Rallion is a folk band with the terrific knack of combining three exceptional musical talents to create an exciting contemporary sound playing traditional music – and they are the welcome guests at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 10th July.
Rallion is a much respected band. This is a group of three very talented and experienced musicians. Fiona Cuthill is the fiddle powerhouse and is complemented by the superb vocals of Marieke McBean and the virtuoso guitar and bouzouki playing of the ubiquitous Stevie Lawrence. The band is drawn from Glasgow and Perth. Classically trained singer Marieke is from the Netherlands and moved to Scotland in 2001 because of her love for traditional Scottish music. Think of Scottish folk music with a soulful edge and you have Marieke’s voice.
Fiona Cuthill is an impressive and distinctive fiddle player and an acclaimed composer whilst Stevie Lawrence is a much sought after session player. His playing of the guitar and bouzouki covers the whole range from driving rhythms to sensitive phrasing. Stevie also plays with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. What comes through any performance of Rallion is the evident joy in their music and the fact that they love playing together. Their repertoire includes fast-paced modern compositions played in traditional style as well as slower more thoughtful pieces.
The Irvine Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB
Finally, it is sad to report the unexpected but peaceful death of John Montgomery. The fiddler in the much-missed .Saltcoats Harbour Band, John enjoyed all sorts of music but particularly classical and Scottish Traditional. John was a gentle man who was a dear friend to many. John is survived by his wife Irene and her two daughters Laura and Shona.