First Cletwr Open Mic

Our recent visit to Mid Wales happened to coincide with Cletwr's first ever Open Mic, so I couldn't resist signing up. Cletwr is a community-run shop, friendly cafe and community hub in Tre'r-ddol, Ceredigion. It's a wonderful resource for local people, providing a recharging facility for electric cars and even eight tethering rings for those who arrive on horseback! There's a really interesting and diverse events programme too offering anything from yoga and Indian head massage to Craft Circle, walks, and a death cafe! 

I was looking forward to hearing other local musicians.  Despite some competition on a Saturday night from Machynlleth's folk festival, no less than ten acts turned up, with a good mix of ages and musical styles, including folk, blues, singer/songwriters, poetry and a couple of Welsh songs in accapella harmony.

An amusing poem on the virtues of wine

Arising, featuring accapella singing from Iona & Maggie

Andy Lloyd Williams was our MC and the evening was hosted by Rachel and Steve Berry. Their daughter, Jasmine, sang a self-penned song, accompanying herself on ukulele.

Andy, our MC

Jasmine's confident set -  a star in the making!

Then there were the jazzy vibes of singer/songwriting duo, Rachel and Ryan Grasby. Assembled on the night by Jonathon Davies, Moresg Band followed, playing some lively traditional jigs and reels, and a fine version of the old ballad Lord Franklin. This is a song about John Franklin's final attempt to navigate the Northwest Passage. It's said that Martin Carthy, who recorded it in the early 1960s, introduced the song to Bob Dylan, who used the melody for Bob Dylan's Dream.

Rachel & Ryan Grasby

Moresg Band

There was a stomping dose of blues on harmonica, guitar and voice from Steve Hicks and his friend Huw - they certainly knew how to raise the rafters. Then towards the end of the evening we had two late additions. The first was Phil Wheeler, who did an amusing set of his own songs, which had a tasty flavour of Loudon Wainwright. Finally there was Martin Young, a singer/songwriter hailing from Sheffield, now living in Borth, a nearby village on the edge of Cardigan Bay. He sang about how direct action by the people of Sheffield forced the council to do a u-turn, saving 200 trees from being felled. Good stuff, people power at its best !!! The evening finished with one last song from Andy, our compere.

Steve and Huw sockin' it to us

Phil Wheeler

Martin Young

And somewhere in the middle I played a couple of songs from Full Moon, my new album.

Jean Moss

The ill-effects of a lingering cold made my voice unusually low, in fact P says I'm starting to sound like a female Paul Robson! Could be worse :)  Anyway, here's the recorded versions with added cello. Also Anthony Griffiths, local guitarist extraordinaire, adds some cracking licks on Jimmy.
         

Lastly a big thank you to Andy, Rachel and Steve for hosting such a successful and entertaining evening. A good time was had by all and  there's a wealth of talent in them there hills. Can't wait for the next one.

And finally a huge shout out to local photographer, Ant Jarrett, who took all the fabulous photos.