Cleator Moor

I found myself wondering what on earth I was doing going out on, what was probably, the worst night of the year. It was very wet, very windy and flood warnings were in place across most of the county. Dalston Male Voice Choir were not deterred by the weather so why should I be. They opened their concert in fine style, making it very clear that Its a grand night for singing a piece written by Rogers and Hammerstine for the 1945 film “State Fair”. This was a well-chosen piece for the choir with good bass resonance and bright light touches by the tenors, providing a wonderfully balanced tone that pushed all thoughts of the bad weather into the background. I am old enough , just , to remember those clever wordsmiths “Flanders and Swann” and the choir did justice to one of their best known songs The Gas man cometh. This and other humorous songs, such as When the Love comes Trickalin’ Down and The Song of the Jolly Roger were well placed in the programme and expertly delivered.

The choir demonstrated its versatility with a cleverly varied programme designed to bring their skill and musicianship to the fore. They segwayed between each number with consummate ease tackling songs like the powerful Russian Stenka Rasin only to follow this with Sunset Poem from Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood. The contrast was very effective. Throw in an evocative medley of Maori songs and others from Wales and Canada we were left in no doubt as to their capabilities.

Conductor Michael Deakin has certainly stamped his mark on the way the choir work together as this was a very polished performance. Michael also provided a solo spot featuring songs from Roger Quilter , Rabbie Burns and Mike Head. It was for me an introduction to Mike Heads work and Michael Deakin produced a very expressive performance of Limehouse Reach taken from Six Sea Songs. His composure and clear diction really sold the song, producing one of the highlights of the evening. Another highlight came from “Close Shave” a Barbershop Quartet made up by four members of the choir. Barbershop is not the easiest of quartet singing as it is quite stylised, depending on very close harmony, phrasing and diction. Close shave did not disappoint with their lively arrangements of Shine on me, On the Railroad and Kentucky Babe.

A gem for me, on the night, was the effortless accompaniment from a very skilful Lorraine Gash. Her expertise shone throughout the night, never obtrusive but always supportive, what an asset she is.

This was an excellent musical evening, it is a pity that there are not more of them, which the audience thoroughly enjoyed.