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MIKE SCOTT FOR FINAL
WEDNESDAY SPECIAL
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Idiot and Friend (Les Barker and Keith Donnelly) to play at Priddy Village Hall. The Old Down Acoustic Club is very pleased to announce this collaboration between two great comics.
Les Barker writes strange poems and comes originally from Manchester, but he's now Welsh. He was an accountant before he became a professional idiot. He's written 77 books, which sell in large numbers at his gigs because people don't quite believe what they've just heard. His poems have spawned a number of folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic. Les first played at the club in December 2005 after the Organizers Cathy Judge and Johnny Francis saw him perform at Priddy Folk Festival and realized that he is probably the best writer of parodies and wordplays that the English-speaking world has ever heard and he had the entire festival audience rolling with laughter. Les is a master at exploiting the idiosyncrasies of the English language, weaving in myth and history to build bizarre stories which he delivers with perfect comic timing and a gentle style which makes this man a true comic genius.
Geordie singer/comedian Keith Donnelly has played every major theatre in the UK armed with an unlimited supply of anecdotes and with his beat-up acoustic guitar. Performing at 22 major British folk festivals to rave reviews, Keith is very versatile, very original, very wholesome, and very funny. Singer, musician, storyteller, children’s entertainer, comedian, scriptwriter, this man has toured the world with his unique style of humour and impressed audiences where ever he goes. They began their partnership at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Keith shared the stage with the brilliant performance poet and cardigan meister Les. Rather than doing two separate 45 minute shows the two stayed on stage together, each doing numerous short ten minute sets to the sell-out crowd (the national is a moderate Australian festival with only 58,000 or so paying audience!) who wouldn't let them leave the stage. The pair had such a good time 'bouncing off' each other that they continued the new double act with a joint 'mini tour' in the UK. The Old Down Acoustic Club feels privileged to have booked Les and Keith for their pre Christmas concert to be held at The Priddy Village Hall on Friday December 7th. This is a great opportunity to see "Idiot and Friend", get into the festive mood and warm the heart in the onslaught of the British winter.
Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased from Cathy Judge on 01761 241235, Johnny Francis on 07766 442490. Alternatively email cathyjudge@yahoo.co.uk. For more information visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk.
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SPIERS AND BODEN COME TO THE CHEW
VALLEY Hosting a regular open mic every Wednesday at The Kings Arms in Litton the club also runs the “Weekend Concert” once a month, bringing national and international acoustic musicians to the heart of Somerset.
John Spiers
and Jon Boden have been consistently wowing audiences up and down
the country for the last 5 years with their unique blend of
traditional English folk song with a contemporary twist and
hi-octane dance tunes which get everyone dancing. Winners of the
Best Duo category at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in both 2004 and
2006, and founders of the Big-Band folk phenomenon that is
Bellowhead, Spiers & Boden now find themselves at the forefront of
the new folk revival. The concert will start at 8pm and tickets are £10. For tickets or more info ring Cathy 01761 241235 or John on 077660 442490 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk.
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HELENA TO PLAY THE OLD DOWN ACOUSTIC CLUB The Old Down Acoustic Club runs an open mic every Wednesday at The Kings Arms in Litton and on the first Wednesday of every month invite artists from all over the UK to give an hours performance as part of the evenings proceedings. They are pleased to announce that local star Helena will be their “Wednesday Special” guest on the November 7th. This is a rare opportunity to see a great local professional musician for the ridiculously small entrance fee of just £2.
It is hard to categorize Helena’s music as it includes so many styles. In all her albums you will sample her interpretation of blues, rock, jazz, soul and even a little folk and country. As a performer she is lively and spirited, bouncing with energy, and her effervescence on stage is matched only by her bubbliness off it. However it is perhaps her voice that moves audiences the most. It is rich and powerful, deep and mellow, pure and soulful. Her material, be it cover or original, swings from hard hitting guitar driven rock, jazz and blues to intimate heartfelt ballads. She has a powerful tongue in cheek audience control and can communicate with people on every level. She has been likened to, and has supported, many of the greats over the years but she has a unique and refreshing aptitude to writing and performing which can be compared to none. So if you enjoy good acoustic music join us on November 7th and see Helena and other local musicians at The Old Down Acoustic Club. For more information ring Cathy 01761 241235 or John 07766 442490 Or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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HANS THEEESSINK BRINGS ACOUSTIC BLUES TO THE HEART OF THE MENDIPS
The Old Down Acoustic Club is pleased to announce that one of the worlds foremost blues players will be performing at The Wookey Hole Club in Wookey Hole near Wells on Friday October 12th. Hans Theessink has become one of the most sought-after artists of the international blues scene. He is more or less constantly "on tour" and plays an average of 200 concerts a year - a modern day troubadour and entertainer who keeps on spellbinding audiences all over the world with his rich and emotional sounds.
Hans is not just for lovers of the blues but for anyone who enjoys top quality acoustic music. Through his unmistakable guitar work, sonorous baritone voice and stage presence, Hans has attained a status that is rare amongst European blues artists. He has played at all the major American and European blues festivals and this will be an opportunity to see this great artist in an intimate local setting.
The show starts at 8pm and the doors will be open from 7.30pm tickets are £10. The Old Down Acoustic Club’s “Weekend Concert” which has always been held at The Kings Arms in Litton, the home of the regular and very popular Wednesday Acoustic Club, have had to find another location due to a new management policy at The Kings Arms. We’d like to thank Wookey Hole Club for the use of the venue at such short notice.
Other concerts coming up will be at; Chilcompton Village Hall for Spiers and Boden, Priddy Village Hall for Les Barker/Keith Donnelly and Martin Simpson. For more information about future concerts and tickets contact Johnny Francis 07766 442490, Cathy Judge 01761 241235 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk.
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TOM KITCHING AND GREN BARTLEY AT THE OLD DOWN ACOUSTIC CLUB The Old Down Acoustic Club presents another young up and coming duo for their monthly Wednesday Special guest spot on October 3rd. The club which runs every Wednesday at The Kings Arms in Litton, gives an extended spot to acts from all over the country on the first Wednesday of every month.
“Our weekly open mic nights are always teaming with local talent, the standard is extremely high and once a month we like to invite up and coming performers to the club for an hours “showcase” giving our audience a chance to see professional acts for just £2, the entry on other Wednesdays is £1. It’s not a membership club and the doors are open to everyone, performers can put their names on the list to play and non performers can enjoy an evening of the highest quality acoustic music to be found anywhere in the South West” says Johnny Francis. Johnny is co organiser of the club along with local singer/songwriter and sculptor Cathy Judge.
From deepest Loughborough come Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley. Playing an aromatic hotpot of folk, world and blues from around the globe, make sure you catch the pair on their way up! Recently signed by Fellside records, and with a busy festival schedule, the future looks bright. A young folk award finalist 2003, Tom Kitching plays fiddle with a unique flair, adding depth and context to material, drawing on his broad command of styles. Gren Bartley is simply a superstar of the finger style guitar in the making. Leaving audiences flabbergasted with the speed and control of his picking, the sensitivity and variety of his music will draw you deeper in! Together, there’s quite a chemistry. Tom and Gren have been playing together for about 8 months, which is ridiculous considering they shared a house at university and never bothered to play anything for 3 years. Finally having made the effort to merge their diverse repertoires, the results have been spectacular.
Mixing English and American folk, blues and original material, often in the same piece, the sound of the duo is rich and textured, Gren's vocals mixing effortlessly with the dancing fiddle lines. The finger picked guitar style then lifting the tunes, finding new complexity in simple melodies, as the fiddle roars on!
For more information call Johnny 07766 442490 or Cathy 01761 241235 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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The Old Down Acoustic Club proudly present: NANCY KERR AND JAMES FAGAN AT THE KINGS ARMS, LITTON
Nancy Kerr and James Fagan will be appearing at The Kings Arms in Litton on Friday September 7th. They played at the club 2 years ago and were a resounding success, they are back bt popular demand. Winners of "Best Duo" at BBC Radio Two Folk Awards in 2003 and Horizon Awards winners 2000 Nancy and James are two young performers with the world at their feet.
Nancy is generally considered the finest English fiddle player of her generation. This talent is combined with a beautiful voice performed with great energy and an obvious sense of enjoyment. Nancy is the daughter of Sandra Kerr, the well-loved English singer-songwriter, teacher and performer, and Northumbrian piper Ron Elliott. As a young fiddler growing up in Northumberland she had the great fortune to be a pupil of the late and great Will Taylor. Her first professional tour came when just fourteen, with Alistair Anderson's group Syncopace. Since then she has been in constant demand as both a fiddler and singer, working internationally with Eliza Carthy in their groundbreaking duo, which produced three CDs with Mrs Casey Music.
James, like Nancy, inherited his interest in music, being a member of Australia's premieres folk-singing family, The Pagans, with his parents Bob and Marg, and his sister Kate. James is well respected as a specialist player of the Irish flat-backed bouzouki, the guitar-shaped version of which has become his trademark. He has given workshops and master-classes on this versatile instrument around Australia and the UK, and in Canada with Nancy for the first time in 2001. His strong and melodic singing has also helped him make an impression wherever he performs. He has recorded with The Pagans, Alistair Hulett, Jimmy Gregory, Eliza Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Luke Daniels, Liz Doherty and Margaret Walters among others.
The irresistible combination of fiddles, flat-backed bouzouki and voices blend perfectly into a sound that is playful, sweet and gutsy. From stomping traditional north-eastern tunes to stunning songs by contemporary Australians writers. They are also high acclaimed songwriters in their own right. Tickets are priced at £10.00 Doors open at 7.30pm.
For more information ring Cathy 01761 241235 or John 07766 442490 Or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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Local up and coming stars to appear at The Old Down Acoustic Club.
Issy and David Emeney with cellist Kate Riaz are making a major impact on the folk circuit this year while launching their first album, on the Wild Goose Label, “Legends and Lovers”. They will be appearing as the Wednesday Special guest artists at The Old Down Acoustic Club, held at The Kings Arms in Litton, on September 5th.
Issy is a fine melodeon player and songwriter while David, who also does most of the singing, accompanies on guitar, mandola and bouzouki. This combination is complimented by Kate’s gorgeous cello playing. A superb blend of voice and instruments. Having been bought his first guitar at the age of seven, and attended a few Folk Guitar Group sessions, David’s musical career began in earnest and true to stereotype with a school rock band. A creature of habit, he is still playing with the same line-up some 35 years later. A true musician, he can move from mainstream rock to traditional folk with ease.
Issy’s musical career may have been forever limited to roadying for David, had it not been for a chance hearing of Norfolk squeezer, Tony Halls sublime accompaniments on Nic Jones iconic album Penguin Eggs. Issy instantly new the melodeon was the instrument for her. David gave Issy her first melodeon for Christmas in 1997 and within a year she was playing in her first ceilidh band. They began playing together as a duo shortly after that.
Kate's father was an instrument maker, and she now plays a cello that he made for her. As a child at school she asked to learn the clarinet, but there were none left. Someone found an old cello at the back of a cupboard so she made do with that - lucky for us!
The Wednesday Special occurs on the first Wednesday of the month at The Kings Arms base of The Old Down Acoustic Club. The club has become well known on the acoustic music scene for not only the excellent weekly open mic sessions but also for hosting Weekend concerts in the local area with international artists, bringing the best acoustic music around to the heart of Somerset.
For more information ring Cathy 01761 241235 or John 07766 442490 Or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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EMBER make a welcome return to The Old Down Acoustic Club.
The success of their music centers 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 feel
good 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.
For more information ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766442490 or go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE APPEARING AT THE OLD DOWN ACOUSTIC CLUB, LITTON
Festival last year. They were taken with his well crafted songs and his wonderful humour. He has the honour of being known as one of the most delightful performers on the scene. An evening spent in his company listening to his beautiful songs will ensure you’ll be wanting to take home a little piece of him in the form of a CD.
If you've not heard his music, you have a treat in store.
For more information please ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766 442490
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JEZ LOWE AND THE BAD PENNIES AT THE KINGS ARMS
‘One of the hottest acts around’ Daily Telegraph
‘first rate musicians combine to produce the special moments that are difficult to define but easy to experience’ The Living Tradition
On fiddle and duet vocals is Kate Bramley, from York. With her distinctive voice and relaxed fiddle style she has been touring with the band for nearly six years. Champion piper Andy May from Gateshead on Tyne joined the band in 2002 playing Northumbrian Pipes, whistles, piano and accordion. Andy gives a delicious celtic twist to the band sound and is now recording his second solo album for Fellside Records. His acclaimed debut album featured none other than Kathryn Tickell and cemented his reputation as one of the young leading lights of the Uk folk scene. The newest addition to the band in 2006 is David de la Haye on bass. He is one of the best players on the Newcastle scene and tours internationally with Shona Mooney, winner of the BBC Young Tradition Award 2005.
2006 saw the Bad Pennies make 12 international visits – inc USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many parts of Europe - as well as keeping up their UK appearances. 2007 looks set to be just as busy.
Tickets are priced at £10.00 and doors open from 7.30pm. For more information and sales contact Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis 007766442490
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TRISTAN SEUME APPEARS AT THE KINGS ARMS, LITTON
Surrey based classical/folk guitarist Tristan Seume will be playing at The Old Down Acoustic Club based at The Kings Arms, Litton on Wednesday June 6th at 8pm. Tristan Seume played for the Club last February and was such a hit that they have invited him back for a repeat performance. Not only was the audience impressed by his immaculate guitar technique but the tunes that he writes are exceptionally melodic and catchy.
Tristan boasts a fan base that includes many talented and famous guitarists like Gordon Giltap, who writes: "Some people are blessed with the gift of technique and others with the gift of composition. Tristan Seume has both in abundance. His compositions have a maturity that belies his youth. He is worthy of great things and I am sure he will join the ranks of outstanding British players like Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Davey Graham. I believe he is one of the finest of the new acoustic generation." Widely considered as one of the UK's finest young finger style guitarists Tristan’s music is folk and classically-influenced. His cheerful stage presence will guarantee we go home smiling. Tristan will be appearing for an hour as part of The Old Down Acoustic Club’s Wednesday Special. This is a regular Open Mic night with the added bonus of an hour of Tristan. Entrance for these monthly Guest Spots is only £2.00. For more information ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis on 07766442490. For more information on Tristan go to www.tristanseume.co.uk and for information on The Old Down Acoustic Club www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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A FIST FULL OF IRISH CHARM COLUM SANDS AT THE OLD DOWN ACOUSTIC CLUB
Cathy Judge and Johnny Francis who run the Old Down Acoustic Club based at The Kings Arms, Litton had heard of Colum Sands but never before seen him until Priddy Folk Festival 2006. They popped into the concert tent, where he was appearing, to take a quick look and were knocked out by what they saw and heard. Says Cathy “we were only able to stay for 15 minutes or so but in that time we laughed so much our cheeks ached and we witnessed the same response from everyone there. It was a memorable experience. Colum displayed not only an infectious humour and warmth but his songs had us hanging on every word”. The tent that holds upwards of five hundred was packed to the brim with people of all ages whose faces were a picture of delight.
Colum is a singer songwriter whose Irish banter is well likened to the rambling magical stories of Vin Garbutt. Colum is Irish through and through and has the charm and gift of the gab that would appear to be a genetic gift amongst the Irish.
A member of the internationally renowned Sands
Family from County Down, Colum established his reputation as a
songwriter with the release of his first solo album,
Unapproved Road in 1981. Songs like Whatever you say,
say nothing, and Almost every circumstance
were soon in the repertoire of artists from Billy Connolly to Maddy
Prior and June Tabor.
Colum will be appearing at The Old Down Acoustic Club, The Kings Arms, Litton On Friday 11th May. Tickets are priced at £10.00. For more information ring Cathy on 01761 241235 or John on 07766442490 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk for more information on up and coming gigs. |
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The Old Down Acoustic Club Presents Roland Chadwick, Half Man - Half Guitar
‘Thrilling guitar playing’ - Lesley Garrett. 'Fantastic Compositions' - Tommy Emmanuel "Roland has the most awesome live presence. Even seeing him perform a single song at a club in North London recently it was impossible not to be drawn in by his infectious enthusiasm and blistering guitar playing. With musicians like Roland, man and instrument appear to be one" - Darren Tansley, AcoustiCity
“Roland Chadwick is the 'New Acoustic' Star of the acoustic guitar. Not many musicians know their instrument as well as Roland - the acoustic guitar in his hands becomes a cathedral of sound and if you want to find out what that means then catch his next gig wherever and whenever it might be - he is truly a musicians' musician but by the same token wholly accessible to the untrained ear - if you love music - any kind of music, you will love Roland Chadwick...” Steve Ball - Jazz Explorium - Feb 04
On Wednesday May 2nd The Old Down Acoustic Club, based at The Kings Arms, Litton is delighted to be hosting the charismatic and supremely talented Roland Chadwick Born in Australia, Roland Chadwick made his Sydney Opera House debut in 1988 and has since built a reputation as Australia’s master Guitarist/Composer. From 1979 to 1996 he lived and worked in Sydney as a performer and composer. In 1997 he took a sabbatical in Los Angeles where he worked developing a more personal compositional style. At the end of that year he moved to the UK. Since moving to London he has performed and recorded with the English Chamber Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tommy Emmanuel, Mike Lindup and Barriemore Barlow..
“The energy of his performance really is a breath of fresh air. Storms of notes flow from his fingers creating a barrage of sound, magical in its intensity. With long grey hair, he is perhaps well dubbed the Wizard of Oz. Not only does he play, he sings with a voice rich in quality that transports you to another world. Coupled with his dry humour and easy character that has developed from years of playing the circuit Roland is guaranteed to please.
Most of all, watching him command his instrument with such skill and panache is just pure, unadulterated fun. Anyone with even a slight interest in live music is advised to track him down and see his genius for themselves. For more information on Roland Chadwick and music clips check out www.rolandchadwick.com Roland will give a one hour guest spot as the Club’s Wednesday Special being part of The Old Down Acoustic Club’s Open Mic session. Entrance is only £2.00 on a first come first served basis. Ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766442490or go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk for more details on this and other events.
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BLUEGRASS COMES TO THE HILLS! Following the hugely successful August 2006 collaboration between America’s “Growling Old Men” and two parts of Britain’s “Daily Planet” they’re doing it all over again! On Friday 20th April they will be appearing at The Old Down Acoustic Club based at The Kings Arms, Litton. Two of the American West's best acoustic musicians; Ben Winship and John Lowell, collectively known as 'Growling Old Men' will be touring in theUK during April 2007 alongside two members of the UK's 'Daily Planet’. A true transatlantic session. Ben Winship (mandolin and vocals) from Idaho, is described by Tim O'Brien as "one of the acoustic music scene's best writers" His evocative song writing combined with his effortless vocal and mandolin style makes Ben one of the most respected musicians on the scene today. "With a red-hot mandolin for a heart... Winship's music is a celebration of range, breadth and experiment." - Bluegrass Unlimited John Lowell (guitar and vocals) from Montana has been the mainstay of countless bluegrass and 'country folk' bands throughout the mid-west. Known so well as a fantastic singer and solid rhythm player it's easy to forget just how well he can also 'flatpick' a blistering solo on his guitar. This will be John's third trip to the UK - in 2004 he was the guitar tutor at the prestigious week-long Sore Fingers summer music camp in Oxfordshire. “Growling Old Men sparkle with outstandingly original material, an irrepressibly-western tinged groove, energetic picking and fine singing... I'm wearing the records out here in Nashville”. -Dave Higgs, WPLN-FM, Nashville
Leon Hunt (5-string banjo) A former student of American banjo virtuoso, Bela Fleck, his exploits with Bath based Daily Planet and in his own right, have been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. His trade-mark has always been a healthy disregard for the banjo’s traditional boundaries, experimenting with techniques and sounds, using his earlier musical influences (both of Leon’s parents are jazz musicians) to ultimately make it a more versatile instrument. "Banjo wizardry in a style totally unique. Leon plays with brilliance and soul - you don't always find the two together" Mike Harding - BBC Radio 2 Dominic Harrison (bass / guitar) plays and sings with an authority that few musicians ever achieve. Dominic grew up in a musical family and his first performances were as a 'boy wonder' in the family band, Strange Relations. Dominic moved to Bath in the early 90's to play bass for Southern Exposure, a band led by North Carolinian singer/songwriter, Randy Gambill Dominic and S.E. banjo player Leon Hunt went on to form the very first incarnation of Daily Planet. Supporting will be well known blues performers Jim Tigwell and Martin Froud. The evening starts at 8pm and tickets are £10.00 each. For more information ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis on 07766 442490 or go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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JAMES CHADWICK – FROM PRIDDY TO LITTON
"Lovely fully-formed songs, rich singing & really sharp At Priddy Folk Festival 2006 James Chadwick was the most talked about new name on the scene. His performance was remarked as the most exciting of the weekend and so impressed organizers that they have asked him back again this year.
At just twenty years old, he is an astonishingly accomplished singer-songwriter. Hailing from the Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire border his first love is the guitar which he began playing at seven and quickly became an obsession. Now music is his passion and he plays anything with strings he can get his hands on, keys or he can hit or with a stick! Most recently, he was a Finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards at the Sage in Gateshead and in December featured on the Mike Harding Show. He has an informative website www.james-chadwick.co.uk which has audio clips giving the listener an indication of the boundless talent he possesses. James will be appearing at the Old Down Acoustic Club based at The Kings Arms, Litton as their Wednesday Special Guest. He will be performing for an hour as part of their weekly Acoustic Night. Admission is only £2.00 on a first come first served basis. For more information ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis on 07766 442490 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk.
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JOHN KIRKPATRICK
PLAYS AT THE KINGS ARMS coupled with a larger than life character has made John Kirkpatrick one of the most well-known and popular performers on the British folk scene for the past twenty-five years. He is widely regarded as Britain's leading exponent of 'squeezebox' instruments. During this time he has helped to shape the revival of folk song and dance in Britain.
John feels so passionately about keeping the tradition alive that he has written several articles on the subject and writes "Traditional music isn't cool and sophisticated, it isn't easy listening, it isn't quiet and introspective. It's simple and straightforward, it's full of life and lust, it's dark and dangerous, exotic and mysterious. It addresses the uncivilised part of human nature, it deals with epic themes in a way we can cope with, it channels our excess energy and it makes us feel we belong somewhere. John is a warm, spontaneous, energetic character and Friday 9th March will be an evening guaranteed to please an audience appreciative of traditional English folk music". John will be supported by club regular, singer songwriter Sarah Curtis. Sarah sings ethereal songs with a haunting voice that is not easy to forget. Doors open 7.30pm and tickets are £10. For further information and sales ring Cathy Judge on 10761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766442490 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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ONE OF THE FINEST SINGERS YOU WILL HEAR WITH ONE OF THE FINEST ACCOMPANISTS PARTNERING HIM
The Old Down Acoustic Club’s Wednesday Special guest spot on Wednesday March 7th will be Ron Taylor and Jeff Gillet who are two well-established names on the English Folk scene. Jeff and Ron have created a duo that delights in performing old favourites, often with a pleasant variation on the tune that you might not be expecting from the song title. Ron has been singing folk songs since the late 1960s and is recognised as having one of the best voices on the circuit. In 2006 Ron teamed up with Jeff to produce their third and most highly acclaimed album “Both Shine As One” on the prestigious WildGoose label. This was raved about by many including Paul Burgess from Living Tradition “one of the finest singers you can currently hear on the scene, with one of the finest accompanists partnering him”.
Jeff Gillett’s inspired accompaniments display complete empathy with the song – here embroidering a phrase, there pointing up the rhythmic drive. As well as some stunning guitar work, he also uses mandola, mandolin, Appalachian dulcimer and a spot of concertina, which means their material has quite a good range of changes in the tonal palette. The Old Down Acoustic Club enjoys hosting an Acoustic Night every Wednesday but it is the first Wednesday of the month that they invite a special guest spot to perform for an hour as part of the evenings package. Entrance for these evenings is only £2.00 and starts at 8pm. For more information contact Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766442490 or go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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MEGSON AT THE KINGS ARMS, LITTON
"For my money Megson are amongst the most exciting trailblazers of British Contemporary Folk." Seth Lakeman
The Old Down Acoustic Club, based at The Kings Arms,
Litton is fast becoming a magnet for up and coming stars of the folk
scene. Still glowing from the success of the Horizon Award nominees
Devils Interval concert in January they are now preparing for the
exciting young duo Megson on Wednesday 7th
February.
In November 2003, armed with a selection of songs
both original and traditional, they began to play the London
acoustic scene and soon picked up a strong following. Since then
Megson have gone from strength to strength having played up and down
the country at festivals, folk clubs and acoustic venues. "Inspired
acoustic folk-rock debut with infectious up-beat songs to slow
acoustic beauties...Debbies vocal performance is stunning!"
Highlights have included a slot in the club tent at Cambridge Folk Festival 2005 which led to a review in County Music People where they were described as ‘enthralling’. Other notable gigs include supports to Karine Polwart, Bob Fox and being asked by Seth Lakeman to provide support on his ‘post Mercury nomination’ 2005 tour. More recently, award winning roots duo ‘Show of Hands’ invited Megson to perform at their Abbotsbury summer festival and at numerous dates on their Autumn tour.
Megson will be appearing as one of The Old Down Acoustic Club’s “Wednesday Special” Guests and giving an hours performance as part of their weekly Open mic nights. Entrance is only £2 on a first come first served basis. For more info ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis on 07766 442490 or go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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The Devil's Interval At The Kings Arms January 2007 The Old Down Acoustic Club pride themselves on getting only the best acts from the folk/acoustic circuit to come and play at The Kings Arms in Litton. The January 5th concert is no exception. The club has been fortunate enough to book The Devils Interval who are a great young trio. Joint organizer Cathy Judge was pleased to book the band shortly before they shot into the public eye by being nominated for the prestigious “Horizon” award in the 2007 Radio2 Folk Awards.
They have toured with Waterson/Carthy who had this to say about the band. "Lauren, Jim and Emily are three musicians utterly committed to singing the traditional songs of these islands and doing so while maintaining a great sense of adventure along with an obvious enjoyment of the music and a pride in their own abilities as musicians." Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy MBE
These
three young performers have already played at major festivals
through out the UK, including the 50th Sidmouth International
Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Whitby Folk Week, Towersey and the
National. The Kings Arms provides an intimate venue where the audience can feel part of the show and be close to the performers which is a completely different experience for music lovers when compared to the large venues that these and other acts in their caliber would normally perform at
So if you’re trying to think of a good way to start
2007 you couldn’t do better than to come and see The Devils Interval
at The Old Down Acoustic Club. Tickets are £10 and the doors will
open at 7.30pm
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The
Devil's Interval combine the individual vocal talents of Lauren
McCormick, Jim Causley and Emily Portman. The English song tradition
so strongly expressed in their solo work is also present in their
group repertoire, an eclectic mix ranging from Tom Waits to Phoebe
Smith and Dolly Parton! |
MIKE
SILVER AND JO PARTRIDGE The Old Down Acoustic Club is proud to announce a concert by the well known song smith and fabulous vocalist, Mike Silver. It will take place on Friday 1st December.
Johnny Francis, co runner of The Old Down Acoustic Club along with Cathy Judge, saw Silver for the first time when he played at one of their “Weekend Specials” almost two years ago. “I was spell bound as I have never heard a voice like it before” said Johnny “His beautiful songs combined with that amazing voice kept me riveted to my seat for the entire concert. I vowed that we would have him back as soon as possible and at last - here he is!”
His songs are of longing, love and loss, perceptive and thoughtful, with haunting melodies and heart stopping lyrics. This most accomplished acoustic artist sings and records a series of thoughts and feelings that are special and magical. Yet his music addresses every day issues without being trite, reaching out to a wide audience. With a voice that is as warm and inviting as the fire in the fireplace on a cold winter’s night, Mike is an outstanding treasure amidst the crowd, all in all he’s a wonderful musician.
He will be
accompanied by Jo Partridge a brilliant guitar player. Jo has played
on albums by atrtists such as Roger Daltry, Phil Collins, The Moody
Blues, Jeff Waynes “War of The Worlds” and David Essex to name but a
few.
The support for the evening will be Jo’s sister Diana Johnstone. Diana is a local singer songwriter with a distinctive gentle voice and is a regular performer at The Old Down Acoustic Club.
Tickets are £10 please contact Cathy Judge 01761241235 or Johnny Francis 07766 442490. For more information please visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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Mike
is a consummate guitarist that 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. Mike is in a class of his own when it comes
to writing and performing, and his skill in the arrangement of the
compositions of other writers is remarkable, making them all his own
in the process.|
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CHRIS WHILE AND JULIE MATTHEWS
AT THE KINGS ARMS The Old Down Acoustic Club, based at The Kings Arms Litton, has been working for the last two years to procure a concert with the outstanding Chris While and Julie Matthews. It is with great pleasure that we can announce their appearance on Saturday 18th November.
While & Matthews - are breathtaking singers, songwriters,
musicians and performers whose dedication to their craft and
audience holds no bounds.
Though
internationally acclaimed, they continue to be a leading force on
the UK's acoustic/roots arts circuit. Every year bar one they have
been nominated in one or two categories in the BBC Radio 2 Folk
music awards.
' Best Song, Best Duo, Best Live
Act'
Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial waste
lands of the north, to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart
and everything in between. Their songs are covered by many revered
singers the world over but it is While & Matthews' musical
partnership and obvious joy of performing together that really
brings their songs to life. As performers they are unrivalled and
their audiences leave their concerts having been through every
emotion possible.
Julie plays; guitar, piano, bouzouki, mandolin & harmonica. Chris
plays; guitar, bodhran, banjo, dulcimer & percussion. Chris and Julie already have five Duo albums and a songbook to their credit as well as several solo albums, Blue Tapestry and two St Agnes Fountain CDs. They also appear as the leading songwriters and singers on several Albion Band albums during their time in the band (1990 to 1997) and on the much acclaimed Daphne's Flight, a project which also included Christine Collister, Helen Watson and Melanie Harrold. Chris and Julie also write music for Television and Radio, notably 'Tales from the Towpath' (BBC Radio 2) and 'The Ridgeriders' (Meridian TV)
Tckets cost £10.00 and are expected to sell quickly so to secure yours ring Cathy on01761 241235 or John 07766 442490. Doors open 7.30pm.For more information on The Old Down Acoustic Club go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk. |
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The Wednesday Specials are going down a storm for the Old Down The Amazing Mr.Smith has been described as Monty Python's answer to John Williams. His combination of mad inventions and brilliant acoustic guitar playing make him one of the funniest and most original entertainers around. The cardboard tube double bass, the musical shoelaces, the nutcracker played on the tu-tu xylophone, the blue danube on the condom harp and his 3-minute rendition of riverdance have to be seen to be believed. As well as being on the comedy circuit for at least 10 years, he has made people laugh in every conceivable type of venue in the UK, performed on local and national TV and toured the USA five times(also Holland , Germany, Norway and Jordan). The evening starts at 8pm and people are advised to get there on time to get a seat. For more information ring Cathy on 01761 241235 or John 07766 442490.
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THE BEST FOLK SINGER IN BRITAIN AND THE WORLD!!! TO CELEBRATE THE OLD DOWN ACOUSTIC CLUB’S
3RD
ANNIVERSARY
The Old Down Acoustic Club has been running for three years now and is about to celebrate its 3rd Anniversary in style. It has booked internationally acclaimed Vin Garbutt to perform at the Little Theatre in Wells on Saturday 28th October. To mark this special occasion organisers Cathy Judge and Johnny Francis have deemed this to be a FREE concert. Cathy and John will themselves be supporting the event as part of The Old Down Ensemble.
Take the best live performer on the folk scene today, mix in a great songwriter, add years of experience, a bucket full of humour, bags of personality and you have one of the most sought after Acts on the scene today. “House Full!” Signs are the norm. Winner of countless awards and accolades Garbutt’s blend of outlandish humour and powerful songs (usually self penned) turns a live performance into an emotional roller coaster ride.
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EMBER AT THE KINGS ARMS LITTON
For more information ring Cathy Judge on 01761 241235 or Johnny Francis 07766442490 or go to www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk
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Co founder of “The Incredible String Band” comes to The Old Down Acoustic Club.
The Club is now situated exclusively at The Kings Arms in Litton Somerset. They have been holding their weekend concerts there for more than a year and have been very successful. The Wednesday open mic nights are now also held at The Kings Arms every week and it has proved to be an ideal location for the club.
On Friday September 29th the weekend artist will be Robin Williamson.
Born in Edinburgh and a product of its bustling music scene, Robin Williamson has been enchanting audiences around the world since his early twenties, when he co-founded the Incredible String Band. From 1965 to 1974 this unique ensemble recorded sixteen albums, half of which climbed the British charts.
In 1974 Williamson, now dubbed the Celtic Kerouac by critics, continued with literary projects and toured extensively with his new group, the Merry Band. He recorded three more albums during this period, and developed a contemporary songwriting style based on Celtic instrumentation and tradition. Since 1980 he has been recording and touring as a soloist, an approach which allows full scope to his diverse musical and theatrical abilities. In the early 1980's he engaged in highly successful collaborations with Geoff Moore, director of the British dance/theatre company Moving Being. Williamson's work since 1984 has included, in addition to extensive touring, seven albums, five story cassettes and two books of his masterful retellings of classic Celtic literature, as well as musical scores for three television series and four mixed-media theatrical productions. Recent albums have included: Winter's Turning, an unusual selection of secular music for the festive season by Vivaldi, Shakespeare, and Henry VIII; Songs for Children of All Ages, a refreshing selection of traditional wonder songs in the vein of Blake and Carroll; and the darker, more political Ten of Songs. Wheel of Fortune (1993) is a collaboration with British guitarist John Renbourn. A Renaissance man, Robin Williamson plays over thirty instruments. He is an accomplished poet, author, composer, actor, story-teller, lecturer and teacher. Reviewers have called him "cultural guardian," "consummate performer," and "bard of the 20th Century." “I saw him perform with John Renbourn a few months ago and was so impressed by his presence and his musicianship that I decided we must have him at the club so I am very pleased that we managed to get him for our September concert!” Johnny Francis
Tickets are £10 and can be obtained by calling John 07766442490 or Cathy 01761241235. For more information please visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk. |
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Shelia Chandra Performs at The Kings Arms in Litton.August2006
The Old Down Acoustic Club open mic session happens every Wednesday at The Kings Arms in Litton Somerset. All are welcomed, entrance is just £1(membership is not necessary) On the first Wednesday of each month they have a special guest when the entrance is £2. Floor spots are still available on these Wednesday specials and they have always proved to be a great nights entertainment.
On Wednesday September 6th the Special guest artist at club will be the world renowned singer Sheila Chandra.
Born in South London to a South Indian immigrant family, Sheila Chandra discovered her voice at the age of twelve and whilst at Theatre Arts school. From this moment her chosen path was to be a singer. Lacking any real contacts or access to the music business, she nevertheless honed her vocal skills as a labour of love, spending up to two hours a night throwing her voice into the tall, draughty and uncarpeted stairwell of the family home: "I didn’t know how to manufacture an opportunity, but I was determined that when a chance came my way I would be ready."
A chance did come her way, perhaps drawn by the weight of such unshakable belief. Steve Coe, a writer and record producer, was about to form a band as an outlet for his increasingly Indian influenced material. He heard Sheila’s voice and decided that it would the voice to front the new Band which was named “Monsoon” ‘Monsoon’ put out an EP on Steve Coe’s newly formed ‘Indipop’ label and were signed by the far sighted Dave Bates at Phonogram. The band’s first single ‘Ever So Lonely’ took a song written around a raga and, utilising the new production techniques available, came up with an irresistible but radical modern pop fusion sound. The single was a world wide success and launched Sheila on a musical career taking her all over the world. Sheila has made numerous solo albums and now performs using her unique voice and the occasional drone. A mix of Asian, Irish, traditional and innovative styles her performance is a musical experience which shouldn’t be missed. Entrance £2 For more information call John 07766442490, Cathy 01761241235 or visit www.theolddownacousticclub.co.uk Close Window |
