Lauren McColl, Scottish fiddler and BBC2 Young Folk Award winner, joins this amazing and stunning international band who are making their debut in South Wales. With a truly diverse international line-up, they combine music from all their different cultures to form a distinct and dynamic musical sound. Norah Rendell (Canada) plays flute and sings beautifully; Ailie Robertson (Scotland) plays clarsach harp and electroharp; Fiona Black (Scotland) plays accordion and Alan Jordan, the only Irish member and the only man in the outfit, plays guitar, sings harmonies and takes the lead on the occasional Irish-language song. Their first CD has received some rave reviews – in fact, celebrated accordionist Karen Tweed approves: “The most exciting music, let alone folk music, I've heard in years. Beautifully sung and played, they aren't afraid of boundaries. It's so my kind of music!”

THIS CONCERT IS BEING FUNDED BY AN ARTS COUNCIL WALES NIGHT OUT SCHEME

Born in the Midlands, long based in London, Pete teaches, plays, composes and writes about fiddle music. He’s also, on a good night, a decent singer. Drawing on a wide knowledge of fiddle playing, gained over years of teaching, study, travel, practice and too many late-night sessions, he brings a relaxed, good-humoured delivery to his workshops, concerts and folk club shows alike. Pete and Richard Bolton (cello and guitar) have worked together as Cooper and Bolton since 2000, performing English roots fiddle music and songs, including many of Pete’s own tunes. Pete also sings and plays in the old-time trio Rattle On The Stovepipe (who delighted us here at Llantrisant Folk Club) - their 2006 and much-praised CD Eight More Miles (WGS 333) is on the Wild Goose label. Pete has also worked with Californian Holly Tannen, singer Peta Webb and banjo maestro Pete Stanley.

Steve comes from a family of singers and concertina players. His grandfather was known to have sung and played the instrument in the 1890s.

He began his career on the Manchester folk scene at the end of the 1960s. Joining the Geordie band Canny Fettle in 1970, he made two albums and toured in Britain and Europe with them for eight years. In 1979, he won the Melody Maker "Stars of the 80s" national competition, which persuaded him to turn professional for 12 years until 1991. During this time he made four solo albums with Fellside Records and toured internationally.

Sandy & Graham are well known for running the very successful Folk at the Oak club in Corsham, Wiltshire, and also the Club Tent at Priddy Folk Festival. Both of them are great singers and musicians, drawing from both traditional and contemporary sources. Come and see what a friendly club they run, as well as being superb entertainers in their own right. Priddy Folk Festival website hit the nail right on the head when it enthused: "Great to see them back."

(photo by Mick Tems)

Truly amazing stuff! From Great Britain, the Southwestern US, and Toronto, Canada, Finest Kind are the remarkable trio from Ottawa whose exquisite harmony singing and brilliant vocal arrangements bring a fresh sense of excitement and discovery to the performance of old songs. Formed in 1991, Finest Kind are Ian Robb (ex-member of St Albans Folk Club and a concertina player extraordinaire) Ann Downey (guitar, banjo, bass among other instruments) and Shelley Posen (professional folklorist, versatile singer and multi-instrumentalist).  Roy Harris, expert, writer and reviewer, says: “Exemplary! We could do with them over here for a while – they would refresh our folk scene greatly.” They last visited Llantrisant Folk Club in 2006 - do not miss them.

THIS CONCERT IS BEING FUNDED BY AN ARTS COUNCIL WALES NIGHT OUT SCHEME

(photo by Mick Tems)

Jeff, from Deri, near Caerphilly, is very much a regular at Llantrisant Folk Club - and the buzz of excitement and interest is quickly mounting as he takes the stage for his second set in the Club's 27-year run. His self-made songs are sometimes amusing, sometimes tearfully powerful, always intelligent and incisive, and Jeff carefully blesses them with startling and original chord structures to die for. His easy charm comes through on every performance. His rare CD is a masterpiece - recorded live at Llantrisant Club, you can almost feel the audience hanging on every word. 

Here it is! That amazing, stunning musical master, Chris Moreton, has played three times in Llantrisant Folk Club - once in his jaw-dropping solo debut, twice as a member of Rattle On The Stovepipe and three times jamming with Jim Couza. Chris is playing a fourth time as a member of Roots & Galoots, our special South Wales guests at the Christmas Party - a joyous, happy good-time bluegrass band who are whipping up a melodic storm and who are winning themselves plaudits every time they come off a stage. Roots & Galoots are Bill Steele (guitar and vocals), Becky Lee (acoustic bass and vocals), Roland Emmanuel (mandolin and vocals), Roy Nicholls (fiddle) and Chris (guitar and banjo). They have just brought out their new CD, which was recorded live at Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, and their second CD, Another Night, was launched in 2006. Roots & Galoots enjoy delighting audiences at weddings, concerts, barn dances, festivals, house parties, Western theme nights and ceilidhs - a good all-round band! 

DON’T FORGET:

All other Wednesdays are Song And Music Nights, starting at 8.30pm. 

For past guests, click here