SILVER DARLINGS
'Silver
darling' is an old Norfolk fisherman's term for the herring, which at one time
meant wealth around those parts.
"In
my village silk knickers meant much the same".
To
celebrate his 25 years as a folk megostar, Sid Kipper reveals a shimmering haul
of his most successful songs ever, as measured by their earnings from the
Performing Rights Society.
"They're
a proper wonder - they give me permission to sing my own songs, which is very
decent of them. Mind
you, they want paying".
Presenting
everything from Kipper Family classics to a track from his most recent album, he
recalls past triumphs, all the while looking to the future, while living very
much in the present.
"They
say there's no time like the present, although by the time they've said it it's
gone, so how can they be so sure?".
There
are choruses galore, with a few surprises, accompanied by a bewildered variety
of instruments including the English Bodhran and, of course, Sid's signature
instrument, the Walnut-Shells.
"I
would do new arrangements, only then the words would be in the wrong
order."
The
exact list could change, of course.
Royalties are paid quarterly, so new items may make their way into the
show. Songs such
as We Will Rob You and Awayday are currently bubbling under.
"Or,
as old Norfolk fishermen say, drowning".
The
final catch will be revealed only at performance, although you may be assured
that Silver Darlings will include a host of Kipper favourites, each one
bright-eyed, plump with goodness, and a rich source of Omega 3.
"As
opposed to kippers, which are two-faced and gutless".
Success,
to be sure, can only breed success.
"Whereas real Royalty can breed anyone they damned well take a fancy to".
"The Sid Kipper event at the theatre on Wednesday night was
absolutely packed out. There was a
full house. Unfortunately a lot of
people couldn't get in. It was a
tremendous success."