Rhyl Folk Club

A nice sized crowd welcomed our guest for tonight, our old chum Terry Hiscock. Sorry we were a bit late arriving but the A55 traffic was some of the worst I’ve ever encountered (half term, but it’s October!). A plethora of top notch floor singers provided the warm up, plus me. Rachel and Glenys both got “Happy Birthday”, although it transpired that it wasn’t Rachel’s birthday at all, she probably said it was to get people to buy her drinks.

Terry has been booked for 4 years in succession; singer, songwriter, guitar player, lifelong West Ham supporter and all round nice guy.

90% of his songs were ones wot ‘e ‘ad rote, with the odd addition of chorussy things such as Buddy Holly’s “Everyday”.There are plenty out there who think they can write songs; few get close to Terry’s calibre, and even fewer of those can keep an audience captivated for 90 minutes.

Alun joined him for “Sweet Marie” – Mr H knew he’d be walking back home if he hadn’t sung that one.

Not like you John, being nice about someone! I hear you cry. OK, he left a nice bottle of wine in the room before he left; I’m easily bought. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him again before too long. What a thoroughly enjoyable night, thank you Terry, on behalf of all at the club.

Clocks go back tonight. If you forget, or you are one of those who refuse to alter their timepieces, we start at 8.30 next week, but for everyone else it’s singers’ night at 7.30. I often wish my clock could take me back to a time when people, especially politicians, had moe morals, values and kindness.

We saw him, we heard him, we touched the hem of his garment and were healed. It was our chum Terry Hiscock back again.

It’s pretty obvious why we’ve booked him 3 years in a row since our first meeting on Zoom in lockdown. Singing his beautifully crafted songs with intricate but sympathetic guitar accompaniment (take note Alun, not too many notes!) and charming us with his stories . The gags need a bit more work Terry, I’ll e mail you a few.

What’s this John! I hear you cry – being nice, not your style. Don’t worry, he gets plenty of stick off me at other times.

Songs about pretty much everything you could think of, from being almost killed in the London tube bombing to songs about musicians, including Robert Johnson, the blues singer who allegedly sold his soul to the devil. Which brings me to……..

The blues part 6 (final chapter). Miscellany.

Blues beverages include whisk(e)y, bourbon, dirty water, warm flat beer and nasty coffee. Not Earl Grey or green tea, Perrier, Moet & Chandon or Pinot Grigio.

Good Blues deaths can include being shot or stabbed by the woman you cheated on, drug overdose ( especially in a grubby motel room) or the electric chair. Death while skiing or undergoing cosmetic surgery don’t feature here. If you any form of internet access, you cannot truly sing the blues.

Looking back over my past 30 years at the club, I would put Terry in my top 6 “turns”, alongside Dave Burland, the (original) John Wright Band, Jez Lowe, Kimber’s Men and, though I don’t like to admit it, Keith Price.

A memorable night, finishing off with “Where are you now, Sweet Marie”. A big thanks to Terry for travelling to Rhyl to play for us again. I can’t upload video on to this site but I’ll put a link to a YouTube clip on the end.

Andrew forgot to mention that next week is first Friday of the month so THERE IS NO CLUB ON THE 2ND AUG.

As many of you know, someone at the club has been going out of their way to piss me off, so I’m taking a couple of months away, hopefully see you mid September. Here’s Terry.

I must apologise for arriving a bit late with tonight’s guest, but the A55 was at a standstill for miles. That’s what Terry told me to say; in reality it takes him a long time to put on the slap over the wrinkles these days.

Yes it was Terry Hiscock back again by overwhelming demand.

Lots of chums turned up, not least Brian and Sue from Durham. We didn’t know they were coming down for the night so it was a delight to see their liitle smiley faces.

Terry? Does what it says on the tin. Loads of beautifully crafted songs, perfectly delivered by an old pro.

Those who saw the recent posts from Brian Race from Hunter Muskett (Terry’s band)’s gig in Darlington, will have seen El Tel with a lot of facial hair. He’d shaved it all off for last night, presumably to stop me taking the piss.

Not easy for one bloke with a guitar to keep everyone spellbound for the night, but he always manages it; bit of gob iron, bit on the electric Gibson with sliiiide and a few subtle effects from his electric box of tricks. Even got everyone singing along to Buddy Holly’s “Everyday” (don’t remember it personally – before my time).

Only one disappointment – where was “Where are you now, Sweet Marie”. Maybe next time. I’m sure there will be a next time.