Emily and Hazel Askew are a young London duo making waves on the folk scene with their energetic brand of folk music. Using fiddle and melodeon, they play and sing with an infectious enjoyment and love for the music, winning them fans wherever they go. From rhythmic foot stomping tunes to powerful interpretations of songs and ballads, their playing always guarantees to engage and inspire those who hear.

They have spent three years playing at venues across the country, from top festivals and folk clubs to London's National Theatre and National Portrait Gallery, followed by the release of their acclaimed album All in a Garden Green for Wild Goose Records.  

"Hazel's rich gutsy voice and inventive melodeon playing combined with the skill of Emily's singing fiddle or soulful cello are a new force to be reckoned with" - Stirrings Magazine

Here's an interesting and exciting combination to look forward to! Jerry has toured 10 times in Wales, Scotland and England (including several gigs for Llantrisant Folk Club.) He's been involved in traditional music for 40 years and was director of the New York Eisteddfod, which is still making glorious music in Queens, Brooklyn. Ralph is a superb performer of banjo tunes and ballads from the old-time Southern mountain culture, and has a laid-back, easy style that comes right out of the old tradition. 

Their partnership began when Brian, lead guitarist of The Strawbs for 26 years, met Cathryn, a respected American session singer and songwriter, in Nashville. The rest is history… The duo are festival favourites, and Cathryn is a skilled raconteuse. Her childhood memories are filled with her family singing on the back porch, and one song which Cecil Sharp recorded her great grandfather singing was The Rejected Lover, still one of their favourites. “They remain an accomplished, professional, entertaining but also very personable duo… They've got it all, musical talent, great songs, great singing and great PR” (Steve Pritchard)

Anne (from Pontypool) and Mary (from Omagh in the North of Ireland) were once Anonyma and worked as a duo for five years. They toured extensively in the UK, the US and Ireland and recorded Burnt Feathers for the Fellside label, produced by Martin Simpson, which has since become something of a collector's item. Their performances were a combination of Anne's songs, Mary's songs, traditional songs from Britain and Ireland and some songs by other contemporary writers. Anonyma ceased to exist in 1989, when Anne and Mary both had separate interests to pursue. It was an amicable split, and the friendship has survived all the various changes since then. In October 1998, Mary joined Anne to perform some songs at a concert in Santa Cruz and the idea of the reunion tour was born. With Mary, a fine performer who sang in Gaelic from the aga of 11, and Anne's immaculate polishing of her song craft, a good act has become even better.

Folk music tells the stories of people and places, and Canada’s James Keelaghan is certainly that kind of storyteller — mining the past for musical inspiration. His most celebrated songs are finely-crafted pieces that illustrate his compelling ability to create superb, deeply-moving stories about events, people, himself and the Canadian tradition. Now, after nine albums, three Juno nominations and a Juno award, and over 18 years as one of this country’s best-known exports on the folk circuit, Keelaghan has returned to one of his loves — the traditional ballads of the British Isles — and the result is A Few Simple Verses, one of the best albums of his career. In reconnecting with this music, he has found fresh inspiration and affirmation for what he does as a folksinger and songwriter. A guitarist with fingers of steel and with a smooth, coffee-rich, baritone voice that is the perfect vehicle for his personal, intelligent, and meaningful songs, James is a compelling performer. Along with his trio, he develops an intimate rapport with audiences through his stories, enticing melodies, and sense of humour, and then leaves them spellbound with passionate renditions of songs that touch on universal emotions and relate the past to the present.

Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull bassist Dave Pegg teams up with Little Johnny England guitarist PJ Wright for an extra-curricular celebration of their combined 78 years as professional musicians! Featuring songs, tunes and stories from their differing musical paths through the worlds of folk, folk-rock, blues (some surf-rock, even...) Add Peggy's skills as a raconteur and one or two of PJ’s duff jokes and you have an idiosyncratic, rocking evening of virtuoso fun for nearly all the family. As our reviewer said: "A lively and amusing musical evening." Aw, come on...

Wednesday, December 23, 2009  

DON’T FORGET:

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

For past guests, click here