Doors open 7.45pm, concerts start at 8.30pm
CB2 Basement, 5-7 Norfolk Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LD
Use the audio player below to listen to some recordings from past concerts.
There's more on the Audio page.
There's more on the Audio page.
SATURDAY 20 FEB - £8
EMBER, DAVE ELLIS AND BOO HOWARD
EMBER, DAVE ELLIS AND BOO HOWARD
Since 2000 the unique acoustic magic of Ember has delighted audiences all over the world – from California to Mexico, Ireland to Spain. Now based in Wales, where they have recorded all four of their albums, Ember has recently caused a stir at Broadstairs, Priddy, Glastonbury, Llangollen Fringe, Big Green Gathering, Warwick, Otley, Fishguard Folk Festival and Sesiwn Fawr, amongst other festivals, as well as folk clubs all over the UK.
The simple yet moving music centres around the miraculous blending of two very different voices: that of Welsh songstress Emily Williams, who also sails through the mix with her violin and sets up chunky rhythms with her nylon-strung guitar, and that of Rebecca Sullivan of Utah who fingerpicks a sparkling steel-string, and breaks out the harmonica for a song or two. You could call it contemporary folk – with an edge – and the group has been compared to Indigo Girls, The Be Good Tanyas, Simon and Garfunkel, Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked, Rickie Lee Jones and Dead Can Dance.
"Original, off-the-wall and highly individual songs ... meltingly fine harmony lines ... breathtaking and exhilarating" - Taplas Magazine
web site | MySpace
Dave Ellis first made a name for himself as a guitarist when he released a solo album in 1973 which gave him national exposure including appearances on The Old Grey Whistle Test and In Concert. His partnership with Boo Howard began in 1979 when they formed the pop group Reactors. Dave & Boo's present acoustic style evolved in 1998 via the folk clubs, with Dave's intricate guitar work and Boo's mellow vocal combining to create something new and all their own. Dave has become known around the clubs for his unique guitar style and banjo picking, while Boo completes the D&B sound with her exceptional bass playing and virtuoso cajon playing.
web site | YouTube Videos
web site | YouTube Videos
SATURDAY 6 MARCH - £8
JENNIFER CROOK BAND, SHEENA GROBB (Canada),
COLE STACEY & SCOTT WARD
JENNIFER CROOK BAND, SHEENA GROBB (Canada),
COLE STACEY & SCOTT WARD
A finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Tradition Award in 1993, Jennifer has appeared on national tv and radio, and worked in a variety of acclaimed acts. Her collaborations have ranged from the virtuosic hammered dulcimer and harp duo Cythara (who performed the soundtrack for BBC series ‘The Private Life of Plants’) to the festival mayhem of world-dance fusion band Elephant Talk, taking time to form the lively pop-folk outfit Madigan, and a top class duo with multi-instrumentalist Henry Sears along the way.
However, in a brave new departure, ‘A Few Small Things’ is Jennifer’s first completely solo project and the first to contain entirely original material. Her beautifully evocative songs are enhanced by her rather unconventional ensemble: Robert Harbron on english concertina, Bethany Porter on cello and Maclaine Colston on hammered dulcimer.
"A special talent" - Maverick
"Spellbinding"- Acoustic Magazine
"An enchanting album...repeatedly delights and captivates..." - fRoots
web site | MySpace
Sheena Grobb made an unforgettable impact on the Canadian music scene in 2007 when the virtually unknown artist was nominated for Outstanding Pop Recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards for her debut EP Safe Guarded Space. That same year, Sheena was recognized by the Los Angeles Music Awards with a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year, and she was a semi-finalist at the 4th annual Williamsburg Live Songwriters Competition in New York.
Inspired by the likes of Sarah Slean, Damien Rice, David Gray, and other literary performers, Sheena’s songs are underscored by vocals that rip and soothe simultaneously. She has honed her emotionally stirring performance style with an impressive repertoire of original songs. Her fan base has now exploded from her Manitoba roots and has forged throughout Canada and internationally into the USA, UK, and Australia.
web site | MySpace
Recently described by one UK Festival as 'A Serious Musician Moving Seriously Fast', Cole Stacey is a singer/songwriter hailing from Devon, England. His rapidly growing reputation has led him to have airplay on BBC Radio, perform at many festivals nationwide and support great acts such as 'Lau' (Radio2 Folk Award Winners), Steve Knightley, ColvinQuarmby & Megson.
With Two released EP's bringing airplay and acclaim already under his belt, Cole's debut album ' Changing Faces' will be hitting the market in January 2010 to co-inside with his first UK Tour.
Cole will be accompanied on '2010 Tour' by Winchester based Musician Scott Ward whose incredible musicianship as a percussionist, pianist and guitarist brings about a performance full of versatility, originality and entertainment at all of the wide ranging venues they perform at.
web site | MySpace
SATURDAY 20 MARCH - £10
KRISTA DETOR (USA), DAVID CELIA (Canada)
KRISTA DETOR (USA), DAVID CELIA (Canada)
With her highly acclaimed album, Mudshow (“A Small Miracle..” Rolling Stone) Krista Detor was established as a gifted player on the world stage. Together with partner and producer, David Weber, she’s since released the follow-up album, Cover Their Eyes (“One of the best albums of the year..” Revolver) continuing to push the edges of genre while remaining close throughout to the lyrical thread that defines her work.
She’s reached #1 on the Euro-Americana chart and her music’s been featured at the Cannes Film Festival, on NPR, PBS, the BBC, as well as countless U.S. and European National, Regional & Local radio shows. She’s appeared on both U.S. and European television and collaborated on the Emmy nominated PBS Special Wilderness Plots.
Most recently, she was honoured to be chosen to be a part of the Darwin Songhouse with 7 other songwriters in Shrewsbury writing for 7 days and completing a live CD to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in his hometown. The event and subsequent concert were covered extensively by the BBC.
web site | MySpace | YouTube
David Celia, from Toronto, Canada is a world class musician who has played for audiences all over the Europe, U.S.A. and Canada. His music has been described as "roots-rock with hints of folk wrapped up in a pop package". David has received plenty of radio play on CBC Radio in Canada as well as on the BBC in the UK, featured "live in studio" recently on Radio 2's highly regarded Bob Harris Show. He has opened for The Divine Comedy, Elvis Costello and Badly Drawn Boy
"Excellent musicianship..... elegant and melodic" - Neil Hannon, The Divine Comedy
"This is Superb" - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
web site | MySpace
SATURDAY 10 APRIL - £10
JOHNNY DICKINSON, STEPHANIE LAMBRING (USA), PAVLOV'S CAT
JOHNNY DICKINSON, STEPHANIE LAMBRING (USA), PAVLOV'S CAT
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 has developed a unique individual style of playing which crosses Celtic flavours with American Blues and is reminiscent sometimes of Kelly Joe Phelps and sometimes of Martin Simpson.
In 2003 he was nominated for a prestigious Radio Two Horizon Award. His name also featured on the list of Most Promising Artists for 2004 on Channel 4's Teletext service. He was also nominated as ‘Best Musician’ in the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
"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
He has developed a unique individual style of playing which crosses Celtic flavours with American Blues and is reminiscent sometimes of Kelly Joe Phelps and sometimes of Martin Simpson.
In 2003 he was nominated for a prestigious Radio Two Horizon Award. His name also featured on the list of Most Promising Artists for 2004 on Channel 4's Teletext service. He was also nominated as ‘Best Musician’ in the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
"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
Stephanie Lambring is an award-winning singer/songwriter based in Nashville, whose music has reached ears around the world. Heavily influenced by Patty Griffin, her songs and intimate performances reflect a world-weariness and awareness that reflect artists such as Patty Griffin and Jewel.
MySpace
Formed in 1999 this very English sounding group play melodic, rolling songs with the emphasis on dynamics and organic sounds. They are lyrically cynical, occasionally dark but not without a glimmer of optimism. James Hibbins' spartan acoustic guitar and rich vocals are now accompanied by Bernard Hoskin on acoustic bass, guitar and mandolin. Their second album "Motes of Dust" was described by Mike Harding on BBC Radio 2 as "an interesting mix of traditional & original songs...I really like it". "I get to hear a lot of bands on my travels: every so often, one really stands out. Pavlov's Cat stood out: they play well, sing well and write very good songs. Highly recommended!" - Clive Gregson.
web site | MySpace
SATURDAY 24 APRIL - £10
HENRY PRIESTMAN, MARK ELLIOTT (USA)
HENRY PRIESTMAN, MARK ELLIOTT (USA)
After 30 years in the music business – and with a credit list longer than both your arms – Henry Priestman has finally made his debut as a solo act. He sold three million albums with The Christians and wrote all the songs on their 1987 triple-platinum debut, he shared a mic and a number one single with Paul McCartney, he played on sessions for Lightning Seeds, Johnny Marr, Ian McCulloch, Pete Wylie, Ian McNabb and Echo & The Bunnymen, and provided vocals on Jools Holland/Tom Jones’ 2004 CD.
Henry recently played his debut solo gigs: in May he supported 10cc at London’s 02 Arena and in July supported Jools Holland at the 10,000-seater Liverpool Echo Arena. He describes his new album, The Chronicles of Modern Life, as a collection of "scruffy pop songs of pith, wit and poignancy".
"It really is a fabulous album...gorgeous" - Janice Long, BBC Radio 2
"This album is just great, it's real with great songs on it" - Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 2
"An album of rough-hewn charm that will appeal to listeners for whom thumping disappointment and bloody minded stoicism are the new rock ‘n roll" *** - Sunday Times
"A solo album full of wit and love and disappointment and vitriol… perfect pop decorated with spikiness and anger" **** - Rock n Reel
web site | MySpace
SATURDAY8 MAY - £8
HUNGRYTOWN (USA), VICKI SWAN & JONNY DYER
HUNGRYTOWN (USA), VICKI SWAN & JONNY DYER
Hungrytown is the new band name and album from celebrated American musical duo Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson. Their deceptively simple compositions are rooted firmly in folk tradition; "in fact, Hungrytown’s music offers such an aura of authenticity–in titles and in tunes–it could be easily mistaken for original trad transcripts," declares Performing Songwriter Magazine, and the Feminist Review raves "Hungrytown is American folk music at its zenith."
Rebecca is an award-winning songwriter whose two previous solo albums were released to much critical acclaim. She was dubbed a "new folk classicist" by the Boston Herald. She now performs with Ken on bass and harmony vocals together they create beautiful, harmony-drenched ballads which sound like they have been passed down from generation to generation.
web site | MySpace
Currently taking the world by storm, Vicki and Jonny are rightly establishing themselves as one of the best young duos around on the folk scene today. Although best-known for their instrumental skills with Scottish Smallpipes, accordion and even Swedish Nyckelharpa, the duo are well recognised for their song arrangements too. With their blend of traditional material and contemporary interpretations, they have developed a sound that is both familiar and fresh.
Vicki studied the double bass at the Royal College of Music, becoming the principal double bass and winning the solo double bass competition. Alongside this Vicki has performed solo concertos with many different orchestras. Jonny is a composer and competition-winning guitar player.
web site | MySpace
COMING UP
subject to confirmation
subject to confirmation
JUNE 5 Peter Knight's Gigspanner
JULY 10 Harpeth Rising (USA)
JULY 24 Rita Hosking (USA)
SEPT 11 Rachel Harrington (USA) & Rod Clements, Bob Rafkin (USA)
SEPT 25 Drew Nelson (USA)
OCT 23 Andy Irvine
NOV 6 Christine Collister
NOV 20 Cara Luft (Canada), Gilmore & Roberts
DEC 11 Clive Carroll, Tristan Seume