Ayrshire-born Canadian carpenter-turned singer-songwriter David Francey is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 28th September. He lives in the Lanark Highlands in Southern Ontario and is currently on a tour of this side of the Pond.
The son of a proud working-class immigrant family, David was l2yrs old when his family emmigrated to Canada. He has been described as a proud, time-served manual labourer turned singer-songwriter. David spent more than 30 years toiling in Toronto rail yards, the Yukon Bush and on construction sites.
He played no instruments, never aspired to a musical career and reluctantly took to the stage at 45yrs of age under pressure from family and friends. The reaction was instant. Eleven successful albums on, David Francey has been described as the closest thing Canada has to Woody Guthrie. His most recent album ‘Empty Train’ was released in February this year.
Fifteen years on in his musical career, he has won numerous songwriting awards and performs regularly at most of the world’s most prestigious music festivals.
A lifelong interest in politiçs and the human condition was formed when as a lOyr old he delivered Newspapers in Ayrshire and was an avid reader of his deliveries! David accompanies himself on Guitar and his singing style some say is not a million miles away from Dick Gaughan. Known as the best songwriter working in Canada today, David Francey can list among his admirers the likes of Eric Bogie, Brian McNeill and Chumbawamba!
So, to hear the man from Canada with the wry humour and astute observations on life, get along to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 28th September for 8pm at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. It’s BYOB and there’s a Cafe too.