GET OUT MORE…GIG UPDATE

25-09-2006

American alt.country superstars the Handsome Family at the Glee club, a local appearance by Nick Harper, and the return of one of the legendary Bhundu Boys to the West Midlands all feature in the autumn programme of top world music promoters World Unlimited.

September

24th Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy: mac 8pm £12.50 (8)
Wonderful folk fiddler and previous mainstay of Fairport Convention, Dave Swarbrick (also famous for reading his own obituary!) returns to the road after a successful lung transplant for a month of gigs with friend and regular and long time collaborator Martin Carthy. This will be a unforgettable night of music from two musicians who over 40 years of playing have immeasurably enriched British folk heritage.

26th Jaleo mac 8pm £13 (10)
Jaleo return to Britain with a compelling new insight into their flamboyant and magical flamenco world of Andalusian dance, song and guitar. Jaleo unleash the raw energy and sensuous rhythms inherent within flamenco, a potent cocktail of explosive footwork, haunting singing, virtuoso guitar playing and percussive handclapping from southern Spain with some of flamenco's finest award-winning artists.

30th Peggy Seeger: mac 8pm £10 (7)
Peggy is probably best known for her feminist song ‘Gonna Be an Enginee'r and for ‘The Ballad of Springhill', which is rapidly becoming regarded as a traditional song, her life partner was songwriter Ewan MacColl, who wrote ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' for her. She has made 19 solo recordings and has participated in over a hundred recordings with other artists. In addition to playing many of her well loved songs Peggy will be performing songs from her new album.

October
1st Oct Kate Doubleday Band + Lament: Music Room @ mac 7.30pm £4.50/ £3.25
Singer songwriter Kate Doubleday weaves strands of a cappella, folk, blues and African melodies into eclectic and emotive songs. Her passion for the environment is clearly evident in her songs, performing both new material and from her 2003 debut album 'Renewal'. Lament are an acoustic five piece from the West Midlands playing original material fusing Brazilian rhythms and flamenco guitars caressed with soulful jazz tinged vocals. Seducing audiences throughout the UK with their upbeat sounds, manic complex rhythms and unforgettable melodies they have recently signed a USA distribution deal so watch out for new album ‘This Ain't Rio' soon to be released. For more info go to www.lament.info / www.myspace.com/lamentuk

10th Oct Handsome Family + support Angie Palmer: Glee Club 7.30pm £11 (10)
Last Days of Wonder, the new CD by The Handsome Family is a collection of love songs sung in airports, garbage dumps, drive-thru windows and shark-infested waters.
"the Handsomes are making vintage magic in a world of their own"
4 Stars - The Independent "an unqualified triumph - Americana Album Of The Month" 4 Stars - Uncut

12th Oct Eleanor McEvoy: In the Limelight @ the Little Civic 7.30pm £9 adv

Eleanor McEvoy achieved star status in Ireland in 1992 when her song "Only A Woman's Heart" inspired the title for and appeared on, the "A Woman's Heart" anthology album. It has since become the best selling album in Irish history. Now her new CD ‘Out There' is released in September featuring Eleanor on vocals, keys, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, fiddle and mandolin, with 10 new classic McEvoy songs including Non Smoking Single Female and Quote I Love You Unquote (written with Dave Rotheray) and a conscience searing rendition of Marvin Gaye's ecology classic Mercy Mercy Me.

Her album YOLA was awarded HiFi+ album of the year. Readers voted Early Hours Irish Music Magazine contemporary album of the year.Mojo called it “A TRIUMPH”

13th Oct WUF - new monthly night at the Bulls Head, Moseley 7.30pm with Harare (ex Bhundu Boys) live + DJ ****special opening night price £4****

Formed by two musicians from the heart of Zimbabwean urban music; Harare combines different styles from Jit Jive to traditional hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (lamellaphone) which reflect the different backgrounds of the people who make up the group. Kuda Matimbah (marimba, keys and Vocals) has worked with one of the best groups to come out of Africa, the Bhundu Boys, and also as sideman to many more Zimbabwean performers such as Chartwell Dutiro, Batanai marimba, Stella Chiweshe and Ephat Mujuru as well as working with some of the most highly rated Zimbabwean musicians. Drummer and vocalist Kenny Chitsvatsva is the original member of the Bhundu Boys. Bhundu Boys were a groundbreaking force in the African music industry, as they paved the way for more artists to reach commercial success in Europe and the US. Matimbah and Chitsvatsva bring both old and new original compositions and arrangements to the Harare set. Words to their songs are performed in Shona language of Zimbabwe and invariably deal with social and economic issues.

14th Oct Nick Harper: mac 8pm £10 (7)
The soon to be released fifth studio album, Treasure Island, takes on subjects as diverse as the seven ages of man in the infectious melody of 'By My Rocket Comes Fire' and a positive, uplifting look at Britain in the title track (in contrast to recent pre-election bickering). But, as with his highly personal 2004 "family album" Blood Songs, he still has time to sing about the most important things in his world - family, friends, love, life.

15th Oct Folkwit Records: Music Room @ mac 7.30pm £7 (5)
James Chadwickis an exceptionally talented young singer-songwriter whose hauntingly melancholy songs cross the folk/Blues divide. He was a finalist of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and will soon be releasing his debut album "Nocturne" Bailey is new to the folk and roots circuit but has been captivating audiences with his intimate performances."This is real talent that deserves to go far." - Tasty Fanzine "A jewel in the crown" - Americana UKGwildor are an acoustic band from north Wales. Listed as 'One to Watch' for 2006 by Huw Stephens & Bethan Elfyn of BBC Radio 1 Wales) ‘reminded me a little bit of things like the Go-Betweens and Belle and Sebastian' Jinder is a 23yearold singer-songwriter based in Bournemouth, UK. His style fits well with the current alt country/Americana scene and is somewhat reminiscent of Ryan Adams circa 'Heartbreaker' with the occasional reference to Brian Wilson and Townes Van Zandt

18th Oct Mugenkyo: mac 8pm £14 (11.50)
Thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums interweave with delicate and expressive shinobue bamboo flute, and layers of subtle percussive soundscapes in a visually spellbinding display of fluid grace, precise choreography and sheer athleticism. Through their 10 years of rigorous touring, Mugenkyo have developed a gritty passionate style that is uniquely their own. " Just when you think it could not get any more powerful, it doubles in intensity. This show is not one to be missed." Edinburgh Evening News

19th Oct Andy White: In the Limelight @ the Little Civic 7.30pm £10 adv

Andy's new album Garageband will be released this October and was produced by John Leckie, (Radiohead, The Stone Roses and Muse).
On tour this autumn, Andy will be accompanied by virtuoso piano and accordion player Radoslav Lorkovic. Make a date to meet a very special Irishman this autumn.

19th Oct Africa Acoustic with Chartwell Dutiro: Music Room @ mac 7.30pm £8 (5.50)

‘The sound of the mbira is like rain on earth: music to revive the spirit of the ancestors. It is remarkable to hear Chartwell Dutiro play this piercing lachrymose Zimbabean instrument. " Observer Review " Gwenyambira Dutiro Chartwell has toured the world performing with amongst others Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited, teaching Mbira and singing. He is an internationally renowned singer, songwriter & composer who regularly performs at Womad. Chartwell's vision and commitment is to spread mbira music worldwide: no one is better placed to make this happen than he.

26th Oct Kimmie Rhodes: In the Limelight @ the Little Civic 7.30pm £10 adv
Kimmie's songs have been recorded by such stellar acts as Willie Nelson, Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Joe Ely, John Farnham and Waylon Jennings. Kimmie's movie soundtrack credits include “A Heart That's True” for the “Babe: A Pig in the City” CD, “Shine All Your Light”, co-written with Beth Nielson Chapman, was recorded by Amy Grant for the Touched By An Angel TV series. She recently co-wrote “Ordinary Heart” with Emmylou Harris for the movie “Happy Texas”. In 2003 she released a compilation of duets with Willie Nelson titled “Picture In A Frame”. Her band includes husband Joe Gracey on bass, son Gabe Rhodes on lead guitar and Kimmie on acoustic guitar and vocals.

November

3rd Mary Gauthier + support: The Limelight @ the Little Civic 7.30pm £14
5th Aaron Yorke + Giovanna Olvera : Music Room @ mac 7.30pm £4.50/ £3.25
8th Circulus: The Limelight @ Little Civic 7.30pm £7 adv
10th WUF @ Bulls Head 7.30pm
11th Kelly Joe Phelps: mac 8pm £14 (11.50)
16th Show Of Hands: Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton 7.30pm £14 adv
19th Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman: Music Room @ mac 7.30pm
£9.50 (6.75) + vocal workshop with Kathryn 3pm - 4.30pm £7 (5) £2 discount if booking for both
21st Karine Polwart + support Freddie Stevenson: Glee Club 7.30pm £12.50 (11.50)
23rd Africa Acoustic with Freddy Macha: Music Room @ mac 7.30pm £8 (5.50)
24th Julie Fowlis: mac 8pm £12 (8.50)