Author: Joyce Hodge

Based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, JINSKI are two voices and two guitars and they are the guests at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 10th October.
This will be a return visit for JINSKI to the Irvine Club. Steve Wegryznski and Dave Kennedy are JINSKI and the name looks as though it could be an amalgam of the two names. They have provided support to such names as The Proclaimers, Lindisfarne and Kathryn Tickell – an indication that the duo are well thought of by people who could invite just about anyone to be on the same bill.
Steve writes songs and before he teamed up with Dave, he was a solo performer who busked and played his way throughout Europe and Scandinavia. Dave is a multi-instrumentalist and is an accomplished producer and arranger. Together they do Festivals, Clubs, Theatres and House Parties playing music that touches Folk, Country and Pop. Their love of a strong melody is what dictates JINSKI’s choice of material. Hurry Home is their latest album and adds to other albums, EPs and one-off Singles they have recorded.
Wednesday 10tH October is the date to hear JINSKI at Irvine Folk Club and Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road is the place. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
Elsewhere, dates for the annual The Scottish International Storytelling Festival are 19th – 31st October. It’s for everyone irrespective of age. All info from www.tracscotland.org or 0131 556 9579. And towards the end of the month, Dunfermline Folk Weekend takes place. Dates are 26th – 28th October. All part of keeping music live!

Tom McConville is back at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 26th September. A bonus for those who heard him only a few weeks back at this year’s Marymass Folk Festival – he was just terrific – and a second chance for those who missed him. He is in a class of his own and just gets better every time you hear him.

Tom McConville is a performer, session musician and Fiddle teacher – and in great demand on all three fronts. Tyneside born, Tom’s first experience of traditional singing and fiddle music was in The Globe pub in Newcastle where he was brought up. As ‘the watering hole’ for many in the local Irish and Scottish communities, it explains why Tom’s repertoire although deeply rooted in his native North East, has strong Scottish and Irish influences.

Tom’s Fiddle playing is second to none. He is also a fine singer. Add on a dry Geordie wit and an engaging personality and it makes a formidable package. Tom is much respected by his peers and, on and off stage, is a thoroughly nice bloke. Whether playing fast rhythmic dance tunes, beautiful slow airs, jazz sounds reminiscent of Stephane Grappelli or his fine rendition of Richard Thompson’s Beeswing – the man’s knack of choosing good material and his immense talent shine through.

As well as performing solo, as is expected when at the Irvine Club, Tom tours with a variety of line-ups and accompanists including terrific acoustic guitarists of the calibre of Andy Watt and Dave Newey. Tom’s popularity at Clubs and Festivals is evident from his gig list which takes him to Spring 2020.

Make sure you are in the Irvine Folk Club audience on Wednesday 26th September at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road for 8pm to hear Tom McConville. It’s BYOB at the Irvine Club.

Elsewhere, another very talented fellow will be playing at The Star on Tuesday 25th September – Colum Sands. Gifted songwriter and teller of tall tales, Colum is well worth a trip to The Star which meets downstairs at The Admiral Bar in Glasgow’s Waterloo Street. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Dunbar Trad Music Festival is on from 21st – 24th September and Findhorn Bay Festival from 26th September – 1st October.

Described as one of the bright lights on today’s folk scene, Ewan McLennan makes his first appearance at Irvine Folk Club when he tops the bill on Wednesday 12th September.
Ewan is a Scottish folk musician and songwriter who was born in London but grew up in Edinburgh. He studied classical music on the piano and then took up guitar. Having developed a strong interest in in folk music, Ewan started playing in folk and acoustic music clubs in 2010. He is an exceptionally fine guitar player.
Ewan has four albums to his name, two of which have brought him national awards. A songwriter for whom social justice is a burning issue, Ewan’s second album The last bird to sing, secured him the Alistair Hulett Memorial Prize for Political Songwriting. That award led to him being invited to take part in the 2013 Transatlantic Sessions, performing and recording alongside the likes of Tim O’Brien and Aly Bain.
His fourth album released in 2016 Breaking the spell of loneliness was a collaborative venture with renowned author and journalist George Monbiot. Using words and music, the acclaimed album opens up the issue of loneliness and community. Ewan and George toured the UK with the album which included a live appearance on BBC2’s Newsnight. The tour was a practical attempt to help address the issue of loneliness in communities.
Ewan is a guitarist, a troubadour, a balladeer and a storyteller ‘cut in the old style’ according to one reviewer. Be in the audience at the Irvine Club on Wednesday 12th September in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road to hear Ewan. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
Elsewhere, the Blas Festival across the Highlands is on from 7th – 15th September, while in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on 15th September The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra will be in concert. All helping to keep music live!

Long since known for the freshness he brings to songs that others might have discarded for being too familiar, Ireland’s quiet man of folk music with the storyteller’s voice, Sean Donnelly is back at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 29th August. This will be the first Club night after the 51st Marymass Folk Festival finishes on the 26th. A quick turnaround.

Born near Omagh in Co Tyrone, Sean grew up in a musical family where weekly house sessions were a regular feature. He ‘emmigrated’ to Newcastle Co Down in the early ‘70s where he still lives. Sean Donnelly has been popular on the folk club circuit for a number of years. He has made countless radio broadcasts and his seventh album And Our Time Together containing songs new and old, is one of which he is particularly proud. One of his earlier albums is called Cut a long story short… and the title illustrates the unaffected style of the man.

Gentle, quiet, unshowy, relaxed are all words that are used repeatedly when people describe Sean. Ex-Planxty member Andy Irvine is just one musical luminary who is a big fan of Sean’s. The knack of knowing a good song when he hears one is Sean’s skill and he has accumulated a vast repertoire that draws heavily, but not exclusively, from the traditional well of Ulster song. He also writes songs. With his quiet storyteller’s voice and distinctive Northern Ireland enunciation, Sean handles songs with care and ease and his delicate guitar style, an ideal complement to his singing, is the envy of many . Sean also plays the mandola.

Tommy Sands who knows a thing or two about singing says of Sean ‘there is a gentleness in the man’s voice and a kindness in the guitar that unwrinkles the mind and body’. What a gift Mr Sands has for finding exactly the right words!

Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 29th August is the place to savour the songs, the singing, the stories and the music of Sean Donnelly. The Irvine
Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Finally, a new info flyer giving full details of who’s appearing when at Irvine Folk Club from now until the end of the year is now out. They are available in all sorts of places but, if you can’t find one then phone Joyce on 01294 551047 or visit www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk

51st MARYMASS FOLK FESTIVAL 23rd – 27th August
Who doesn’t like listening to a good story well told?
As part of the 51st Marymass Folk Festival two professional Storytellers from Traditional Arts & Culture in Scotland will be in Irvine. They are experienced in telling stories to audiences of all ages and eight Storytelling Sessions have been arranged over two days.
The majority of the Storytelling Sessions will be spent in some of the local schools.
In addition, a special Storytelling Session with Michael Kerins has been arranged for Thursday 23rd August from 3pm – 4pm in The Mure Church Hall for people who are above school age and you are invited.
This event is free and is open to anyone who might be interested.
This is something different for the Folk Festival – why not come along and give it a try.

Lancashire Lad Bram Taylor is the welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 15th August. It’s been four years since Bram last played at the Irvine Club so it will be good to hear him again.
Bram has a busy diary that covers appearances throughout the UK and also includes the US of A and Europe. He has played a couple of times at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Ontario where he was delighted to be on the same bill as his heroes from the Sixties Gordon Lightfoot and Don Mclean.
Described as a collector and interpreter of songs, a set from Bram might include contemporary material from the likes of Colum Sands or Eric Bogle as well as traditional songs like ‘Peggy Gordon’. When selecting songs, the key question for Bram is always ‘Is this a good song’. He also like to sing material with a good chorus which will engage the audience. To date this has proved to be successful, having 10 albums to his name and all recorded on Fellside Records. The session musicians on Bram’s albums are a guide to the respect he enjoys among his peers – Stuart Hardy, Steve Lawrence, Wendy Wetherby, Alastair McCulloch and Tom McConville being just some of the names to be found on the credits.
In 2015 Bram teamed up with two of his best friends, Nick Peake and Dave Howard, who just happen to be multi-instrumentalists, and they formed The Bram Taylor Band. The Band does gigs when Bram’s diary permits.
Bram has a strong and clear voice and plays guitar, duet concertina and baritone ukulele. Mike Harding describes Bram as ‘one of the bedrock performers and stalwarts of the British Folk Club & Festival scene’. Hear for yourself when Bram Taylor is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 15th August in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB. That will be the last Folk Club night before the 51st Marymass Folk Festival kicks off on Thursday 23rd August.

Inverness based Corralach is a new duo to Irvine Folk Club and make their debut on Wednesday 1st August. Most of their gigs are above the Central Belt and it may be that Irvine is their most southerly venue this year – although they are booked for Darnick in the Borders next May!
Tony Perridge and George Livingstone are Corralach. Between them they play six and twelve string guitars, bouzouki, mandolin and five string banjo. They also share lead and harmony vocals. Both Tony and George have played in various bands on the folk circuit and keeping the vocal tradition alive is what drives Corralach. They sing a wide range of harmony songs, accompanied or acapella, drawn from Scotland, Ireland and the USA.
Corralach is the resident duo at Ardisier Folk Club and also do residencies at tourist hotels in Inverness. In addition, they play regularly at a Nursing Home and feature frequently at fundraising gigs for local charities.
It seems that Wednesday 1st August at Irvine Folk Club will be a night for singing when Corralach are the guests. The Club starts at 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road.
Looking ahead to Marymass Folk Festival 23rd – 26th August, tickets are now on sale for the Thursday concert with Celtic Quines, Friday night with the Siobhan Miller Band and Marymass Saturday Night’s Strong Women concert – with four of the best female singers in the country – Fiona Hunter, Barbara Dymock, Fiona Forbes and Sheena Wellington. Tickets from Joyce on 01294 551047.

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.

A new name tops the bill on Wednesday 4th July when Graham Carter visits Irvine Folk Club. He called in to do a floor spot a little while back, but this is his first booking at the Irvine Club.
Graham hails from Poole in Dorset and moved up to live in Scotland some 12 years ago when his Scottish wife wanted to go back to her native heath. He started visiting local Folk Clubs and for the last few years has been running Strathaven Folk Club and also doing some work as a promoter.
A self-taught Acoustic Guitar player, Graham also plays Harmonica and Banjo and by all accounts has a fine voice. His repertoire includes traditional songs from the UK and Ireland, plus a smattering of Blues and Americana as well as some of his own self-penned material. Graham cites Johnny Silvo and Peggy Seeger as key inspirations for steering his musical career. It was listening to Peggy that prompted Graham to learn the Banjo.
Graham really enjoys getting audiences to sing along and so on Wednesday 4th July, the Irvine audience will have opportunity aplenty to display their vocal talents. Irvine Folk Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road and it starts at 8pm.
Elsewhere, Folk Festivals in Scotland are coming up thick and fast. From 5th – 8th July Stonehaven takes centre stage and, as if there needs to be a reason to visit Newton Stewart & Minigaff, their Trad Music & Dance Festival is on from 6th – 8th July. And finally for now, Aberdeen hosts the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention from 11th – 15th July. Lots of very good musical reasons for getting out and about in Scotland.

We have the intention of taking a bus through to Edinburgh for the final performance of Far Far from Ypres on Sunday 11th November in the Usher Hall. This concert is selling out so quickly that even now we might struggle to get a block booking. Therefore I need to know by next club night – 4th July names of those interested along with payment of £20.
The plan would be
Bus would leave Vineburgh Community Centre at 2pm
Doors Open 6.30pm
Concert starts 7.30pm
Concert ends 9.30pm
This would give time to have a wander and get something to eat instead of rushing around at the last minute.
Ticket prices are £20 (conc £18)
Depending on how many are going the total cost is expected to be around £30
£20 would need to be paid by 4th July
Remainder to be paid on bus
This is open to anyone who would like to see this show again so if you have family or friends who might be interested please let them know.
This will definitely be the last performance of this show.
Joyce 01294 551047