Young California-based fiddle, guitar, and banjo player, and ardent 78 collector Frank Fairfield has made his living as a musician, often found playing on the streets of Los Angeles. Handpicked by Fleet Foxes to open their U.S. tour last year, Frank released a 7" on Tompkins Square and recorded his self-titled debut album. His music has won over tough critics and purists like Grammy winning producer Chris King (Charley Patton, People Take Warning box set) & Phil Alexander (Mojo) to name but two !

Frank Fairfield sings and plays like someone who's crawled out of the Virginia mountains carrying familiar songs that in his hands sound forgotten: broken lines, a dissonant drone, the fiddle or the banjo all percussion, every rising moment louder than the one before it." -Greil Marcus

Plus Joe Redman, Shippy & Matty spinning the shellac.

In support of Irish singer- songwriter Heidi Talbot’s new album “The Last Star” which features both traditional songs and new tunes written by Heidi & her band John McCusker (fiddle) and Boo Hewerdine (Guitar) the Trio will debut these @ Live Theatre. Heidi did 45 dates with Eddi Reader last year & also tours with Drever, McCusker and Woomble. She originally cut her teeth as lead singer with Cherish The Ladies.
The New York Times - "A voice that's both Awestruck and Tender" The Village Voice - “Talbot is exquisite…Bjork combined with Enya.”

It’s a quick return for Pokey & the boys, after they sold out The Studio in Live T in January .

Following hot on heels of Dan Hick’s idiosyncratic jazz country blues music Kentucky-bred minstrel Pokey LaFarge & his acoustic quartet proudly tag their music "riverboat soul." Shifting effortlessly from Gus Cannon–style jug-band humor to Mississippi John Hurt–style pathos to his unique retro self penned ditties. They have a live show that’s as entertaining as anything you”ll see this year.

Single, Married, Female, Male, Straight,Gay, your all welcome to Shipcote & Friends Album launch as "Shipcote Rides Again" in a gentle geordie country swing style to the Cluny 2 alongside Malcolm - pedal steel, Bridie - b-vocs, Brian – banjo/guitar, Jon- D Bass, Cath - fiddle/accordian, Jon L- mandolin.

Plus local duo Cath & Chet & local songstress give or take 5000 miles, the Canadian hotshot, Ruth Minnikin from New Scotland (Nova Scotia) & more for freeeeee

Raised in Minnesota on Alan Lomax field recordings.Charlie Parr is a folk,country, blues musician who is routinely labeled “authentic” and “the real deal” by fans and critics alike. Charlie shows up with a lived-in rasp of a voice, National resonator, a banjo and 12-string acoustic guitar, and a batch of his own songs and well-traveled numbers by Charley Patton etc etc.

Choosing their name from an archaic apple variety in founding fiddler Ralph Berrier Jr.'s southwest Virginian family orchard, The Black Twig Pickers recapture the golden age of old-time country music with all the spirit intact.

"Serious barnstorming party music". Bluegrass Unlimited

Pete Molinari the astounding country soul blues whiz kid from the Medway Delta who recently appeared on BBC'2's Later with Jools Holland, plays a rare Newcastle show.Pete will be showcasing tracks from his new album ‘A Train Bound For Glory’ which features contributions from The Jordanaires and Chris Scruggs !

Les Shelleys -“Their sweet, quiet songs conjure the same lovely, swoony magic as watching a kiss in a 1940s movie—you know, when onscreen seduction meant something quite different and rather lovely.” - Sophie Harris: Time Out New York

Austin Texas based acclaimed songster Sam Baker is one of our most popular visitors to our shores. Sam has the voice of a dust ballad troubadour & he uses that voice to sing his soul out and tell astonishing tales of life in his songs.

& fellow Austinite, Darden Smith who’s been favorably compared to singer-songwriters James Taylor, John Hiatt, & Leonard Cohen in his 11 album, 20 year career, is a very admirable guest for this special evening concert.

Darden has also collaborated with and written songs for a wide variety of artists, including Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith & Shawn Colvin. His big radio hit “After All This Time’ is the title of his latest album & he recently authored and presented `Songs From The Big Sky` aired on BBC Radio 2.

Kelly Jo Phelps has, over the course of eight CD's and fifteen years of touring the world, established himself as a amazing guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is taking time out from his solo tours & making a Newcastle debut pursuing a new duo collabaration with singer songwriter Corrine West .. Corrine has a voice that simply soars. Using her powerfully eloquent voice, coupled with beautifully crafted songs - memorable both lyrically and melodically - she has fashioned a unique identity within American music's acoustic/roots scene.

Ten years in, the four gentlemen that form Raleigh, NC's Chatham County Line have a lot to reflect on. Sold out shows in the US and overseas, appearances on national Radio & TV, & four solid selling records. John Teer, mandolin, fiddle and high tenor singer reflects "We've had fans travel from another country to catch a show. Now that's when you know you're doing something right ! "
On the road they can be seen on the stages of festivals such as Merlefest, The Winnipeg Folk Fest, & Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. TV & Radio appearances include Later.with Jools Holland (BBC 2), World Cafe Live (WXPN), and numerous other national broadcasts.

From glorious Berryville, Virginia, Furnace Mountain have graced stages near and far, from the Yangtzee River in China to the banks of the Shenandoah River. The old time folk country music of Furnace Mountain is lively and raucous, with spirited fiddle melodies weaving in and around the powerful rhythms of the string bass and mandolin. It is at other times poignant and poetic, with sublime vocal harmonies beautifully interpreting some of the oldest songs ever written.
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With a voice as clear as crystal and honeysuckle sweet, Portland's Raina Rose has been making music that is quirky, sharply observational and great, for ten years or more. She has developed a unique & delicious blend of singer-songwriter acoustic indie pop

Bruce Springsteen’s buddy from Buffalo NY, the acclaimed singer songwriter Willie Nile finally makes his long awaited Newcastle debut. This respected songwriter-live wire rocker’s career streches way back to the CBGB scene of the 70’s.In fact in the early 80’s Willie second album was proclaimed “one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”. The NY rock n roller was once called a one man – Clash but rave reviews also compare him to Bob Dylan & B Holly too. He has appeared many times with the E street band & has recorded and performed with Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Levon Helm Taj Mahal and Carole King.

Atlanta Georgia’s Girlyman finally make it over to UK & believe us its well worth the wait. Influenced by ‘60s vocal groups like Simon & Garfunkel and The Mamas and the Papas and with years of classical and jazz training they are a marvelous act. Girlyman songs are a infused with melody and an mighty blend of acoustic, Americana, folk, country and rock. 
 

Canada’s beloved country folk trio The Be Good Tanyas achieved cult status all over the world. Appearing on countless Top 10 lists, they sold out concert halls across North American and Europe and performed on such revered shows as Austin City Limits, BBC & David Letterman.
Now lead singer Frazey Ford has put the finishing touches on her long awaited solo debut & tours Europe behind this. The new album combines the gorgeous sultry vocals that helped define the Tanya's sound

Talented soulful country songwriter, fantastic singer & gifted guitarist North Carolina’s Tift Merritt makes a welcome “solo show” return here. Compared to artists like Dusty Springfield and Bobbie Gentry, Tift was honored with 2004 Country Album of the year “Tambourine”, three Americana Music Awards for her 2002 debut “Bramble Rose”, Artist of the Year in 2005, and Song of the Year for "Good Hearted Man. However she’s slightly moved direction of late, but still with the astonishing voice, & her latest album, See You On The Moon, is more of a roots folk/ indie affair & features My Morning Jacket front man Jim James.

Austin’s legendary songwriter/guitarist/producer Gurf Morlix comes to the UK, with a whole bag full of new awards.  He was 2009 Americana Music Association Instrumentalist of The Year", his outstanding new album, Last Exit To Happyland making the top 40 Americana Music Association's 100 Albums of The Year”
 
 

The UK's leading dub fuelled ska -reggae collective Pama International meet one of the leading producers of dub music’s Mad Professor - Fronted by Sean F, Finny and Lynval Golding (The Specials/Fun Boy 3). Tpama International has included members from Bentley Rhythm Ace, Steel Pulse, The Style Council, and many more. “Pama bring funk, soul and dub to near perfection" Craig Charles BBC6.

Very special guest Dave Barker (Dave and Ansell Collins - "Double Barrel" etc etc )
plus Ska'd for LIfe DJs.
 

Formed in 1969 in a Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica, The Mighty Diamonds are one of the most internationally popular reggae groups to emerge from the '70s roots era. Boasting soulful, gorgeously pure harmonies and tight, catchy songwriting They are devout Rastafarians, but balanced their spiritual and political messages with sweet romantic material. 
 

We realize our music is a folked up mess of American Rock n Roll.”

Nick Hornby once hailed Philadelphia’s 5-piece bands Marah as the most cherished young rock band around. Like fine wine though, they have retained their garage rock base & grown up, moved on & become, as their singer Dave Bielanko again eloquently puts it “equal parts Grandpa Jones, Led Zeppelin and Biggie Smalls.

" Blissful shambolic rock brilliance." - USA Today "Rough-edged folk-rock in the mode of Bob Dylan's 'The Basement Tapes.'" - Washington Post

One of the best slide guitarist/songsters in USA & much loved  & long running visitor to Jumpin Hot Club were proud to have the Iowa bluesman Catfish Keith back on Tyneside.
 

Eight-piece Bristol based band Babyhead's unconventional approach tells you they aren't your average band. Like talented kids in a musical sweet shop they mix and match, sticking a dedicated horn section beside infectious heavy dub bass and ska across a hip-hop backbeat (and some funk-focused finesse). They offer a unique sound with glittering showmanship and unadulterated energy. 

This is the Newcastle debut for Otis Gibbs hometown buddy, Indiana’s The Rev. Peyton. He swings & slide’s his hyper country blues like a velvet hammer, its impact cloaked in rural tones and a timeless simplicity. It is this type of raw and real blues that addresses the human urge directly. it is this type of blues that, in all its secular glory, can move the spirit, no matter how weak the flesh. Rev Peyton and his Big Damn Band - which features his wife, Washboard Breezy, and brother Jayme, on kick and snare drums - were plowing through a set at a gig in Colorado one night when they had the room in a steady boil. For a woman near the stage, confined to a wheelchair, it was all she needed to hear. She got up!

Crooked Still are a hot young trad folk- roots bluegrass quintet from Boston USA, consisting of vocalist Aoife O'Donovan, banjo player Gregory Liszt, string bassist Corey DiMario, cellist Tristan Clarridge and fiddler Brittany Haas. They are known for their high-energy live shows, great technical skill, unusual instrumentation and innovative acoustic approach

From her current home base in a 200-year-old farmhouse in rural Vermont, Anaïs Mitchell the “Righteous Babe” recording artist, (Ani Di Franco’s Record Label) writes songs that are as intimate as conversations and as rich in detail as short stories. Fearlessly emotive... Like Dylan, Cohen, and Welch, Mitchell weaves her stories into an effortlessly beautiful and cohesive tapestry with the skill of an artisan's carpenter, showing no seams.

She was here with Erin MacKeown in mid Jan & really stole the show, so were proud to have her back & headline.

Wannamaker’s very own Otis Gibbs is a modern day songsmith – troubadour, an honoree Geordie & was quite easily, the star of this year’s Summertyne Americana Festival, So were over the moon to announce he’s coming back & makes a quick direct return over the pond. “If you thought that the days of rambling folk artists akin to Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliott or Bob Dylan were as dead as the American dream they we're out searching for, then Otis Gibbs is the man to prove you wrong”

Justin Townes Earle is as tall as the day is long, all angles and elbows and with a hard stare, both welcoming and deadly serious. He's Nashville North, all set up in lower Manhattan now, just like his hero Woody Guthrie, Growing up he mis-spent his youth playing in bluegrass/ragtime combo The Swindlers and rock combo The Distributors. During tours in his father Steve Earle's band, his problems became untenable and he was fired. Ultimately he cleaned up his act, and began to focus on songcraft. With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt, Jimmy Rodgers and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music. This is his 4th visit here & a gig were so looking forward to.

The Glasgow based Alasdair Roberts is a Scottish Folk singer, guitarist, interpreter of traditional songs and writer of new indie roots ditties! Since 1996 he has worked with Drag City Records (Joanna Newsom etc) of Chicago.  North East based Anglo-American duo Cath & Phil Tyler features Phil's  exquisite guitar and banjo, layered with Cath’s earthen voice and their haunted harmonies, Radio 3’s Late Junction even arranging them a performance at the Royal Opera House

Country folk singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier exploded onto the scene in 1999 following her self-released sophomore effort, Drag Queens in Limousines. The album had critics comparing her self-described "country noir" to the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, and, not surprisingly, Lucinda Williams. The success of Drag Queens led to main-stage shows at festivals around the USA and multiple tours in Europe. Embraced by critics, folkies, and country fans alike, Gauthier's warmly candid treatment of her fringe-dwelling subjects rings true, as it never verges on sentimental; her characters' downtrodden lives are never coldly exploited. Instead, these are people she knows, who she met after dropping out of her Louisiana high school and stealing the family car at the age of 15, only to find herself in detox at 16 and jailed in Kansas City at 18. Her own wayward path led her to culinary school and, eventually, she opened a successful restaurant in Boston's Back Bay -- Dixie Kitchen -- which she sold after her music career started to take off. Gauthier tours the UK with now, her sixth album “The Foundling”.

Here’s some general quotes-
“With songwriting as powerful as hers, there's no need to go looking for qualifiers…She's a unique, intrinsically valuable musical voice. And there's never a surplus of those.” - Los Angeles Times "
"With a voice like a grazed hawk, she sings bluesy Southern Gothic tales...Whatever you are doing I guarantee you'll stop and listen to every word." 4 Stars MOJO Magazine
Gauthier’s new CD, “The Foundling” is the product of two years work, and is quite simply the best collection of songs she’s ever recorded. With ‘The Foundling’, Mary Gauthier has created her first masterpiece. Not for the easily frightened, it is the most raw, brave and ultimately satisfying album I’ve heard in a very long time. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. "-No Depression

Like many rough-voiced singer-songwriters, New York based troubadour & raconteur Steve Forbert has done time as a potential "next Bob Dylan," but he's carved out his own distinct niche as a great songwriter & performer in an uncompromising career that now spans over 30 years. Maybe he’s a bit mellowed now from his former rocker days, but he still gets people up out of their seats. Like Springsteen, age just doesn't damper quality !

For our Very Special 25th Anniversary show, YES WEVE BEEN GOING FOR 25 YEARS !  Please come & join us & enjoy our celebrations, as we have 3 supa dupa acts…& we’ve kept the ticket price down J 
1) From Joshua Tree, California, Mark Olson’s the founding member of The Jayhawks, the most acclaimed band to emerge out of the alt-country scene. He’s stopping off here on a small solo tour to play our special show.
2) Exclusive visit here for Iowan’s David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey who met in a Mexican barrio in Arizona, forming The Pines. Their 2nd release “Sparrows in the Bell  * on Red House Records was named one of the top American roots music releases of 2007 by Q Magazine. Together the two of them craft music that evokes the ancient while incorporating newer folksy roots and country grooves.
3) For years & years a big Jumpin Hot club favorite, the renowned entertainer, accordionist and jester from the New Rope String Band Mr. Tim Dalling will be serenade us too for our anniversary. "Like a cross between Ivor Cutler and Randy Newman"
 

For the last few years Martin & The Daintees have sold out these one- off christmas parties, here at The Cluny. Please book early....

The second of Martin & The Daintees one- off christmas parties. Please book early....