CD Review: Gan Canny - The Blaydon Aces

Roly Veitch (vocals, guitar, banjo)  James Birkett (guitar, banjo).

(Review by Ann Alex).

This delightful cd couldn’t have been re-issued at a better time.  The great Geordie anthem, George Ridley’s Blaydon Races is one of the featured songs, and this Saturday, June 9, is the song’s 150th anniversary.  There is expected to be music in Newcastle city centre and at Blaydon itself, in celebration.  Then next Wednesday, June 13, you should get along to the Lit and Phil at 7.30pm to see Jim and Roly doing their stuff.  Grab a CD then if you can, as I predict that these will go fast.

The Blaydon Aces have given us a varied selection of mostly traditional Geordie songs, but with their own special take, including jazzy riffs, lovely guitar and banjo work, and Roly’s light-toned singing, which is relaxingly easy to listen to. And two of the songs are Roly originals – this man is a poet.  So here is a quick rundown of what you will hear:

Wor Geordie’s Lost His Penker – I couldn’t believe it, a Latin version of this amusing song, it made me smile from ear to ear.  Wherever Ye Gan, You’re Sure to Find a Geordie also had a Latin feel, and a Jim Birkett guitar solo followed, the lullaby Bonnie At Morn, beautifully played with tenderness.  Jim also did justice to Water of Tyne.  Roly sang and played banjo on Sair Fyeld Hinny, a moving song about getting older.  Other traditional local material included Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny; When This Aad Hat Was New; Bobby Shaftoe; Billy Boy; The Lambton Worm; and The Row Between The Cages, featuring an original tune.

Blaydon Races itself rolled along with a smooth fast accompaniment which sounded like a journey. The Roly originals were Canny Old Blaydon, a tribute to the buildings and sights of Blaydon which have now disappeared, and Gan Canny, a sort of feelgood love song wishing everyone well.  The CD is nicely rounded off with contemporary material, Jimmy Nail’s Big River, which gives the history of the river Tyne; and Alan Hull’s tribute to the North East, Fog on the Tyne.

Just for good measure, the CD insert shows a photo of the Tyne Bridge and The Sage, and there is a history of the Blaydon Race itself.  This music will certainly go down well in folk clubs and among many jazzers as well.  But I predict that the general Geordie public will love this too.  Any takers for a bet?

Ann Alex.

The Blaydon Aces: Gan Canny.