get the whole pub singing, and the crowd whistling in The Whistler to finish the first half wasn’t bad either. Julian from The Crown in Nuneaton had turned up to run the rule over us, and he seemed well impressed by the first half. (He’s offered us a gig there, anyway).

The second half was:

REAL ALE
MAGGIES FARM
WARWICKSHIRE LULLABY
RAILWAY MAGAZINE
AT THE SEPTIC MONKEY
THE ODEON
THE BOLD PIRATE
MANURE
ALBERT BALLS
I’M ONLY A POOR LITTLE RHINO
MIDNIGHT HOUR BLUES
COCKNEY POWER
D.I.Y.

(ENCORE)- VACUUM CLEANER

Maggie’s Farm was the first public performance featuring all four of the band and was well received. As was the rest of the material. More enthusiastic vein-busting singing for “Railway Magazine” , and “ Cockney Power “ which made a lot of people chuckle.

We did not have to play for an encore-we had earned one. By this time the audience had really latched on to the full mixture of irreverent, slightly naughty punk Folk that is vintage parrot, and they had no qualms about holding their mobiles aloft and howling along with the chorus John Peel liked so much:

“ I am a Vacuum Cleaner with the Brain of a Bird/
I’ve heard of reincarnation but this is absurd. “

(What will they think when they play that back next morning?)

Many thanks to Scott and all at The Merchants for inviting us, to Lee for his help in Sound mixing, and to the Real Ale drinkers of Rugby for giving us such support. Hope to be back soon?

Jeff Powles R.I.P.

2009-04-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

More sad news. Jeff Powles, our second drummer,died last week. He was only 56.

After we parted company,quite early on in the Electric Parrot days, Jeff went on to become a music agent. I didn't see him for years, but then I bumped into him, in about 2005, at a Doors Tribute night at the (alas!) now defunct Nags Head in Nuneaton.

Jeff was a really nice bloke. I think he struggled at times to get his head round some of the crazier stuff we did, but some of my fondest memories of those years include him bashing away at the Kit at some classic Rock Gigs. He had quite a temper, and could fly into a rage over something quickly. At such times his mane of hair would fly around as he flounced off-hence we nicknamed him "Queenie." In fairness though, he also came out of those rages very quickly. He also had a much nicer Galunian name-Jallin N'gara-which he seemed much fonder of.

The only photo I can find featuring Jeff shows us rehearsing at The Woodlands School, round about 1976, when we all had hair-some of us lots of it! L. to R. it's Barry Ousby on base, Jeff Powles on drums, Arnold on guitar, other Geoff singing (with a fag on?) and Mick Harris on the electric piano. Classic stuff. happy days. Rock on JGP.

BPS (Back) on The Road

2009-03-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

It’s been good this week to get back on the Road again in any format, after the long lay off and circumstances which no-one would have wished for. At one stage the whole future of the band hung in the balance, but we seem resolved now to carry on, as long as people will have us.

On Monday, I was at Warwick Folk Club, where Norman Wheatley was the featured act. Norman had asked me to join him and Martin in a song called “We’re Still Angry Now.” Other than a Private Party in January, where three of us had run (shakily!) through some Parrot material, this was the first time I’d performed publicly since Bedworth Folk Festival in November 2008.
Norman played two typically entertaining and varied sets. He certainly mixed things up, with his own material, Tom Lehrer, Beatles, James Taylor and Dylan covers included. And the excellent Jake song "La Di Dah" which Norman does so well. Plenty to sing along to. He sprinkled other guests in with the repertoire too, adding musical accompaniment, vocals or both.
I usually manage to park o.k. at Warwick, quite near the club, but this time I couldn’t. I ended up scratching the car, in a Public Car Park, and skittering through unfamiliar streets to try to get there in time. I won a bottle of Leffe in the raffle, so all was not doom and gloom. And my part in Norman's song added to a rousing performance by the three of us which the audiencel seemed to enjoy.
As always, the other floor spots offered some interesting contrasts, though most concentrated on the one man and his guitar format. This still lead to a pleasing variety of material. In particular, it was good to hear my favourite Billy Bragg song “ Between The Wars” done justice. It seems so apt again, nowadays.
The People at Warwick were genuinely nice. Several asked how Arnold was bearing up since the bereavement, and Dave Fry the compere for the evening asked me on the Club's behalf to pass on everyone’s thoughts to him.

Then on Wednesday night two of us went along to support the Macmillan Nurses Fund raiser at Bedworth Rugby Club. This is basically an extension of Bedworth Folk Club, with Jill and Malc Gurnham hosting. This was to be Arnold’s first public performance since the Folk Festival last November. We’d asked if we could do a couple of numbers, but ended up closing the evening. (Of which more later).

These sessions tend to be a real shop window: a friendly, jolly, relaxed almost “workshop” atmosphere, and a real cross-section of performers. My goodness, I can’t remember all the songs, but we had spirited renditions from many different kinds of performers, of much loved works by artistes as diverse as Donovan, Lonnie Donnegan, Alison Krauss, Eric Bogle and John Martyn. Malc and Jilly were as pleasant to listen to as always, and I also enjoyed the very thoughtful mix of songs put together by the trio “Footnote”.
We were honoured to be invited to close, though without the instrumentalism of Mick and Eddie, both of us struggled to remember what the missing sections sounded like! Arnold fondly unveiled his brand new guitar, and we started off with “The Odeon” -which most people knew and sang along with. We followed that with a second airing of a new song, “Albert Balls.” (Last performed at the Festival) I think by the end of this, the few people who hadn’t seen us before had worked out that our material isn’t always entirely serious.
We then performed “Midlands Lullaby”, which also got a few smiling. Though it would have been punchier with that lovely East European medley we do at the end. We finished off with “ The Bold Pirate.” I had come cutlass-less, but a member of the bar staff fetched me one from another room! ( What do you expect in a Rugby Club?) The surprise ending caught a few out, and I bodged the words up twice, but basically we winged it.
The event had raised a fair old sum for Macmillan Nurses, and at the end of proceedings, Malc very kindly handed it over to Arnold. This will kick-start our “Concert For Judith “ campaign, where we hope to put our heart and souls into raising money to help others to make life comfortable for those who suffered like Judith.

Back on The Perch

2009-03-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know the band (or of them) may well be aware of the tragedy that hit us amidships in February 2009. We cancelled all bookings, stopped rehearsals and really, for a while, it looked as if (for a second time), the band might fold. But I am delighted to say that we got together musically for the first time in 2009 last Monday. Mick and Arnold have bought new instruments, and it's all systems go again.
The wounds will take a long time to heal, but music will help.

We played some 17 songs, including some new material which is eventually destined to join the set list. "Maggie's Farm," for example, we'd been working on for a while. This will be our first Dylan cover since "Knocking on Heaven's Door," which we used to do in the 1970s and 1980's. We also returned successfully to " Man of Constant Sorrow."

There are a couple more Blues songs we'd like to do also-but we haven't neglected our Comedy roots either. "Poor Little Rhino " and "Albert Balls" are Northern parodies which we did at Bedworth Folk Festival in November. We consider them set regulars now. And we haven't given up completely on being the first Folk Band to do a Beyonce cover. Our haunting tribute to her, " If I were a Goat" is shaping up nicely.

Our first gig since Beduff will be at The Merchants Inn, Rugby on Tuesday April 21st. This evening is part of their Beer Festival-so it will be a damn good night all round. We'll be doing two sets, the first at around 9.15, the second starting around 10.30. Thanks to those in the Folk community who have given us such solid support during this bleak period. Judith wanted us to carry on after her untimely death, and that's exactly what we'll do. This one's for her.

Judith Chave R.I.P.

2009-03-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

In what has been a terrifyingly quick chain of events, Judith, the wife of our guitarist Arnold, died peacefully in Myton Hospice only a few weeks ago. Her funeral was yesterday, and many Black Parrot Seaside followers were amongst a large congregation who attended.

For a while it had looked over the last few months as if the band would fold completely. But it was one of Judith's last wishes that "The Boys" as she affectionately called us, would continue. So we will.

We will be getting back together soon to rehearse, and as soon as we are back up to speed we will begin to fulfil bookings again. We have cancelled all performances but the one scheduled for the Merchants Inn on April 21st 2009-that will be effectively when we "get back on the horse"-and others will follow.

We intend to dedicate quite a bit of future time to fund raising for Myton Hospice and Macmillan Nurses. As part of the healing process we would like to commemorate Judith's brief life through a "Concert For Judith" to be held somewhere locally during the late Spring or Summer. Already, local artistes and Club organisers such as Kristy Gallagher,Norman Wheatley, Pete Willow, Gill Gilsenan and Malc Gurnham have pledged support. Anyone else interested in helping out should contact one of us through the usual channels. Judith loved her music, and this event will celebrate that.

An Update

2009-02-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

Well it's been ten days since I last blogged, and things are if anything worse. I realise I am still talking in ambiguities here, but that is largely to protect the Band member who is facing the awful prospect of nursing his partner through the worst and most final of all illnesses.

The remaining three of us are meeting next week to bond, to share manly hugs, and to mull over what, if anything the future holds for what was up until so very recently a rejuvenated and rising B.P.S. We still have some bookings ahead which we have not yet cancelled. It is difficult to see at the moment though, how best can fulfil them.

The only faint beam of optimism has come from a fabulous review of our CD by David Kidman, which I received this week. It will hopefully be published soon on the Net Rhythmns Website and in Folk Roundabout Magazine. David had no idea of the trauma we were undergoing when he wrote it, but it certainly came as a tonic. Once it's published, I'll stick it on here, with links.

We have met David only once. This was at Bedworth Folk Festival last November, where he was compering one of the slots we were appearing in. He was so supportive, that night, we gave him a CD. I must share with you something he wrote to me a few days ago, after he had just learned about our current troubles.

" I can well understand the impact this has had on you all. Your group closeness was apparent on the one occasion we met, even to an “outsider” like me.For what it’s worth – my advice is don’t let this stunning blow force BPS to disband or pack in. The immediate cancellations, the taking stock, of course these are perfectly natural – and absolutely right – responses. But what I’ve found is that where there’s a common close bond that’s strong, that’ll be what keeps you going (in some form or other and whenever) – and quite apart from your friendship and closeness (which is way more than a bonus in a band situation) the music is one such bond too. Supporting each other in adversity, and playing together when you feel you can, will pull you all through this difficult time, I am sure of that. "

-Cheers for that David. Words of genuine worth from a top bloke.

Thanks for all those good wishes and messages of support. We will keep promoters Organisers and Band followers posted. If we do have to cancel, we will give as much prior notice as possible.

A TROUBLE SHARED

2009-02-02T01:23:00.000-08:00

Many of us on the local folk scene were upset to hear about Linda Dickson’s serious illness. As it happens, I know Linda well, both as a family friend and an ex-colleague. My band, Black Parrot Seaside, have had more than enough personal tragedy over the last 12 months, and we were given a new cross to bear only last week. Our hearts go out to those in Ninepenny Marl and Pennyroyal therefore. Sometimes the cruel hand of random unfathomable forces defies any attempt to rationalise it. You call it what you like-I can’t see a pattern or a logic in any of this sustained cruelty and unhappiness, where good people go under, and others who don’t deserve it seem to be given chance after chance.

Of those of you who have been fortunate enough to be together in a band for any long period of time, some of you will also have been blessed with that special kind of cameraderie and communal joy which only such a relationship brings. You’ll understand what I’m about to say. Bands’ performances and music are often associated with conflicting egoes: with internal bickering: with division and dissent. It isn’t like that with us. It never has been. We’ve had personnel changes over the years, but the current line up as featured on our new CD and performing across the Midlands since 2006, is the same as it was 30 years ago, when we cut our first album on vinyl.
Such unity means that the good times are great. But it also means that the sad times are that much sadder. This is because when one of us hurts, the rest of us also suffer. When one of us grieves or mourns a loss, the rest of us share it. One of us had awful news last week, in a seven day period where the bad news just kept on coming. It meant that only three of us performed at a Family function on Saturday when all four of us should have been there. If it had been a gig, without doubt we would have cancelled it. But because our families and partners were there, and many of our friends, we carried on, after explaining to an audience why we were depleted, and why the set would only be very brief.

It’s a difficult thing to do, that is, to put a shadow over an otherwise very happy celebration, which you have personally contributed to and organised, and then have to give a performance when your heart is aching. But most of the people there knew the people involved: absent as they were and wrapped up in their own personal tragedy miles away. Guests had come from as far away as Yorkshire, The Isle of Wight and Devon. But as we finished, the wave of communal sympathy and warmth was not just for us. It would have travelled up the road to The University Hospital at Walsgrave with a strength that could have been picked up on the radar at Coventry Airport.

Black Parrot Seaside may not always be the most accomplished outfit locally, nor always the most sober. But we do have that kind of almost instinctive affinity which creates a bond. It is almost like having a second family. This doesn’t always work with bands, but with us it always has. We are a unit on and off stage. We share holidays, family functions such as weddings births and funerals, we see each other at Christmas and other celebrations. Even if we don’t perform or rehearse for weeks-months-years-when we get back together it’s always good, creatively, socially, musically.

So the Parrot is wounded. A wing is broken. ( You know when you’re driving and you think you’ve clipped a bird? You look in the mirror to check if it’s ok. Sometimes you just see a silhouette fluttering about in the road. Sometimes you see it staggering away. Sometimes it flies unsteadily clear and you hope it’s safe. That's how it is with us). We’re down at the moment, and we are suffering. I suspect we’ll be back again. But there’s some healing to be done in between. Bear with us.

The Personal Touch

2009-01-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

One of the nicest things about distributing this first batch of the CD we’ve just released has been meeting Black Parrot Seaside fans in person. ( We always tend to use The word “fans” in a tongue in cheek context. They could much more accurately be termed “followers,” or “supporters” or in a few rather more distressing cases, just “stalkers.”) Tongue in cheek is just how we are. It’s what unites four diverse souls from different musical backgrounds, but with a common philosophy and a very slightly skewed outlook on life. And that’s the way a lot of the people who like our music or Live performances are.

That’s also the way a lot (but not all) of the Parrot material is written, arranged and performed. Essentially we mean no harm, but we want to make people listen, and perhaps reflect. We also want our audiences and listeners to have a good time. Sometimes our targets are the pompous or the opinionated, but sometimes our target is just to get feet tapping. Or to make people smile. Folk and Accoustic music has always been able to deliver this. The worst kind of Folk Music just preaches, for dour verse after dour verse. The best makes you react physically to the rhythmn or melody or both, or makes you incline your head to catch a meaningful lyric, and may well leave you still thinking about it long after the song has finished. I’m not saying we do any of this-but we try to.

Anyway, whilst handing on the CD itself, or one of the 6-track Samplers, I have in many cases got into a dialogue with Parrot sympathisers, either in person, or by letter or email or on the telephone. It’s been uplifting to connect with people we met on the circuit first time round, and who remember us with affection and at times, slight bemusement. This includes Promoters, Organisers, Artistes, fellow musicians, journalists, broadcasters and the general public. No need to name names here. You know who you are. Obviously however, we made an impression first time round, and at the time, we weren’t sure whether that was happening or not.

The most exhilarating encounters come when someone comes up afterwards and tells you just how much they liked a particular song and why. ( In the past we knew when people didn’t like a song because they threw things at us, or booed.) Surely you only get this kind of intimate encounter in the world of acoustic music? In small venues, where audience and performers mingle before and afterwards?

WhiIst waiting for a pint to be topped up, I once told a member of the Original Chicken Shack just how much I dug the band. I wasn’t being intrusive or sychophantic-I just thought he might like to know. He didn’t tell me to p**s off, but instead we had quite a coherent conversation about our favourite Blues numbers. ( And look what happened to them afterwards.)

Conversely however, it is possible to set up a false, cosmetic coterie of devotees who will do this sort of thing loudly and to order. I’ll give you an example. Within recent memory, I sat in a Folk Club, listening to a decent band I had some time for. Their material was good. Not exceptional-but well played and very listenable. I gave them what I felt was generous applause after each of their numbers. They were accomplished: pleasant: only occasionally bland.

Yet after each number and sometimes during them, a small strategically seated faction uttered loud and almost orgasmic exclamations such as, “ YES! Oh YES!” or: “ Oh I LOVE this song.” Quite apart from being a distraction, this level of fawning adoration was so obviously contrived it was embarrassing. Almost certainly related, these people were trying to formulate our reactions as an audience for us, and to pre-empt our reactions. I didn’t like it.

Not that it’s ever been a problem for us, but if you really think “The Bold Pirate” is crushingly satirical, or “ The Odeon” made you cry because it reminded you of going to The Pictures as a kid, do me a favour. Save it for the Interval. Or come up with a pint of Tribute as we’re packing away the mikestands and tell us quietly, if you liked a song or the performance. It’s far more intellectually stimulating than shouting stuff out virtually to order. And it's genuine.

Busy Weekend-Without even playing!

2009-01-12T05:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots of six carefree young things taken at Hawkesbury Junction in the 1970's. I have also been playing with a Christmas Present-a machine which converts cassette tapes to CD format. Now, the only copies previously we have of the Black Parrot Seaside pictured above, playing as an Electric Six piece, (which played support to bands like East of Eden and the Darts) existed only in tape format. Up until now.

We never did get into a studio as a Blues/Prog band, which is a shame, as many of the fond memories people have of us go back that far. Epic performances at The University of Warwick for example, where Audience participation of a new and faintly disturbing kind led to armchairs being tipped over the balconies of the Elephant's Nest Bar. Or us being barred from Pubs in Birmingham and Coventry. ( Notably The Smithfield Hotel and The Ryton Bridge Hotel. Long since demolished. Serves 'em right!)

Some of the material in those days was, um, "experimental",to say the least! Generally, audiences loved it, but a few Club Organisers sometimes got a little uptight about it. On this CD, which was recorded at a rehearsal, are versions of remarkable Set songs such as " Small, Maladjusted and Mean," " Welcome to Sleep Town," " Brutus," "Audience," "Ordinary," " Chieftain Tank Boogie" and loads of others. "Small Maladjusted and Mean " featured a mock fight halfway through the number between me and drummer Vance Ectomy. On one occasion(one of the many gigs we played at The Golden Cross), we had forgotten to warn the Guvnor there. As the Drumkit went over, he leapt the bar counter armed with a baseball bat, and let his Dobermann out. All good theatrical stuff, and Gig resumed to thunderous applause, after a brief peacemaking session! Folk Club Organisers of 2009 PLEASE NOTE-we are now a sedate quartet of kindly, grey-haired old sweeties. Nothing of this sort happens at BPS gigs nowadays. Oh dear me, no.

On Friday I sent copies of our CD to that other Rochdale legend Mike Harding. Does he really have a sense of humour? We shall see! I have also been busy bagging up copies of our 6-track Sampler. Professionally produced by Spindrift Creativity, they are available free to Bona Fide Folk Club Festival or Club Organisers, along with suitable "Blurb"

On Sunday we featured again on BBC Local radio-this time a "Wedge's Warwickshire" which focussed on Wolvey.

WARWICK FOLK CLUB

2009-01-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

Black Parrot Seaside are seen here in a cameo appearance at Warwick Folk Club on Monday 5th January 2009. Geoff is just dealing "live" with a mobile call from
" Health and Safety, Folk Club Branch." Those familiar with the CD version of "The Bold Pirate" will know why he is wearing a fluorescent High Visibility jacket.

Along with lots of other cameos, BPS starred in a “Comedy and Silly Hats Night.” Excellently hosted and compered by Norman Wheatley, this turned out to be an admirable way of dusting off the cobwebs and cheering each other up. A good turnout for such a cold night.

All the acts were good., and although doing very diverse material, stuck to the comedy ethic, with self-penned and cover material. There were monologues, stand-up comedy, a silly hats competition, and a general feel good factor.

BPS were the only band on, indeed all the others were solo performances. Keith Wedgebury from BBC Coventry and Warwickshire radio was there, and I saw him chuckling at the naughty bits in Pirate.
We finished with “ At The Septic Monkey,” a homage to The Folk Club from hell. The organisers were so impressed with that song, that they hastily scribbled out a “Septic Monkey” banner and pinned it over their own for the rest of the night. (Please god it’s not a permanent change-we’ll have to withdraw the CD!)

This is a club we've played a couple of times now, though sadly, only in supporting roles, so far. (Come on Warwick-Gizza Gig!)

Looking Forward to Seeing You all in 2009

2008-12-31T05:29:00.000-08:00

Hello All Parroteers out there. Hope your Christmas went well and that you are looking forward to The Downturns, Recessions and Financial Collapses the coming year undoubtedly has to offer us all.

Despite all four of us being on holiday, the CD's are still attracting attention, which is remarkable, as we haven't really done any promotion or Press Releases on it yet. So, um...if you did want one...best be proactive if you want it to be from the first pressing.

We have confirmed two bookings for 2009 plus a private party. We will be playing at The Blue Pig, Wolvey, Warwickshire, on the 6th February. And if we haven't sold them all, or given them away, we'll have some CD's for sale that night.This is a lovely pub, with currently, FIVE draught real Ales on tap. We've done loads of gigs there so we'll be looking to vary the format a bit on this night by having a few "guests" warming up any audience daft enough to turn up before we go on. Admission, as always will be free-this is our way of saying "thank you" to all our loyal friends and supporters.

NEW MATERIAL FOR 2009 GIGS?

2008-12-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

Our last rehearsal of the year last night gave us the opportunity to work on some new material. And to re-arrange a couple of favourites. We had a "staff do" first with a mug of tea and a mince pie, then jammed a bit before going over to the Blue Pig for some IPA and Rockin' Rudolph. Well it is nearly Christmas.

From the current set list, our version of "Bonny Black Hare/ Dirty Gertie" which we worked on last night now has an extended instrumental bridge featuring a new arrangement of a jig which fiddle player Eddie has been itching to introduce for ages. This is a long number,(actually it's two numbers-one "segues effortlessly" into another. Because BBH/DG runs to about nine minutes, we didn't put it on the album and we didn't get a chance to do it at any of our three appearances at the Bedworth Folk Festival.

BBH is a jolly good song-Fairport's version being our favourite-and Dirty Gertie is an acoustic version of a song we did when we were a rock band. Lyrics by Graham Caldicot, an ex-Parrot who also wrote part of "Vacuum Cleaner." We hope to keep it in our fuller sets for a long time-we all enjoy playing it, and where we have performed it, audiences have been very responsive.

We are also working at a slightly lengthened version of "D.I.Y." We would like to finish our set(s) with this number, and use it to thank the audience and highlight individual musicians before closing the set.

New stuff. Our revenge mission on awful Lancashire Sentimentality sees " I'm only a Poor Little Rhino" played back to back with " Albert Balls"-a song in the "Bryan and Michael " tradition, celebrating an artist whose tag can be seen on subway walls everywhere.

Newer still-what other folk band but us would attempt a Beyonce cover? Coming soon- "If I were a Goat." And a new ditty swiping waspishly at those Bankers (Cockney Rhyming Slang) who " Slit the throat of Woollies ."

" AIN'T IT GRAND! "

2008-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

Here is the cover of our new album " Ain't It Grand!" Issued on Spindrift Records.
Producer and Engineer, the excellent Norman Wheatley.

"Ain't It Grand " was recorded at locations in Wolvey, Ryton on Dunsmore and Redditch. It features 15 tracks which we hope reflects our approach to Rock Blues and Folk Music over the last 30 years. That is, we know who we like and we acknowledge lots of influences, but most of all we like a good laugh and a good time.
There are serious covers of Dave Goulder and Scrapper Blackwell, along with a straight traditional version of "Black Velvet Band." But the album also features songs about the perils of Flatpack Furniture, the difficulties a Pirate might confront if faced with a Health and Safety Inspection, and the Folk Club from Hell.

WANT TO BOOK US FOR YOUR VENUE? DARE YOU? SEE CONTACT DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE.

THE CD IS WINNING A NEW AUDIENCE OVER!

2008-12-16T11:31:00.000-08:00

“ Ain’t it Grand! offers a mixture of dry zany humour with plenty of local references and foot tapping arrangements of popular traditional tunes.”

-Folk journalist Pete Willow, writing in The Coventry Telegraph

“Intelligent and Funny with a Difference of approach to comedy in each song,”

-( Presenter John Butler speaking on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Local Radio, having chuckled through ten tracks during his Monday show!)

"15 tracks we know and love. It's the one I reckon you must buy for Christmas. If you like Comic songs this is the one to get. A great listen."

"Wedge's Warwickshire" presenter Keith Wedgebury of BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio, commenting on the five tracks he played during his Sunday show.

"Many thanks for your excellent CD, when will you be producing a follow up?
Oustanding vocals, perfect lyrics with a good sense of humour."

-T Baldwin, Coventry. Our first Internet buyer, Tony was surprised (and it seems delighted) to find "Ain't It Grand!" delivered to his door in person by one of the band!

An Introduction

2008-12-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

Well. This is a new departure. A Blog purely devoted to that whacky zany and really rather irritating Folk outfit from Coventry and Warwickshire, Black Parrot Seaside. Our hope is that this will serve several important functions:

It will compliment our website at www.blackparrotseaside.co.uk and give our followers, groupies and fans (both of them) a deeper and more personal insight into the troubled world of edgy Comedy Folk in 2008-2009:

It will introduce anyone who is new to the band (either through performance or hearing us on the wireless) to our thoughts, our material, our philosophy and our taste in sandwiches:

It will furnish fellow OCD sufferers with an infinite catalogue of pretty trivial information. Interesting minutiae like how many Long Tailed Tits were hanging on Geoff’s birdfeeder this morning are the meat and drink of those who have had enough of reading about Oasis and Amy Whitehouse:

It will provide future Biographers with a wealth of detail for inclusion in their next book.

2008-12-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

A ( FURTHER) CHANCE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE?

Folk purists, and those few folkies who have had a sense of humour transplant hoped that a Summer of comparative silence from Warwickshire Folk Band Black Parrot Seaside might have signalled the fact that they’d finally gone away. But this particular Parrot is not yet pushing up the daisies, nor has it been pining for the Fjords. Having spent much of the Summer and early Autumn recording, the band were back on the road this Autumn. They are performing on what is virtually home turf at the Blue Pig Wolvey, Warwickshire on Saturday 27th September. They have also lined up appearances at Banbury Folk Club, The Tuns, Coventry, The Maudslay Hotel (Coventry) and three appearances at November's Bedworth Folk Festival.
They have been busy recording their second album, "Ain't It Grand! Produced and engineered by Norman Wheatley, 15 tracks showcase some of their own unique material and also include a few folk cover versions.
Reproducing their “lively” visual act in a recording has been a challenge. They have compensated by adding sound effects as diverse as steam trains, parrots sneezing, vacuum cleaners, sailing galleons riding at anchor, whistlers being shot and a hilarious telephone conversation with a Safety Inspector from “Health and Safety, ( Folk Club Branch). “
Three new arrangements of previous songs recorded on vinyl make the new cut. Amongst them is a new unplugged version of " I am a Vacuum Cleaner " -which John Peel gave BBC Radio One airplay to. Newer material from their 2008 Set List includes their homage to every seriously Bad Folk Club on Earth, the sensitively titled “At The Septic Monkey.” Chas and Dave get a name check in “Cockney Power,” whilst Keresley Colliery and Professor Carl Chinn are unlikely bedmates in “ Salt of The Earth,” -a belated riposte to The Strawbs’ song “Part of The Union.”
Local interest is served by “proper cinemas” being fondly recalled in “The Odeon” -a catchy number which reveals a warmer and fluffier Parrot. And “Beduff Bank “ is an old crowd pleaser, describing landmarks from Bedworth Coventry and Nuneaton.
To restore some sanity and to keep Listeners’ feet tapping, trademark jigs and reels are added after three songs. Restfully reverent covers of “Wee Midnight Hour Blues”, the very traditional “Black Velvet Band” and a Dave Goulder song about steam locomotives have also been recorded.

“There’s something for everyone except Metallica Fans ,” explains a spokesperson.
“ And on our next album we will revive the “Poor Little Rhino Song”, investigate who killed Nuneaton Borough Football Club, do some Country and Western and have a gentle pop at Nizlopi, Brian and Michael and Beyonce.”

*More info at:

www.blackparrotseaside.co.uk