Across the Pond # 8 - May 2000

by Paul Castle

One of the joys of compiling 'pond' is receiving e-mail from musicians travelling all over the world - this month, one from top guitarist Bob Brozman, written on a laptop in a plane somewhere out over the Indian Ocean, confirming the title of his new album [Jin Jin (Fireflies)]. He's on his way to London this month with 'sanshin' player Hirayasu Takashi, for a concert on the South Bank. I also received this kind note:

"Really enjoyed your great article in Across the Pond! The Internet is making us all neighbors and it is just so cool! .....I'm passing "Across the Pond" to all I know! It is so terrific!
All the best!" - Kathleen Tarp, representing The Kingston Trio

Other renowned US guitarists bound for the UK in May include Mike Dowling and John McCormick, bluesmen Corey Harris, Guy Davis and Jonny Lang, and more than our fair share of living legends in Odetta, John Hammond, Taj Mahal, and John Stewart, with fellow Kingston Trio member Nick Reynolds.

And that's not even mentioning established songwriters like Nanci Griffith, Tracy Chapman, Janis Ian, and Warren Zevon, and relative newcomers like Stacey Earle, Slaid Cleaves and Neal Casal, as well as top-notch traditional singer Judy Cook, multi-award winning Canadian fiddler, Pierre Schryer and hurdy- gurdy driven duo, Pint & Dale.

On the festival front, it's an incredible month to be in Brighton on the South Coast this year as they celebrate 'Roots 2000'. 'Americana' fans will not be able to resist the 'Big Country International Festival' in Glasgow and the same goes for 'World' music fans and the 'Window on the World' International Music Festival' in North Shields. See May UK Festivals below

Looking ahead, anyone planning a trip across in July might like to take a look at the line-up for this year's Cambridge Festival, which has just been posted on their website. Topping the bill from America this year are Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, Dr John and Odetta, amongst others.

Once again, we're spoilt for choice. Thank you for coming. And thanks for all the feedback.

Very best wishes

Paul Castle pdcmusic@freeuk.com

London Gigs - May 2000

Mon 1st Michael Chapman
http://www.ammoniterecords.demon.co.uk/MichaelChapman/
(Fairfield Halls, Croydon)

A highly respected singer, guitarist and songwriter from Leeds
whose powerful unique work has had a loyal cult following ever
since his 1969 debut album 'Rainmaker'. Over 20 albums later,
his latest, 'Twisted Road' ('Mystic' in the UK - 'Blue and Gold'
in US), has just been released.

Tue 2nd Gordon Giltrap
http://www.giltrap.co.uk/

+ Bert Jansch
http://www.execpc.com/~henkle/fbindex/j/jansch_bert.html
(The Purcell Room)

On his site, Gordon shares four essential acoustic exercises
which he uses to develop finger strength, fluency and speed .
Seeing these two play together should be all the additional
inspiration you'll need.

Thur 4th Mike Dowling
http://www.mikedowling.com
Geoff Achison
http://www.souldigger.com.au/site/
Dave Peabody
http://ultimatebandlist.com/uartist.asp?artistid=45834
(Watermans Arts Centre)
see UK tour dates below

First UK tour for highly acclaimed 'jazz-grass' guitarist who
has been described by master fiddler Vassar Clements as
simply "One of the finest guitar players there is, anywhere",
Mike draws inspiration from deep in the musical bag of
American roots guitar. Influenced by traditional Piedmont
style fingerpickers like Mississippi John Hurt and swing jazz
legends like the great George Barnes, he has developed a
style, uniquely his own, that he translates fluently to arch top,
flat top, and resonator guitars alike. His fourth self-produced
CD, titled "String Crazy", is scheduled for release this month.

Sat 6th The Holmes Brothers
http://www.rounder.com/rounder/catalog/byartist/h/holmes_brothers/
(The Borderline)

Heralded as one of the best things to have happened to
blues-related roots music in many a year. Infused with the
energy of their rough-edged gospel voices, the songs are
never afraid to blur distinctions between roots music styles,
and especially between the sacred and the profane, mixing
barroom raunch with heavenly harmony.

Sun 7th Tracy Chapman
http://www.elektra.com/retro/chapman/
(Royal Festival Hall)

Touring Europe promoting her latest release 'Telling Stories'
(Elektra). The single reached # 5 in the US charts and her
previous album 'Give Me One Reason' won her fourth
Grammy with sales of over 4 million. For 'Telling Stories',
she has once again teamed up with longtime colleague
David Kershenbaum, who produced her self-titled debut
in 1988 and the follow up, 'Crossroads', in 1989.

Wed 10th Nanci Griffith & The Blue Moon Orchestra
http://nanci-griffith.com
(Fairfield Halls, Croydon)

Nanci brings her latest 'Dust Bowl Symphony' to London,
tonight with the BBC Concert Orchestra (see also her
'Royal Albert Hall' gig and full UK tour dates below).

Thur 11th Hirayasu Takashi and Bob Brozman
http://www.bobbrozman.com/heavenlymtg.htm
(Purcell Room)

"When Hirayasu Takashi's 'sanshin' and Bob Brozman's
guitar came together on the tiny Ryukyu island of Taketomi
it was the first time they'd ever met. But it was a meeting
made in heaven.The resulting album [Jin Jin (Fireflies)],
made at a makeshift studio on the island, is certainly one
of the best albums I've heard for a very long time....New
York's Bob Brozman is one of the most respected players
of National guitars in the world. A blues guitar master and
authority on Hawaiian music, he's recently recording with
slack key wizard Ledward Kaapana." [Kansai Time Out
(Osaka, Japan)]. Their album, Jin Jin (Fireflies) was released
in Europe and the US last month on Riverboat Records/
World Music Network.

Thur 11th Vikki Clayton
http://www.ndirect.co.uk/~chrisconway/page9.html
(Hale End Folk Club)

A wonderful singer-songwriter with a magical voice, probably
best known for her work with Fairport Convention, and John
Martyn. Her last album, 'Movers and Shakers' was described
as "A magical album brimful of music, wondrous songs and
THAT VOICE."

Thur 11th Ron Kavana
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/acornent/ark.htm
(Islington Folk Club)

Irish songwriter, poet, and composer whose work has been
described as "charming, disarming with a very dry sardonic wit."
[Music Week]. A former session musician/producer/arranger,
he has collaborated with the likes of The Chieftans, The Pogues,
and Richard Thompson. The Living Tradition magazine called his
album 'Galway to Graceland' "a stunning 'tour de force'".

Fri 12th Roy Bailey
http://www.stirrings.co.uk/folkzone/artistes/roybailey/
(Cecil Sharp House)

A forty year career that has been hailed as representing "the
very soul of folk's working class ideals... a triumphal homage
to the grass roots folk scene as a radical alternative to the
mainstream music industry." [Colin Irwin, MOJO]. His 1998
album 'New Directions In The Old' was described as "Surely
the pinnacle of his recording output to date - a musical
masterpiece from a master craftsman"
[The Living Tradition Magazine]

Sat 13th & Sun 14th Ruben Gonzalez & Ibrahim Ferrer
+ All Star Band
http://www.bvsocialclub.com/musicians.html
(Royal Albert Hall)

When a bolero singer of the old school was required by
guitarist Ry Cooder for the album 'Buena Vista Social Club,
Ibrahim Ferrer was literally plucked off the streets of Havana
where he was taking his daily walk. Along with Ruben
Gonzalez, one of the legendary figures of Cuban music,
whose piano sound has created trends and established
styles for more than half a century.

Sat 13th Rory McLeod
http://www.adk93.dial.pipex.com
(The Irish Centre, Hammersmith)

"...so original it's nigh impossible to compare him with anyone
else. Writing songs packed with streams of words, often so
dense that the casual listener could easily let the craft, beauty
and power of the content slip by. An awe inspiring live performer
who, you discover when you repay his craft with the scrutiny it
deserves, writes quite brilliant songs."
[Ian Anderson, Folk Roots].

Sun 14th Pierre Schryer
http://www.pierreschryer.com/
(Cecil Sharp House)
see UK tour dates below

Multi-award winning Canadian fiddler who has been described
as "... that rarity, the complete fiddler. He can do it all and do it
outstandingly - Irish, Scottish, East Coast, Quebecois, Ontario -
he knows no boundaries. When Pierre plays, you know what is
meant by the "joy of music"; it radiates from him and fills the
audience." His latest CD, "The New Canadian Waltz" features
the band that is presently touring with him ... Brian Pickell
(guitar), his sister Julie Schryer (piano), and Nathan Curry
(multi-instrumentalist). They are accompanied for most shows
by two or three step-dancers (in the Irish, Scottish Highland
and French-Canadian traditions).

Mon 15th Stacey Earle
http://www.staceyearle.co
(Borderline)

"She's an elfin figure on stage, with bobbed blond hair,
wide laughing eyes and a smile as bright as the afternoon
sun. If you looked around the crowd you'd see smiles to
match hers, for this is a songwriter who clearly enjoys
performing live, and communicates that pleasure to those
watching her." [Sean McSweeney - 1999 Cambridge Folk
Festival]. Her new album, 'Dancin' With Them That Brung
Me', (Gearle Records/Buoy Pub) is due out on May 9th.
Along with her band 'The Jewels' (her husband Mark Stuart,
son Kyle Mims and Michael Web), guest musicians include
Byron House, Mike Bub of the Del McCoury Band, Mike
Daly on Lap Steel and Sheryl Crow.

Mon 15th Brian Peters
http://www.rootsworld.com/harbourtown/peters.html
(Herga Folk Club, Harrow)

A well established name on the domestic festival and club
circuit, Brian made his first trip to America last November
and hopes to be going again later in the year. A top
squeezebox player and guitarist renowned for his deep
knowledge of the tradition, he's not averse to singing the
odd cover version of songs by Leon Rosselson and Lyle
Lovett, as well as his own compositions. "Those
seeking to find out more about the melodeon will find few
masters to equal this one" [Folk On Tap Magazine]

Tue 16th Guy Davis
http://www.fortissimo.org/artists/davis/
(Borderline)

A musician, composer, actor, director, and writer. Throughout
his career, he has dedicated himself to reviving the traditions of
acoustic blues and bringing them to as many ears as possible
through the material of the great blues masters. "Davis' chameleon
voice, his harmonica and fingers on guitar filled the room in one
of those performances where one is at awe at the talent on stage,
and where one feels the words like a warm evening wind."
[Blues Magazine]. His latest album is 'Butt Naked Free'
(Red House) is doing particularly well in the UK folk charts at
the moment.


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