Living in the moment?

The New Year, that arbitrary point on the calendar always seems to turn the most rational of us into a maudlin mawkish mood as the chimes count down. One foot in the future and a tear filled eye on the past. So why should the RFC blog be any different?

I thought I would point you toward some musicians that you might not have come across that you may enjoy in the coming months? If you end up liking even one of them that’s great, because music isn’t music till it’s listened to.


http://www.myspace.com/cwstoneking

The Aussie musical savant. An individual and a minor genius with his tastes in a different era.

http://www.myspace.com/thehandsomefamily

Bi-Polar poetry from New Mexico.

http://www.myspace.com/sadiecompton

Listen to her 'Black is the Colour' cover in a Tennessee drawl. A good tune is a good tune.

http://www.myspace.com/damiendempsey

A social champion from Dublin. Fills stadiums for a reason

http://www.myspace.com/curtiseller

Willfully eccentric, talented and playing Bristol in March.

http://www.myspace.com/leventdunord

French Canadian filthy folk.

http://www.myspace.com/thedholfoundation

Not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you put ‘Johnny’s drum’ on whilst you are ironing you will whip through it!

http://www.myspace.com/beccawilliamsmusic

Becca and the biscuits. Manchester band that deserve to do well.

Okay that’s the foot in the future bit, what about the past? We have all seen the lists on our TV yearly reviews of those who have passed on this year, but one you didn’t see was a little more personal, and a little closer to home. Our very own Betty. I was lucky enough to see her out and about (on more than one occasion) enjoying herself in what turned out to be her final weeks, accompanied by Derek and Elaine. She was the same Betty despite the challenges she was facing, smiling, eager to chat and keen to get on with her day. I was, and remain, awed by her strength of spirit. Our very own Paddy (who knew her far better than I) said to me that one of the things he remembers her for is turning up early at the folk club to light the candles. ‘That’s how I’ll always remember her,’ he said. ‘The light of the folk club.’

Indeed. God bless Betty, have it well lit when we get there.


Midge Noone