Redbourn Folk

11/08/2024

01/08/2024

This Wednesday, 31st, we had the huge pleasure of seeing and hearing Jon Doran. The one with the tarry/corduroy jacket/trousers and hair the colour of amber. As Matt has said elsewhere, fabulous singing and playing of mostly traditional songs but very special versions of those songs - - with bouzouki, guitar, and without. And a lovely bloke to boot. Several references to Planxty, specially for Malcolm. And an especially sweet version of 'Loving Hannah'.

Supported by a rapid romp through many of the regulars. including Linda - great to see you again, Linda.

Throughout August we'll be having open singarounds on Wednesday evenings. Do come along and have a go or just listen.

26/07/2024

Next Wednesday, July 31st, we welcome the talented Jon Doran. Jon is a Newcastle-based folk singer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Gloucestershire. He was a 2019 finalist on BBC Radio 2's Young Folk Awards and a recent winner of Bromyard Folk Festival's 'Future of Folk' competition.

​Jon’s sensitive approach to arranging and performing traditional songs on guitar and Irish bouzouki is often said to draw a likeness with revivalists Nic Jones and Andy Irvine. He has a powerful and intricate accompaniment style but never fails to place the narrative at the forefront of his arrangements. His stories focus on all human experience throughout history, whether that be humorous tales, or woeful retellings of tragic events.

Jon never fails to capture the beauty and excitement that lies within traditional music.

£10 on the door

26/07/2024

A lovely evening - and not just weather-wise. Regulars supplemented by a welcome return of Trigger's Broom, or at least Trigger's Broom-handle - Andrew and Chris, and of Anne-Francoise and Mik.

And what an eclectic mix of material - Julie's self-penned 'singing together' song; a revelatory reworking of Bohemian Rhapsody by Trevor T; a haunting Stanton Drew song from Simon; and everything between and around with Jenny and Trevor closing the evening with "All the Tunes in the World".

18/07/2024

This week, our guests - Graham, Nigel and Hillary - gave us a great collection of songs and tunes, many of them by local songwriters.

Supplemented by a whole bunch of acts from our regulars - plus Angie and Chuck - 9 of us in 40 minutes, thanks to our superb MC.

11/07/2024

Next week, the 17th, we welcome as our guests a couple of our local friends - Graham Goffee from Harpenden on guitar and Nigel Hyams from Kimpton on melodeons and harmonica, fine singers and accomplished musicians.

Graham and Nigel have been stalwarts of the local folk scene - including us - for many years and we are pleased to welcome them back to the club. Expect a wide and varied selection of songs.

£10 on the door

11/07/2024

A small but select bunch this week. Seems that some folk were distracted by some kids' game.

08/07/2024

Wed 10th: all welcome to an open night - singers, players or listeners. New to all this? Come and have a go among new friends.

28/06/2024

27/06/2024

A red-letter night: it was warm, even hot, at the Hollybush.

Trevor an excellent MC for the evening. Malcolm had better look to his laurels, skiving like this.

Sadly - for us - pretty much the last of regular visits by Carolyn to whom we have all grown attached. Come back when you can, please, Carolyn.

Some details of each along with the photos and, in addition to the pictured lot, Yolande with a soulful poem of Sujata Bhatt, spotted on the Tube; and Bob with 'Memory Lapse'.

Remember: next week we're not at the Hollybush but at the Waffle House in St Michael's Street.

22/06/2024

Open night this week, Wed 26th. All welcome - singers, players, listeners ... Next week we're at the Waffle House - more later

16/06/2024

Wed 19th: sadly, Steve Ashley, our intended guest, has contracted Covid😕We'll have an open night instead

We wish Steve well

15/06/2024

Friday night, we held the opening event of this year's St Albans Folk Festival. Unfortunately, the erratic weather scuppered our plan for a balmy evening in the garden of the Hollybush. Instead, we decamped to our usual venue, The School Room.

And had a jolly evening as usual, supplemented by a number of occasional visitors and some new listeners, including a few would-be singers that were still a little too shy, with the exception of Matt's daughter, Chloe - a star in the making.

Jenny, supported by all those with instruments - and all those with voices - closed the night out with, fittingly, 'All The Good Times'.

And a new venture - a caption competition

15/06/2024

Another night of fun on Wednesday

14/06/2024

*** STOP PRESS ***

12/06/2024

St Albans Folk Festival this coming weekend, starting Friday night. Participatory sessions for singers, players and dancers.

03/06/2024

Wednesday 5th we welcome back Na Mara - almost 5 years since their last visit.

Based in St. Albans, Rob Garcia (mandolin, mandola, classical guitar and vocals) and Paul McNamara (guitars, vocals), are described by Folk London as 'elegant and skilled musicians'. They perform in venues and festivals across the UK and have in recent times performed in France, Germany, Spain and China, and featured in broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 and a host of local radio stations. Their music includes self-penned songs in traditional style on contemporary and historical topics; traditional songs from the British Isles; their own translations of songs from the Breton, French and Quebecois traditions, and tunes from Brittany, France and the Spanish Celtic regions of Asturias and Galicia.

£10 on the door.

31/05/2024

Thanks to George for these pics from this week's gathering.

28/05/2024

Open night this week, Wed 29th. All welcome - singers, players, audience ... Next week we welcome Na Mara back as our guests.

23/05/2024

Thank you, Steve Warner, for a full and rich couple of sets this week.

So many subjects - except love as it usually represented in song. Not lost love, not unrequited love, not love that might have been, ... But love of humanity in abundance. Many songs inspired by chance phrases, spoken or seen, from the children's concern about the mud of Flanders, through the story of 'Mind the Gap' at Embankment Station, to the parent who wrote about her mentally ill child who had been taken into care for her own good - "So loved, so frail, and so far away from us."

Supported by some of the usual mob - Julie & Trevor, Malcolm, Bob, George, Simon, Rosie & Ken, and Jenny.

Thanks to George for additional photos.

Next week, another open night on the 29th followed by a guest night with Na Mara on July 5th.

17/05/2024

Another packed night on the 15th - all these here plus Linda and Bob. Good to have Trigger's Broom back and great to have Chris give us a tune again. Jenny, Malcolm and the room closed out with All The Good Times. Good times indeed.

13/05/2024

This Wed. - 15th - will be an open night: all welcome, singers, players or listeners.

12/05/2024

Next week - the 22nd, we welcome local 'lad'(?) Steve Warner back. £8 on the door

All those locals who missed the brilliant Bear Club...I'm playing at the Redbourn Folk club on Wednesday 22nd May at 8pm

12/05/2024

St Albans Folk Festival will be in from Friday 14th June to Sunday 16th with the headline concert on Sunday evening at the Roman Theatre - 'In the steps of Ewan MacColl'.

AND - advance warning - as part of the festival we'll be having a 'For one night only' public session of the club in the garden of the Hollybush on the evening of Friday 14th.