Mystery?

Inspector Milburn stroked his chin in a reflective fashion. He was a very puzzled copper.
The evidence was all here, and  clearly laid out before him too; a good sized crowd, a nice room, great sound and lighting, jiva resplendent in purple and black battledress, and even a strange acoustic trio consisting, on the face of it, of two bald blokes and a bird with a parping stick.
The Inspector’s problem was simple, and yet perplexing. The room was obviously enjoying itself – the mood in the venue told him that. People were singing, smiling and clapping with abandon.
Yet, this was billed as a Fool’s Gold gig.
How could this be..?
Light dawned in the Inspectors eyes, a smile spread slowly across his lips, to be replaced on the instant by a grim professional expression.
That was it of course…
…and to find out, be bid welcome Gentle Reader, and read on.

But first, before the nail biting conclusion to acoustic music’s answer to Midsomer Murders, a few well chosen words to succinctly summarise the serendipitous sojourns of your favourite wandering bards. I promise not to do alliteration again for a bit too.

Carol and I have sallied forth with the duo version of FG this week as Steve hasn’t been too grand. That’s not two grand, you understand, just not too grand. Thankfully now on the mend, the Nugget nevertheless missed our adventures at The Brecon Folk Club in it’s new home in Bournmoor. This was a grand night compered by Ernie. Ernie deserves a gong as big as a dinner plate as there were hundreds of performers who turned out that night, everyone got their shout, each their turn, and everyone the same. Great night.

The majority of the rest of the week was taken up in preparation for the final of our CD launch events, scripted to occur on Saturday 8th Oct at The Lamplight Centre. Carol put a fair bit of graft into preparations for the room, nuts, nibbles nifty – oops, sorry – nightlights for the tables and all the rest of it.

We’d booked the room with whatever passes for Derwentside Council these days, and in their wisdom, they stuck it in the programme guide, advertised a ticket price and found a photograph of us, and even writted some nice words to go with it.
Astonishingly, it worked and several members of the great British public parted with legal tender and a night in to turn up to see what was on offer. We made them welcome.
What was on offer, was simple fare, well prepared and served to the best of the various chef’s abilities. The room, recently redecorated, was very pleasing, the open bar a useful addition, nice tables, made it welcoming. The Nugget’s sound system and lighting, plus the FG backdrop made it look like a show – always a good move. Then there’s the performers, jiva, whom many of you will know, turned up to help out and brought with them eight hundred and seventy two Taylor Guitars and a uke each. The uke was obviously overkill.
Most pleasing of all perhaps was the audience. It was fantastic to see so many folks turning out to a FG event. Some probably did it under duress, one or two in chains and several perhaps thinking that they were in for an evening of entertainment, but however so, there were over 40 in the room, and we are sufficiently grounded to think that that was great. Thanks to everyone who came.
The evening opened with the incompre-able (see what I did there) Mr Andy Higgins, MC for the evening. Now, Andy has a way with words and a great sense of humour. He must have to think those gags are good! Any road up, he made an excellent host and got each episode off to a grand and flowing start – thanks Andy!
Jiva produced a fine spot on the night. I think they won the room over to their gentle and charming music with a faultlessly tinkly set – well done and thanks to them too!
Then came the moment that we, if no one else, had been waiting for. Rather like the child who has promising to be good in order to receive a treat, FG bounced onto the stage and put in what I felt was a pretty strong show. I made any number of jazz re-interpretations of some of the runs, but the audience were kind and forgave.  An hour (yes, I know) later we had completed an evening for which we have been preparing for some time…

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Milburn was a copper of the old school. Years of observation of his fellow man down at Stanley nick had prepared him for almost anything.
Almost.
However, in this The Case of the Bloody Good Night, the mystery resolved itself, as they so often do, on the turn of a single card.
The night was good because all who came, contributed, sang, parped, plonked, plucked or tinkled gave of their best in a great atmosphere, and simply put, had a bloody good night.

If I may be permitted to draw the attention of the assembled masses to the following, I feel that some find it edifying:
RODNEY CORDNER AND JOHN-PIERRE RUDOLPH
Celtic Roots with a Swing: Celebrating 40 years on the road
Lamplight Arts Centre Stanley
Friday 14th October 2011 at 8pm
Tickets £4 (concessions £3)
Supported by :- Chris Milner singer/songwriter
Information 0191 373 7101
www.chrismilner.com

As the sands of time disappear down the trouser leg of eternity, and socks of destiny fill with a desert of dust and dandruff, I notice it’s the end of this blog.
Until next time, Acoustic Chums,
Keep Strummin’