Fo'c'sle Programme June 2000
Jerry, himself a delightful performer of the old songs, specialises in bringing over USA 'source' singers. Bobby is heir to several strands of Appalachian tradition through his father's Primitive Baptist family in Tennessee and his mother's people in N. Carolina, where he went to school with relatives of "Tom Dooley" [Dula]. By age 17 he began recording old songs and stories and has become widely known as singer and musician (banjo, guitar, dulcimer, harmonica, jews harp) and story teller. He has performed at the Smithsonian and numerous other Festivals.
Eileen's beautiful, full, clear rich voice sensitively enhanced by Graham's accompanying guitar and vocals, both now at the height of their powers with a mature experience that simply has to be heard. An exciting mixture of familiar and out-of-the-way English and occasional Irish songs with a good sprinkling of Graham's own witty and satisfying compositions.
Their new compilation CD Early Birds (Grail CD002), featuring selected re-mastered tracks from the unavailable early recordings To Friend & Foe and Hieroglyphics will be on sale at the gig, along with the recent Borders of the Ocean (Grail CD 001).
SOME PRESS COMMENTS
on Borders of the Ocean:
Each (song) is done with such loving grace and simplicity that it's like hearing them for the first time. . . This is a recording you should go out of your way to secure. (Rob Weir; SingOut!)
Graham's songwriting has lost none of its wit. (Nick Beale, Folk Roots)
Graham's sensitive guitar providing a perfect backdrop for Eileen, a thrilling voice that could melt hearts at a hundred paces. Her voice has an almost classical richness; but she never overpowers the song... (Mick Tems, Taplas)
Eileen's voice is beautiful and clear throughout. . . a delightful album where experience and class really show through. (Bill Caddick, Shreds and Patches)
16 Anything Goes and Rob Johnston Feature Night
Rob was at an 'Anything Goes' earlier this year and we thought him worth an extended spot. Great skill on the guitar with his own folk-based compositions and songs, also heard at Talking Heads and the Platform.
23 Anything Goes preceded by brief AGM at 7.45pm and Feature Night from Sandd, young, new contempoary folk duo
Come and air your views and ideas - love us or hate us! Come and tell us what and who you would like to see at The Fo'c'sle next season! Join the Committee! Endow a chair!
Sandd
Featuring Dave Newey on Guitar, Bouzouki and Vocals, with Simon Philips on Fiddle, we play a variety of original and traditional material, but with a focus on the contempoary. From Reels and Jigs to get you dancing, to lyrics to get you thinking or singing, this duo would compare itself with Show of Hands if it had to search for an example.
Seeking inspiration from groups as diverse as Fairport Convention through to Gomez, this music is strictly roots, folk orientated, but certainly for the 21st century. And not without experience either, as both Dave and Simon were part of Entendre who have just, sadly, split up, but played all over the South Coast, including support slots for The Albion Band and K-Passa, as well as many festivals in their own right, including the South's largest free music festival Music in the Square at Portsmouth. Simon also plays reguarly with a number of morris groups including Victory Morris, and Dave's guitar playing and lyric writing has many a time been compared to that of Steve Knightley and Richard Thompson.
Christina was well-known in the Rochdale area at one time, where she organised a Folk Club as well as being a well-thought-of singer with The New Bracken Band. Although she sings a wide variety of traditional and traditional-style contemporary songs, she is currently concentrating on Lancashire-sourced material. Her fine, pleasing folk-style voice bursts with humanity and needs no accompaniment.
| "I started singing when I was a kid - doing shows and singing in choirs - but I fell in love with folk music when I was 15 and set out on what has proved a lifelong love affair. As well as running Folk Clubs and raising my family I have been slowly growing into the songs, and only now do I feel able to do them justice." |