Picture a scene. It is 1997 (probably). It is late in the evening in a rustic cottage in remote south west Cumbria. The room is lit only by candles and heated by a wood burner. There is a stone flag floor. A lot of beer has been consumed (other beveridges are available). Most people are asleep, strewn across sofas and chairs. I pick up my guitar and pick out She Moved through the Fair (its on “Off the Map”. I play it in CGCGCD with a D7 shape on 3rd 5th and 7th frets if you want to replicate). Phil (Robnson) joins in the singing. The Cold Keld set was born.
After several changes of personnel and name, Phil and I still play, perform and record together. An album, Off the Map, eventually followed.
Earlier collaborations included the compulsory University band, Dick dastadly and the Vulture Squadron. The band only coagulated and performed after university, however. In spite of performing together for more than a year in the mid 1990s, Vic’s drum remained a working name only (bestowed by Tom and Alison Beaumont who ran the folk club at the Black Horse, Tattershall).