Those who know us are aware that a notable part of our ‘project’ is to bring folk music from the French speaking world to English speaking audiences. This has been a triple whammy for Rob and I. We listen to many great new bands, the act of translation helps our French and reveals much about the translator’s art, and our audiences appear very much to like being introduced to music from what, after all, is a kissing cousin tradition to our own.
It may not, therefore, surprise you to know that I have a house full of French music and feel I know the music of many of its movers and shakers. What an honour it was, therefore, to play on the same bill with BandaBéro, led by the great Dominique Forges, in an event organised through the twinning arrangement between St Albans and the French town of Nevers, in central France.
Rob and I arrived early at the village hall in Redbourne. Being a consummate linguist, Rob was pretty fluent in French straight away. Me? – I understand and read it well, but rarely get the chance to speak it. So, my early conversations were a bit fumbling. However, over the course of the evening I am pleased to report that a real and genuine interaction built up between ourselves and the eight-strong BandaBéro group.
Playing in a reasonably large village hall, to an audience of around 50 people, the stage was absolutely packed with the instruments of both bands. The two of us were playing five stringed instruments while many BandaBéro members play two or even three separate instruments –including two mighty hurdy-gurdies. So, with a reasonable sized p.a. system added in, the modest sized stage looked like a music shop front window as people began to file in for the concert.
We decided, given the good acoustics in the hall, to play acoustically and we set up in an inner ring of the extensive BandaBéro kit. All eight members of BandaBéro were kind enough to take places in the audience and listen to our performance. We played six numbers and the audience very much enjoyed them. Then it was time for BandaBéro!
We quietly packed up our instruments behind the back stage as BandaBéro tuned up, and took our places at the back of the hall. What a fantastic noise then began as they powered out great tunes and songs with wonderful dexterity and skill. This is a band that should be on every folk festival’s wish list. There are bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies, violin, accordion, saxophone, all underpinned by a solid and skilful cello line. Certainly for dancing festivals, especially with the expert tuition of Annie Forges, they would give so much pleasure and interest. They play not only traditional Nivernais music but many of Dominique’s own compositions. One composition - a really great tune - was written by Dominque’s young daughter who was one of the hurdy gurdy players in the band!
My favourite French band in recent times has been La Chavenée – good friends of British band Blowzabella. BandaBéro have a similar sound – which turned out not to be so surprising when one discovers that both bands are friends with other, live not too far from each other, and Dominique used to play with La Chavenée! They just took my breath away.
How wonderful it was then that at the break the cello player Audrey and sax player Olivier immediately appeared in front of us offering money with which to buy copies of The Bite. They said such kind things about our musicality and finesse which, coming from such quality musicians was as gratifying and inspiring as anything I can imagine being said about what we do. Thankfully, we were able to return the compliments. I explained that I had tried to buy their CD on-line a couple of months earlier but, because transportation costs had been the same price as the CD, I had decided to hold on until I could buy one from them personally on the night. In the event, like football team swapping pendants, I am pleased to say we traded copies of The Bite for their new album Y viendrez-vous
Other members of BandaBéro also came up to talk about how they had enjoyed our music. Dominique was generous in his comments also and mentioned the sorts of song archives he has available to him as the leader of a school for traditional music in central France, offering to make it available to us. As I listened to Dominique talk in French, my understanding seemed to be getting better and better. He then asked one of the band to go to his personal kit and dig out a different album to give to me – one that was more song based than their own album. This is a man generous in both spirit and action.
Then, in the second half, we pushed the concert chairs back and made room for a dance. Those who wanted to watch could, those who wanted to dance could. I was honoured with the first dance with Annie, who showed me how to Bourée. There were polkas, mazurkas, circassian circles, and even a Breton An Dro. I was in the mood for dancing and it was a great second half, which everyone seemed enjoy immensely.
Sadly, then the clock ticked round to 11.00pm and it was time to finish. Thankfully, the local pub stays open until 1.00am on a Friday and, after we had helped them carry their kit out to the van, we were able to take the band members for some beers and ciders and get to know them all even better. For some of the band, this was there first time in England and a noisy late night pub setting was of more than a little interest to them. I was able to chat further with different members of the band. Audrey teased me gently and in a very funny way about my French pronunciation of the word ‘cuckoo’. I must sound like a cockney to French ears when I do (certainly hearing Audrey’s imitation of me) which is interesting for a lad from Middlesbrough! I also found out that members of the band knew most of my French musical heros and heroines personally – Gabriel Yacoub, Evelyne Girard, Jean Blanchard, Gilles Chabenat and others.
Sadly, all things must come to an end. However, we were now on sufficiently good terms to pretty much have hugs all round,as we said goodbye to each other. In a recent blog I talked about the barber shop term ‘afterglow’. Well, I was certainly feeling it that night. The following evening, they were playing for a dance in St Albans. Sadly, for important family reasons I knew I would not be able to attend, nor to join them for the musicians workshop being held the following day. So, I had to take my leave of them all. However, I am pleased to say that Rob was able to make it, and when I next see him, I’ll find out if BandaBéro had a second good evening in the St Albans area.
Many thanks must go to Alison MacFarlane and Jan Strapp for the invitation to us to support BandaBéro. They have given us one of the best nights of our lives, musical or otherwise. It felt wonderful to be in an international community of friendship and musicianship – something that we will certainly never forget.