March Programme
2000
Keeping music alive in the
Allen Valley
Excellent . . . Good . . .
Fair . . . Indifferent . . . Always Live
Live Music
and
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it!
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Offerings
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Saturday 4th March
Alistair Hulet
and Aidan O'Rourke!
For those traditional music enthusiasts whose appetite for superb fiddling and effervescent guitar accompaniment went sadly unsated last week, it will be a great relief to hear that the brilliant young fiddler Aidan O'Rourke is joining the seasoned singer-songwriter-guitarist Alistair Hulett at the King's Head on Friday March 4th for one night only.
Alistair is something of a conundrum, a Scottish singer who is better known in Australia than he has been on these shores. But after two UK-wide tours with Dave Swarbrick, appearing at many festivals and clubs, Ali is garnering impressive reviews. Often described as an intense singer, radiating conviction, and a genuinely imaginative lyricist, his guitar style has been likened to Martin Carthy's percussive precision. Yet his easily likeable manner of presentation entertains while in no way lessening the thoughtfulness of the subjects he considers.
Aidan is well known to us as one half of Tabache, of the fiery fiddles who appeared at the King's a couple of years ago now. Twice a national fiddle champion by the age of 14, and a finalist at the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships, Aidan's darting, quicksilver dynamics, explosive force and the unerring accuracy of his attack mean that the evening's musicality is guaranteed.
This new duo have already collaborated on the recently released sixth CD-volume of 'The Complete Songs of Robert Burns', so we're sure that the Scottish influence in fiddle, voice and guitar will be apparent when they take to the tiny stage in the intimate function room.
It looks like a night that will more than make up for the unfortunate cancellation of another instrumental ensemble, and with some superb songs as well this duo can hardly fail to please the most discerning audience.
Alistair Hulett & Aidan O'Rourke appear at the King's Head by courtesy of the local promotions organisation, Northumbrian Music Nights.
What we said
about Alistair Hulett & Aidan O'Rourke
Friday 10th March
MUSIC NIGHT! At
last!
It seems like forever since we've had a sing- and play-around session at the King's. With so much entertainment coming into the area, it seems a shame to neglect our own Tynedale artistes, so what a delight to feature them again this evening! There are several new acts auditioning for our edification this evening, as well as various combinations of our own favourites, so we're looking to a brilliant evening in the company of Tynedale people who know how to enjoy themselves with a spot or blemish and a good time in the middle of the music.
Entry for non-entertainers is only £1.00 and we're happy to find reasons for concessionary tickets of only 50p. Of course, if you can do a number, a turn, a party-piece for us at the front, you're very welcome and we won't charge you a penny!
Saturday 18th March
Saturday 18th March
9:00 pm
The King's Head,
Allendale
PIDWIGEON
Classic traditional music
with a delightful four piece band, comprising Kevin Wilkins
on lead guitar, Mike Ninham on banjo and bass,
SuzanneWilkins on vocals and our own Paul Bloomfield who has
been a stalwart member of Cappy's Drift from its inception,
on guitar and fiddle. A lovely evening to enjoy, and why
not!
Tickets only
£4.00
Booking is advised, the room is small: (01434)
685047
What we said about
PIDWIGEON
Friday 24th
March
Friday 24th March
SESSION
NIGHT!
In this the 3rd session night on the 4th Friday of each month throughout this winter quarter, we've had a special view to giving the hard-working volunteer bar staff a bit of a break for one weekend of the month. By popular demand we're following up on the popular instrumental workshops Folkworks has helped initiate in our local middle school, and laying on a profesional tutor for an hour's tutelage prior to the session proper. We'll be expecting to be overrun with aspiring musicians old and young, but we'd hate to alienate the singers who make our regular music nights so great -- so we're ensuring that everybody gets a chance to participate by adding in a song spot for when the instrumentalists need a break!
Just which instrument will be featured, in our professionally -led workshop before the session, is yet to be determined, but we're working on it. This looks like a great opportunity to engage with the rigours of timing and tune structure, and then let it all hang loose and play with the best of them. When the players need a bit of a break, we'll probably let some songs slip through, if any singists show up.
Workshop £1.00 7:30
followed by Session from 8:30
King's Head
£1./50p
Friday, 31st March
Maurice
Dickson
"Dreamy New Age
Folk"
Headlining at the Cork Folk Festival in '98, Maurice is a seasoned performer with 6 CDs to his credit. The reviews of his albums have been stunning, whether it's "Where Eagles Fly", "Country-Pickin' Blues", or "Dreamer", which has elicited our own description of his music. Aye, it's dreamy, it feels a bit New Age, it's lovely, what more can we say? Maurice is a native of County Down, and he's served his apprenticeship with rock and blues bands around Belfast before striking out on his own in solo mode. Look for some brilliant guitar licks, some serious lyrics encompassing "Wine and Roses", "The Dream of the Dying Soldier", "Echoes in the Air", and the amazing "Spirit of Gerry" and "Born in the Troubles". This is New Age with realism attached, so it will be a wonderful musical display of some virtuosity, and that's a sure bet.
What we said
about Maurice Dickson
I