Day: June 5, 2013

The rich and varied vein of talent on offer at Irvine Folk Club continues when Briege Murphy is guest on Wednesday 12^th June. The Ulster born and raised singer and songwriter is well thought of by many of the folk luminaries for her fine songs and lovely singing.

Born in South Armagh where she still lives with her husband and two daughters, Briege was brought up in a family steeped in music.  Following the release of her first album The Longest Road  in 1995, Briege became established as one of the strong women in Irish music. Her four subsequent albums have confirmed her status as a songwriter of note.

She has been described as an Irish Nanci Griffiths.  Accompanying herself on guitar, some of her songs are inspired by the beautiful surroundings in which she lives and in others Briege brings to life situations common to people’s own experiences.  Be prepared also for offerings such as the tongue-in-cheek  Saving Up To Be Famous.

Briege Murphy is known for her effortless warmth and sincerity and Irvine Folk Club can hear for themselves on Wednesday 12^th June at Vineburgh Community Centre.  The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Arran Folk Festival and Folk night in Ardrossan

Elsewhere, two local events are happening this weekend.  On Friday 7^th June there is a Folk Night in Ardrossan’s Lauriston Hotel featuring The Scott Wood Trio, Andy Chung and Pinch O’ Salt. Meanwhile across the water, Arran Folk Festival will be underway from Thursday 6^th – Sunday 9^th June.

It is with huge sadness that the unexpected death of Nick Keir is reported.  Nick died in hospital in Edinburgh on Sunday 2^nd June as the result of an embolism.  He was 60 years old.  Edinburgh man Nick had been battling cancer for the last 14 months.

It was as a student at Stirling University that Nick formed the band Finn mac Cuill which went on to record two albums and tour Europe. He also wrote many songs for the 7.84 Theatre Group. He then went on to work at The National Library in Edinburgh and it was while there that Nick was invited to join The McCalmans in 1982.  Nick was ‘the middle one’ of The Macs and he remained with them until they hung up their instruments in 2010.

He wrote many fine songs and was a skilled instrumentalist. However, Nick was particularly  good when The Macs would ‘ham it up’  in songs like Goodnight Sweetheart, Wrecked Again and Don’t Sit on my Jimmy Shands.

He released a solo album recently, The Edge of the Night.  It has been attracting consistently good reviews one describing it as “an accomplished triumph in which the singer comes across as a man at peace with himself.”

Nick had been booked to play at Marymass this year.  He was delighted to have been asked and was looking forward to it.

Nick is survived by his Mum and a brother.