Bob Wood – 9th August

The rich and varied vein of talent on offer at Irvine Folk Club continues when Briege Murphy is guest on Wednesday 12^th June. The Ulster born and raised singer and songwriter is well thought of by many of the folk luminaries for her fine songs and lovely singing.

Born in South Armagh where she still lives with her husband and two daughters, Briege was brought up in a family steeped in music.  Following the release of her first album The Longest Road  in 1995, Briege became established as one of the strong women in Irish music. Her four subsequent albums have confirmed her status as a songwriter of note.

She has been described as an Irish Nanci Griffiths.  Accompanying herself on guitar, some of her songs are inspired by the beautiful surroundings in which she lives and in others Briege brings to life situations common to people’s own experiences.  Be prepared also for offerings such as the tongue-in-cheek  Saving Up To Be Famous.

Briege Murphy is known for her effortless warmth and sincerity and Irvine Folk Club can hear for themselves on Wednesday 12^th June at Vineburgh Community Centre.  The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Arran Folk Festival and Folk night in Ardrossan

Elsewhere, two local events are happening this weekend.  On Friday 7^th June there is a Folk Night in Ardrossan’s Lauriston Hotel featuring The Scott Wood Trio, Andy Chung and Pinch O’ Salt. Meanwhile across the water, Arran Folk Festival will be underway from Thursday 6^th – Sunday 9^th June.

It is with huge sadness that the unexpected death of Nick Keir is reported.  Nick died in hospital in Edinburgh on Sunday 2^nd June as the result of an embolism.  He was 60 years old.  Edinburgh man Nick had been battling cancer for the last 14 months.

It was as a student at Stirling University that Nick formed the band Finn mac Cuill which went on to record two albums and tour Europe. He also wrote many songs for the 7.84 Theatre Group. He then went on to work at The National Library in Edinburgh and it was while there that Nick was invited to join The McCalmans in 1982.  Nick was ‘the middle one’ of The Macs and he remained with them until they hung up their instruments in 2010.

He wrote many fine songs and was a skilled instrumentalist. However, Nick was particularly  good when The Macs would ‘ham it up’  in songs like Goodnight Sweetheart, Wrecked Again and Don’t Sit on my Jimmy Shands.

He released a solo album recently, The Edge of the Night.  It has been attracting consistently good reviews one describing it as “an accomplished triumph in which the singer comes across as a man at peace with himself.”

Nick had been booked to play at Marymass this year.  He was delighted to have been asked and was looking forward to it.

Nick is survived by his Mum and a brother.

Prepare to be entertained in grand style at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 29^th May when My Sweet Patootie tops the bill. The Irvine Club is one of only three dates in Scotland that this brilliant trio from Canada are playing on their UK tour.

Patootiefied was the name of the second album of My Sweet Patootie. Their third called Good Day is just out.  The three members of My Sweet Patootie are Terry Young, Sandra Swanell and Bradford Novak.  One review described them as ‘Two parts exemplary musicianship and one part vaudeville comedy’.  They tell tall tales and corny jokes – a modern day music hall.  Expect to hear heart-breaking ballads in between finger-snapping tunes.

My Sweet Patootie started off in 2007 as a duo.  Sandra and Terry were members of the fabulous and immensely talented Tanglefoot who played in Irvine on a number of occasions.  They both have a classical music background and a mutual love of swing, Americana and country blues. Sandra has played the violin all her life and was Principal Violist with the Georgian Bay Symphony. Terry as well as playing guitar, banjo and mandolin at a jaw-dropping level is a classically trained tenor.

In Spring 2012 My Sweet Patootie became a trio when percussion-vocalist Bradford Novak joined . This new trio from rural Ontario is an acoustic roots band that brings twinning vocal harmonies, monstrous fingerstyle  guitar, sizzling fiddle, percussion plus abundant charisma  in one fabby package.

For info and in case this might ever rescue you in a Pub Quiz: My Sweet Patootie is a term of endearment popular in the 1920’s meaning a sassy sweetheart.  The name of the band implies the vintage flavour of their music.

The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Simon Barron and Rosalind Brady, funnily enough, are Barron Brady – the special guests at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 15^th May.  Described by Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2 as having a beautiful sound, this will be the first visit of Barron Brady to the Irvine Club.

Having begun performing across the UK five years ago, Barron Brady have received  consistently  good reviews, with Festival and Club organisers impressed with the duo’s innovative arrangements, well crafted self-penned songs and strong vocal harmonies.

Simon and Rosalind live in Devon and the Irvine Club is included in their Spring Northern Tour – but then from Devon it’s almost always going to be north!  They are contemporary songwriters and also interpreters of English folk song. As well as being strong vocalists, Ros plays the harmonium and whistle and Simon excels on fingerstyle guitar.  Barron Brady have recorded three albums with Karen Polwart being just one of the people taking to print as a fan of their sound.

The young, enthusiastic and talented Barron Brady are at Irvine Folk Club on 15^th May in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Kent DuChaine the nomadic Bluesman from Minnesota is back at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 1^st May. 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’!!  He will also likely include some of his own compositions. 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 1^st May is a night for Blues fans to enjoy a masterclass at Irvine Folk Club when Kent DuChaine tops the bill.

The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Described by some as the North East’s secret weapon, Jed Grimes is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 17^th April. His name, though familiar to many, is probably difficult to place. That’s probably because he is a seasoned veteran having played in a number of line-ups.

Jed Grimes hails from the North East of England and is a singer, guitarist and arranger of some quality….mhe also likes to paint and does printmaking too!  He was part of the renowned Hedgehog Pie which developed as part of the flourishing folk scene in the North East in the ‘70s. Jed then moved on to be a member of the successful Doonan Family – a band that played at Marymass all those years ago.

Jed then formed a six-piece band called The Hush which went on to be nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award with their acclaimed album Dark To The Sky. In more recent times, Jed plays solo and also as part of a duo with Bob Thomas.  Jed’s recent solo CD Head On has received rave reviews.

On 17^th April at Irvine, expect to hear traditional songs and tunes from the UK, country blues and some contemporary material.  His ready wit and easy rapport with audiences are illustrated in his favourite quote – ‘Was anything ok?’!

For versatile and exciting musicianship from this assured performer, get along to Irvine Folk Club in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road on Wednesday 17^th April.

The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB…and there’s a cafe.

Out and about ….

Elsewhere, Glenfarg Folk Festival takes place from 12^th – 14^th April. Karine Polwart closes the annual celebration in lovely Glenfarg.  What’s described as ‘a feast of authentic Scottish culture’ starts in Edinburgh (where else!!) on 24^th April and continues until 6^th May.  The headquarters of this event is in The Storytelling Centre in the High Street and includes song, music, dance, crafts and of course storytelling.  So much to do, so little time!

Wednesday 3^rd April will be a Singers Night at Irvine Folk Club.  It’s a change to the published programme and gives a welcome opportunity to that stalwart category – Floor Singers – to take centre stage.

Floor Singers are the backbone of any good Folk Music Club and over its 46 plus years, the Irvine Club has been blessed by having a steady stream of fine singers and musicians as well as the occasional poet and storyteller. The importance of Floor Singers cannot be overstated.

It’s one thing playing in the comfort and privacy of your own home: it’s quite another performing in front of real people and hats off to those brave enough to make the transition.  On Wednesday 3^rd the Singers Night will be an informal night with many of the weel kent Floor Singers at Irvine taking part as well as some not so familiar.

The Singers Night at Irvine Folk Club starts at 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre, Quarry Road and it’s BYOB.

39^th Girvan Folk Festival

Looking ahead, the 39^th Girvan Folk Festival runs from Friday 3^rd to Sunday 5^th May. They have a tried and tested formula – good singers and musicians playing at concerts and workshops and sessions galore in Girvan’s Hostelries. Ticket prices remain very good value and there’s a supervised campsite too.  All info on Girvan at www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk

Looking further ahead, The Knockengorroch World Ceilidh festival takes place 23^rd -26^th May. The organisers’ description of the event says it’s ‘outrageously good fun’.  So, mark your diary and make your way to the Water of Deugh in the Carsphairn Hills for this amazing gathering!