Whatever else is in your diary for Wednesday 18th July, make sure there is an entry that says ‘Be at Irvine Folk for 8pm to hear the fabulous John Kirkpatrick’. This man really is not to be missed.
London born, Shropshire resident John played at the 1972 Marymass Folk Festival – he had just formed a duo with Sue Harris, and most likely The Eglinton was the venue. John went into folk music as a young lad via his Church Choir and Youth Club and then through Morris Dancing. He had been a member of The Hammersmith Morris since he was 12. Having already learned the Piano and Recorder, and influenced by Morris Dancing, John then took up the Melodeon, then the Button Concertina, followed by the Anglo Concertina.
As a solo performer, as part of various duos, acoustic groups and electric bands too, John’s musical career is breathtaking in quality and range. John was a member of Steeleye Span, the wonderful Albion Band, Brass Monkey, The Richard Thompson Band and now does gigs with Martin Carthy and, along with Chris Parkinson is one half of the superbly named The Sultans of Squeeze. Kirkophany is the name of a band comprising John’s four sons and himself and he still dances with The Shropshire Bedlams.
He has appeared on over 200 different commercial recordings as a featured artist, band member or session player. John also does theatre and radio work, has written reams of stuff on music and song and also leads workshops. In short, John Kirkpatrick is kept extremely busy doing that which he loves.
On Wednesday 18th July, be at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road to hear the talented, inventive and totally unpretentious John Kirkpatrick. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
Finally, it was with sadness that news was received of the death of John Cooper – local musician and composer and a big gentle fellow.