Bob Wood – 9th August

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Joan & Elma tackle gruelling walk….for Folk Club funds.

On Sunday 18th May Irvine Folk Club member Joan Muir and her dog Elma will be taking part in the Annual Harbourside Sponsored Hike organised by the Tailor Craft – one of Irvine’s seven Incorporated Trades.
Already, Joan and Elma are in training for the event. They hope to get a number of sponsors to raise funds for the Folk Club.
‘It’s a bit of a slog’ said Joan ‘but the effort is worth it if it helps the Club. Describing the event as a Hike is maybe a bit of an exaggeration as all of us know Irvine is fairly flat, but it’s good fun except when you go the wrong way as was the case last year – and that was with two sighted friends!!’
A sponsor sheet will be available at the Club this Wednesday 14th May when Flossie Malavialle is the guest. Sponsorship money will be collected the following Club night on Wednesday 28th May.
Please support this annual fundraiser for Irvine Folk Club.

Flossie Malavialle is the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 14th May.
It is just over two years since she last appeared at the Irvine Club and a visit to Irvine has been included on her busy Scottish tour which is sure to please her admirers. She is an entertainer.

From Nimes in France but resident in the North East of England these last 12 plus years, Flossie has a clear and strong voice and accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. Her repertoire is very varied and could include anything from Janis Joplin to Nat King Cole and from Edith Piaf to Colum Sands.

Flossie’s first appearance at Irvine some years ago went down very well. She has a commanding stage presence and, for the most part, sings well known songs. She now has 10 albums to her name. As well as her solo gigs, Flossie is one half of the Dark Horses duo – the other half being guitarist Keith Donnelly. In short, she’s busy.

She had taught English in France for 12 years before going to Darlington on a teacher exchange to improve her English. As she had been singing in Clubs in France for years, the natural thing to do was to visit the local Folk Club in Darlington. It was then that Flossie took to life on this side of The Channel and here she has remained.

Hear Flossie Malavialle at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 14th May in Vineburgh Community Centre. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

And looking ahead, full details on this year’s Marymass Folk Festival are available. Festival Leaflets are in all North Ayrshire Libraries plus all sorts of other places too. You can also go online at www.irvinefolkclub.co.uk or phone Joyce on 01294 551047. Festival Concerts tickets are now on sale and as the mighty Battlefield Band are headlining the Marymass Saturday Night concert on 23rd August, securing a ticket well in advance might be a wise idea.

Finally, the Moniaive Folk Festival is on this coming weekend 9th -11th May. All Moniaive info from alan@snadermill.co.uk

Louise Jordan is a young singer, composer, musician and record producer. She is currently on a UK tour and Irvine Folk Club welcomes her on Wednesday 30th April.
Born in Winchester, growing up in Salisbury and now living with her husband in Fordingbridge, Louise has two albums to her name. Both of them she produced herself in her purpose-built studio at home having learned how to use Pro-tools. The two albums are on her own label Azania Records. This is a lady who just gets on with things!
It was in Salisbury that Louise worked through her piano, cello and singing grades. In her late teens, thinking that playing guitar would be different from reading scores, she taught herself guitar.
Whilst doing a Law degree, music dipped into the background. She thought that by using her Law qualification she could help change the world and so Louise worked with Young Offenders and as a Youth Worker before training as a Teacher. Realising that Teaching was not for her and not wanting to go back to Law, it was with the encouragement and support of her husband that she decided to pursue a musical career.
The main strength of multi-instrumentalist Louise is her voice. Her songs are about what she knows and about people overcoming life’s challenges. She cites the downside of being a solo artist as realising that someone’s got to drive!
At home, Louise and her husband are putting together Forest Live – a series of live shows at Fordingbridge. They are both of the mind that music is part of everybody’s life and do what they can to involve people.
Louise Jordan makes her debut at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 30th April in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.
And almost finally, the Folk Sessions at The Ship Inn at Irvine’s Harbourside are going from strength to strength and attracting a huge range of musical styles. The sessions are weekly on Tuesdays and start at 8pm.
And finally, not long now to the Girvan Folk Festival, Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th May.
All info on Girvan at www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk

The guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 16th April is in the ‘not-to-be-missed’ category. Anthony John Clarke is the name and make sure you are in the audience to hear this much acclaimed singer and songwriter.

The softly spoken, fast talking and very engaging Belfast born Anthony John Clarke has been on the folk circuit for a number of years having been hooked on music from an early age when he heard Barry McGuire singing ‘Eve of Destruction’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Like A Rolling Stone ‘. As a young man, AJC heard Al Stewart, John Martyn, Claire Hamill and Christy Moore at Belfast University and that cemented his admiration of songwriters. Ray Davies of The Kinks is included in AJC’s favourite seven songwriters. Despite having 12 albums to his name, two songbooks and being held in high regard among his peers and fans, AJC reckons he is still very much an apprentice songwriter!

Starting off playing a second-hand Eko Ranger 6 as a youngster, AJC has become well known for his accomplished playing of a snazzy, red acoustic guitar. He plays songs that make you sit up and listen and ponder the story being told. Some of his songs like ‘Gloria’ have almost become standards. Whilst others like ‘Spray A Little Perfume’ and ‘Banjo Antarctica’ are much requested wherever he goes….and AJC has a very busy diary. Next month he is up and down the UK and then on to Denmark. June he is in the Netherlands and Germany, whilst February 2015 already has New Zealand dates.

AJC sees entertaining the audience as his first responsibility. And this he does so very, very well. Therefore, to hear terrific songs with a unique delivery sung by a singer and songwriter of great quality, get along to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 16th April in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road to hear Anthony John Clarke. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

And still in Irvine, The Sessions at The Ship started last week and got off to a great start. About a dozen musicians turned up including a young trio who played Small Pipes and Fiddle. It was so good that someone from Paisley missed her last train and had to get a lift home! Sessions at The Ship start at 8pm and they are on every Tuesday at The Ship Inn in Irvine’s Harbourside. Go along and hear for yourself.

And finally, folk musicians from all over Ayrshire will be playing at a concert in The Ayr Gaiety on Friday 11th April as part of 40th Anniversary celebrations of Girvan Folk Festival. Tickets available from The Gaiety. Go!

Ayrshire Folk at The Ayr Gaiety……..
Some weel kent faces will gather in the Studio Theatre at The Ayr Gaiety on Friday 11th April to flag up the fact that 2014 is Girvan Folk Festival’s 40th anniversary. Amongst those performing are Sean & Robyn Grey from Coylton, Willie Sinclair and Dick & Maureen McAllister from Irvine, a squad from Girvan plus Paul Creighton & Stevie McCann under the name New Legacy.
Hosting the evening in his own inimitable style will be Gordon Potter. The evening starts at 7.30pm and tickets are on sale now.