We've had some great fun during the Autumn and very enjoyable gigs at Middlewich, Worden Park Leyland (watch out for a review in the NW Folk federation newsletter) and at our own Christmas party at the Cross Keys in December. the new line-up is settling in nicely and with new material as well, we're really looking forward to 2008. Nick's song The Prospect, and a new Nick/Mark composition called No Ladders That Tall have recently found their way into the repertoire and we're also now regularly playing Let It Rain, a great song by our mate Bill Malkin. Chris and Ian are coming up with some enjoyable new tune medleys and Dave has established a new arrangement of Paul Metsers' Farewell to the Gold in the Full House repertoire.
In January we start a series of acoustic dates plus festival appearances for the first half of the year. Most are on the gig list but there are a couple yet to be confirmed. First up are 2 local gigs for us, at Tilston in January and Wrexham in February. We will also appear in the concert and the evening folk club at the Chester Day of Folk on 23rd.
UPDATE 1/2/08: GREAT NIGHT AT TILSTON - THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME! WREXHAM NEXT !
We're pleased to announce that IAN JONES is joining us as a regular member of the band. From being a regular at the Raven Folk Club, Ian has gradually been absorbed into the Full House line up, playing in many sessions with us over the last year and also becoming a full time member of our extended ceilidh band line up. We also worked with Ian in the Navvies show last year and really appreciated his excellent ensemble musicianship in that piece. Ian is classically trained and in addition to being a fine pianist and a highly regarded flute and whistle player, Ian's reputation as a melodeon player is also steadily increasing through his performances with the Time Bandits, a Chester based band specialising in Anglo-European folk dance music. Ian will now progressively join us on singing gigs as he assimilates the repertoire and you will be able to see us performing as a 5-piece at the Hungry Horse and the Chester Folk festival. We're all looking forward very much to the additional musical possibilites which the new line up will have.
Other News: The gig at the Ship Victory on 5th May is unfortunately cancelled; our fault, not the venue's. There will of course still be music at the Ship Vic that night and it looks likely to feature at least Chris and Rusty Mahone. Also in May, don't forget the Chester Charity Beer festival 17th -19th at Chester Rugby Club. As in past years, you may recognise some of the musicians!
If you're new to Full House, do come and see us at one of the gigs in the next few months and say hello; if you're an experienced Full House watcher, you have our sympathy! Cheers!
Chester Folk Festival events
Put the dates in your diary for the Chester Folk Festival day of folk on 24th Feb and the festival itself 25th - 28th May 07. We'll be sessioning at the Folk Day with Dave also appearing with Yardarm in the concert. We'll be involved with the festival as usual, first appearance being at the ceilidh on the Friday night with the extended line-up.
