Donovan will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Radio 2’s Folk Awards 2011 on Monday 7 February, as well performing an acoustic version of one of his classic songs.
The following videos are from the Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2010 which featured a host of names I’m sure many of you are familar with including Bellowhead, Dervish and Andy Irvine, Genticorum, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Boo Hewerdine and Heidi Talbot to name just a few.
There is no doubt that The Outside Track’s latest release has proven that they are not only fine exponents of their musical traditions but that they are fine musicians who can enthuse and bring those traditions to a wider audience!
Malcolm Holcombe’s latest album, To Drink the Drain, transports you back to the likes of Townes Van Zandt. His voice has been drenched and intoxicated by an eventful and self-destructive life but his courage has saved him. He’s back and he’ll be touring the UK in March!
This Saturday, 15th January, sees the return to Chepstow of the annual Wassail & Mari Lwyd. This unique annual event is arranged by that hellrasing border morris side known as The Widders.
Kevin Welch proves again on his long awaited solo album, A Patch of Blue Sky, that he still has that great gift of songwriting that first set him off on his career way back in 1978 writing for the likes of Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt.
Steve Tilston has unveiled he has other talents outside his folk-singing career with the release of his first novel titled All For Poor Jack. Set in the 15th Century New World and Bristol!
In January each year many of Ireland’s, and the world’s top traditional musicians travel to Glasgow to pay tribute to the late Jimmy McHugh who passed away in January 1999. By all accounts, and I’m told this on good authority, the post concert sessions are some of the best around
Folk-roots acoustic guitar duo Hickman and Quinn embark on their first UK headline tour during February and March to promote their debut album, Times. Co produced by Andy Bell (Sea Sick Steve and KT Tunstall) Times contains all original material from the singer-songwriters.
Jackie Oates along with her full band head out on tour in in March 2011 and as a special treat for fans she will be playing one song request each night. Jackie will announce the winning request from the stage each night!
You only need to read through The Bothy Band history to realise how big they were. All the names are world famous now and there is no escaping that they changed the face of irish traditional music forever.
