From: Martin Snodin [martin_dot_snodin_at_homecall_dot_co_dot_uk]
Sent: 07 March 2007 01:09
Subject: Acoustic Sussex newsletter - 7 March 2007

Newsletter             7th March 2007

 

Contact details
Tel. 01342 716975
or email:
info_at_acousticsussex_dot_org_dot_uk

 


“Gilmore is blazing her own path towards classic status as a songwriter"
The Guardian

"The most prolific and intelligent wordsmith of her generation"
The Independent

"deceptively populist and deceitfully dark"
MOJO

"Britain has spawned very few world class female singer-songwriters, but Gilmore is already in a league of her own"
 Q magazine

"Vituperative, intelligent and sharp as a tack"
Observer

Click on these links (or visit the website) for more information on upcoming shows.

Ø       Monday 12th March – Thea Gilmore (below) + support Erin McKeown at Chequer Mead, East Grinstead

Ø       Monday 26th March – Richard Durrant (below) + support Wilber at The Ravenswood, Sharpthorne

Ø       Monday 30th April – Charlie Dore (below) + support Zauberei at The Ravenswood, Sharpthorne

Ø       Monday 14th May – Corinne West (below) + support Piefinger at The Ravenswood, Sharpthorne

Ø       Monday 4th June – Vin Garbutt (below)t+ support (tbc) at Chequer Mead, East Grinstead

 

For more information  including sound samples, click on the artists' website links below or visit our Myspace website

Monday
12 March
THEA GILMORE
’Up Close and Acoustic’
at Chequer Mead
East Grinstead
www.chequermead.org.uk
£14 (£12 conc)     8pm
Box Office 01342 302000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Thea Gilmore takes to the road in March for her first all-acoustic UK tour in five years. The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, whose latest album Harpo’s Ghost hit the charts on its release last  August, is leaving her band at home this time around and paring things down to an intimate acoustic show -  or 25 shows to be precise, throughout England Scotland and Wales during March and April.

Since making her recording debut aged just 17 - almost 10 years ago - Thea has carved out a unique niche in a music business more and more ruled by market forces and manufactured acts.   Hailed by The Independent as “the most coherent, literate and charged singer-songwriter of her generation” and by Uncut as “The best British singer-songwriter of the last 10 years - and then some!” Thea’s lyrics combine poetic grace with acerbic take-no-prisoners social observation.  And the thread binding the whole package together?  Thea’s stellar crystalline voice, spine tingling and mesmeric, whilst delivering a hushed ballad one moment, hissing out an angry rock tune the next.

Thea has released  seven albums in her career to date.  The last two both achieved chart success.  Avalanche (released 2003) was chosen as Radio 2’s album of the week and included the hit singles Juliet and Mainstream, whilst Harpo’s Ghost (of which the Guardian wrote “she has polished her pithy folk until it gleams”)  included collaborations with Mike Scott of the Waterboys , and fellow acclaimed English singer/songwriter .Kathryn Williams.

The “Up Close And Acoustic” tour will see Thea performing songs from all her seven albums, and there will also be an unveiling of brand new material (even the experience of recently becoming a mother for the first time hasn’t  slowed the prolific output she has always achieved). She will be accompanied on this tour only by long-time musical right-hand man Nigel Stonier.

“One of the boldest and most poetic lyricists
 currently working in British music ." The Telegraph

Support for this show is Erin McKeown, a singer songwriter described as having "the wit of Randy Newman, the innovative stylings of Bjork, and the intricate arrangements of Elvis Costello". Erin has packed a ton of music into her young career. With 5 studio albums, 2 EPs, and numerous soundtracks and compilations to her credit, the 28-year-old multi-instrumentalist hasn't stopped for a breather in the last 10 years. Along the way she has averaged 200 shows a year and garnered the praise of fans and critics alike. Her new release. Sing You Sinners, has received rave reviews (4 stars in Sunday Times).

 


Thea Gilmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Erin McKeown

Monday
26 March
RICHARD DURRANT
at
The Ravenswood
Sharpthorne
www.theravenswood.co.uk
£10adv (£12 door)    8pm

Buy tickets online or:
Tel. 01342 714810/716975
or email

 

 

 

 

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Brought up in a large, musical family Richard Durrant was introduced to the music of Segovia and Django Reinhardt by his guitar playing father. Meanwhile his older brothers where indoctrinating him with folk and rock whilst his mother insisted on a strict diet of English renaissance. Caught in the musical crossfire the young Durrant was riddled with notes and left to sort out the resulting musical identity crisis. Help came in the shape of a formal classical training and Durrant emerged from the Royal College of Music in 1986 with all college guitar prizes, a post graduate scholarship and a succesful London debut under his belt.

Now, after many years of touring and recording, Durrant is widely acknowledged as the most talented and versatile guitarist of his generation. His current show is as close as anyone could possibly come to demonstrating the enormous scope of the guitar. Richard's show, now called 'The Guitar Whisperer', mixes well known classical repertoire with DADGAD folk tunes and his own compositions. The result is an intriguing juxtaposition of acoustic and electro/acoustic styles, entertainingly explained and hypnotically performed. A particular highlight is Richard's brand new take on Steve Reich's 'Electric Counterpoint, played to his own, specially recorded, backing of electric, classical and acoustic instruments.

Richard is the founder and director of the indie acoustic label LongMan Records, which he runs with his wife Louise. He has produced a number of albums for other artists including the highly successful Secret of Life by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, and has written widely for film and television - most notably for children's programmes.

"Richard Durrant exhibits scale runs with the speed, intonation and dynamics that I thought only Segovia ever produced. The tonal colours without loss of precision in his playing are better than that of any other guitarist I have heard. …Superb guitar playing. More please." Music Maker Magazine

Support for this show comes from BBC Radio 2 Young Folk 2007 Awards finalist Wilber, whose instrumental music is a mixture of acoustic and electric guitar with occasional excursions into mandolin, appalachian dulcimer and banjo.

"With a personality as big as his hairstyle, 15-year-old Oxfordshire guitarist Wilber hit the stage with a sense of humour and a gleaming resonator guitar to “tickle”.The closest thing to a bluesman in the event, young Wilber performed three pieces including Stefan Grossman’s ‘Vestapol’, a superbly evocative slide composition called ‘Nobody’s Grave’ and a set of tunes that featured nods to Grossman, Doc Watson and Big Bill Broonzy" BBC website

 


Richard Durrant

 

 

 

 

 

 


Wilber at 2007 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards

Monday
30 April
CHARLIE DORE
at
The Ravenswood
Sharpthorne
www.theravenswood.co.uk
£10adv (£12 door)    8pm

Buy tickets online or:
Tel. 01342 714810/716975
or email

 

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Charlie Dore is one of the UK’s most respected songwriters. Initially a highly original solo artist (her self-written single Pilot Of The Airwaves reached number 13 on the Billboard chart back in 1980), she went on to ply her gifts for inspired melodies, big harmonies  and clever, quietly subversive lyrics in the wider commercial marketplace, and with great success: Tina Turner, Celine Dion, George Harrison, Lisa Stansfield, UB40, Jimmy Nail, Sheena Easton and Hayley Westenra are just a handful of the diverse artists to have covered her songs.

Originally trained as an actress, Charlie has worked in TV, Theatre, Radio and Film, starring opposite Jonathan Pryce In the award-winning 'The Ploughman’s Lunch'

With her acclaimed album, Sleep All Day, Charlie hit a new vein of creativity, drawing freely on her acoustic folk/country roots. Written simply and organically with Julian Littman, the album drew unequivocal media praise and many new fans. Her most recent album, ‘Cuckoo Hill’ also received rave reviews; if you appreciate good songs, beautifully sung, it’s highly recommended.

“Imagine what might happen if you shut the McGarrigle Sisters in a room with Gillian Welch and made them listen to Lennon and McCartney all day”
Alan Jackson

Support: Zauberei
(recent winners of the Acoustic heat  in Horsham’s Battle of the Bands)

 


Charlie Dore

 


Zauberei

Monday
14 May
CORINNE WEST
at
The Ravenswood
Sharpthorne
www.theravenswood.co.uk
£10adv (£12 door)    8pm

Buy tickets online or:
Tel. 01342 714810/716975
or email

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From the open meadows of California’s sierra mountains, Corinne West spins tales with a part velvet and part grit voice that is both achingly penetrating and highly addictive. Her music has a cool, layered, yet driven sound and has been referred to as "utterly spell-binding", "radiant", and "extraordinarily beautiful" by reviewers world-wide.

Her writing runs a golden thread through the likes of country, bluegrass, western, Americana and folk, resulting in a style that is hers alone. She is forging her own contribution to Americana music, which fuses the distinct voice of an original singer-songwriter with the driving steam of an American Roots train.

“It’s quite impossible to not give your full attention to Corrine West; her enchanting voice, music and exceptional lyrics simply will not allow it”
Alan Cackett, Maverick

Support: Piefinger

 


Corinne West


Piefinger

Monday
2 June
VIN GARBUTT
at Chequer Mead
East Grinstead
www.chequermead.org.uk
£12 (£10 conc)     8pm
Box Office 01342 302000


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One of the best-known performers on the music scene today, and one of the most sought-after. It is no surprise. His song-writing is witty and powerful, tackling thought-provoking issues which others prefer to avoid. Despite years of performing, the songs always remain fresh and vibrant, and his repertoire is always changing. Vin is genuinely funny, and his quirky observations of life are always very much part of the act, delighting audiences everywhere – book early for the best seats

“The diversity and controversial nature of his powerful, thought provoking self-penned songs performed with passion, integrity and a sincere belief in the subject matter earn him universal respect. Add to this his wealth of traditional songs, fun songs, fine musicianship, a zany rare wit, with introductions which could send his audiences "rolling in the aisles", and you have the ingredients for the perfect recipe for success.”
Folk on Tap

 


Vin Garbutt

 

For your future diaries..

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Future dates in the 2007 Acoustic Sussex programme include:

Ø    22 June - Claire Martin (see website)

Ø    7 July - Chris & Kellie While  (see website)

Ø    15 September – Ric Sanders Group  (see website)

Ø    2 October – Kirsty McGee  (see website) NEW DATE (tbc)

Ø    15 November – The Dylan Project  (see website) NEW DATE

More information on all up-and-coming artists can be found on our website: www.acousticsussex.org.uk. You can also find us on MySpace (with samples from some of the artists appearing) at: www.myspace.com/acoustic_sussex. If you know anyone who you think may enjoy our events, please forward this email to them.

 

 

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