Bob Wood – 9th August

This being the 50th year of Irvine Folk Club, and Saffron Summerfield topping the bill at the Club on Wednesday 26th October, brings to mind the rich musical heritage of the Club. Saffron played regularly in Irvine in the ‘70s when The Eg was HQ for the Club and Marymass Folk Festival. Welcome back Saffron.
Those with memories of that time will remember the young woman from Northamptonshire as having a strong and clear voice who was also a skilful guitarist. She remains one of only a few female bottle-neck Blues guitarists. Saffron also does the unexpected: her rendition of The Beatles ‘Eleanor Rigby’ being in that category and she did it so very well. It will be on one of the nine albums she has released – perhaps on her first one ‘Salisbury Plain’ of fond memory.
Saffron has her own record label – Mother Earth Music – which she set up in the ‘70s. Her albums sell well in the USA and Japan where she has toured regularly and also Europe and New Zealand.
Having taken a six year break in the late ‘80s, Saffron was Musical Director for two Channel Four documentaries, maintained her talent as a songwriter, developed her passionate interest in conservation and run three London Marathons! She is now half-way through a UK tour which will take her into 2017 and happily, the Irvine Club is on her gig list.
So, as Saffron celebrates 40 years or thereabouts in the music business, it’s appropriate that she is back at the Irvine Club in its 50th year. Hear Saffron for the first or umpteenth time at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 26th October. The Club starts at 8pm.
Finally, news of the death on Saturday 15th October of Irvine Folk member Brian Brown was received with shock and sadness. Brian was a faithful Club member who loved the camaraderie as much as the music. The sympathy of the Club goes to Brian’s family and friends.
Brian’s funeral will take place in Abbey Church Kilwinning on Tuesday 1st November at 1pm thereafter to Holmsford Bridge Crematorium at 2pm.

Members are reminded that the Half-Yearly Meeting of Irvine Folk Club will take place tomorrow evening at 7.30pm in Vineburgh Community Centre. The 50th Celebration Dinner will take place on Wednesday 19th October in Taylors, Kilwinning (at the station formerly Claremont) 7pm for 7.30pm. If you have not yet put your name down or paid your money this must be done tomorrow night. There was no lift at Hamiltons hence the change of venue. However, Taylor’s should be handy enough for everyone.

Keen observers of the Irvine Folk Club Guest List would have been expecting Jack Law’s Band on Wednesday 12th October. It should be noted that for reasons unknown as yet, Jack Law’s Band has morphed into Raging Twilight and they will be the guests at the Irvine Club on 12th October.
Raging Twilight describe their music as being ‘woven with soul and laced with blues’. In any case, it is a five-piece band fronted by Jack Law and they play in and around Glasgow and the Central Belt.
Jack Law on vocals plus acoustic, electric and slide guitars as well as mandolin is a singer and songwriter who formed his first band as a pupil at Clydebank High School. He was a founder member of Greenmantle – a superb band of the 1970s who were frequent visitors to Irvine folk Club at The Eg and Marymass Folk Festival. Jack is tremendously proud of his Greenmantle days.
The four other Raging Twilight members are Dougie Harrison on vocals plus acoustic, electric and slide guitars; Jean-Claude (JC) Danti on vocals, bass and acoustic guitar; Duncan Sloan on keyboards and Colin Paterson on drums and percussion. Dougie, JC, Duncan and Colin also play in a variety of other bands including ‘60s Covers bands, a Jazz Guitar duo, Blues bands, a Rolling Stones Tribute band, a Country band and an amateur orchestra! Nothing if not varied!
Jack Law firmly believes that creativity continues to develop as you get older – ie not the prerogative of the young. On Wednesday 12th October at Irvine Folk Club, the audience will get a chance to check out his contention when Raging Twilight are the guests. The Club starts at 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road and it’s BYOB.

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.

Described as a duo with a unique vocal blend and balanced harmonies, Mark & Cindy Lemaire have come to Folk Music from two very different career backgrounds and at Irvine folk Club on Wednesday 14th September, the result will be on display.
Mark originally from New England and Cindy from San Francisco met in 2009 and married in 2014. Having played in the Boston Coffee Houses from a young age, Mark eventually became a Recording Engineer and moved to San Francisco in 1985 where the plan was to perform a bit more and engineer a little less. The plan was working until he contracted Tendonitis and so he performed a little less and engineered a little more.
Mark & Cindy formed a duo in 2009. From Southern California, she had been singing since her teens. Although she became, and still is, a Planning Consultant, Cindy never left the music behind. Since Mark & Cindy got married, they tour New England every Summer and also tour further afield including Los Angeles, Italy, Croatia, New Mexico, Sweden and the UK.
Mark is described as an exceptional Guitarist showing a mastery of fingerpicking and hand percussion styles. He collects Martin Guitars. A set by Mark & Cindy could include the subtlety of a solo guitar piece or a raucous singalong number. But always, their set will feature their excellent harmonies.
Get along to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 14th September for 8pm at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road to hear the debut appearance in Irvine of Mark & Cindy Lemaire. It’s BYOB.
Finally, there are a number of Folk Festivals on in September. BLAS with venues across the Highlands runs until 10th September, Linlithgow runs until 11th September and from 23rd – 25th September it’s the turn of the Isle of Jura. And that’s just a sample of the September Festival list.

The dust not having had time to settle on the 49th Marymass Folk Festival, Irvine Folk Club starts back on Wednesday 31st August with The Mairs Family Band – and if you are a Bluegrass fan, then they will need little introduction.
All the way from Rutherglen, The Mairs Band is Alan, his wife Louise, their daughter Hazel plus some additional players. They are well-known on the Scottish Bluegrass scene for their musicality, strong vocal harmonies and wide range of material. From contemporary to trad the Mairs cover all of it.
Alan plays acoustic guitar, Louise plays double bass and Hazel plays dobro. Mandolin, banjo and fiddle can also be expected to be heard. In past times, the Band went under the name of Redwing then new Redwing to reflect line-up changes. Alan was a founder member of Old Hickory. In short, they have been around.
The Mairs Family Band kicks off the Autumn season at the Irvine Club on the last day of August. The Club starts at 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road and it’s BYOB. Full details of Club guests from now until January plus details of how to be part of the planned exhibition to mark the 50th anniversaries of the Club and Festival are available now on Info Fliers in all Libraries or at www.irvinefolkclub.org

A new name to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 3rd August. It’s Enda Kenny and no, the Irish Taoiseach has not taken up a fulltime folk music career – just that the names are the same!
This Irish born singer and songwriter has lived in Melbourne, Australia since the late ‘80s and sings songs about where he lives rather where he left. After a decade working in Housing in the public sector in Melbourne, Enda returned to music full-time in 2013. Since then his growing international audience has gone from strength to strength. He tours in the UK, Germany, Holland, New Zealand and Canada. Enda is playing at The Fiddlers’ Green Festival in Rostrevor before he plays at the Irvine Club.
Enda has seven albums to his name, the most recent being Heart Tattoo. He is multi award-winning songwriter described by Colum Sands as ‘ the finest Irish songwriter living overseas’ – and Colum knows a thing or two about good songs. Gentle assurance is how the singing and playing style of Enda is known. As well as playing his own material he enjoys singing the songs of Stan Rogers and Jez Lowe
So, on Wednesday 3rd August get along to hear the musically gifted Enda Kenny. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
And two weeks after Enda Kenny’s appearance, the 49th Marymass Folk Festival starts – from Wednesday 17th right through to Sunday night 21st August. Yet again, a quality line-up of artists has been assembled from a variety of countries. There are sixteen scheduled events in the programme plus sessions at seven schools in Irvine. In the whole programme, only six have an admission charge and there’s a Festival Saver ticket available too. All information is in the Folk Festival programme which is now available. If you can’t find one phone Joyce on 01294 551047 or visit www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk A new name to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 3rd August. It’s Enda Kenny and no, the Irish Taoiseach has not taken up a fulltime folk music career – just that the names are the same!
This Irish born singer and songwriter has lived in Melbourne, Australia since the late ‘80s and sings songs about where he lives rather where he left. After a decade working in Housing in the public sector in Melbourne, Enda returned to music full-time in 2013. Since then his growing international audience has gone from strength to strength. He tours in the UK, Germany, Holland, New Zealand and Canada. Enda is playing at The Fiddlers’ Green Festival in Rostrevor before he plays at the Irvine Club.
Enda has seven albums to his name, the most recent being Heart Tattoo. He is multi award-winning songwriter described by Colum Sands as ‘ the finest Irish songwriter living overseas’ – and Colum knows a thing or two about good songs. Gentle assurance is how the singing and playing style of Enda is known. As well as playing his own material he enjoys singing the songs of Stan Rogers and Jez Lowe
So, on Wednesday 3rd August get along to hear the musically gifted Enda Kenny. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
And two weeks after Enda Kenny’s appearance, the 49th Marymass Folk Festival starts – from Wednesday 17th right through to Sunday night 21st August. Yet again, a quality line-up of artists has been assembled from a variety of countries. There are sixteen scheduled events in the programme plus sessions at seven schools in Irvine. In the whole programme, only six have an admission charge and there’s a Festival Saver ticket available too. All information is in the Folk Festival programme which is now available. If you can’t find one phone Joyce on 01294 551047 or visit www.irvinefolkclub.org.uk

Dundonald Highland Games is our main fund raising event of the year. The Club has 71 members and we ask each member to donate one bottle (alcohol) to this event. I only got confirmation this morning that we had been allocated a stall – hence the late notice. Would members please bring their bottles to the club on Wednesday or if you would prefer to make a cash donation I will purchase bottles. Dundonald Highland Games will be held on Saturday 6th August and it’s a good day out and always well attended. We depend on the support of our loyal members and you never let us down. It gets more and more difficult to raise sponsorship money and we really need the money this event brings in to keep the Festival going.
Thanks
Joyce

Returning to play at Irvine Folk Club after an absence of a good number of years, Kellys Heroes will top the bill on Wednesday 20th July. They were a very popular band and so expectations are high this time round.
Kellys Heroes first played in Irvine when The Redburn Hotel was the Club’s home – an indication of the quick passage of time! They went down well and subsequently appeared at Marymass Folk Festivals. Then due to family circumstances, the band was off the road for a while. But now they’re back.
The rich strength of Kellys Heroes is Helen O’Connell’s fine playing of the Button Accordion and Melodeon plus the powerful rhythmic Guitar and Bodhran playing of Steve Hall and Tony Duggan respectively. And all three do vocals too. As might be expected, the fast and furious Celtic songs and tunes are in their set list as well as gentle ballads and contemporary material from the likes of Eric Bogle, Ewan MacColl and Christy Moore.
It will be good to have this East Midlands based Band back in Irvine. Hear them for yourself, whether it’s the second or the first time, at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 20th July at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
Finally, look out in your local Library for The 49th Marymass Folk Festival programme giving full details of the five day bash. The dates are Wednesday 17th – Sunday 21st August and the programme will also be available at www.irvinefolkclub.org or else phone Joyce on 01294 551047.

The guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 6th July is Bob Wood. He is described by Ian McCalman as ‘one of Scotland’s best kept secrets’ and Bob’s debut album remains as one of Ian’s ‘most played’. Not a recommendation to be sniffed at! Although a native of Ayr, Bob moved to the bright lights of London a number of years ago and there he has remained. He is a founder member and organiser of The Ram Folk Club in Surrey and it is in and around London and the Home Counties that Bob has established himself as a very accomplished finger style guitarist and an excellent singer. Artists of the calibre of Archie Fisher, Tom McConville, Steve Tiltson and Jez Lowe all wax lyrical about Bob’s expertise and they know a thing or two about good music.

Bob has played at countless Clubs and Festivals throughout the UK and has contributed to a number of albums by other artists. Being in demand to appear on other artists’ CDs probably accounts for the fact that he has released only two of his own. His deft and much admired guitar picking skills make his guitar workshops very sought after. The workshops focus on alternative guitar tunings and song accompaniment. His extensive repertoire of songs includes traditional material as well as more contemporary songs. As well as his solo career, Bob does regular gigs with Benny Gallagher of Gallagher & Lyle fame and it’s a partnership they they both very much enjoy.

Therefore to hear the much respected Bob Wood from Ayr on his second appearance at Irvine Folk Club, get along to Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road on Wednesday 6th July for 8pm. It’s BYOB at the Club and there’s also a good café available.

Elsewhere, two glorious parts of Scotland are hosting Trad Music Festivals. First up is Falkland this weekend 1st – 3rd July and, from 7th – 9th July it’s the turn of Newton Stewart & Minigaff. Superb places to visit plus good music equals wonderful!