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REVIEW: Roy Bailey, City Hall Ballroom
FOR his celebration of 40 years in the music business, Roy Bailey gave a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, with an introduction from then Culture Secretary Chris Smith.
For his 50th, he opted for a cosier venue closer to his home in Nether Green, and this time Tony Benn did the honours, describing himself as "one of Roy's greatest admirers".
A distinguished array of performers ,primarily from the folk scene, duly paid tribute through songs with the former Sheffield academic as well as giving him the occasional break from a long evening on stage (well, it was his 73rd birthday the day after!).
The line-up reflected some long associations, the one with accordion player John Kirkpatrick being traced back to the Towersey Folk Festival in 1963. Others, such as with Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Chumbawamba, David Ferrard and Donald Grant (of Ensemble 360), are rooted in less dated circumstances.
Yet Sunday night's celebration was more than a folk concert. It was very much a family affair, with guitarist and son-in-law Martin Simpson ("I haven't lost a daughter, but gained an accompanist," Roy said in his wedding speech) playing a significant role and wife Val and son David getting in on the act for the traditional song, Peri Meri Dixi.
Grandchildren Molly and Henry were not forgotten, either, with a delightful dedication of Arthur Askey's Bee Song. Hands up all those who remember that? asked Roy. Well, it was an audience of a certain age.
Amid regular light relief, the evening was dominated by songs and readings reflecting an unswerving career in pursuit of social justice and the championing of peace.
It started with Roy singing What You Do With What You've Got and, as the stage cleared at the very end, he returned for a brief reprise.
That came after a full-blooded rendition by the whole 'cast' of the stirring folk anthem, Rolling Home, with the sell-out audience raising the ballroom's ornate roof. The night was billed 'Rolling Home, celebrating 50 years of dissent'.
Tony Benn, who has shared many stages with Roy Bailey, joked that the singer's musical passion and commitment had helped to bring down Mrs Thatcher and encouraged Lord Mandelson to support the nationalisation of the banks.
If that was a playful display of exaggeration from the former Labour minister, the standing ovation that rounded off a memorable occasion was not.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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