23-05-2012

Folk Sounds Best At Cecil Sharp House

An evening to mark the contribution of Nic Jones to folk music is one of the highlights of the new series of autumn concerts planned for Cecil Sharp House in London.

A UK album launch by American singer songwriter Caroline Herring, a St Andrews Day celebration by Scottish five-piece Breabach and Christmas with Bella Hardy also feature in the new programme from the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS).

The series begins with the launch of America singer songwriter Caroline Herring’s new album Camilla on August 29. Her sixth album, it focuses on the beautiful and dark sides of life in the US South including those forgotten people in Appalachia and the deep South.

On September 22 a special celebration will be held to present the EFDSS Gold Badge to Nic Jones.
This rare appearance by one of the most iconic figures of the folk revival will be unmissable for all his fans, featuring a reunion of his band The Halliard, plus performances from special guests including Jim Moray, and a pre-show panel discussion chaired by Colin Irwin about Nic's enduring influence and popularity.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan will perform a special show on September 29 to mark 15 years on the road. Some outstanding guests - including Eliza Carthy, Tim Van Eyken, Rob Harbron, Steve Hunt and Alan Burton, Richard and Jess Arrowsmith - will join them, representing the many artistic collaborations they’ve been involved with over the years.

On October 12, folk stalwarts Show of Hands will make a welcome return to Cecil Sharp House. Steve Knightley and Phil Beer, along with Miranda Sykes. The triple BBC Folk Award winners never fail to offer anything other than a fantastic evening of the best in roots and acoustic music.

An evening with Megson & Friends will be held on October 18. The husband and wife pairing have been three times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and winners of three Spiral Earth Awards and their nu-folk style has seen them become firm favourites in the folk world.

Fay Hield and The Hurricane Party is next up on October 25. Hield, an acclaimed artist in her own right, will be joined by her stellar backing band of partner Jon Boden (Bellowhead), Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney (Bellowhead) and Rob Harbron (The English Acoustic Collective).

On November 3, Eliza Carthy, EFDSS vice president, will perform a one-off gig to celebrate the organisation’s 80th anniversary as part of a weekend long festival of events. With special guests, it promises to be a legendary evening.

Welsh singer songwriter Martyn Joseph will make his debut at Cecil Sharp House on November 15. Joseph, described by Mojo as ‘Britain’s best kept secret – a challenging songwriter and a compelling courageous live performer’, is one of the very best acoustic musicians on the circuit.
On November 24, Walsh & Pound and Friends will take to the stage.  Labeled respectively as ‘one of the most original harmonica players in Britain’ and ‘the UK’s top Clawhammer banjoist’, they offer a highly entertaining and astonishing live set.

Breabach will perform a special set to commemorate their country’s patron saint, St Andrew, on December 1. An evening of music which is sure to entertain, whether you’re Scottish or not.
Maypoles to Mistletoe, featuring Martyn Wyndham-Read and Carolyn Robson, on December 9, will explore the seasons through song, dance, recitation and traditions to kickstart the Christmas celebrations.

The season rounds off with Bella Hardy (Winner of Best Original Track, BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012) and her Christmas show on December 13. Her annual Bright Morning Star tour of songs with a Yuletide twist has become a firm favourite in the calendar and Bella will be performing with special guests Anna Massie and Chris Sherburn.

EFDSS Programming Manager Neil Pearson said: “This series offers a wide and varied programme of events, including many one-off shows such as Nic Jones’ first ‘indoor’ gig in 30 years, the album launch by Caroline Herring and celebrating 15 years of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan’s contribution to the industry.

“It offers something for everyone and we are pleased that so many prestigious folk artists have chosen Cecil Sharp House as the place to perform in the capital.”

Jo Frost, Editor of Songlines, which is the media partner for the 2012 concert series, said: “This is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive line-ups in the recent history of Cecil Sharp House and is sure to delight fans of folk, acoustic and roots music.

“It also seems fitting that so many of these one off performances should be held at home of English folk music.”

Download gigs leaflet (pdf)