Hi Folks

We start the month on the 2nd with the extraordinary Wild Willy Barrett's Sleeping Dogz.  This unique trio mix English, Cajun, Celtic and Moorish influences to produce a blend of highly emotive original music and arrangements. The band formed in September 2002 and continues to grow in popularity. For those of you not already familiar with Mr Barrett's unique performance style, come prepared to be both entertained and inspired by the Dogz' repertoire of original material and arrangements. Willy Barrett (guitar, fiddle, banjo, balalaika, vocals) - following a successful partnership with John Otway throughout the 1970s and 80s, his interest in acoustic live performance was re-kindled after hearing the strains of a cello being interwoven around a group of musicians accompanying a belly dance troupe during a visit to a canal-side pub. After a swift introduction, he suggested that Mary (cello, percussion, harmonium, vocals), the cellist, and a previous acquaintance John Devine (uilleann pipes, whistles, harmonium, percussion), should work together utilising their diverse musical capabilities. Supporting will be Matt Ord.

 

On the 9th we are promised another full night with Martin Simpson.  Martin's primary musical interests are in British, Anglo-American and Afro-American traditional forms, building on the foundations laid down by Harry Cox, Blind Willie Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Percy Webb and Blind Willie McTell.   Much of Martin's music reflects the places where he has lived. Time spent in England and the United States underpins his art, yet years ago he learned to apply the artistry of experience in different contexts. A Closer Walk With Thee (1993) explored the Christian Hymnal tradition.  Later he collaborated with musicians such as the great Chinese Lute player, Wu Man. Martin's playing deploys a control of pace and dynamics that touches the heart, like the best music, irrespective of whether the listener has a bit of Lincolnshire, Mississippi or Ganges beneath their manicured or careworn nails.  In his playing he focuses upon economy and how to make each note pay. Listen to him playing now and you will hear how he measures not only the impact and length of each note, but, tellingly how he delivers the space that frames each note.  Martin’s Award at this year’s Folk Awards was for Best Traditional Track. (Surely Martin must be the most nominated artist over the lifetime of the Folk Awards?)

 

Sunday 16^th we have the second visit to the club for Boo Hewerdine.   One of the hardest working artists on the folk scene. (A look at his date sheet shows 18 gigs in May alone!) Boo’s music is well known to the Hitchin audience, from his collaborations with Clive Gregson and with Eddi Reader, probably most famously her major hit “Patience of Angels”.  For his latest album, Harmonograph, Boo resolved to record his own versions of songs he had written for, and often with, other people. From around 400 such songs he drew up a shortlist of 140. After listening to these with the album’s producer, Neil MacColl, he settled on a shorter list of around 80.  Then he more or less gave up. Each morning he would arrive at the studio and simply pick whichever song he fancied doing next!  He resisted any pressure simply to stack together versions of his most successful collaborations.  Amongst the many artists he has written for are Natalie Imbruglia, Mel C, k d Lang and Alex Parks.  He also wrote the film scores to the movies Fever Pitch and TwentyFourSeven with Neil MacColl.  Supporting will be Lou Brown on her second visit to the club.

 

On the 23rd we have Nancy Kerr and James Fagan. After a maternity break Nancy and James are on the road again, complete with new son, Hamish.  Winners of the 2003 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo this well-loved Anglo Australian duo combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and stage presence. Rarely are duos so full in sound; Nancy ’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write. They approach their music with energy and infectious smiles. Rapid musical communication with one another and the audience makes their performance spectacular and unforgettable. 

 

We end the month on the 30^th with Harvey Andrews.  Harvey was born in Birmingham on May 7th 1943. He trained as a schoolteacher but began his singer/songwriter career in 1964 when he was paid ten shillings for singing three of his songs for the first time in a folk club. He turned full time pro in 1966. Television appearances include The Old Grey Whistle Test, Rhythm on Two and over 50 other shows. He has made two television specials featuring his songs, The Camera and The Song, and The Same Old Smile. Two further specials were produced in Holland and Ireland .  A night with Harvey will have amused you, made you think a bit and generally leave you thoroughly entertained.

 

Keiron

goodmusic@hitchinfolkclub.co.uk

www.hitchinfolkclub.co.uk