Doors open 7.45pm, concerts start at 8.30pm
CB2 Cellar, 5-7 Norfolk Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LD
For information about the Acoustic Cafe gigs at
The Bun Shop in King Street, Cambridge CLICK HERE
BROOKS WILLIAMS, ARIEL THIERMANN, AMRIT SOND
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."
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.
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
She began performing at the age of five on stage alongside her mother, children's recording artist Linda Arnold and by the time Ariel was eight years old she was recording and touring nationally. At the age of twelve she performed on the Disney Channel and recorded for Walt Disney Records and at fifteen began branching out into her own musical pursuits in the a-cappella trio Mayim who performed their intricate harmonies all over the Bay Area.
She is now a seasoned performer who along with her solo performances has hosted and performed with symphonic orchestras around the Bay Areas and is the leader of four choirs. "songs of depth and passion married to nuanced musical arrangements" - Santa Cruz Sentinel.
web site | mp3
Grammy Award winner and Solid Air Records (USA) recording artist, Amrit Sond has graced the same billing with the world's most renowned guitarists. He is an extraordinary fingerstyle guitarist who draws on elements of Jazz, Classical, Folk, Rock and New Acoustic techniques to create his unique melodically driven compositions. Whether tapping the neck with both hands, slapping the body to create percussion or using the unusual e-bow, his playing has to be seen to be believed. "Pink Guitar", the music of Henry Mancini CD that featured Amrit's version of the Mancini classic "Two for the Road", was awarded a Grammy in this year's Best Pop Instrumental category. "A virtuoso, New Age, acoustic guitarist." - Time Out.
web site | mp3 | MySpace
ANGIE PALMER with Richard Curran, EDWINA HAYES
In recent years Angie's potent mix of country, blues, and folk, served up with equal measures of aggression and tenderness, has led her to be called the British Lucinda Williams. Her music is now being championed by Bob Harris who recently chose her as one of only two female singer-songwriters on his recent Best of British show, calling her "one of the greatest British songwriters."
After spending her early years busking and travelling around Europe she met Paul Mason in Paris and struck up a songwriting partnership and together they wrote her album "romantica obscura". Her next CD "Road" was released in 2003 and featured songs that have strong European influenced narratives - philosophy, literature, cinema. From Mojo to Maverick the music press received Road with 4 and 5 star reviews and she has been compared by many with Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell thanks to lyrics described by reviewers as intelligent and literate.
Her new CD "Tales of Light and Darkness", which like "Road" made the long-cut for the Mercury Music Prize, is a more musically diverse record, with longer storytelling songs rubbing shoulders with shorter simpler songs about love, loss, and redemption, again drawing heavily on literature.
She will be joined by Richard Curran on violin and mandolin.
"a writer of considerable distinction...one to be played at regular intervals." - Mojo
"A lyrically sharp album with gritty vocals and powerful music that makes you sit up and listen! A wonderful diverse collection that should get her even more critical acclaim." - Maverick Magazine
web site | mp3 | MySpace
Edwina Hayes is a singer/songwriter who has been a regular performer on the UK acoustic scene since 1999. Her influences include Mindy Smith, Ray Charles, Carole King, Van Morrison, Nanci Griffith, Richard Thompson, Patty Griffin and Bob Dylan. As well as writing on her own, Edwina has co-writen songs with writers ranging from UK writers Boo Hewerdine (Patience of Angels - Eddi Reader) and Ricky Ross (High - James Blunt) to Nashville writers Don Rollins (It's Five O Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson/Jimmy Buffet) and Bobby Wood (Talkin' In Your Sleep - Crystal Gayle).
In 2005 Warner Brothers released Edwina's debut album '"Out On My Own'" on produced by Clive Gregson and John Wood, and her song "I Want Your Love" from the album was included on the No.1 bestselling CD 'Acoustic Love'. Both Michael Parkinson and Bob Harris have been tremendous supporters of Edwina on BBC Radio 2.
During the past 3 years, Edwina has toured the UK three times with Nanci Griffith, opened 26 shows for Jools Holland, played twice with Van Morrison and performed 2 concerts for Michael Parkinson at his Maidenhead pub The Royal Oak. In the same time Edwina has also toured the UK with Ricky Ross, Loudon Wainwright III, Roy Harper, Tommy Emmanuel, Lulu, Julie Fowlis, Sandi Thom and Daniel Beddingfield.
web site | MySpace
MEGSON, PAMELA WYNN SHANNON
The combined talents of northerners Stu Hanna and Debbie Palmer make the award winning duo 'Megson'. With two albums, "On The SIde" and "Smoke Of Home" under their belts they are fast making waves amongst the British folk / roots scene with captivating songs, beautiful harmonies, northern humour and impeccable musicianship.
Megson’s 2007 album "Smoke Of Home" received critical acclaim across the board with a host of strong reviews. It also gained radio play from DJs such as BBC Radio 2’s Mike Harding and Bob Harris, the latter inviting them to perform an exclusive live session at the BBC.
The biggest strength of Megson, however, is their stunning live performances. The duo have played at numerous folk festivals including Shrewsbury, Sidmouth, Gosport and Fareham, Wimborne and Cambridge, which led to a review in County Music People describing them as ‘enthralling’. They toured with Seth Lakeman on his ‘post Mercury nomination” tour and also with award wining roots duo Show Of Hands both in the UK and also throughout Germany. Added to this, Autumn 2007 saw a PRS Foundation ATOM award given to the duo to reward technical innovations in contemporary music.
“This is first rate - if you don’t like this music you have a problem! Megson are a couple of potential stars, peaches and cream harmonies, melodic roots consciousness and a huge sense of individuality. ” - fRoots
"How gorgeous is that? Absolutely beautiful.... An excellent new duo!" - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2.
“Fresh, melodic and bushy-tailed.” - Mojo
web site | mp3 | MySpace
Pamela is an American singer/songwriter and guitarist who has attracted international attention with her mesmerizing Celtic-influenced folk music. She has a vocal style that ranges from lilting sensitivity to urgent callings and her inventive modal guitar work has been described as "a tiny chamber orchestra working in unison at the end of her hands." She draws inspiration for her compositions from the magic found in British artifacts and psychedelic folk music.
Her debut CD, "Nature's Bride", received rave reviews with American magazine Dirty Linen describing it as "an inspiring blend of styles...the title tune is a dynamic, danceable tour de force...[Pamela's] inflections recall the power and emotional intensity of Buffy Ste. Marie...". Her new CD, "Courting Autumn", is a sonic almanac burnished with melancholy, its wistful vocals floating above slinky and delicate hand-spun guitar, windswept and weather-worn by plaintive string and recorder arrangments.
"a very special, seriously beautiful album" - Froots
web site | mp3 | MySpace
Once again we are hosting the Saturday afternoon session at this great festival. There will be 15 minute slots available on a first come, first served basis and sets from our own guests The Mannish Boys, Pavlov's Cat and Jade.
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