North West Bluegrass News Mag online: Northern Proud at Uppermill

Northern Proud
Old-Timey Meets Folk at Uppermill Folk Club

I remember visiting this folk club at the Cross Keys about six years ago, so when Eric Pollit told me about the gig it seemed a nice idea to pop along for a return visit.

After following my guide over endless mountain passes filled with hair-raising climbs and descents we eventually arrived at the ‘Cross Keys’ a small, highly atmospheric hostelry perched on the side of some Pennine hill. What a marvellous place! The inside of the pub was as good too, no plastic in sight, but I didn’t try the beer as I was on orange juice (Really!!!)

“Northern Proud” - Pete Shaeffer, Ian Reynolds and Eric Pollit

After the usual club announcements and a quick couple of songs from the M.C., Northern Proud took the stage. A three piece outfit comprising: Ian Reynolds (lead vocals / guitar), Peter Schaeffer (banjo / guitar) and Eric Pollit (mandolin / banjo or anything else), they ran through a polished programme of Old- Timey and Bluegrass songs.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evenings entertainment as well as the company and I heartily recommend anybody else to go there. It’s comforting to know that folk clubs will book bands that play our music; in fact Rank Strangers were booked to appear the following week. We need as much co-operation as we can handle.

In closing, the only thing that I found worrying was the chap sat in the corner wearing a tricorn hat and a pistol in his belt - thank goodness he left his horse outside. Eric said he couldn’t see any one but I’m sure he was there. Wonder what they put in my orange juice?

Chris Wilson... No 1 Roving Reporter.

Having been privileged to read the above before you, Jean & I took the opportunity of going to see the band at Kev’s Acoustic Music club at The Duke of Wellington. This is a free-entry venue funded by raffles. It’s a nice-size room with a good atmosphere; cheap, good beer and an attentive audience. Included in the definition of “acoustic music” is unaccompanied singing - Jean was one of the two who sang thus.

The band performed a good mix of Folk, Old Time, Country-side and Bluegrass. I became convinced that this could be the way to popularise Bluegrass - a “Cross-over” mix which is acceptable to everyone without ramming a night of hard-driving ’grass into their ears and yet containing enough Bluegrass (both vocal and instrumental) to make them think. Ian’s powerful singing accounted for most of the vocals. The band looked good, helped a lot by Ian, who is a big guy with powerful stage presence.

Derek Brandon... (No 2 Roving Reporter?)

Updated 23rd Jan 1999