The Tinpots

The Tinpots were the first special guests to play at he Bute Arms, the new venue. Main man Phil Davis was helped out by three members of the local band 'The Shelleys' for this weeks performance.The music club was treated to a selection of music from The Tinpots forthcoming album. All the songs being penned by Phil.

Ron Trueman Border

This gig was postponed until July 13th 2005.

Sean Taylor / Curly

The Aberdare Music Club was host to two special guests for the first time this week, both of them singer songwriters in their own right.

First up was local singer/songwriter Curly. he performed a selection of his own songs plus a few blues and folk songs by established artists.
He gave a very solid and accomplished performance which was well received by the music club audience.

Next up was Sean Taylor a blues based singer/songwriter from London. He gave us some of his own material.
Using a delay pedal for hypnotic effect his performance was reminiscent of the legendary John Martin.

Another excellent night of music at the club.

The Parcel Of Rogues Christmas Party

The Aberdare Music Club Christmas party was a great success, with a large turnout. It featured the music club's resident folk rockers, The Parcel Of Rogues plus special guests.

The guests appearing were:
Steve Crosby who played some of his own material.
Jason together with Neil, Mel & Martyn from the 'Rogues, played a short set of blues rock instrumentals.
The Jazz trio, Aint Misbehavin, performed a selction of songs from their Jazz/Swing material.

Special thanks to the Ladies for providing the buffet, and also to the supporters who supplied raffle prizes.
Here's to the next Christmas party in 2005!

The Shelleys

This week the Music Club welcomed the local six piece band, The Shelleys. They played their own, original, stylised rock/folk material.

With strong songs and fine musicianship, they gave a worthy performance which was well received by an appreciative audience.

This band will definitely be booked again at the club.

Also performing, in the break, was Steve Crosby, who played a mixture of self penned and cover material.

Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley

This week the Music Club welcomed the return of the respected Folk Duo of Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley. With Huw on guitar and Catherine playing piano, flute and penny whistle, they gave a professional performance.

This visit they performed some of their new material, giving their own arrangements to traditional and contemporary folk music.

A fine performance which was well received by the audience.

Ron Trueman Border

A fantastic show this week at Aberdare Music Club featuring a return visit from singer songwriter Ron Trueman-Border as guest artist.
Ron brought with him an abundance of strong, self-penned songs which he performed marvelously. He had the audience singing along to the 'learn in a minute' choruses.

In the break local performer Ian played a short set of his material, with some of them being self penned songs. He was a great hit with the audience. Also appearing was our old friend Patrick, who borrowed Ron's guitar, and performed a few songs also.

Ron then returned with more songs from his vast repetoire. He was accompanied on lead guitar by Mel, from the 'Rogues, for a few numbers.

The Exiles

Local band The Exiles made an appearance at Aberdare Music Club this week. The band features Nick on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jason on lead guitar and vocals, Floss on bass guitar and vocals, plus Harvey on drums.

Their set contained blues, rock and roll, sixties covers plus self penned material all performed in a professional manner. Another full house was treated to some excellent music. The audience warmed to them straight from the off, and the evening just got hotter & hotter!

The Snowy Wood Blues Band

The Snowy Wood Blues Band appeared at the Aberdare Music Club this week. Well most of them anyway! Due to unforseen circumstances the lead vocalist was unable to attend, coupled with another member who was absent due to his impending wedding, it all looked bleak for the band. At the last minute Mel Crew, on guitar and vocals, and Steve Shipman, on harmonica, stepped in to help out.

When a slightly compromised 'set' was sorted, the band let rip! Considering it was really a scratch band, the members gelled very well.
An extremely full house was entertained by some quality blues music. A couple of special guest singers joined throughout the performance to further enhance the evenings entertainment.

In the interval Jason performed a Hendrix influenced instrumental, followed by Curly & Steve Shipman giving some more blues, but of a different flavour.

This weeks raffle was a violin kindly donated by Spot On Music of Aberdare, many thanks to them.

The Subterraneans

This week Aberdare Music Club were hosts to The Subterraneans.

With Curly on guitar, Floss on Bass, Karl on Drums and Steve on harmonica, although they were one short, they gave a creditable performance.

Their sound leaned more towards a folky blues, with the absence of the electric lead guitar, which as it happened was a nice blend.

The audience gave them a warm music club welcome and a great night was had by all!

mAbAtAd

Another great show this week at Aberdare Music Club featuring local, father & son, singer songwriters mAbAtAd as special guests.
The majority of their set were self-penned songs, performed with enthusiasm, being well received by the audience.
They were joined in the first half by Mel Crew from 'The Parcel Of Rogues', on guitar & harmonica for a couple of songs.

In the break local couple Nick & Carole, from 'Branton Jazz' performed a few songs together.
Carole then performed a couple more on her own.
Nick then returned with fellow 'Branton Jazz' member Mal, to perform a few songs from their repetoire, accompanied by Mel on kazoo & tambourine!

mAbAtAd then returned with more songs from their large repetoire. They were accompanied on harmonica by Mel for a few more songs.

Ron Trueman-Border

A fantastic show this week at Aberdare Music Club featuring singer songwriter Ron Trueman-Border as guest artist.
Ron brought with him an abundance of strong, self-penned songs which he performed marvelously. He had the audience singing along to the 'learn in a minute' choruses.

In the break local duo mAbAtAd performed a short set of their material, with some of them being self penned songs.

Also in performing in the break were Mel & Rob from 'The Parcel Of Rogues', who performed a short set of acoustic folk songs.

Ron then returned with more songs from his vast repetoire. He was accompanied on harmonica by local boy 'Pedro' for one song, and later by Mel, from the 'Rogues, for a couple of others.

The Raglan Ceilidh Band

The Raglan Ceilidh Band played Aberdare Music Club this week. Playing a selection of folk songs and dance tunes to a very enthusiastic audience. Two members, Huw & Cath, had already appeared at the club as a folk duo. This time they brought the rest of the 'gang' with them to form a full band.

In the break, Pat Evans gave a fine solo spot, before the reappearance of Raglan.

Towards the end of their second spot, they were joined by guitarist Mel Crew for a few 'rock & roller' songs.
A very enjoyable evening was had by all.

Claude Bourbon

French born, Claude Bourbon visited the Aberdare Music Club this week. He gave an amazing performance in front of a very enthusiastic audience.
He performed a selection of acoustic blues numbers plus his own material. With his foot tapping self accompaniment and acomplished guitar playing, coupled with his complementary gravelly vocal, he achieved a full sound. No need for a band then!
This man will have to return to the club, was one of many favourable comments made.

Also appearing in the break were Mel Crew & Rob Phillips, from 'The Parcel Of Rogues', who filled the gap admirably.

Blue Blisters

The Blue Blisters played Aberdare Music Club this week putting their stamp on Blues and Rock & Roll. They played two sets of Blues, Rock & Roll and Rock standards in front a very appreciative audience.

The Parcel Of Rogues played a short set of Folk Rock songs in the break, before the return of the Blisters.

The Blue Blisters were joined by a various special guests throughout their second set.
Overall a very enjoyable evening was had by all.

The Parcel Of Rogues

The folk-rock band ‘The Parcel Of Rogue’ were the special guests this month at Aberdare Music Club.
They performed two sets consisting of British & American folk rock songs of traditional & contemporary origin.
They were well received by the large audience that attended. With audiences like this the club can only go from strength to strength, long may it continue!

Also appearing was another incarnation of The Aberdare Music Club Scratch Band, this time comprising of The Bleeding Hearts plus Cameron from Blue Blisters & Mel from The Parcel Of Rogues.

At the end of the evening Steve Crosby made a last minute appearance to perform a couple of Bob Dylan classics.

The Aberdare Music Club at 'The Shot & Shell Club',Aberdare, were hosts to the local jazz swing band Branton Jazz this week. Their set included many 'sing along' songs that the audience joined in with.
It also happened to Branton Jazz guitarist, Mal's Birthday on the day of the gig, so a bit of a party atmosphere was created. Everyone had a good time with lots of singing accompaniment.
During the break, Mel & Robert from 'The Parcel Of Rogues' together with Martin on bodhran, played a short set of acoustic folk songs.
This was followed by Steve Crosby, who performed a couple of Bob Dylan songs.
The Brantons then returned to perform the rest of their set.

At the very end of the night, Carole, from Branton Jazz, was accompanied by Dean on guitar, Mel on bass guitar, Steve on snare drum and Bryn on harmonica, for a very laid back rendition of 'Summertime'.
This was very well received by the audience, and a fitting way to end a successful evening.

The Snowy Wood Blues Band

The Snowy Wood Blues Band were this weeks special guest band at The Aberdare Music Club. The band played to an enthusiastic audience that packed out the lounge in the Shot & Shell Club. The band featured slide guitar, harmonica, bass, drums as well as some impressive lead guitar playing by Dean, who also works at Spot On Music, Cardiff Street, Aberdare.

Spot-On Music also supplied this weeks raffle prize, a Spanish guitar. Many thanks to them!

In the break the resident folk rockers The Parcel Of Rogues performed a few songs.

Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley

This week the Music Club welcomed the respected Folk Duo of Huw Chidgey & Catherine Handley. With Huw on guitar and Catherine playing piano, flute and penny whistle, they performed songs, shanties, jigs and the odd hornpipe or two, most of which can be found on their latest CD.
A very professional performance was given; which was well received.

Also appearing were Christina, Mel and then Rob, all performing solo.