47th Marymass Folk Festival

Marymass Folk Festival

‘Absolutely good!’ was the unsolicited verdict of a beaming Primary 2 pupil at St Mark’s after hearing Canadian Roots band My Sweet Patootie play – and it neatly illustrates the response throughout the 47th Marymass Folk Festival.
The concert at St Mark’s was one of four Folk Music in Schools sessions which were part of the 20 Folk Festival events with an exceptionally high standard of music and entertainment throughout.
Over the five days, audiences repeatedly said how much they enjoyed the music – in terms of quality and entertainment – and of course the musicians responded and the whole Festival just kept getting better. ‘When all the planning comes together it’s very satisfying for everyone concerned – audiences, musicians as well as those who help support the Festival financially or in kind’ said Folk Festival Chair Anne Clarke. ‘And it would be remiss not to mention the valuable role of the main venues – Vineburgh Community Centre, The Ship Inn and the Volunteer Rooms. They all welcomed the Festival and that was a key factor in the overall success of this year’s event.’
On the final day of the Folk Festival, former Kilwinning man now resident in Wales Bobby Connell went away with two World Championships. Bobby was the comfortable winner of both the Whammy-Diddling and the Chuckie-Chucking trophies..….and then donated the accompanying bottles of whisky back to the Festival!
And to round off a fabulous Marymass Folk Festival, it can be reported that the Festival Treasurer Joyce Hodge slept soundly happy in the knowledge that the Festival cleared its feet!

Marymass Folk Festival has a Facebook page

Marymass Folk Festival and Irvine Folk Club now has a Facebook page. At the moment it only contains a photograph of the Battlefield Band and a link to the Folk Club website page where you can buy tickets for Battlefield’s Marymass Concert (and other Marymass Festival tickets). How the page develops is up to you. Can I encourage all club members to ‘share’ this page on your own Facebook wall and to do something positive to encourage friends to come along to the Volunteer Rooms on Marymass Saturday night. This is an ideal opportunity to introduce people to a great folk music concert.

Visit the Marymass Folk Festival Facebook page: www.facebook.com/marymassfolkfestival

47th Marymass Folk Festival

The 47th Marymass Folk Festival: Concerts, community events and sessions are the key elements of Marymass Folk Festival and this successful formula is why 2014 is the 47th anniversary of this Irvine event – thought to be the longest running Folk Festival in the country.

The five day Festival kicks off on Wednesday 20th August and runs through until Sunday 24th August. Twenty events make up the packed programme of which only six have an admission charge – yes, that means the rest are free! The valued support of sponsors like Irvine Probus who put their name against the Senior Citizens Concert on Thursday 15th in the Volunteer Rooms and also the Schools programme is very much appreciated.

Undoubtedly, it’s the world-renowned Battlefield Band topping the bill at the Marymass Saturday Night Concert in the Volunteer Rooms on the 23rd that will catch the eye of most people. The four-piece band – two Scotsmen, an Irishman and an American – play raucous instrumentals, plaintive ballads with the intuitive understanding of the world class musicians that they are. Battlefield, they take their name from the area in Glasgow, has undergone many line-up evolutions in their long history, and although having played in Irvine a number of times, this will be the first time for this particular line-up.

Leading up to the Battlefield, there are two concerts in Vineburgh Communuity Centre – a really good and intimate setting enjoyed by musicians and audiences alike. A Scots Chorus with Muldoon’s Picnic & Mick West top the bill on Thursday 21st. Inspired by the singing of acapella group Muldoon’s Picnic, A Scots Chorus was formed in 2012. Essentially it’s a group of people singing the most interesting and representative Scots chorus songs so that more people can join in singing a good Scots chorus. Simples! The marvellous and distinctive voice of Glaswegian Mick West is of course another attraction.

Infectious, feel-good music is guaranteed on Friday 22nd when Canadian roots band My Sweet Patootie headlines at Vineburgh. Three world class musicians, super vocal harmonies and great entertainers – that’s what makes MSP so very good. Terry Young & Sandra Swannell were members of the mighty Tanglefoot and they have been joined by Percussionist Bradford Novak. They play an invigorating blend of music culled from Country, Blues, Folk, Vaudeville, Swing and Hot Club Jazz. For information, a term of endearment is one of the explanations of the name My Sweet Patootie!

Three great concerts at Marymass Folk Festival are on the cards. Tickets for them are available now from Joyce on 01294 551047 or email JoyceIFC@aol.com. All Folk Festival info can be had from Joyce as before or visit www.irvinefolkclub.trad.org.uk or pick up a leaflet.

For more information on the Marymass Town Festival. The Marymass Festival goes back many many years, the Marymass Folk Festival is a relative youngster but has now been part of Marymass for almost 50 years. www.marymass.com

Dr Mango and The Chickpeas – 6th August

At last, and not for the want of trying, Dr Mango and The Chickpeas top the bill at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 6th August and it should be just the very thing to set up Irvine audiences for Marymass Folk Festival which starts on 20th August. Dr Mango and The Chickpeas are a young, Glasgow based, five- piece band who play whatever they play with great passion. Expect to hear self-penned and traditional material as well as Scots music and Scots and French song. This varied repertoire reflects the range of backgrounds of the band. Jen Austin from Orkney plays piano; Ayrshire’s Robyn Gray plays fiddle and does vocals; Kirsten MacLeod plays accordion and she’s from Ardnamurchan; on bodhran & French song is Marissa Vachon from Vancouver and finally on guitar is Borders man Chris Waite.

The five band members met playing on the rich and vibrant Glasgow folk scene. Their upbeat contemporary sound and their wide ranging musical influences create what has been described as ‘a musical marmalade’! But who’s Dr Mango? One explanation is that trad musicians, particularly of the Celtic variety, would give their contemporary, instrumental tunes silly names…..and so, Dr Mango and The Chickpeas. Perhaps, a better explanation will be given by the band at the Irvine Club. In any case, Dr Mango and The Chickpeas are high quality musicians and yet another example of the high musical standard to be found across Scotland.

Hear them at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 6th August at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB. It’s also where you can buy tickets for the forthcoming Marymass Folk Festival and find out all Folk Festival information.

Jinski – 23 July

New to Irvine Folk Club is the duo called JINSKI – two very individual guitarists/musicians with strong distinctive voices and they are the guests on Wednesday 23rd July.

JINSKI are Liverpool born Steve Wegrzynski and Geordie boy Dave Kennedy. Steve has been around the music scene for a while, playing tirelessly in the 80’s as a solo performer and going under the name of JINSKI. The same name JINSKI now applies to the duo he formed with Dave Kennedy. Steve does vocal and plays guitar and harmonica while Dave is on guitar and vocals. Steve is also a much respected songwriter. He writes songs from the heart inspired by the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

The musical roots of Steve and Dave lie folk and country. At the Irvine Club, expect to hear foot-stomping, sing-along and raucous songs as well as much gentler and subtly sophisticated material. As well as original numbers, a set list might include Neil Young’s Heart of Gold. Live performances by JINSKI are known for their warmth, passion and humour.

A casual glance at the JINSKI Gig List shows that they fairly clock up the miles and are in much demand. They travel the length and breadth of the UK on a regular basis.

So, to hear the two men who are being tipped to take over the Lindisfarne mantle, get along to Irvine Folk Club at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road on Wednesday 23rd July for 8pm – and remember it’s BYOB.

Finally, make sure that you have a programme for the forthcoming Marymass Folk Festival. It starts Wednesday 20th and goes on until Sunday 24th August. If you can’t find a programme then just phone Joyce on 01294 551047 for all information.

Claude Bourbon – 9th July

Claude Bourbon is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 9th July and is yet another terrific example of the prodigious talent to be heard in Folk Clubs. The unique Claude Bourbon has played the Irvine Club before and is known to be a formidable performer.
Claude is a French-born guitarist who was classically trained in Switzerland but his musical influences extend far beyond. He plays a travel-worn Gibson with such mesmerising dexterity that his fingers become a blur. He plays parts of the guitar that wouldn’t even occur to most players and using all ten fingers, it’s part of the fun deciding which hand to watch!
Apart from plucking, finger-picking and strumming with great speed and precision, Monsieur Bourbon also sings. His gravelly voice being put to particularly good effect on Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’, ‘Bright Lights, Big City’, and the Blues number ‘I Needed Shelter’. Some say he sounds like a latter-day Dylan with a French accent. In Belgium, they affectionately dubbed Claude The Frog with the Blues!
A swift glance at his gig list illustrates the demand to hear Claude live. He tours extensively in the USA playing at concerts, coffee houses and house concerts. Dates in Germany, France, Denmark, Belgium and the UK also abound. This man is a seriously good performer.
Hear Claude Bourbon at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 9th July. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre, starts at 8pm and while it’s BYOB, there is an excellent café.
Finally, not long until The 47th Marymass Folk Festival starts on Wednesday 20th August. Full information and tickets for the Evening Concerts are available by contacting Joyce on 01294 551047 or visit www.irvinefolkclub.co.uk. The world renowned Battlefield Band top the bill on Marymass Saturday Night 23rd August, so securing a ticket early is strongly advised.

Bruce & Walker – 25th June

When Ian Bruce and Ian Walker play as a duo they now appear under the Bruce & Walker banner and very happily they are the Irvine Folk Club guests on Wednesday 25th June. Ian B and Ian W are surely two of the best ambassadors for folk music and cannot be recommended highly enough.

Ian Bruce is a much respected singer and songwriter. His excellent interpretation of Burns’ songs brought a whole swathe of material to the attention of people who hitherto might not have bothered listening to the Bard. He injected new life into Dr Fred Freeman’s series The Complete Songs of Robert Burns.

Ian B is a big man with a big voice to match and he makes complicated guitar playing look ridiculously easy. Added to that, Ian Bruce is a very personable fellow. What’s not to like!

The other Ian – Ian Walker, used to work in Irvine but then took himself off to Bo’ness where he still lives. His first solo booking was at the Kilmarnock Club where he received great encouragement from Pete Heywood. Ian is an acclaimed and award-winning songwriter. Gems like Roses in December, Some Hae Meat and Hawks and Eagles have all come from the thoughtful pen of Ian Walker. Ian’s uncomplicated banjo accompaniment, ready smile and straightforward delivery all add up to an out-of the-ordinary folk musician.

Bruce & Walker released an acclaimed album earlier this year called Born To Rottenrow on the Greentrax label and a quick look at their gig list demonstrates that the duo is in much demand all over the UK. Ian W’s wife Moe appears on the new album doing backing vocals and may help out at the Irvine Club.

Sometimes articles like this might appear to ‘over-egg the pudding’. Definitely not so in this case. Audiences everywhere enjoy Bruce & Walker and doubtless they are the envy of many other musicians.

Bruce & Walker are at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 25th June. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. It starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Finally, if you haven’t been to the folk sessions at Irvine’s Ship Inn, try and get along. They start at 8pm every Tuesday and are thoroughly enjoyable.

Kent DuChaine – 11th June

Kent DuChaine the nomadic Bluesman from Minnesota is back at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 11th June. His abundant energy and enthusiasm means there is no chance of nodding off when he is playing. Kent’s guitar playing is exceptional and combined with the power of his voice and his passion for the Blues means it’s a night not to be missed at the Irvine Club.

Kent’s potted history is: born in Wayzata, Minnesota; formed a garage band at 13; reading Eric Clapton album notes led him to check out a Robert Johnson album at his local library. So taken aback by the album, he almost wore it out listening to it ….the music of the Mississippi Delta had captured him.

In 1969 Kent learned to play slide guitar and ten years later he found his beloved Leadbessie – ‘a beat-up 1934 National Steel Guitar’ as he describes her. It’s kitted out with extra heavy strings to cope with his ferocious style and there is now a whole lot of gaffer tape on Leadbessie as well! The name Leadbessie is an affectionate amalgam of Blues legends Leadbelly and Bessie Smith.

Kent lives to spread the Blues and has clocked up countless thousands of miles and close on 100 overseas tours from his South Georgia base in the USA. Songs about Kent’s youth, his adventures, family and friends are linked by frank anecdotes in true troubadour style.

He always brings something of his own interpretation to covers of standards such as Little Red Rooster, St James Infirmary, I’ll Be True To You or Trouble in Mind. His set is a far cry from ‘ well I woke up this morning’!! His intricate, finger-picking slide-guitar and use of his hand as a handhammer beat, all contribute to the sheer intensity of a Kent DuChaine performance.

Wednesday 11th June is a night for Blues fans to enjoy at Irvine Folk Club with Kent DuChaine. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Two other dates for diaries. This Friday 6th June in Ardrossan’s Lauriston Hotel there is a Folk Night featuring Amber Road, Andy Chung and A Pinch O’ Salt (coats). It starts at 7.30pm, £10 admission and is organised by Ardrossan Highland Games which take place on Sunday 8th June.

Back in Irvine, Salt House makes their debut appearance in Irvine on Thursday 12th June. They are playing at The Harbour Arts Centre and the starting time is 7.30pm. This is a fundraiser for The Church of The Nazarene. Tickets cost £10 and are available from The HAC or phone Thomas Turner on 01294 275972. Salt House have an extremely talented line-up and seem like a band well worth hearing.

John Doyle – 28th May

Irvine Folk Club has John Doyle as its special guest on Wednesday 28th May and by all accounts this is an immensely talented man and it would be foolish not to be in the audience to hear for yourself.
Dublin born John is a Grammy nominee, has played for President Obama in The White House and his musical partnerships include the likes of Andy Irvine, Tim O’Brien, Bruce Molsky, Kate Rusby, Mick McGoldrick & John McCusker…to name but a few. He was a founding member of the world–renowned Irish/American band Solas and toured with them for four years.
His self–taught, left–handed guitar technique produces a driving, dynamic sound and this powerhouse rhythmic guitar means that John is in impossibly high demand as a session musician. He appears on 27 compilations that are known of, with artists such as Johnny Cunningham, Cathal McConnell, Linda Thompson, Julie Fowlis, Joannie Madden…..and so the list continues.
This multi-instrumentalist, arranger and tenor singer also writes songs and records on Compass Records. His songs are on the themes of war, oppression, love and emigration. Given the scarily high demand he is in, it is little wonder that he has recorded only two solo albums. For aspiring guitarists, John’s DVD Irish Rhythmic Guitar: Accompanying Celtic Tunes is recommended to anyone wishing to learn Irish trad music on acoustic guitar.
Therefore, to hear John Doyle, get yourself along to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 28th May for 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. Remember, it’s BYOB.
Nearly finally, tickets for the concert in Irvine’s Harbour Arts Centre by Salt House on Thursday 12th June are now on sale at the venue. And finally, the weekly sessions at The Ship Inn at the Harbourside in Irvine are proving very popular with musicians, singers and audience members of all ages. The sessions start at 8pm.

Salt House – 12th June

Fundraising is an excellent reason for bringing a much acclaimed new band bristling with talent to play in Irvine. The band is called Salt House and they are appearing at Irvine’s Harbour Arts centre on Thursday 12th June.
The concert has been put together by local Piper Thomas Turner to raise funds for The Church of The Nazarene and plainly he has very good contacts in the music world when a band of the calibre of Salt House has been booked to appear.
Salt House is a four-piece acoustic band featuring Siobhan Miller, Ewan MacPherson, Lauren MacColl and Euan Burton. Their debut album ‘Lay Your Dark Low’ was released last year to wide critical acclaim. Salt is for seasoning and preserving and so is an apt name for the style of this new band playing music which is described as earthy, deep-rooted and eagerly progressive.
Trad ballads sit alongside self-penned material as well as more contemporary music with the three extremely talented instrumentalists providing a perfect backdrop for the distinctive singing of Siobhan Miller. Between the four of them, Siobhan, Ewan, Lauren and Euan have amassed a host of individual awards including Jazz as well as Folk.
Salt House is Siobhan Miller on vocals and harmonium, Ewan MacPherson on guitars, banjos, mandolin and vocals, Lauren MacColl on viola and fiddle and Euan Burton on double bass.
Tickets to hear Salt House at The HAC on Thursday 18th June at 7.30pm are £10 and are available from The HAC or from Thomas Turner on 01294 275972. It has all the makings of a really good concert.