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Newsletter 7th March 2007 |
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Contact
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"The
most prolific and intelligent wordsmith of her generation" "deceptively
populist and deceitfully dark" "Britain
has spawned very few world class female singer-songwriters, but Gilmore is
already in a league of her own" | |
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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 |
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For
more information including
sound
samples,
click on the artists' website links below or visit our Myspace
website | |
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Monday
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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 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). |
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Monday
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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 |
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Monday
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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” Support:
Zauberei |
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Monday
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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”
Support:
Piefinger |
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Monday
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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.” |
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For
your future diaries.. |
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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