The church at Castor, a pretty village of mostly grey stone cottages just outside the sprawling city of Peterborough, is the only one in the country dedicated to St Kyneburgha. She was the sister of King Peada, the founder of Peterborough Abbey.
It is a Norman church with some more modern bits added on. It features a striking central tower with rows of double arches and impressive carved heards, plus a 14th century spire. Inside it is equally visually appealing but it makes an unusual setting for an evening of American blues. Yet, on a warm August evening, it was possible to sit with a glass of beer or wine, plus a slice of homemade fruit cake, and tap your foot to the sound of genuine blues music, overlooked by the colourful carved angels circa 1450 from the roof above.
There have already been a couple of concerts in St Kyneburgha’s by American gospel singers and musicians but this was the first all-blues performance. Rick Franklin and Michael Baytop presented what they described as ‘an evening of ragtime, hokum and Piedmont style blues’. They are from Washington DC, though their musical styles and influences come from further afield.
This is not the rough-edged blues hollering of the Delta, but a gentler, more approachable folk blues. In between songs such as ‘Travelling Man’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Business’, we were treated to warm tales from their travels and wisdom gleaned from meeting direct relatives of their blues inspirations. Both sang, played guitars and harmonicas. Michael also played mandolin, constantly tapped a tambourine with his foot and rattled out a rhythm on ‘the bones’ as inspired by the legendary Mr Bones (don’t let him loose in the church yard!).
We were invited to join in on songs such as the Cajun foodies’ favourite ‘Jambalaya’ and the Leadbelly number aptly chosen to close the second set, ‘Goodnight Irene’.
The concert was presented by Gerard Homan, who promotes real blues by well known and lesser known artists from the US in the Stamford and Peterborough area. We will next be invited to take a pew at St Kyneburgha’s on Saturday, November 17, when Rev John Wilkins from Mississippi presents his brand of gospel blues. He is the son of Robert Wilkins, whose ‘That’s No Way To Get Along’/’Prodigal Son’ inspired the Rolling Stones to cover it on their classic ‘Beggar’s Banquet’ album.
Amen to that!
For further details visit shakedownblues.co.uk.
