Just some of the many wonderful performers who have played for us.
If they come to a venue near you go and see them.
For a list of everyone who has played at the Concerts and Café nights click here
 DECAMERON Decameron began when Johnny Coppin and Dave Bell met at Cheltenham Art College in 1968. By 1969 they had been joined by guitarist Al Fenn and cellist Geoff March and, with Jasper Carrott as their agent, the four of them started building up a solid following around the folk clubs. They soon developed their trademark sound - vocal harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills and Nash, multi-instrumental virtuosity, with Dave's poetic lyrics set to Johnny’s melodic tunes. By 1973 Decameron’s first album "Say Hello to the Band" had been released, they were appearing at bigger UK venues, touring in Holland, Germany and Belgium, playing bigger venues in the UK including the Cambridge Folk Festival, and Dik Cadbury had joined on bass, guitar and violin. |
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Over the past forty years, Gordon Giltrap has graced the music business with his dedication to his craft and his affection for his audience. As one of the UK's most respected guitarists, he has consistently proved the adage that respect cannot be bought. It must be earned.
Gordon joined his first band when barely in his teens and in November 1966, his individuality and passion earned him a recording contract with Transatlantic. Gordon served his apprenticeship as a singer/songwriter on the London folk club circuit, and his self-titled debut album was released in 1968. Each subsequent album broke new ground, and he developed a extraordinary repertoire while establishing a reputation for thrilling live performances.
In the late Seventies, Gordon enjoyed a brief spell as a pop star, with a hit album (Perilous Journey) and two hit singles ('Heartsong' and 'Fear of the Dark'). 'Heartsong' was nominated for an Ivor Novello award, and is fondly remembered as the theme tune to the BBC's Holiday programme. 'Fear of the Dark' was the first 12-inch colour picture disc to be released in the UK, and featured a heavily-made-up and unflattering image of what was then being marketed as The Gordon Giltrap Band. All the musical trends at the time were moving away from acoustic music, and Gordon retreated gracefully from the pop spotlight.
Over the years, Gordon has worked with an amazingly broad range of artists, from rock musicians such as Brian May, Rick Wakeman and Midge Ure to the jazz virtuoso Martin Taylor, the classical guitarist Raymond Burley and the London Symphony Orchestra. In 1996, Gordon realised a dream of playing guitar alongside Cliff Richard, on stage in Cliff's West End musical Heathcliff. As well as performing in the role of The Troubadour, Gordon arranged the overture and wrote two pieces of music.
Gordon's music continues to evade categorisation, influenced as it is by the rock guitar of Hank Marvin and Pete Townshend, the folk guitar of Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, and the classical guitar of Julian Bream and John Williams. He has released 25 original studio albums, plus numerous live albums and compilations. There is currently no sign of Gordon hanging up his guitars, and he still performs dozens of concerts a year around the country, earning the respect of fans and fellow musicians alike.
web site | MySpace
Tonight we are delighted to present one this country's finest singers. Throughout her 20 year career Christine has mesmerized and astounded with her unique blend of soul, blues, pop, jazz, country and folk, and today she remains as powerful, subtle and effortless as ever. Her live performances have always been wonderfully magical experiences and her solo albums have seen her convincingly interpret Smoky Robinson, Nick Drake, Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, U2 and Lal Waterson, amongst many others - whilst with every year her own self penned or co-written compositions have developed a distinctive quality - one which connects on a very personal level.
Christine grew up on the Isle of Man. Her professional recording career began in the mid 1980's but she first came to national attention singing the 1987 theme for the BBC Television series The Life and Loves Of A She Devil. Following a fruitful association with The Richard Thompson Band, Christine enjoyed a period of critical and commercial success in a seven year partnership with Clive Gregson. She also toured and recorded with the female super group Daphne's Flight.
Over the course of her career Christine has become a familiar name on the UK 'live' scene and at all major festivals from Glastonbury to Winnipeg to Cambridge. With a gravity defying voice, assured and impressive live performances and great personal charm she is a phenomenal live act.
'".boundary breaking is routine for Collister and makes her one of the finest grown-up vocalists on the planet..." - Q Magazine
'Christine Collister has a killer voice. As full as Dusty Springfield or as blue as Alison Moyet' - Froots
" … a voice personally delivered by God." - The Times
"Christine Collister can sing the birds down off the trees and send them back with a tiny flick of her vocal chords." - Mojo
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We are delighted to present this special concert featuring Chris Difford who was one half of the legendary songwriting partnership behind all of the great Squeeze hits such as Cool for Cats, Up the Junction, Black Coffee in Bed, Tempted, Take Me I'm Yours, Another Nail In My Heart and Pulling Mussels From A Shell. Difford's lyrics combined with Glenn Tilbrook's melodies to create classic songs that still receive regular airplay around the world. Last year's compilation "The Big Squeeze" went straight in to the charts at number 8 proving the timeless quality of their music.
During his time away from Squeeze Chris has written with Elton John, Marti Pellow, Lamont Dozier and many others. He also wrote songs with Tilbrook for fellow Squeeze band member Jools Holland and two years ago his lyrics for the film "Still Crazy" won an Ivor Novello Award.
After 25 years, 13 albums, numerous American and UK tours, and trips around the globe Chris left Squeeze in 1999. He released his first solo album, "I Didn't Get Where I Am" in 2003.
web site | 3 song mp3 sampler
For sheer quality and distinction you need look no further than the career of Benny Gallagher. One half of hit makers and songwriters Gallagher & Lyle, he began his career as a staff writer with the Beatles music publishing company, Apple writing songs for Apple Records' biggest artist Mary Hopkin under the constant encouragement of Paul McCartney.
In 1970 his and Graham Lyle’s astute composing ability propelled the band McGuinness-Flint to the top of the charts with hit songs "When I’m Dead and Gone" and "Malt and Barley Blues". Then came the duo’s own string of successes – the richly romantic "Heart on my Sleeve" and "I Wanna Stay With You". Their Breakaway album was a huge success – even more so when the title track was covered by Art Garfunkel. Garfunkel also later recorded the duo's "A Heart In New York" and performed it at Simon & Garfunkel's famous concert in central park, New York, to an audience of 500,000.
On record he has worked with Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Ronnie Lane, Ronnie Wood, Gary Brooker, Georgie Fame, Mary Hopkin, Elkie Brooks, Ralph McTell, Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention. Between song-writing visits to Nashville, and composing soundtracks for film and television he has toured Australia, the Middle and Far East, Europe and the U.K. as bassist and vocalist with The Manfreds and Dennis Locorriere – "The Voice of Dr. Hook".
Artists who have recorded Benny Gallagher songs include Art Garfunkel, Bryan Ferry, Colin Blunstone, Don Williams, Elkie Brooks, Fairport Convention, Garth Brooks, Judith Durham, Mary Hopkin, Phil Everly, Ringo Starr, Ricky Nelson, Rita Coolidge, Simon and Garfunkel, Status Quo and Jim Capaldi.
web site | Myspace page
Boo is one of this country's finest singer/songwriters and also something of a local legend.
In 1985 Boo formed cult band "The Bible" before choosing to pursue a solo career. "Ignorance", Boo's first self-produced album was released in 1992, followed by "Baptist Hospital" in 1996 and "Thanksgiving" in 1998, both made with Nick Drake producer John Wood. "Anon" was released in 2002, gaining a 4 star praise worthy review from "Q" magazine and "Mojo". For his latest album, "Harmonograph", Boo resolved to record his own versions of 12 songs from the 400 he had written for, and often with, other people.
One of his most enduring collaborative links has been with Eddi Reader for whom he wrote "Patience of Angels" and was credited with an Ivor Novello nomination. His songs have also been recorded by many other singers including KD Lang, Brian Kennedy and Paul Young, he has toured with Clive Gregson and produced for The Corrs. He also wrote the film scores to the movies Fever Pitch and TwentyFourSeven with Harmonograph’s producer, Neil MacColl, who was also in The Bible. In 2004 Boo was asked to re-record Thanksgiving’s “Bell, Book And Candle” for a climactic, award-winning death scene on the TV soap Emmerdale. More recently in 2003, Boo produced Eddi's album "Eddi Reader Sings the Songs of Robbie Burns".
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Martyn's 20 year career has embraced some notable achievements including 5 Top 50 UK chart positions, with such songs as 'Dolphins Make Me Cry', 'Working Mother' and 'Let's Talk About It In The Morning', and appearances and tours with, amongst others, Suzanne Vega, Marc Cohn, Joan Armatrading, Clannad, Chris De Burgh, Jools Holland, Art Garfunkel, and even, Celine Dion.
His touring work and appearances over the years, on both sides of the Atlantic, have helped to establish this gifted and gracious Welshman as one of the foremost singer/songwriters of his generation. Across a 10 year cycle of albums from the Sony days of 'Being There' to his recent two volume live compilation 'Don't Talk About Love', Martyn's song catalogue is an awesomely impressive archive of our times, our tribulations, our wonder and our wounds. web site
Luke Concannon (vocals, guitar and percussion) and John Parker (double bass) are an original and talented acoustic duo whose offbeat touching lyrics are paired with a unique sound inspired by a myriad of disparate influences such as Celtic, hip-hop, Motown, roots and soul. They emanate energy, passion and power in sound that sends your skin tingling and sets crowds jumping! Their debut album "Half These Songs Are About You" has spent an unprecedented ten weeks at number one in the National Unsigned Network Chart and has been featured on both Radio One and Two. Also they were the featured live artists on Pat Kenny's Christmas Radio Show in Dublin Ireland 2002. Add to that appearances at two of Europes biggest and most prestigious music festivals, Glastonbury and the Big Green Gathering where audiences were totally wowed by each and every performance. Whether in a small and intimate club or a huge auditorium Nizlopi believe in "eliminating the gap between performer and listener". Expect them to unplug and get out there face to face with their audience - a truly awe inspiring experience.
web site | mp3
Phil Beer is best known for his multi-instrumental virtuosity in Show of Hands who are widely acknowledged as the finest acoustic roots duo in England. Knightley, who writes most of their inspired material and Beer, a dazzling multi instrumentalist, have built up a huge following which has seen them twice sell out the Albert Hall, headlining at major festivals from Glastonbury to WOMAD and playing all over the world, from Europe to America, Australia and India. Voted Best Live Act by the public at the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the jury is still out on just what kind of music they play. A genre defying mix of rock, roots, blues, country, trad, and often influenced by the music of other countries, it is played out on an array of instruments from slide guitar to fiddle, mandolin to South American cuatro.
Phil's passion for acoustic music was especially stirred by the Davey Graham album 'Folk Blues and Beyond'. He played his first gig when he was fourteen and by the time he was sixteen he was performing regularly. Phil worked with Paul Downes as a duo and also in Arizona Smoke Revue. He joined the Albion Band in 1984 and stayed with them until 1991, touring extensively at home and abroad, and recorded many albums. Show of Hands became a full-time partnership from 1991.
The Phil Beer Band are one of the most entertaining groups on the scene and are a big draw everywhere they play. His other musical involvements are no less prestigious and include playing with Mike Oldfield and The Rolling Stones.
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Born and raised in Manchester, England, Clive is an accomplished singer, musician and record producer. His start in the music business was as the leader of Any Trouble, a band that made five albums and performed hundreds of gigs but which broke up at the end of 1984. Clive then released his first solo record, "Strange Persuasions", described by Hot Press as "a truly exceptional piece of work." The record featured the voice of Christine Collister, and between 1985 and 1992, Gregson & Collister formed a partnership that Rolling Stone called "the state of the art in British folk-rock". Their first four albums all achieved chart success and numerous tours of the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan further established Clive's world-wide reputation as an innovative leader in the world of British folk-rock.
Throughout this period Clive was also a member of the Richard Thompson Band and by October 1992 was performing as a solo artist again. He developed a fruitful songwriting partnership with Boo Hewerdine and they toured the UK in the spring of 1993 as a fascinating trio completed by Eddi Reader.
Over the years Clive has continued to tour the world and release outstanding albums. In 2005 His participation in the recording sesions for Nanci Griffiths' Hearts In Mind album led to Nanci asking him to join her touring band, The Blue Moon Orchestra. Nanci's version of Clive's song I Love This Town, (performed as a duet with Jimmy Buffet) was released as a single and became a radio hit in both the USA and the UK.
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Harvey Andrews has been writing and performing his own songs, monologues and stories for over 35 years. In that time he has travelled the world, been on "The Old Grey Whistle Test", done sessions for John Peel, appeared in a solo concert at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, been voted Canada's International Artist Of The Year 1996, produced 14 albums, and had his songs recorded by over 50 artists ranging from Christy Moore to Max Boyce, The Houghton Weavers to Mary Hopkin. He wrote and sang the Theme tune to the Hit TV series "Golden Pennies" and the twelve songs for the musical play "Go And Play Up Your Own End" which sold out 13,000 seats in a week's run at the Birmingham Hippodrome in 1999.
A night with Harvey Andrews is a night to put you in touch with yourselves, with your past and your present, with parenthood and childhood, with work and play. With humour and insight Harvey examines our lives and reminds us what it's all about. He's as fine a raconteur as he is a singer and a writer, so turn up and prepare to be seriously entertained by someone who can genuinely claim to have done it all successfully since becoming a full-time professional in 1966.
web site | MySpace
Clive Carroll was born in Chelmsford in 1975 and is already establishing himself as a world class acoustic guitarist. Acoustic Guitar magazine called him "Probably the best and most original young guitar player in Britain" and John Renbourn described his first album as "a milestone on the journey of the steel-string guitar".
He gained a 1st Class Honours degree in Composition & Guitar from Trinity College, London and throughout the college years was awarded many prizes and recorded Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjuez' with the Trinity orchestra.
In 1998, he was given the opportunity to play at his local pub with John Renbourn who encouraged him to record a solo album, "Sixth Sense", which received an unusually high level of attention from radio shows, reviewers and journalists. Over the next two years Renbourn took Clive on tour all over Europe and America.
In 2002 the BMG/RCA record label took an interest in Clive and he recorded a solo album for them which is still selling very well. Over the past two years he has toured as a solo performer and has also played alongside many great artists in the traditional Irish, acoustic, and pop/rock worlds. His long awaited second solo album, "The Red Guitar" was released on 25 Nov 2004 and contains eleven original pieces as well as works by Gilbert Biberian and Wayne Shorter.
"Still in his mid-20s, Clive Carroll looks marked for greatness" - Guitarist Magazine
"Compositionally assured, with a breathtaking mastery of techniques and antecedents from Benjamin Britten to Nick Drake (both specifically acknowledged with Michael Hedges) and from Renbourn himself through Gordon Giltrap to Pat Metheny, this is stunning and eminently listenable stuff." - Mojo
"a richly talented player and composer who should be applauded for his eclecticism as much as his virtuosity" - Get Rhythm
web site | mp3
Johnny Dickinson has a reputation as the most potent slide player in the UK as well as being a truly talented singer and songwriter. He went down a storm at the 2005 Cambridge Folk Festival and was nominated in the 'Best Musician' category in the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
He began his career with Northumbrian band Splitcrow and then became a founder member of Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes and during his two years with the band they were winners of many British and International Blues awards.
2001 was the year when Johnny's long awaited solo album was released. He had developed a unique individual style of playing which crossed Celtic flavours with American Blues and was reminiscent sometimes of Kelly Joe Phelps and sometimes of Martin Simpson. The album “Castles & Old Kings” is an album of subtle songs, deft slide playing and minimal arrangements.
Highlights of 2003 included appearances at both The Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, and a live Radio 2 Broadcast along with Loudon Wainwright III. In December 2003, it was announced that Johnny had been nominated for a prestigious Radio Two Horizon Award, and as a result was featured as a main guest on The Mike Harding Show in January 2004. His name also featured on the list of Most Promising Artists for 2004 on Channel 4's Teletext service. He is currently busy promoting his second CD release, English Summer, and has recently been an integral part of the much talked about 'Northumbrian Anthology' project, releasing an acclaimed album "Border Ballads" as a commission for the project. In the last few years he has worked and toured alongside other great artists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Jan Akkerman, John Martyn, Jerry Donahue, Clive Carroll, John Renbourn and Kelly Joe Phelps.
"I'd go a long way to listen to Johnny Dickinson. You hear a lot of good influences in his music but the result is something special. For me his playing really hits the spot." - John Renbourn
"Johnny is a soulful player, singer, and a damn good writer! Dońt miss him!" - Tommy Emmanuel
web site | MySpace
American Brooks Williams is a stunning guitarist whose blues-soaked, rhythmic, and soulful music defies categorization. After fifteen solo recordings and nearly two decades of touring the world, he is one of the most well-respected players on the circuit. His concerts are legendary: from coast-to-coast, country-to-country, one man, one guitar, rollin’ and tumblin’ like nobody’s business.
His musical vision spans continents and genres—blues, jazz, slide, fingerstyle—where funky chords, walking bass lines, and fiery riffs abound. Citing the influence of players as diverse as John Fahey, Ry Cooder, John Renbourn, Eric Clapton, and Joseph Spence, Dirty Linen magazine calls Brooks Williams one of "America's musical treasures." "At the root of every riff is the blues, it informs everything I play, write, and arrange,” says Williams.
Whether live in concert, where rich new music continues to emerge, or in recordings his fiery flatpicking, power chords, single note leads, and simmering slide can be consumed over and over.”
Brooks has charted on AAA and Americana radio nationwide in the USA, and he's been written about in Acoustic Guitar, Hot Press, Guitar Player, Performing Songwriter, Folk Roots, MOJO, Dirty Linen, Guitar World, Blues Review, Paste and more. He received seven Boston Music Award nominations and won the WUMB New Artist Album of the Year. Multiple appearances on radio and newspaper Top Ten lists have also chronicled Brooks' continued evolution as a guitarist and songwriter.
Brooks has shared the stage with a who's who of recording artists', including Shawn Colvin, Leo Kottke, Taj Mahal, Billy Bragg, Mark O'Connor and Chris Smither, to name a few. He's played at major festivals like Newport and Winnipeg and in clubs like The Birchmere and The Iron Horse Music Hall. His tour itinerary spans the US, Canada, England, and Ireland.
web site | mp3
Catherine Mundy and Jay Turner are an internationally-touring acoustic, original songwriting duo based in Brisbane, Australia. Both performers are impressive vocalists, able to inject melodies with affecting depth and pathos. Their instrumental work is equally expressive. Jay is a versatile acoustic guitarist, alternately driving and delicate and Cath plays lyrical violin and piano in a cross between classical, folk and rock styles. Together their live performances are characterised by strong original material, intricate harmonies, humorous story-telling, and powerful arrangements. They are influenced by a melting pot of musical styles - folk, blues, rock, country, classical, gospel, acappella, pop.... "Mundy-Turner are something special" - NetRhythms. web site | mp3
American Bob Rafkin was much in demand as a session musician in the 60s and 70s but it is in the last 10 years that he has come into his own as a premier singer, songwriter and guitar finger stylist.
Born in New York City, Bob grew up in Washington D.C., Cleveland and Philadelphia. Rafkin's musical journey actually began when he headed for Greenwich Village in the mid-sixties where he joined forces with David Blue to form the campy folk-rock group, The American Patrol. In the Village, Bob met folksingers Phil Ochs and Eric Andersen, and Eric Jacobsen, producer for the Lovin' Spoonful, Tim Hardin and Sopwith Camel. He played guitar on and contributed musical arrangements to Eric Andersen's 1966 album, "More Hits From Tin Can Alley".
He played on and produced David Blue's 1972 LP, "Stories," and played on two LP's by Phil Ochs, including the legendary live album, "Gunfight At Carnegie Hall." He also played on sessions for Gene Vincent, The Everly Brothers, Randy Newman and Arlo Guthrie, and was hired to rework Joni Mitchell's 1972 song, "Blonde In The Bleachers," for a single release.
Bob's songwriting career took flight in the early seventies with his song "Lazy Waters," covered by the Byrd's on their LP, "Farther Along." Bob's first-rate guitar playing was in demand for Tim Buckley's "Sefronia" album and Augie Meyer's 1973 LP "Western Head Music Company."
In 1991, Bob relocated to central Florida and so began the current phase in his rich musical life. He has recorded 6 CDs and his 1994 release "Down This Road", was lauded by Dirty Linen magazine who said: "He's an exceptional guitarist, has a smooth, pleasing voice, and his years spent in the studio show in the simple, yet effective arrangements."
In 1994, Bob was a winner in the Florida Guitar Finger Picking Championship and the South Florida Festival Songwriters Competition. Besides his private guitar teaching and clinics, Bob has performed all over Florida, in Nashville at the Bluebird Cafe and at the Bethlehem Musikfest in Pennsylvania. He opened for Willie Nelson in 1997 and 1999. In 2002 and 2003, Bob toured the United Kingdom with country music artist, Annie Sims. web site | Audio Sample
Joe is a classically trained violinist and in 1997 won the prestigious Conservatoire Composition Prize at Birmingham Conservatoire. Between 1987 and 1992 Joe worked in circuses, at which time the BBC made a short film about his diverse talents. In 1997 he joined the legendary Albion Band whose leader, Ashley Hutchings, described him as a "massive individual talent".
Kevin is a guitarist, singer and producer second to none. Having worked with everyone from Percy Sledge to Dando Shaft he became well known as the guitarist with Whippersnapper and for his later collaborations with both Chris Leslie and the legendary Dave Swarbrick. Together they perform their own compositions along with folk tunes from Turkey, Bulgaria and Ireland, and the occasional song from Dempsey. web site | mp3
Brian Houston is from Belfast and is one of the UK's finest singer/ songwriters. An Irish treasure waiting to happen. As heard live on Radio 2's Bob Harris show his brand of lively and passionate folk rock demonstrates his finely tuned melodic sense and clever, astutely commercial writer’s ear. Houston is a natural communicator, an extremely unpretentious artist, and a definitive crowd-pleaser. He ensures that there is heartfelt lyrical substance behind every song, a glimpse of his easy humorous rapport with an audience, ensures that they always leave with a copy of his CD and a smile.
His performing began on Belfast's pub scene and throughout the nineties he fronted a succession of bands as he experimented with different styles and searched for his own sound. Releasing some of his demos locally he achieved his first taste of chart success with his own compositions, which helped to score him support slots with visiting international stars, with Elvis Costello, Dr John, Van the Man and various English chart acts and American country stars gave him a taste of the big stages and the life of a singer songwriter.
In the winter of 2002 Brian commenced his first tour of England as an opening act for American Alt. Country rockers Stewboss, which exposed him for the first time to audiences and reporters who were completely unfamiliar with his Irish pedigree. With a collection of well-crafted songs and an intense live performing style he began endearing himself to and ultimately winning over, crowds who were enchanted by his passionate delivery and intimate lyrics.
In March 2003 venerated English DJ Bob Harris discovered Brian's raw sound when he played tracks from the Mea Culpa album and commented "It was only thirty seconds in when I realized what a really, really special piece of music this is". In 2003 Brian toured England and was honoured by the invitation to open for Van Morrison at Killyleagh castle.
2004 saw the release of the acclaimed Thirteen Days which was declared Alt Country album of the year by BBC Radio Ulster. Again garnering airplay on Radio 2, this album also lead to a glowing review in Paste Magazine in America. His new CD Sugar Queen is already his biggest seller.
"Sugar Queen is bristling with hope joy love and fabulous songs" - Mojo
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Consisting of Dan Plews and Guy Fletcher, Dansmall is Dansaul's (Saul Rose/Mark Woolley) diminutive brother. Since 1994 Dan & Guy have appeared throughout Europe and the UK performing Dan's award-winning songs at festivals and music clubs, including appearances this year in the USA and at Cambridge Festival Folk Festival.
Individually their touring and recording CVs include names like Jon Boden, Eliza Carthy, Tickled Pink and Ashley Hutchings, but it's as Dansmall that they have appeared most often. Their years together may have sharpened their ear for a good tune, but their playing and communication remain intuitive and spontaneous, often resulting in onstage excitement which is immediate and contagious.
Multi-talented Dan Plews possesses one of the most beguiling voices of any singer/songwriter on the UK scene. Since cutting his professional teeth touring with the Kings of Calicutt and Mercury Prize nominee Eliza Carthy, on whose first album he played guitar, Dan has made numerous appearances on national radio and TV, and regularly tours solo in the UK, Benelux, Germany & Scandinavia . His guitar and bouzouki accompaniments are often singled out for praise - space for ideas to breathe, or driving rhythm and runs-as well as tunes. Peppered with anecdotes, his live concerts are typified by his incisive lyrics and stunning versions of trad songs and well-chosen covers, and feature some of the best 'acapella-singing-while-changing-a-string' you'll ever hear!
Over recent years Dan has formed a musical alliance with fiddler and drummer Guy Fletcher who also plays with Little Johnny England. Guy is a great straight ahead tunes player, but really comes into his own in songs where he can give his imagination full reign, building up a wall of sound through his use of effects.
MySpace
Phil Beer is best known for his multi-instrumental virtuosity in the UK's leading acoustic duo Show of Hands who have filled the Albert Hall and been nominated as best duo in this year's BBC folk awards. The Phil Beer Band are one of the most entertaining groups on the scene and are a big draw everywhere they play. His other musical involvements are no less prestigious - he has played with Mike Oldfield, The Albion Band, The Rolling Stones and The Arizona Smoke Review to name but a few. web site
Deb is one of the leading voices on the current roots scene and is also a member of the Phil Beer Band having first made her name as one half of the Aqua Sisters. Her long awaited first solo album "My Prayer" is a mix of classic traditional and contemporary songs and was released to much critical acclaim. "She's got a soft, breathy autumnal evening and raindrops voice of deceptive depth that is brimful of assured poise and the confidence of experience" - NetRhythms. web site | mp3
AMY WADGE
Amy came to national attention in Wales when she won Best Female Solo Artist at the Welsh Music Awards in 2002. She performed at the BBC6 Music launch in March 2002, where she was sandwiched on the bill between Stereophonics and Lenny Kravitz. She has also played support to Van Morrison, Damien Rice, Eric Bibb, Carina Round, Bob Geldof. Jeff Beck and Bonnie Tyler.
Much of 2003 was taken up with touring, including slots at Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival and the Cardiff Mardi Gras. Towards the end of the year, she was personally invited by the Welsh Prime Minister Rhodri Morgan to perform for The Welsh Assembly Government's 'Wales Rocks Sydney' showcase in Australia during the Rugby World Cup. In addition, she headlined the prestigious Lorient Festival in France and has toured extensively around Australia and the Far East.
2004 saw the start of a very busy touring schedule and the release of her debut album 'WOJ'. The album featured Aled Richards (ex-catatonia) on drums, Dave Bronze (Eric Clapton, Eric Bibb) on bass, Robbie Macintosh (Paul McCartney and The Pretenders) on guitar and Amy supplying the Vocals and Guitar.
Amy was asked to open for the legendary Jeff Beck on his first tour for 14 years which included two nights at the Royal Albert Hall.
She has just finished her much awaited second album working with production team The Erneez (Henry Priestman- The Christians and Guy Batson - St Etienne).
"with a rangy, tough-but-tender voice, Wadge is earthy poetry in sneakers" - Venue Magazine, "beautiful breathy, acoustic musings" - Big Issue. "Pint-sized poetess - with Valley-quaking voice." - Q Magazine.
web site | mp3
Doug was born in New York City and was in his teens when his family moved to St. Louis where he first heard the blues. In the mid-60s he began to play acoustic country blues in coffee houses and following a return to these roots in 1977 he began to make his reputation as a superb guitar player performing with such blues giants as Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulson, Big Mama Thornton, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, and Big Joe Turner.
Over the years Doug has appeared at many top blues festivals and continues to tour and play countless clubs throughout the world. He has shared the stage or toured with many current artists including David Honeyboy Edwards, John Hammond, Homesick James, Dave Alvin, Charlie Musselwhite, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Gatemouth Brown, and Shemekia Copeland.
The high calibre of Doug's compositions (now numbering nearly 350) is evident on his ten albums and the works of other artists. His songs have been recorded by Albert King, Albert Collins, Son Seals, Joe Louis Walker, Papa John Creach, Dave Alvin, Eva Cassidy, Coco Montoya, Tabby Thomas, Chris Thomas King, Sun Records veteran Billy Lee Riley and James Armstrong. His material continues to be found on the TV screen in numerous shows and made-for-television films. Several of his songs continue to be featured in the long-running hit series In The Heat of the Night.
"Doug MacLeod, now there's a man who can really play the blues"- David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Delta Blues Legend.
"Cross an extraordinary acoustic blues guitarist with a savvy singer/songwriter, and you've got Doug MacLeod."- Living Blues
"MacLeod is not a mere imitator of a style, but one of the vibrant voices that will keep this sound alive into the next century." - Blues Revue
"Compositions that substantially expand the blues repertoire and at times push it out of its traditional confines." - Acoustic Guitar
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Johnny Coppin is a singer/songwriter, composer and poetry anthologist. Formerly with the folk-rock band Decameron, his many solo albums include "Forest & Vale & High Blue Hill" (Songs of Gloucestershire), "Edge of Day" - a collaboration with world-famous writer Laurie Lee, "Force of the River", "A Country Christmas" "The Shakespeare Songs" and his most recent albums "Keep the Flame" and "The Winding Stair". His clear voice together with his ability to write fine songs make his music essentially English in character while having universal appeal.
Johnny has supported Gerry Rafferty, Jasper Carrott and The Albion Band on tour and has appeared at Festivals in Britain, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium - including the prestigious Cambridge, Edinburgh, Lisdoonvarna and Nyon Festivals. He has played on the European folk scene for many years, and makes a long overdue return to Scotland this May before beginning a UK tour of "Edge of Day" - his tribute to Laurie Lee, the writer of "Cider with Rosie".
TV appearances include his own programme "Song of Gloucestershire" for the BBC, "Stars in a Dark Night" for Channel 4, and the recent "Music Writers on TV" for HTV, while his radio work includes "Kaleidoscope" for Radio 4, "West Country Christmas", the Arts Programme and "Folk on Two" for Radio 2, as well as many appearances on British local radio shows.
His music for theatre includes "Songs on Lonely Roads" (the story of composer/poet Ivor Gurney) with David Goodland, The Shrewsbury Theatre Guild's production of "Arthur's Plough", as well as writing and directing the music for the Festival Players Theatre Company and their touring productions of Shakespeare which culminate in the Three Choirs Festival. He has edited two poetry anthologies - "Forest & Vale & High Blue Hill" and "Between the Severn and the Wye" - poems from the border counties of England & Wales. His 3rd book was"A Country Christmas" - a collections of prose, poetry, carols, songs and folklore.
"Strong, clear vocals, and songs of substance" - Daily Telegraph
"One of the finest voices in its field" - Q Magazine
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Now based in Launceston, Cornwall, Mike Silver has been writing and playing music for more than 30 years, enjoying a quiet success story throughout the UK and in various territories around the world. Signed to Elton John’s Rocket Records in 1973, Silver was based in the States for a while and toured the USA with the likes of Dory Previn and Ashford & Simpson. His ability to write and perform songs, which transcend many guitar and musical styles, has been recognised by the likes of The Moody Blues’, Ray Thomas and Justin Hayward who recorded Mike’s song, “Maybe It’s Just Love?" on his solo album Night Flight.
Mike is a consummate guitarist and always catches his audiences by surprise with that little extra bit of dexterity, just when they least expect it. His voice is full and crystal clear and his skill with an audience is outstanding. His songs are of longing, love and loss, perceptive and thoughtful, with haunting melodies and heart stopping lyrics.
Mike has recorded several sessions for BBC National Radio (including two, Radio 1 “In Concert" programmes and has also made numerous appearances either in interview or playing live for many BBC and independent local radio stations. Mike was also delighted to represent the United Kingdom at the European Broadcasting Union festival in Kiel, Northern Germany.
Variously reminiscent of James Taylor, Phil Collins, even Sting, Silver matches the talent of his better-known peers; his beautifully restrained delivery is especially noteworthy. Silver produces the goods - something that will come as no surprise to his loyal fans. For anyone else, if songwriters who can really sing and play are your thing, discover Silver with haste.
web site
Rod Clements co-founded Lindisfarne at the age of 21, playing bass, slide guitar and fiddle. He went on to write some of the band's best-loved and enduring songs, including their Top Five hit "Meet Me On the Corner", "The Road to Kingdom Come" and "Train in G Major."
After the death of Alan Hull in 1995, Rod took on the mantle of frontman and main songwriter for the band, and Lindisfarne forged on, strengthened by Rod's assured contribution. In 1998, Lindisfarne released their classic comeback album "Here Comes the Neighbourhood". Produced by Sid Griffin, Rod contributed most of the material. Apart from his significant achievements in Lindisfarne, Rod's career reads like a who's who of contemporary British folk roots. In 1974 he played bass on Ralph McTell's Number One hit "Streets of London" and in the 1980s, Rod toured Europe and the USA with the legendary Pentangle. Collaborations with Bert Jansch, Kathryn Tickell and Thea Gilmore, along with his recent emergence as a superb instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, have more than earned Rod a reputation as "a fascinating mosaic which makes more than a satisfying whole" (Folk Roots).
Rod's first solo album "Stamping Ground" was released in 2000 and is a collection of contemporary and finely-crafted songs which owe much to Rod's blues roots, his love for the folk tradition, and the history of his native Northumberland in North East England.
"John Sebastian meets Ry Cooder meets Richard Thompson." Sing Out (USA)
"Superb...very rootsy...a great feel." - Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
"A tremendous performer, Rod plays acoustic guitar and resonator guitar with real power and passion and has the songs and the voice to go with them.....a master of his trade at the peak of his powers." - Llangors Music Festival
web site | mp3
Charlie Dore has looked at the songwriter's art from both sides now. Initially a highly original, much vaunted solo artist (her self-written single Pilot Of The Airwaves reached number 13 on the Billboard chart back in 1980), she went on to ply her gifts for inspired melodies, big harmonies, and clever, quietly subversive lyrics in the wider commercial marketplace, and with great success: Tina Turner, Celine Dion, George Harrison, Lisa Stansfield, Jimmy Nail, Sheena Easton and Hayley Westenra are just a handful of the diverse artists to have had major hits with her compositions, or to have included them on platinum or multi-platinum-selling albums.
Originally trained as an actress, Charlie has worked in TV, Theatre, Radio and Film, starring opposite Jonathan Pryce In the award-winning "The Ploughman's Lunch", with Eric Idle in "Behind the Crease", and even improvising alongside Robin Williams at the Hurricane Comedy Club, which she co-founded and performed at regularly for seven years. After the 1979 debut album "Where to Now?", made in Nashville and London and it's successor two years later, "Listen", there was a thirteen year gap before the third album- "Things Change".
With Julian Littman she composed music for two series of "Two Thousand Acres of Sky" for BBC1, plus two films, "Roman Road" and "Under". A screenplay, two productions with The People Show, a short film, "Low Noise" and countless bespoke songwriting assignments later, Charlie found her own voice again, and in 2005 "Sleep All Day And Other Stories" was released. With this album Charlie hit a new vein of creativity, drawing freely on her acoustic folk/country roots. Written simply and organically with Julian Littman, the album drew unequivocal media praise and many new fans. Charlie says, "Sleep All Day'" opened up several avenues in terms of finally allowing myself to rinse out all commercial considerations (the complete opposite of what's required when I write for other artists) and dare to write more personal stuff."
Charlie will be joined by Graham Henderson on dobro and mandolin, and Dudley Philips on double bass.
"A clever songwriter with a dream of a voice that glides from folk and country to jazzy cabaret" - The Telegraph
"The surety of Dore's singing helps highlight the elegance and candour of her songs" - The Observer
"a genre that is original and entirely her own - Charlie Dore takes artistry to a whole new level" - Maverick
web site | MySpace
Described by Time Out as a 'fretboard wizard', Benji Kirkpatrick is a gifted guitar player and an engaging and experienced performer. Over the decade or so that he has been working on the folk scene, he has honed a distinctive style which has rare energy.
As well as being a soloist, Benji has also collaborated with peers and veterans of the scene on various ventures. He is one third of Faustus and has also worked with Nationwide Mercury Prize nominee Seth Lakeman. The two of them have played duo gigs together and featured on each other's albums. (Benji appears on Seth's Mercury Prize nominated; 'Kitty Jay' as well as top selling 'Freedom Fields'). Oysterband invited Benji to join them on their Big Session tours of 2001 and 2003, alongside Cara Dillon, Eliza Carthy and Jim Moray. He was a founder member of folk/funk/jazz/soul big band, Bellowhead, who are now established as one of scene's most popular live acts.
His new album Boomerang, consisting of mainly original songs, will be released in March 2008.
web site | MySpace
| MAWKIN:CAUSLEY Mawkin:Causley is a new collaboration between one of the best instrumental outfits to emerge in recent years, Mawkin, who already have a string of festival and concert appearances under their belt, and singer Jim Causley whose gorgeous baritone voice is the perfect foil for their cleverly textured tunes and energetic performances. Mawkin have played at over 50 festivals in the past 4 years, last year supporting Show of Hands, Eliza Carthy and Shooglenifty on their tours. They released their debut album “The Fair Essex” last September which has received brilliant reviews including a 4 star review from MOJO who described it as “Unconditionally Mighty”. Their guitarist was also this years BBC Radio Young Folk Award finalist. Their line up is Jamie Delarre: Fiddle, Melodeon, David Delarre: Guitar, Alex Goldsmith: Melodeons, Danny Crump: Bass Guitar, Piano Young Devon folk singer Jim Causley recorded his debut album, "Fruits of the Earth" in 2005 and was nominated for best newcomer at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2006. He has toured with Waterson:Carthy as part of their Frost & Fire Christmas Tour for four consecutive years and has joined them in the studio on their most recent album 'Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man' (Topic). Causley has become reknowned for his warm, rich and mature singing voice, his natural gift for interpreting traditional song and his wry and cheeky stage presence. He recently worked with Scottish musician John McCusker as part of the Celtic Connections/Cambridge Folk Festival commissioned project; 'Under One Sky'. web site | MySpace |
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Martha Tilston is an enigmatic singer songwriter whose pure voice has been described by critics as "sending shivers down the spine". Having grown up in an acclaimed musical family, she's emerged from the underground festival music scene over the last couple of years to forge her own distinctive style and career in the world of folk music.
Soon after leaving Drama school she was out on the London gig circuit. She formed acoustic duo Mouse with guitarist Nick Marshall and they enjoyed a couple of years touring all over the UK and Europe. This cult duo gained huge respect and a dedicated following both in the underground festival scene and also the contemporary acoustic culture. They released 'mouse-tales' the album which is still gathering rave reviews around the world.
At the end of 2002 Martha supported Damien Rice on tour round Ireland and this was really the start of her solo career. Since then she has headlined many gigs around the UK and enjoyed successful festival appearances at Glastonbury, Cambridge, Guilfest, the Big Green Gathering, Towersey, Broadstairs, among others as well as numerous radio shows.
'A sparkling repertoire of self-penned songs' -Time Out
'As political as often as she is romantic, her voice weaves magic... ...sounding redolent of wet leaves and spider-webbed hollows... ...The Tilston name seems fair set to dominate the English folk scene for another generation. ' - Netrhythms
'Martha Tilston is on her way to being considered one of Britains finest young singer-songwriters' - Orpheus magazine/Virgin
web site | MySpace
Northumbrian based song-writing duo Landermason are Fiona Lander (vocals, piano, saxophone, whistles, clarinet and recorder) and Paul Mason (vocals and guitars). Together they have developed a unique sound which combines both traditional and contemporary folk with jazz and other styles. They have recorded and produced 4 CDs to date. Their most recent albums "The Reason" and "Angel of the North" have both gained national airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 3 and their own striking version of "When the Boat Comes In" was included in the MOJO top 10 Playlist.
"Great album!" - Lucy Duran BBC Radio 3
"Strongly melodic, thoughtfully crafted, skillfully managed and admirably classy" - Froots
web site | MySpace
ADAM LEVY (USA)
Adam Levy is best known for his tenure as the featured guitarist in Norah Jones' Handsome Band. He played on her breakout 2002 disk Come Away with Me, her '04 follow-up Feels Like Home, and her latest CD Not Too Late. In his downtime between steady gigs with Jones, Levy has been onstage and/or in the studio with Rosanne Cash, Amos Lee, M. Ward, and up-and-coming Aussie artist Eran James.
In addition to Levy's skills as a player, he is a gifted songwriter. He penned "In the Morning" for Jones' Feels Like Home, and other artists have recorded his songs as well. There's no doubt, though, that the best way to hear Levy's folk/pop/blues gems is straight from the source.
web site | MySpace
Miranda Sykes is rapidly emerging as a major talent on the folk scene both as a bass player to some of its leading names and more recently fronting her own band. She is classically trained and played bass guitar in rock and country outfits until her roots in folk music lured her back and she toured Europe and America with folk-rock band Pressgang.
She continues to build up a solo repertoire of refreshingly unusual songs of her native Lincolnshire as well as traditional and modern material and is increasingly in demand both as a double bassist and singer. She has worked with Robb Johnson, Firebrand, Steafan Hannigan, Leon Rosselson, Bill Jones, Roger Wilson, Alan Burke, Reg Meuross and Kirsty McGee. She has toured with Show of Hands, with the Phil Beer Band, as the Miranda Sykes Band, featuring Maartin Allcock and Gareth Turner, and has recently joined Little Johnny England.
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Antje Duvekot is one of the fastest rising stars of the American folk scene and we are very lucky to have her play for us as part of a short trip that includes being Bob Harris’s studio guest on his BBC Radio 2 show.
She was born in Germany but America became her home at the age of 14 when her family moved there. After deciding to make music her career the big break came when the famous Irish group Solas decided to record an album of contemporary songs and included one of her hers. This led to Seamus Egan from the group producing her first studio CD, "Big Dream Boulevard" which The Boston Globe hailed as “the most convincing debut by any local songwriter since Dar Williams". The review went on to say that her “provocative, dark-eyed ballads are becoming the talk of the folk world.” Antje has won the New Folk Award at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, just as Nanci Griffith and Steve Earle did and is now getting rave reviews everywhere she plays.
“Antje Duvekot could well emerge as the major find of 2006" - Maverick Magazine (UK)
web site | MySpace
Steve met Chris about six years ago when he turned up for a studio session for an album Chris was putting together. They found much in common and the magic was there. Their music is an eclectic mix of both original and cover songs from the last 80 years, although you may not remember the first time they were released they have timeless appeal.
The range of styles are beautifully packaged in a seamless roller coaster ride through traditional music. These international musicians have recorded and toured extensively over the last 20 years.
Chris Newman is an outstanding blues guitarist who started performing in the mid 70s, Chris has an impressive musical CV. He has been a member of the John Slaughter Blues Band, toured as support for the Climax Blues Band and been a member of the Soul Survivors with Vinnie Jones. In 2003 he played at the Cambridge Folk Festival with guitarist Eric Roche and harmonica player Steve Lockwood. He has recorded an acoustic tribute album to Rory Gallagher which got rave reviews and is now working on material for his own acoustic album. web site
Steve Lockwood’s achievements over the last 20 years include 50 albums as a performer and session musician. He has played with acts from Larry Adler to Screaming Lord Sutch and has recorded with both the Royal Philharmonic and the City of Prague Orchestra. Steve achieved a music degree from APU, Cambridge, specialising in harmonica and has gone on to compose and play music for film, television and radio. His dynamic and versatile playing incorporates both traditional and avant-Garde techniques to an amazing level. web site | mp3
This brilliant virtuoso guitarist plays a unique mix of jazz, blues, folk, ragtime, swing, country, calypso and baroque, all presented with good humour. He previously played for us as a duo with John Buckley but has now returned to a solo career.
Originally influenced by the English school of folk guitarists such as Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, John Renbourn and Gordon Giltrap it was in the mid-1980s that he discovered the jazz playing of Joe Pass and Martin Taylor. After a period of playing in Rock n Roll bands and doing session work he teamed up with John Buckley. This proved to be a successful formula and resulted in their being chosen by Bob Taylor himself to represent Taylor guitars in the UK. They did countless gigs and earned rave reviews but after seven years Pete decided it was time to spread his wings again and so he disbanded the duo.
Pete has done many prestigious gigs including Cambridge Folk Festival, London International Guitar Festival, Marbella Jazz Festival (Spain), Tommy Emmanuel`s Tommyfest Ullapool Guitar Festival, The Royal Festival Hall, The Royal National Theatre, The N.E.C, The I.C.C, The N.I.A, Olympia and Wembley Arena as well as making numerous radio appearances.
"Fantastic" - John Renbourn, "Pete and John played a set so fantastic that I cannot describe it with words." - Guitar Collector, USA. "prodigious talent, fluidity and style" - Andrew Hay, Solihull Guitar Society, "these guys have real talent” - Ric Sanders, Fairport Convention. "Smith & Buckley combine classical and jazz techniques to accomplish more on a pair of acoustic guitars than some big-band orchestras" - Guitarist magazine.
web site | mp3
UK based, Australian singer/songwriter LISA FITZGIBBON is putting the Power back into contemporary folk music. Currently writing her fifth album, her sound is soft centered but hard core, Power Folk with a tender heart.
Lisa Fitz has shared the stage with musical legends such as Arlo Guthrie, Roger McGuinn (from the Byrds), Chris Difford (from UK band Squeeze), Ani Difranco, Martyn Hayes and Denis Cahil. She has collaborated with Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil and Rick Grossman from the Hoodoo Guru's and her UK band, ‘The Power Folk Quintet’, features Jane Griffiths on fiddle, Colin Fletcher on bass, Jon Fletcher on guitar/mandolin/harmonica and Damon Sawyer on drums and percussion.
From the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival to the small folk clubs in the Midlands, from the front bar of Melbourne's famous Espy Hotel to London's Shepherds Bush Empire... Lisa is totally at home in every live situation.
"Raw... real... powerful!" -Metro, SMH. "When the world finds her she'll be ready." -Time Out.
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