Folk Music in Brisbane
Some great shows coming up in Brisbane:
IRISH FIDDLE VIRTUOSO MARTIN HAYES AND AMERICAN GUITARIST DENNIS CAHILL - one gig only in Brisbane.
SAT 6TH JANUARY Queensland Irish Club, Elizabeth St. ph 07 3221 5699 Martin and Dennis possess a rare musical kinship, ranking them among the most memorable partnerships of our era … musical rapport so strong that it is often said they appear to be playing one instrument.
Of Martin Hayes, Sydney Morning Herald music writer Bruce Elder says; “He is just so much better than anything you’ve ever seen before. He redefines your concept of excellence and reveals levels of beauty and artistry that previously hadn’t existed in your frame of reference. That is the only way to describe the experience of seeing and listening to Martin Hayes. Once you have seen him, all other Irish fiddle players become faint shadows. He is the Yehudi Menuhin of the Irish fiddle. He is the Don Bradman….”
If you’re near Noosa on Fri 5th January, they have a gig at The J, a new venue at Noosa Junction, ph 07 54554455
VIN GARBUTT, THE FUNNIEST AND MOST SERIOUS MAN ON THE FOLK SCENE
Friday March 2 East Brisbane Bowls Club
Vin, a professional musician for more than 30 years, is a living treasure whose songs and patter make you think deeply - and make you laugh until your face hurts. He’s touring Australia in March 2007 (more details on his website http://www.vingarbutt.com) and his first gig is Brisbane.
Vin recently underwent surgery and he’s probably the only performer around who can make a medical crisis sound like a barrel of laughs. Not to be missed, under any circumstances.
RALPH McTELL ; GIBB TODD OPENING
Sat 3rd March Judith Wright Centre, Brunswick St ph 3872 9000
Virtuosic guitar style, a prolific and gifted songwriter, Ralph McTell is now celebrating 30 years on the road. Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album ‘Eight Frames a Second’ and in 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award and in 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Acclaimed Scottish singer / (occasional) songwriter Gibb Todd, who recently emigrated to Australia, has become a firm favourite with audiences in his new home. Two wonderful tellers of tales on one bill.
ALISTAIR HULETT AND DAVE SWARBRICK
April 5 2007 The Judith Wright Centre, Brunswick St ph 3872 9000
Alistair Hulett, one of Scotland’s finest singers and songwriters, started playing music with Dave Swarbrick, acknowledged as Britain’s premier folk fiddler, in Australia in the 1990s. That was the beginning of musical collaboration that has lasted, intermittently, to the present day and has produced some of the finest music of its genre. Dave has an impressive musical history including being one of the longest-serving and most influential members of Fairport Convention, the group credited with establishing British folk rock as a distinct musical genre. Alistair, former front man in Roaring Jack, is a writer and performer of exceptional ability. Many of his songs have become folk standards, acclaimed for their perceptive honesty and sheer musicality.
