11 singers attended the Chichester Inn kindly led by Dave G on this occasion.
At Dave’s request, Henny updated the group on forthcoming events – cancellation of Petworth in view of bad timing and confirmation that the Weald & Downland event was still scheduled and essential wrist bands would be issued in due course.
Following this, the group of eleven launched into the first of eleven songs! "Country Life" was the usual good opening number with advice from Dave to keep it sprightly but ensure words could still be heard. Ale Good Ale was a rousing follow up before moving on to practice a couple of the newer additions to the repertoire – "England For Me" where it was generally agreed that removing the verse referring to Cornwall made it more relevant to Sussex and evened up the verses at the end, this was followed by "Come Stranger Come Friend" tried in various keys. More work was probably required to get these “performance ready”. Back to the familiar with "Jim the Carter Lad" with advice from Dave to keep it light! "On Sussex Hills" came next, sung with usual gusto and the first half concluded with "To Be a Farmer’s Boy". With several suggestions on word emphasis and that the last line be omitted, Dave commented that he was pleasantly surprised how well everyone knew this and brought the first half to a finish.
Before the start of the second half, Dave sang a sample of Dave Webber’s "Lady of Autumn" song, with the thought that this was particularly suitable for late Autumn. The group liked it and he undertook to get words and demo to Steve W for inclusion on he “Songs to Try” blog.
In view of Armistice Day coming up, Dave selected a couple of suitable songs:-
"Follow Me Home" with men and women joining in separately, following some clarification of lines it went well. "Home Lads Home" came next in a similar theme with the group remembering to lower the volume in the more poignant verses.
At Alan’s request, the group practiced Amaryllis’s version of "Tommy" which was likely to be sung at the upcoming Arundel Orchard performance.
Reverting to a song not often tried, Dave led the group through the Coppers "Birds on the Spray". To Assist Steve W played Tina’s version of the song which can be found on the SDFS blog. Finally the evening was concluded with the men taking the lead on "Hard Times of Old England" and all singing a rousing "Pleasant and Delightful".
Everyone thanked Dave for his efforts on putting together an interesting evening and leading the group efficiently through it, not an easy task!
"Follow Me Home" with men and women joining in separately, following some clarification of lines it went well. "Home Lads Home" came next in a similar theme with the group remembering to lower the volume in the more poignant verses.
Everyone thanked Dave for his efforts on putting together an interesting evening and leading the group efficiently through it, not an easy task!
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