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Ceilidh for The Thamesgate Traditional Arts Association

TTAA Secretary 

Barn Dance for Cancer Research - Eastwood, Saturday 10th May 2008 

When they rode into Clint Eastwood City, Slow Loris were surrounded by cowboys and cowgirls. Calamity Jane Alex Parker didn't lose any time in rounding up a few sets of strangers for square dancing. All guns were safely hung up in the marshal’s office and nobody stayed in the saloon too long.

The dances included Old Joe Clark's Revenge, Turkey in the Straw, and Ninepins at the OK Corral, and the band sang The Ballad of Ned Kelly ("Oh Ned, you're better off dead...and boy, they're gonna hang you high"), and Day Trip to Southfork.

Long after the sun set over the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southend, everyone was saying what a fun night it had been and with mighty serious fundraising, too.

Check out the photos in our Photo Album

Leigh May Day Festival - Monday 5th May 2008

Slow Loris brought Leigh-on-Sea's May Day Celebrations to a close with an open air barn dance on Strand Wharf. It was a day of hot sunshine, soft sea breezes and traditional entertainment. The May Queen was officially crowned (twice), enthroned with her court, and ruled over the rest of the day's activities.

The band performed Day Trip to Southend and Essex Girls and Alex Parker invited the spectators to step it out in true May Day style. Slow Loris were "in the zone" with an impressive Horse's Brasle, there was an exuberant Turkey in the Straw and a fitting finale with a full-blooded grab-a-partner Circassian Circle.

Leigh Christmas Lights Night - Friday 30th November 2007

The annual Leigh Christmas Lights Night would not be the same without a number of noisy Slow Lorises, a hot Famous Potato or two, or a colourful contingent of Borderdash Morris Men and Women adding to the entertainment. This year, the Slow Loris Band were in a prominent position at the front of the procession, and belting out a new version of an old song, now entitled "Essex Girls":

                                                            As I went down Leigh Broadway

                                                            One evening in July

                                                            I met a maid who asked me trade

                                                            And Sailor John says I

                                                            AND AWAY YOU SANTEE

                                                            MY DEAR ANNIE

                                                            OH YOU ESSEX GIRLS

                                                            CAN'T YOU DANCE THE POLKA?

It was, of course, a cold, damp November and not a summer's evening in July, but this did not stop the crowds coming out and enjoying the event and spending their money.

The band were joined by guest guitarist Pete Bailey, who entered into the spirit of it all, donning his Father Christmas hat and smiling for the cameras - another moment captured for posterity or, at least, the Leigh Town Archives.

After the procession, Slow Loris performed more songs and tunes from the back of a lorry parked along Leigh Broadway, engaging in witty banter with the shoppers and encouraging them to dance in the street.

The following conversation was overheard later:

"Did you see the lights?"

"No, but I saw Slow Loris."

Ceilidh for CRISIS - Hampstead, Saturday 24th November 2007

The hall was filled with gentlemen in swirling kilts and hairy sporrans and ladies in designer dresses and dainty shoes, and not a Scottish accent to be heard anywhere.

No-one asked Donald where his troosers were, haggis was not on the menu (it was pie and mash - well, we are in London), but the ghosts of  Rabbie Burns and Rob Roy, not to mention Mel Gibson, were definitely happy in Hampstead.

SLENDER LORIS, ST. GEORGE'S DAY CELEBRATION CONCERT,

ST. CLEMENT'S CHURCH, LEIGH-ON-SEA, SATURDAY, 22nd APRIL, 2006

So who are Slender Loris? The complete Slow Loris band were unable to do the concert,

so Jack put together a slimmed down version which included Max and Terry and added the talented Steve Stott (Mustard Co., Phil Burdett Band) to the line-up.

   In the beautiful setting of St. Clement's Church, Slender Loris performed stirring songs of the sea. And they were in good company. Queen Victoria (Lynda Bridge), Charles Dickens (Mac Elsey) and Lady Christobel and her butler were also there, together with John Smith on the fiddle, the effervescent Mr. Keith Ford and the Wadard Morris Men.

   Sheila Donovan brought the evening to a memorable close with operatic renditions of "Land of Hope and Glory" and "Rule Britannia," the entire company and audience joining in with the choruses, followed by the Wodards traditionally morrissing off. And special mention must be made of the unerring eloquence of the evening's honourable MC, Mr. Martin Daniell and the show's excellent production, lighting and sound which were all in the very capable hands of Peter Monk.

   As the publicity poster said: "An evening of rousing music and song, patriotic verse, traditional dance and humorous thespian vigour."

STRAND WHARF, LEIGH - MONDAY,1st MAY, 2006

   Leigh's town clerk, Geoff Fulford, commented on the success of the event and said it would almost certainly be repeated next year with the "barn dance" as an official part of the programme. 

TERRY AND JACK'S LITTLE TOUR OF EASTERN ENGLAND,

JUNE 17th TO THE 18th, 2006

(Being an accurate account, in so far as the author will allow, of a full weekend's journeyings in the pursuit of musical enjoyment and with all due apologies to Sam Pepys, Dan Defoe, Jim Boswell, et al.,et al.)

We started out from Leigh-on-Sea early on Saturday morning with great expectations of a grand day out, the weather already being warm, if not sultry, without a hint of rain. We journeyed comfortably along the A12 and A14, encountering little traffic and making only one forced diversion near Colchester, due of course to roadworks with no apparent work going on but many cones in place, and arrived in Woodbridge by 10 of the clock.

   The people of Woodbridge seemingly knew nothing of the events about to occur in their town and were quite unaware of the hordes of dancers and musicians about to parade and perform throughout their streets. One good woman, indeed, asked us whither we were bound and what might be the meaning of all the brightly coloured clothes, the clogged feet, the big hats and big drums and all manner of things Morris and we did our best to explain.

   Our first performance was in the grounds of the Abbey School and then on to the Bull Hotel. Terry and I played our drums merrily along with Dick on his banjo, Sarah on melodeon and Alison on her accordion and the lively ladies of Cockleshell Clog prettily shook their legs and stomped their feet.

   We then made our way down New Street to the Bandstand in Elmhurst Park. This proved to be the main highlight of our day with a perfect performance by the dancers and in such a beautiful setting.

   Then it was time for lunch and Terry and I adjourned to the Anchor to imbibe the local ale. After that, my memories of the afternoon become somewhat vague. I remember sitting in the summer sun by the Cafe Quay and a massed meeting of Morris dancers of the Cotswold persuasion.

   By half past four of the clock, Terry and I were heading up the road towards Bury St. Edmunds, then on to King's Lynn, Boston and the fields of Friskney. Once again, there were few cars and the sight of only an occasional cyclist enjoying the Lincolnshire countryside.

   We arrived at the Anchor Inn, Friskney, just in time for the start of the evening ceilidh and with barely a chance to breathe (and set up a drum kit) before being plunged into the playing of tunes for the Virginia Reel and the Nottingham Swing.

   The lads of Slow Loris displayed their usual musical dexterity and ability to play on into the night long after the appointed hour of closing. In fact, I shall draw a veil over later proceedings. Suffice to say, we quitted the Anchor Inn at some time before two in the morning and continued to our lodgings at the Dower House. Before retiring to bed, much mirth arose from frequent listenings (at Jonathan's request) to a recorded version of the Slow Loris England World Cup Song and the following discussion about sibilance and diction. And nary a mention of Rooney's metatarsal.

   So to the morrow, a leave-taking of our amiable hosts, Martin and Catherine, and a comparatively uninteresting return jouney to Essex. We managed to stop briefly at home before going on to the Swan, Horndon-on-the-Hill, for an appearance at the Sail Loft Folk Club as part of the Rules of the Inn Band.

   By this time, both Terry and I were suffering somewhat from exhaustion (and overexposure to folk music) and I was having some difficulty remembering what I was doing and where I had put my beer. Needless to say, the evening was successful, with subtle and accomplished finger work on guitar and mandolin from Max and Steve and much applause and cries for encores at the end.

   Thus it was we travelled homeward again to Leigh-on-Sea shortly before the witching hour. And so to bed.

THE BARLEY BARN DANCE (Barley, Herts, 1st October, 2005)

This was one of the best events of the year so far. Organisers who were organised; a barn dance actually in a barn; and dancers who just would not stop dancing. In fact, it was difficult to fit in the band's usual song breaks, as the eager participants did not seem to want to pause for a rest. Even when the band burst into a fast blues late in the evening, people were rocking and rolling on the dance floor.

    When it was time for supper, it was amazing to watch the speed with which the dance area was transformed into a dining hall and then back again to carry on with the dancing.

    Greg's calling was outstanding and full of touches of the old Borgartz humour that we all know and love. The band's music was suitably inspired by the setting and the atmosphere. There was a stunning Strip The Willow and a lively La Russe. Included in the original tunes played was Joe's own, 'Martin's Tent', which is sure to become a barn dance classic.

    For all Loris fans who like to travel, if the band are back in Barley for another barn dance next year, it's well worth the trip. But phone to book in advance because tickets were sold out.   

AT THE ANCHOR, FRISKNEY

Friday, 9th December, 2005

It was a special occasion: a Pre-Christmas Bash and a celebration of Martin's arrival in

Friskney, Lincs. Getting there had its moments for the rest of the band - Terry chugging

endlessly round a one-way system in Boston, Joe and Roy the Roadie lost in Grantham,

not to mention the delights of the M25 and heavy traffic on the M11.

    The foot-tapping Tinware Lass started off a night of frolicking and fun in the large

back room of the Anchor Inn. Children toasted their toes in front of the fire and families

and friends danced and sang along with the band. There was an impressive Old Hag/

Donkey Riding from Joe on the accordion and Terry on drums and a fast and folky

whistle solo in Little Beggarman from Jack to finish the first half.

    The second half was all rock and plenty of roll with the dance floor full of dancers and

the band full of Major Bitter. Some stunning solos in Sixteen Tons and Loris Grind

especially from Martin on guitar and Jonathan on bass were followed by a powerful

rendition of Jervis Bay.

    At the end of the night, the band were feeling so "at home" that they found it difficult

to leave the inn. However, they will be returning sometime in the Summer.

SLOW LORIS AT THE LEIGH FOLK FESTIVAL (25th, 26th JUNE, 2005)

    As for the procession and the massed dancing to the Dorset Four Hand, they are always among the highlights of the Festival weekend, and this year did not disappoint. Victoria Wharf, the cobbled road and the railway bridge ware packed with revellers who stayed to enjoy the sound of Slow Loris, from the rocking and reeling tempo of 'Jack Tar On Shore' to the inevitable climax of 'The Old Dun Cow'. Roll on, next year.

SLOW LORIS AT THE SAIL LOFT FOLK CLUB (SUNDAY, 7th AUGUST, 2005)

It was 'Farewell to Martin' Night at the Sail Loft, and the great and good of Thurrock
came together to see one of that area's favourite sons before he headed off for lucky
Lincolnshire.
Martin, of course, is leaving the club, not the band (no-one ever leaves Slow Loris),
but the band's musicians were never ones to miss a good excuse for musical mayhem and a booze-up.
Loris sailed through their repertoire - there was a definite nautical feel to the first half - paying tribute to Martin's skill as a guitarist and praising his new-found ability to sing.
The second half was taken up with, inevitably, a burst of British blues, including a mighty meaty rendition of 'Sixteen Tons'. And as the last strains of 'The Old Dun Cow' died away, and Joe called out for more beer, one thing was certain. Martin would be back.

SLOW LORIS AT THE WALTON FOLK FESTIVAL (2nd, 3rd SEPTEMBER, 2005)

When you think about it, there are obvious attractions at Walton Folk Festival for a bunch of low-living amiable inebriates like Slow Loris.
    First of all, there's the nature of the festival itself - quaint, quirky, appearing to happen all by itself without guidance, flowing in and out of pubs and restaurants, occasionally interrupting or interacting with the lives of locals and holidaymakers and bringing good will and good music to a small seaside town at the tail end of the summer season.
    Secondly, there's the welcoming, embraceable spirit of the local folk club at the Royal Marine - excellent beer and food, the warmth of the atmosphere, friendly faces, the lively Shanty Crew, Jon and Pam,  Pete Chopping.
    Thirdly, there's the delights of breakfast in Granny's Kitchen or bacon rolls at the Beach Cafe. And this year, praise must be given to Martin's bacon feast (with special thanks to Catherine for provisions).
    Yes, September 2005 and Loris were back in Walton, unable to keep away. And once again they were living in luxury in a proper house with hot water, beds, late night telly - oh, the pleasure - and Martin's breakfast.
    The music? Slow Loris performed three superlative programmed sets in three different venues over the weekend, as well as one impromptu acoustic session.
    And great audiences. They raved to Old Dun Cow in the Royal Marine, rocked to Rolling Down The River in the Bath House and roared to every song in Thai-on-Sea.
    As we were about to start in the Thai restaurant, an excited young lady asked me,"Did you really write that song, "Rolling Down The River?"
    "Well yes, I did", I modestly replied.
    "What a song, I love that song....Rolling, rolling,rolling down the ri-i-ver!"
    Amazing. 

Leigh Folk Festival, Sunday 29th June 2003

Slow Loris gave an impressive powerhouse performance at the Folk Festival in Leigh Old Town.

Almost every song was given a rapturous reception from an audience packed tightly around the tables in front of the Crooked Billet Stage and eager to join in and sing the choruses.

The bands success was not only due to local appeal and the singing of local songs such as "Old Leigh Regatta" and "Day Trip to Southend" but also to the infectious nature of the music - happy, toe-tapping, delivered with originality and style - just right for a festival crowd on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

There was some blistering bass and banjo work form Jonathan and Max, and some fearsome fiddling from Darren, especially in "Sally Brown" and "Working on The Railway".

When it came to the bands last number "The Old Dun Cow", directly before the Grand Festival Procession, dancers linked together and stepped into the street for a bit of a knees-up.

This was quite an end to a stupendous set form Slow Loris and one of the many highlights of a great day out at the 12th Leigh Folk Festival - and definitely the best so far.