Programme at a glance
May 2022
Friday 6th May 2022:
Jez Lowe and Steve Tilston
Support: Brigid Kaelin and Steve Cooley
At the Golden Hind, 355 Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1SP
8pm (Doors open 7:30pm)
Entry: £14(door), £13(advance), £12(members).
Steve Tilston and Jez Lowe, two of the finest songwriters on the UK acoustic/folk scene, join forces to give you intimate insights into their approach to their craft.
Steve Tilston has been described as a “complete guitarist”, “a singer songwriter of rare talent” and “absurdly accomplished”. He’s toured with John Renbourn’s Ship of Fools; with traditional singer Maggie Boyle; with Maartin Allcock and Pete Zorn as WAZ!; with Ballet Rambert and with his daughter Martha. He’s the writer of the classics The Slipjigs and Reels, The Naked Highwayman and Here’s to Tom Paine, and his songs have been covered by a who’s who of the folk scene. He’s won a BBC Folk Award for best original song; appeared on Later with Jools Holland and BBC4 Songwriters Circle; and is the inspiration for the Hollywood movie Danny Collins, starring Al Pacino! He’s also published a novel All for Poor Jack. In 2021, 50 years after the release of his debut album An Acoustic Confusion, he released Such Times, 15 tracks of almost new material in which he takes on the role of social commentator and storyteller.
“The more you listen, the more there is to discover” – Bob Harris.
Jez Lowe: A double nomination in the 2015 BBC Folk Awards for best singer and best new song, was a timely reminder of Jez’s standing in the UK folk and acoustic music scene. He also tours with his band The Bad Pennies and with The Pitmen Poets, and is a principal writer on the award-winning BBC series The Radio Ballads. His first novel, The Dillen Doll, was published in 2017, and his second, The Corly Croons, a continuation of the first, followed in 2019. In 2020, he celebrated 40 years in the business, and has just released a new solo album, “Crazy Pagan”, recorded during the lockdown of 2020. One of the busiest live performers in the country, his songs are widely sung by others too.
“No-one else writes or sounds like Jez Lowe” – Mike Harding.
Brigid Kaelin and Steve Cooley
Steve Cooley has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw, has performed for five US Presidents and the Prince of Wales and has worked with such notables as Bill Monroe, Jean Ritchie, Mac Wiseman, Rose Maddox and toured extensively with The Dillards and Bluegrass Alliance. In 2018, he taught at Bela Fleck’s inaugural banjo camp, where Bela dubbed him a “banjo master.” Steve’s work has earned 5 Grammy nominations and plenty of other accolades, but he lives a quiet Kentucky life and would be annoyed to know Brigid is bragging about him here.
Brigid Kaelin is a singer, author, illustrator, and multi-instrumentalist who has appeared on BBC, NPR and received many "Best Singer-Songwriter" awards in Louisville. Her most recent single debuted at #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts. She's toured the world as a solo artist and loves the intimate folk club settings in particular.
Also a sought-after sidewoman, Brigid has performed with artists ranging from Nick Keir to Elvis Costello, usually on musical saw or accordion. She's just finished treatment for breast cancer and is thrilled to be alive and touring.
Friday 13th May 2022:
Open Stage with special guest Barbara Koenig
8pm (Doors open 7:30pm)
Entry: £5(door), £4(advance), £3(members).
We have pre-booked slots because of the Covid situation, and they are all taken, but audience members are always welcome. Appearing are Nicholas Thys, Martin Baxter, Lara Gisborne, Bob Hines, David Savage, Alex Seel, Philip Lyons, and Barbara Koenig & Chris Brimley
Nicholas Thys:
Nicholas aspires to be a singer/songwriter but, unlike Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen, the artists who have had the biggest influence on him, he was not born with the gift of a golden voice. So he endeavours to make up for this with his lyrics. They don’t have one collective theme or message, but he writes when inspired.
Martin Baxter
Martin’s mid-Atlantic DNA may be the root of what has made him especially interested in exploring musical styles and traditions from different times and places. He often adapts them creatively or feeds them as inspiration into his own original compositions. Martin brings a theatrical sensibility to his musical performances, bringing out sometimes unexpected subtleties of wit, emotion and commentary.
Lara Gisborne
Lara has been writing songs since the age of 14 and began singing at folk clubs at 16. Moving between Surrey, Sussex, Somerset, Yorkshire, and Cambridge, Lara has soaked up inspiration for her music from art, buildings, and relationships. She also draws on her English and Serbian heritage and love of nature. The seeds of Lara’s latest EP, The Bees, were sown in the Cambridge Botanical Gardens and the memory of a walk with her Dad, when he nabbed the beekeeper for a good old chat about these wonderful insects.
Bob Hines
Bob has been playing and performing music all his life – he recently contributed to the North Cambridge Folk Song Project and is currently recording his latest solo album. He has a particular interest in songs that are 'local' in their subject matter so expect to hear songs that he has written about Cambridge, Caxton, St Neots and Luton. Bob also helps to run the St Neots Folk Club.
https://soundcloud.com/floyd-hartwell-hines
David Savage
David has been singing and playing in pubs for more than 60 years; his grandad took a concertina to the trenches in 1914, came back, and earned a precarious living singing and playing on the street. David sings stories; some are true but most are made up for entertainment in the home or the alehouse!
Alex Seel
Making his first appearance at Cambridge Folk Club, contemporary singer-songwriter and guitarist Alex has influences from blues, pop and the British Folk Revival guitarists, but his sound is all his own.
“One of the best composers, guitarists and singers in the UK today” - Twickfolk.
Philip Lyons
Philip is an experienced traditional singer and guitarist based in East Anglia. He has sung at many folk clubs and festivals in this country and France. His solo CD, Time and Tide, was well received on release.
https://www.facebook.com/philyonsfolk/
Barbara Koenig & Chris Brimley
To listen to Barbara Koenig’s pure voice and nicely played guitar, performing her favourite trad and contemporary folk songs from the UK, Eire and the US, you would have no idea that she’s actually a German-speaking Swiss from Zurich. Her CD, “Little Happiness” is a compelling collection, all immaculately performed. She is joined for part of her set by long-standing North Essex folkie Chris Brimley on fingerstyle guitar – a musical collaboration emerging from the internationally-attended “Lockdown Folk” sessions.
https://www.facebook.com/barbara.baba1
Friday 20th May 2022:
Songs & Stories Collective:
Tennessee Twin, Sarah Yeo, Donna Marie and special guest Sandy McLelland
At the Golden Hind, 355 Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1SP
8pm (Doors open 7:30pm)
Entry: £10(door), £9(advance), £8(members).
The Songs & Stories Collective came about through live streaming during the Covid Pandemic. Having admired each other's music from afar, a chance Twitter conversation brought together Tennessee Twin, Sarah Yeo and Donna Marie for a one-off live stream in the summer of 2020. Such was the success of the event that the show continued for some 14 consecutive weeks and a few later one-off shows adding special guests and songwriting challenges for each event.
In the spring of 2021, having recorded everything remotely (even the video), the group released their first single. The song, a cover of 'Humble & Kind' by Lori McKenna, enjoyed wide radio play and is available as a free download to their fans.
Having never been in the same room together the group finally met in person in late 2021 for a one-off show in central Manchester. Arrangements for further dates were soon made for Cambridge, Doncaster and York.
Special guests have always been a corner stone of the Songs & Stories Collective and for the Cambridge show they are delighted to welcome their friend and amazing musician Sandy McLelland.
Tennessee Twin
Hailing from Cambridge, Tennessee Twin are Geoff & Victoria, who have both been creating and performing music since childhood. Their lyrically honest and musically melodic songs span the emotional spectrum, while their performances draw from a lifetime as live musicians.
They've enjoyed both critical acclaim and chart success for their music, having released numerous works in recent years. They’ve appeared on stages on both sides of the Atlantic, with festival appearances including Cambridge Folk Festival and the British Country Music Festival, Blackpool.
They are currently working on a new album due for release later in 2022.
Sarah Yeo
Native Devonian Singer Songwriter Sarah Yeo has been releasing her brand of Country Folk music since her debut EP in 2014 and has gone on to record four albums and three singles.
The multi-faceted songwriter, with a "silky smooth" vocal and acoustic guitar, finds her main inspiration in everyday life, experiencing new destinations and nature. Described as his "favourite singer" by Jim Marshall of Marshall Amps, Sarah has taken her music across the pond to NYC, California and Europe to rave reviews.
Likened to the voices of Karen Carpenter, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Andrea Corr, many of Sarah's tracks have enjoyed BBC and independent radio play since she began releasing music.
Sarah is organising a Country Festival in Devon for 2022 and runs a regular music night in Exeter, Devon alongside top original Country Folk artists.
Donna Marie
Donna Marie is a singer-songwriter from Warrington in the North-West of England.
Her song writing style mixes musical genres that have inspired her as a musician, is deeply rooted in ‘story telling’ and creates melodies that stay with you.
As a musician and vocalist , Donna is also part of 'Dominic Halpin & The Hurricanes' for the hit theatre show 'A COUNTRY NIGHT IN NASHVILLE', playing across the UK in some of the most prestigious venues like Edinburgh Playhouse, Belfast Waterfront Theatre and The Royal Albert Hall.
She is also one half of the musical duo DOVE TIES with Patrick Jordan and a founding member of THE SONGS & STORIES COLLECTIVE.
Sandy McLelland – Special Guest for Songs & Stories, Cambridge
Born in Glasgow, Sandy McLelland has been living and working as a professional composer, arranger, and music producer for over thirty years. Having started his career as an aspiring singer-songwriter, he soon attracted interest from major record labels, moving to London and recording several albums.
His recent ‘Cross the Line’ album reached number 1 in the UK iTunes Country Chart and was Album of The Year on Blues and Roots Radio Worldwide.
He says, “The aim of my music is to be simple and direct. Some of the music is inspired by half-truths, remembrances and an imagination which keeps me awake most nights. Much of it is entirely rooted in personal circumstance. I have been fortunate to be able to have carved out a living from doing something I truly love, something I would have done anyway. The style and content for my music is down to me.”
Friday 27th May 2022:
Steve Jinski double bill with Kimberley Rew & Lee Cave-Berry
Support: Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner
At the Golden Hind, 355 Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1SP
8pm (Doors open 7:30pm)
Entry: £10(door), £9(advance), £8(members).
Steve Jinski is a solo artist, musician, singer, songwriter, performer and music educator who champions musically inclusive practise. He believes passionately in music as a form of expression, engagement, enjoyment and education, and admires the songwriting skills of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush, Stevie Wonder, and Nick Cave. He and guitarist Dave Kennedy make up the acoustic duo Jinski, with whom he has toured widely in the UK, including an appearance on BBC’s The One Show. However, this evening Steve will be appearing solo.
His solo EP ‘Hope Street’ was released in Autumn 2020.
“This is lovely stuff. You can hear all the love that’s gone into it” - Bob Harris, BBC R2.
Kimberley Rew & Lee Cave-Berry
Kim and Lee are a songwriting, recording, singing, guitar and bass playing and gigging (usually plus a drummer) husband and wife team, from Cambridge, England. Kim and Lee have a considerable pedigree with local bands Jack, the Barefoot Doctors and the ever -rocking Wednesday Session.
Kimberley Rew’s history includes Robyn Hitchcock and the Soft Boys (whose album Underwater Moonlight will be found in the history books), Katrina and the Waves (whose Rew-penned “Walking on Sunshine” will also be found in the history books) and the Eurovision-Song-Contest-winning “Love Shine a Light” (these people have a lot of history books). To which Lee can add adventures with Mal Gray, Martin Newell, the Soft Boys, Fourth Labyrinth and Lexie Green.
Both Kim and Lee have recorded band and solo albums before, but 2019’s “Enjoy the Rest of Your Day” is the duo’s first collaborative collection of original material as Kim and Lee. It’s short on convenient stylistic labels such alternative, psychedelia, powerpop, glam, new wave, old wave etc, but abundant in universality, positivity, variety and across the board appeal to youngsters and oldsters of all ages, times and places, and general joy. And cats.
Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner
Individually, and in combination with a variety of well-known singers and bands, Lynne and Pat have both served long apprenticeships on the shop-floor of folk music.
Lynne sang in a duo with Sue Ashby; performed with John Lambert and Frank Lee as Tom, Dick and Harriet; and has made a CD, 'Stars in My Crown' with Keith Kendrick. She was, for many years, the organiser and MC for the Hoddesdon Folk Club. Pat toured for six years with the folk band Filigree, making an album and also releasing a single! She was co-founder and MC of the City Folk Club in London.
Together they later joined Pete Cunningham (ex-English Tapestry and Heritage) to form Brandis, making several radio appearances. They finally settled into a permanent duo and made their first CD, 'Parallel', in 2003, and have since made five more on the Wildgoose label.
Between them they play guitar, recorder, English concertina and a variety of whistles (including swanee, policeman's and referee's), list a spoons workshop in their hall of fame, and are not in the least averse to dressing up or dancing when a song requires it. They both agree, however, that their voices are their most important instruments. Their resulting style is a unique blend of stunning song and harmony, and a humour which takes their audience on a roller-coaster ride - "everything from high tragedy to ingenious smut in glorious vocal harmony!”