Tag Archives: Singer-songwriter

Vin Garbutt on 19 July

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Vin Garbutt

Vin Garbutt

On Friday 19 July we look forward to a visit from special guest, singer-songwriter Vin Garbutt, hailed as ‘the funniest and most serious man on the Folk Scene’. Vin’s unique take on the world is delivered with zany good humour and his beautifully crafted songs deal with a wide range of current issues. Not to be missed!

Tickets are SOLD OUT. Bring your own drinks – pubs and off-licences nearby. Teas and coffee in the kitchen. Arrive in good time to secure your space in the car park – and please park extra-tidily!

Tim Chipping showcase at the session on Friday 14 June

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GE DIGITAL CAMERAShowcase guest at the song session on Friday 14 June will be popular local singer, songwriter and guitarist Tim Chipping. Tim is an acoustic musician hailing from the rural depths of Norfolk’s Wensum Valley. He writes and performs his own songs, often very story based and which, whilst acknowledging traditional song forms, are influenced by a variety of contemporary music styles, encompassing themes from the modern world. He also reinterprets traditional songs and puts his own particular stamp on material by current artistes such as Bruce Springsteen, The Levellers and Steve Earle.

In the early 90s Tim co-founded folk rock band Folklaw and, latterly, was one half of acoustic duo Movers and Shakers together with fiddle player Mike Naldrett. Currently, as well as performing solo, Tim sings and plays guitar with Norfolk folk band LongShoreDrift (LSD to their friends!) as well as The Stringdogs, an Anglocana meets Americana acoustic roots collision. His new solo CD, ‘What You Hear Is What You Get’ is out now.

All welcome to this free session. Bring your own drinks, songs and tunes.

Gren Bartley on 12 April

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Gren Bartley

On Friday 12 April we look forward to welcoming Gren Bartley, a talented young guitarist and a prolific and exceptional songwriter who we first noticed as one of the New Roots finalists several years ago. Since then Gren’s career has blossomed and he is constantly touring and forever writing.

Gren’s new album ‘Winter Fires’ (out in spring 2013) is set to build further upon the success of 2012’s critically acclaimed ‘Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown’. “A quiet triumph, no less” ( fRoots).

Showcasing his phenomenal guitar playing and poetry-driven lyrics, Gren is truly the future of folk songwriting, using his influences from folk and blues traditions to bring something unique to this modern day troubadour. He is an artist not to be missed. “One to really look out for …” (BBC Radio 2).

Tickets can be reserved by contacting us via the ‘About the club’ page (£7 club members, £10 non-members). Bring your own drinks. Fine ales and off licence nearby. Teas and coffee also available.

Folk song sessions continue every Friday between guest nights, with a themed evening of ‘Chorus Songs’ led by Glynn West on Friday 29 March. Free entry. All welcome, whether to listen, sing or play.

Bill Caddick on 14 December

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Bill Caddick

As a special Christmas treat, we look forward to welcoming singer-songwriter Bill Caddick who, among many career highlights, worked with the Albion Band during the production of Larkrise to Candleford and The Passion, and was also a founder member of legendary folk-rock band The Home Service, as well as being the creator of such firm favourites as ‘Unicorns’ and ‘Cloud Factory’.

Bill’s songs have been recorded by the likes of June Tabor, Chris Foster, Alex Campbell, The Yetties, Christy Moore, Peter Rowan, John Kirkpatrick, Artisan, Coope, Boyes and Simpson and many others throughout the world.

We are also very pleased to welcome back the accomplished acoustic singer of traditional songs, Kirsty Bromley, as a support performer.

Kirsty Bromley

We first met Kirsty in the guise of babysitter to the stars, when Nancy Kerr and James Fagan were last in Norwich. Since then her singing career has blossomed and, among other exciting achievements, Kirsty was a finalist at the New Roots competition at St Albans in April this year.

Bring your own refreshments. Teas and coffee available. Reserve tickets (£9) by contacting us through the email link on the ‘About the club’ page.

Jez Lowe on 11 May

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Jez Lowe

Recently returned from a successful Australian tour, Jez Lowe has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, both solo and with the Bad Pennies. His songs are sung by many other well-known folk performers, including Fairport Convention, the Dubliners, Liam Clancy and Bob Fox. Jez took part in The Darwin Project and, having contributed nearly forty songs to the BBC Radio Ballads series, is currently working on the upcoming series to be broadcast during the Olympic Games.

Tickets £8 (£5 members). Please check availability by email via the ‘About the club’ page. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

Karen Tweed and Kevin Dempsey on 8 April

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Karen Tweed and Kevin Dempsey

On Friday 8 April we welcome Karen Tweed, a deft and dextrous piano accordion player and a leading light on both UK and international folk scenes.

With a musical approach that is informed by tradition, Karen breaks convention to take acoustic music to a new realm.

Joining Karen is guitarist, singer and songwriter Kevin Dempsey, who is renowned for his fresh and vibrant arrangements of traditional and contemporary tunes and whose vocals bring both meaning and feeling to the lyrics. Tickets £8 (non-members). Please email via the link on the ‘About the club’ page to join the list. Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee available.

On Friday 1 April the singaround will focus on the theme ‘All Fools’.

Pete Morton on 18 March

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Pete Morton

Pete Morton has been hailed as one of England’s finest songwriters – a voice of reason in these troubled times. The songs on Pete’s brand-new album, ‘Economy’, present a typically lively, moving and often sideways look at the modern human condition, whether through the eyes of a lady gorilla, the ever-changing setting of a city café or the sweet voice of an Indian call-centre operator. ‘Disobedience’ strikes a particularly topical note in summoning the peaceful spirit of Gandhi to fight oppression. Other well-loved songs from Pete include ‘Another Train’, ‘The Shepherd’s Song’ and ‘Six Billion Eccentrics’.

In support on Friday 18 March will be up-and-coming young songwriting duo Luke Hirst and Sarah Smout. Cellist Sarah has played all over the UK alongside Rosie Doonan and has shared stages with a number of well-known performers, including Kate Rusby. An accomplished guitarist, Luke has been playing gigs since 2004, with TV coverage on BBC and airplay on a number of radio shows.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee will be available. Tickets £8. (Save seats by emailing via the ‘About the club’ page.)

PS The toast of the Edinburgh fringe this year, Pete Morton’s alter-ego, Geoffrey Chaucer Junior, will be presenting  ‘The Miller’s Tale’, a medieval musical monologue of poetry, comedy and song, at the Christ Church Centre at 8 pm on Saturday 19 March. Tickets £6/£4.

Pete Morton, Maggie Boyle and Chris Parkinson

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Chris Parkinson, Pete Morton and Maggie Boyle

On Saturday 12 December, in association with Norwich Folk Club, Pete Morton,  Maggie Boyle and Chris Parkinson bring their Magical Christmas Tree Tour to the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road (opposite the Whalebone pub), with an enjoyable mix of seasonal offerings and special treats from this accomplished trio of performers.

Songwriter Pete Morton sings from the heart, with songs that are an unruly mix of humour, politics, love and social comment, wrapping their way around the folk tradition.  He may also be persuaded to sing his well known song ‘Another Train’.  It’s bound to be on the tree somewhere!

Maggie Boyle is a traditional singer and flute-player. Through her ballads and tunes, old and new, she continues the tradition of music and storytelling passed on by her Irish family. Maggie’s voice and flute are an integral part of Christopher Bruce’s folk ballet, ‘Sergeant Early’s Dream’ created for Rambert Dance Company.  She has worked with James Horner, The Chieftains, Incantation, Bert Jansch, Steve Tilston, John Renbourn, Grace Notes and ,,,

Chris Parkinson, who has played music since the age of five, starting with the harmonica before moving on to everything else. However, he is best known for his melodeon and piano accordion playing, and is one of the most sought-after accordion players in the country. Among many others, Chris has worked with Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson, Ralph McTell, Billy Connolly, Mike Harding, Steve Tilston, Martin Simpson and Steve Phillips.

The Magical Christmas Tree is full of songs and tunes from everywhere and this is your chance to write the set list! A fun and spontaneous night for everyone – especially Maggie, Chris and Pete – who quite literally don’t know what they are going to do next … but they do it well! Tickets £8 (£6 club members) can be reserved by email, using the form on ‘About the club’ page.

On Friday 11 December there will be a singaround at the White Horse Inn as usual. Everyone is very welcome to join us – whether to listen, sing or play.

Alan Helsdon on 8 May

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The showcase guest on 8 May, performing two sets within the singaround, will be Alan Helsdon, singer-songwriter, musician and historian of local folk songs and tunes. Alan is also the leading light of folk band Shufflewing. Free entry and everyone welcome.

The singaround on 1 May will have the theme ‘May Day’, which can be taken in any way that you like! As usual, entry is free and everyone is welcome, whether to listen, sing or play tunes.

The singaround on 24 April will be open to all kinds of acoustic music and songs. Free entry and all are very welcome. Come along and test out your new songs in a friendly atmosphere. No need to arrange spots in advance.

Bill Caddick on 12 December

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Bill Caddick

Bill Caddick

Singer songwriter Bill Caddick will be the guest at the club on 12 December. Bill is perhaps best known for ‘Unicorns’ and ‘The Cloud Factory’. His songs have been recorded by the likes of June Tabor, Chris Foster, Alex Campbell, The Yetties, Christy Moore, Peter Rowan, John Kirkpatrick, Artisan and Coope, Boyes and Simpson.

It has been said about Bill:

“The man’s a wonder. Unique. Masterful. Magnificent. Enormous. Essential.” John Kirkpatrick

“Holds your attention from first to last. He has hell of a voice and plays a mean guitar” fRoots

“Simply brilliant. English folksong delivered with passion and commitment.” The Living Tradition

Tickets £8 (£5 members)

Video link

Bill Caddick at Southwell Folk Festival 2008