Charlie Gaisforth and Beyond:
The Charlie Gaisforth Memorial Party
By Ray Whiteway-Roberts
Arriving a little late (and not alone!) I only caught the end of the first band of the evening. Ashdale Country had the job of winding - sorry, warming - the audience up and now we were all looking for an eventful night. We were not to de disappointed. J.C.B. with Betty Davila were a most apt act to follow Ashdale Country and soon had the hall rocking, despite some unfortunate soundproblems atthe start of their set. But as true professionals do, they just carried on rocking and soon had the masses rocking with them. The set was a mixture of styles and consisted of tracks from their latest recordings, generating a good spirit between themselves and the audience.
The Monroes were the next band to impressus all and did just that. I was in for a history lesson on their band members, which I won't go into now as I'm told there's to be an article on them in the February edition of BBN. It was the first time I'd seen these guys together on stage but apparently they're old shipmates; 'old', being the operative word of course. Their traditional style really clicked with everyone and was wonderful, full of feeling and magic. To follow the last group equired someone who really knew what they were doing and the Del Robinson Band were the band to do it. With a set of traditional numbers they kept the spirit of Bluegrass and Charlie Gaisforth alive. For me, Del is the Doyle Lawson of British Bluegrass. I wonder just how many people have worked with Del over the years? It's a little-known fact that some of my first singing experiences were with Del Robinson. Mind you, I don't suppose Del knew I was in the audience at the time. One of Del's numbers I really enjoy was his self penned Kingsport Blues And now, we have one of the countries most up and coming group of young men the south has seen for years: Wet Paint and The Drips. I'm not sure about the name, but those boys can play. Master banjo player/tutor Phill Morley has honed these lads from nothing to where they are today and a most pleasant sound they make too. However I feel that when a band plays around one mic, It's easy to forget the folk your playing to. It is good to see Phil in action again after his op's and I congratulate him on the band. They had everyone spellbound and silent at times during their performance. Next on was Anglian Bluegrass, John Pearman's newish band that has been together for one year now. They play straight bluegrass - hard, fast - and concentrate on their harmonies, which shows. A very competent band who have their own website: www.blueapples.freeserve.co.uk/newevents.htm Last to appear was another band I'd not seen before (I don't get out much) but I'm glad I was able to make it is time. The Lynne Butler Band were knockout and I hadn't seen some of the band members for ages. Little Emily Smith on fiddle, zappin' it out and Richard Hampton putting his new Gilcrest through its paces. I believe it's the first one in this country. Mr & Mrs Payne, as usual, were setting standards. The compére for the evening was Mike Peach, who did an excellent job in keeping the bands running on time. For me it was one of the best nights I'd had for a long time; spot on. Thanks to everyone involved and to my mate Dave who got me there. Ray Whiteway-Roberts, Uckfield, E.Sussex
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John Baldry and Dick Embery of The
Monro's