January 7- WAZ!
First Ram gig of 2000 goes to the three-man WAZ!. Steve Tilston, Maartin Allcock and Pete Zorn are known throughout the club scene both for their solo work and for distinguished stints with the likes of Fairport, Jethro Tull and Richard Thompson. Ace multi-instrumental musicianship and songs, many of which are Steve’s compositions.
- January 14
- Martin Wyndham-Read
Performers and audiences agree - the UK’s best folksinger is Martin Wyndham-Read, not to mention being the greatest authority on the music of Australia, where he spent many years. He sings and plays straight from the heart with genuine warmth, sincerity and dollops of humour. Enjoy.
- January 21
- Lee Collinson
There are precious few guitar players, even at top level, who combine technical wizardry and sensitivity quite so ably as Lee Collinson. A real virtuoso fingerstyle and slide player. Add to that his great stock of songs, brilliant accompaniments and easy-going natural humour, and you get the picture.
- January 28
- Barb Jungr
A touch of performance cabaret from Barb Jungr, best known on the folk scene for her work with Jungr and Parker. But Barb (first female winner of the Perrier Award) enjoys a wider audience here and abroad. Possessed of a velvety, mellifluous voice, she is a highly accomplished performer/musician in a range of styles (folk, blues, jazz and cabaret).
- February 4
- Vin Garbutt
Small wonder that Vin Garbutt remains one of the biggest draws on the folk scene. In huge demand, Vin is an immensely powerful artiste, singer-songwriter and a veritable comic genius. Don’t miss him at the Ram.
- February 11
- Robb Johnson & Leon Rosselson
First time at the Ram under a Labour Government for .Robb Johnson and Leon Rosselson. Both known as sharp-witted, political, social, satirical and humorous songwriters whose material has been covered by a host of others, including Martin Carthy and Roy Bailey.
- February 18
- Chris Sherburn & Denny Bartley (Not The Wrigleys
as previously advised)
Chris Sherburn from Leeds and Denny Bartley from Ireland are a dynamic, uproarious duo. Chris is an unrivalled concertina ace. Denny’s stylish guitar complements perfectly. Expect wonderful driving instrumentals plus definitive version of many songs.
- February 25
- The Bushburys
Erstwhile daredevils The Bushburys return with an infectious, hicksterish mix of rootsy, good-timey music and song.
- March 3
- Bill Caddick
It’s far too long since Bill Caddick strutted his stuff at the Ram. A revered singer-songwriter (Albion Band/Home Service etc) and 12-string guitar player, check out Bill’s Winter with Roses CD.
- March 10
- Kieran Halpin & Maartin Allcock
Kieran Halpin, Premier League singer/songwriter, in concert with gifted multi-instrumentalist Maartin Allcock, (ex-Fairport/Jethro Tull) who helped kick off this season with his current band WAZ!. Maartin’s prodigious talent is on full display on Kieran’s twelfth album, just released.
- March 17
- Rod Paterson
Rod Paterson (ex-Easy Club/Jock Tamson’s Bairns, also Ceolbeg) has a voice to die for and a groovy guitar technique to match. From traditional to Scottish rhythm’n swing, Rod is one of the best things to come out of Scotland since Glenfiddich.
- March 24
- Allan Taylor
Beautifully crafted songs with beguiling, precision-built guitar accompaniments. Allan Taylor, master of the unerringly tasteful, chorus/story song.
- March 31
- Ron Trueman-Border
First time at the Ram for Ron Trueman-Border, accomplished guitar player and prolific songwriter. Shades of folk, blues and jazz. And it’s more likely than not that Ron will bring along some of his musical mates.
- April 7
- Joe Burke
Put simply, Ireland’s greatest accordion player. Bar none. A real virtuoso who enjoys a unique place in Irish music. Inspiration behind the revival of interest in trad accordion playing.
- April 14
- Jeremy Taylor
Humorist, satirist, political commentator, singer/guitarist, poet, composer (I could go on), Jeremy Taylor returns with his own brand of witty, thought-provoking material.
- April 21
- Andy Irvine
Ireland’s finest - Andy Irvine. Folk superstar (Planxty, Paul Brady, now Patrick Street). Ginormous, varied repertoire of songs and tunes (Irish,Woody Guthrie, Eastern European, original). The bizz.
- April 28
- Derek Brimstone
The irrepressible Derek Brimstone, brimming over with sharp, Cockney wit. A spate of comic yarns interspersed with ballads, blues and bloody good fun on guitar and banjo.
- May 5
- John Renbourn
Legendary singer and guitar player – except he exists! – all the way back to Pentangle, John Renbourn remains one of the niftiest, most influential guitar pickers of his generation.
- May 12
- Sid Kipper
Tonight we present Norfolk’s rhinestone ploughboy, Mr Sid Kipper. Singer, story-teller, comic genius – not to mention East Anglia’s leading exponent of the anglo-saxophone and acoustic walnut shells. Watch out for the new album East Side Story.
- May 19
- Wizz Jones
Wizz Jones – singer, songwriter, bluesman – originally learned his guitar licks and tricks of his trade from Long John Baldry and Davey Graham. Some 30 years on, Wizz is a major force on the European acoustic music scene.
- May 26
- Rory McLeod
Rory McLeod is a natural troubadour and phenomenal one-man band. Wonderful rhythms, songs and melodies. Expect anything from snappy a capella lyrics and tricky handclaps to the dizzying McLeod solo orchestra (guitar / harmonica / trombone / tap shoes / finger cymbals etc.) Click here for a review and pictures of Rory’s gig.
- June 2
- Alan Burton & Steve Hunt
And now for a bit of stirring Irish traditional music delivered with imagination and verve from Alan Burton (uillean pipes and tin whistles) and Steve Hunt ( guitar and vocals). Described recently by Rock’n’Reel as a classy act. First time at the Ram.
- June 9
- Woody Mann
Woody Mann, on tour from the United States, had his first lessons in the living room of the legendary Reverend Gary Davis. Today, Woody is one of America’s most renowned singers and players having rubbed shoulders with names like Paul Simon, John Fahey and Dory Previn.
- June 16
- John Kirkpatrick
Whatever the musical context, John Kirkpatrick has gained wide claim as much for his squeezebox virtuosity and musicianship as for the essentially English quality of the sound characterising his repertoire. A major talent and Bloody Good Fun, to boot.
- June 23
- Karen Tweed & Ian Carr
Been trying to book this dynamic duo for yonks. Trust us and be here. Karen Tweed, the bubbly Poozie, a scorchingly fine accordion player, is accompanied by Ian Carr, one of the coolest guitar players ever to visit the Ram.
- June 30
- Dave Burland
Dave Burland is by now weary of the laid-back label so often affixed to his performances. Controlled dynamism, he calls it. Judge for yourself. A funny man and singer with rich mahogany vocals and a vast collection of marvellous songs.
- July 7
- Mundy & Turner
Enjoy the global singing/songwriting talents of Cath Mundy and Jay Turner. Cath from Brisbane, Australia, is also a violinist and piano player. Jay is an accomplished guitar player and hails originally from the UK where he retains a staunch following. This harmony duo first appeared at the Ram in September 1998.
- July 14
- Maggie Boyle & Gordon Tyrrall
Maggie Boyle is well-known for her glorious vocals, wide-ranging repertoire, plus some tasteful flute and bodhran playing. Gordon Tyrrall is a gifted singer, flautist and guitar picker, tonight supplying some masterly accompaniments to Ms Boyle’s performance – and vice versa. Click here for a review.
- July 21
- The Old Rope String Band
Special evening in store of wild folk cabaret and cataclysmic mayhem with the Old Rope String Band. Visual extravaganza of acrobatics, juggling and hilarious clowning about belies the accomplished musicianship on which the zany act is founded. Click here for a review and pictures of the gig.
- July 28
- Nancy Kerr & James Fagan
Another global treat. Nancy is of course the daughter of Sandra ‘Bagpuss’ Kerr, and plays fiddle and guitar. James hails from Australia and plays bouzouki. They are also both fine singers. Among their recordings they have had two well-received CDs as a duo, which is how they will entertain us on this, the last night of the season.
- September 1
- Chris Wood & Andy Cutting
Their recent album Knock John is superb, having the air, particularly in the instrumentals, of a particularly spirited session – music played for the love of it. But as well as Andy’s accordion and Chris’s fiddle, the latter can sing a fine song. This’ll be a great night for English traditional music. Click here for Andy’s Web site or here for a review of the gig.
- September 8
- Tommy Sands
“Tommy Sands has achieved that difficult but wonderful balance between knowing and loving the traditions of his home and being concerned with the future of the whole world,” but don’t take my word for it – they are the great Pete Seeger’s words. I’ve been looking forward to this evening ever since I first heard Tommy’s song There were Roses. A singer and songwriter not to be missed. We are in for a treat.
- September 15
- The Phil Beer Band
Phil of course is one half of Show of Hands. In his time, he has also been a sixth of the Rolling Stones, a bit of the Albion Band – the list goes on. The band’s line-up is Phil on guitar, mandoline, vocals and hopefully fiddle; Steve Crickett, drums; Nick Quarmby, bass; Gareth Turner, melodeons; Charlotte Ayrton, guitars and harmonica. And Deb Sandland should be along on guest vocals. I hope it’ll be a cracking night, because Phil will probably write about us afterwards in the diary on his Web site.
- September 22
- Eileen McGann
Born in Canada to Irish parents, Eileen McGann represents the best of the Celtic singing tradition, together with the best of Canadian contemporary songwriting. This Ram club gig comes towards the end of a UK tour, taking in many major festivals, including Whitby and Fylde.
- September 29
- Isaac Guillory
No introduction required, I am sure, for this Ram club regular. A superb guitarist, a fine singer, and a performer of great warmth. Latin rhythms, blues hollers, maybe even a touch of skiffle. And he’s been working on a new CD. Get there early, as Isaac Guillory tends to draw a big crowd.
- October 6
- Hilary James & Simon Mayor
With its gift for understatement, the Shetland Times said of Simon and Hilary: “Dis multi-talented duo hed joost a magical touch tae dir playing. Very intricate finger-wark fae Simon and bonnie sangs fae Hilary left you feelin lik you were floatin on a cloud somewhar...” Quite so.
- October 13
- Carmina
Severalth time at the club for Carmina. Fronted by the serene Pippa Marland (vocals, sax, Irish whistle) and Rob King (octave mandolin and guitar), the band repertoire is a seamless, exquisite mix of trad, folk and ice-cool jazz. Pure class.
- October 20
- Equation
Equation are another excellent band led by the wonderful Kathryn Roberts. From staunch folk backgrounds, this five-piece outfit have embraced a range of other influences to create what the music press has hailed as “a new blend of pop-folk, akin to a cross between Fleetwood Mac, The Corrs and The Cranberries”.
- October 27
- Clive Gregson
Although based now in the US, Mancunian maestro Clive Gregson remains one of England’s most lyrical and intelligent songwriters and guitar players. His songs are astute chronicles of life’s ups and downs. Check out f’rinstance, his Happy Hour album, of which Clive says drily: “it’s not happy, and it doesn’t last an hour”.
- November 3
- Graham & Eileen Pratt
Graham and Eileen took a bit of a break from performing some time since. But now they are back with both brand new and back catalogue albums. Eileen is a gem of a singer and Graham a tasteful keyboard and guitar player. Some marvellous trad material with a liberal sprinkling of splendid songs written by Graham.
- November 10
- Rab Noakes with Fraser Spiers
The unmissable Rab Noakes, a legend among Scottish guitarist singer/songwriters. Rab’s musical CV takes in distinguished stints with Stealer’s Wheel, Archie Fisher and Barbara Dickson. Here now at the Ram with Fraser Spiers – just possibly the greatest harmonica player you’ve ever seen.
- November 17
- Huw & Tony Williams
Long overdue return for Huw and Tony Williams. Pizazzy performers and natural comics the pair of them. Yet it is the subtle brilliance of the songwriting and musicianship which strike such a chord with their audiences. Established faves at the Ram.
- November 24
- The Bushburys
One of the country’s most hardworking live acts. The Bushburys (formerly Bushbury Mountain Daredevils) stomp back with their familiar high-octane rootsy sound, contemporary songs, all round musical craftmanship and a good night’s fun.
- December 1
- Chris Foster
Some years back, Chris Foster gave up full-time performing to pursue other career interests. But as Ram audiences down the years will know, he has never been very far away or lost his edge. And now Chris has released Traces, an acclaimed album of mainly trad songs, inspired guitar arrangements and glorious singing.
- December 8
- Bill Jones
Bill Jones is not what you might expect. For a start, he is a she (Bill is short for Belinda) and has been making a big impression for the past year or so – such as making the cover of October's fRoots magazine. Bill is young, new, fresh and uses accordion or piano as accompaniment for her repertoire of traditional and self-penned songs.
- December 15
- Little Johnny England
Firing on all five cylinders since forming in 1999, this roots-rocking combo are currently rocketing up to the top of the “must book” lists of every festival and roots music promoter in the world. Strong in Albion Band, Fairport and Steve Gibbons Band connections and influences, but with a very much up-to-date English Folk Rock sound, expect a storming night from Gareth Turner (melodeons), P J Wright (vocals, electric slide guitar), Mat Davies (bass, vocals), Edd Frost (drums) and Guy Fletcher (violin, vocals). Their eponymous debut album got rave reviews so catch Little Johnny England while we can still afford them!
- December 22
- Christmas Party
Our Christmas parties are legendary, and tonight we’re going back to basics for a Magical Mystery tour de force, with limousine-loads of stars and celebrities desperate to be seen and photographed displaying their wealth of talent (or just their wealth) in our infamous grotto. We’re gonna party like it’s the last days of the Millennium (well it is!) so expect plenty of surprises, mayhem, extravagant freebies, irresistible nibbly bits and cool yule cheer.