The Common Stone — A New Disc
A new album of traditional song and original songs sung by the distinctive voice of Bob Davenport. With appearances from friends Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson and Richard Thomson among others.
Bob Davenport Sings to Folk at the Grove
The candles were lit, the room darkened, but there was no standing under the spot-light for Bob. There he stayed put with Martin just where they sat at their table, right among us all with a whisky to hand and many a tale to tell:
I began singing in a Camden town pub. Whiskies were set up at my table. These Irishmen sitting nearby believed me to be a famous Irish tenor - with the help of a friend. Having already downed the whiskies, I thought it wise to sing - and I've continued singing in public ever since.
A couple of whisky drinking songs:
It was wild, wild whisky that caused me to roam where whisky has its effect, and has the last laugh for those who rue their lot in life Down where the drunkards roll;
Straight into a set of tunes on Martin’s accordion, and back again to another of Bob’s songs of an Irishman in the 1850’s Working on the Railway.
A nod to Davey Stewart and Bogey’s Belle , with advice for the Ancient Mariner to take viagra. Bob and Martin teased their way through the evening, Bob commenting wryly on life through anecdote and song, and driven on by Martin’s stylish accordion, full of warmth and rhythmic tones.
Martin’s stylish accordion, full of warmth and rhythmic tones. Irishmen set up whiskies ... they believe him to be a famous Irish tenor ... Having downed the whiskies, Bob thought it wise to sing ... blarney, stuck in the mud Rap-at-er-Bank and a tale of a miner who wasn’t in a rush to rescue his mate simply because he was stuck in a bog up to his waist. Taking his time he arrived to find him stuck there ... but head-first! Bob searched for the blarney stone seeking advice from Margaret Barry who took him to every town in Ireland, but then discovered the nearest blarney stone is beneath me nose, certainly the case in The Grove Inn, Leeds this night! Dark-eyed Sailor, The Love of Barbara Allen, The Rover, and many more.
Bob shared the songs he loves with friends gathered round, and we knew we had experienced something special.
For each one of us Bob’s singing will linger in our memory, moments which resonate relevant only to ourselves.
Bob rarely sings in folk clubs these but he wanted to come to Leeds to meet up with his friends and have a night of song. We thought it would be a good one. Well it was!
This is just how folk clubs used to be in the sixties
, was
Jim’s comment at the end of the night, whereby John said exactly the same
words. Elated and only slowly did the audience ebb.
A new album of traditional song and original songs sung by the distinctive voice of Bob Davenport. With appearances from friends Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson and Richard Thomson among others.