Month: March 2015

Maurice Dickson is the guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 1st April and this is most definitely not an April Fool! Belfast born Maurice is a talented musician and plays contemporary folk, blues, as well as his own material

Maurice started playing, singing and writing at fifteen, put together his first band at sixteen and then, three years later traded his engineer’s overalls for a life as a musician. His extensive travelling through Europe and North Africa means that he has soaked up many musical influences as well as gaining valuable experience as a performer. Being exposed to such a wide range of styles is reflected in his choice of repertoire which does not fit any of the usual categories. Stunning guitar skills and a unique stage presence are what come to mind when recalling a Maurice Dickson live gig. The wide travelling means he has accumulated a lot of experience and therefore knows the songs that suit his voice. Maurice also has a quirky sense of humour and freely admits to being prone to meandering song intros – must be the Irish in him!

Maurice has a number of albums to his name and his most recent CD ‘Spirits & Dreams’ is his second one recorded with Catherine Ashcroft. She plays Irish Pipes and Whistles and the CD also features a couple of Maurice’s own songs. When not touring solo, Maurice and Catherine often play as a duo.

Writing, recording and touring in Ireland, England, Scotland, Holland, Denmark and the USA keeps Maurice busy. Right now he is half-way through a UK tour and then in May he is off on tour to the USA.

Guitar players of whatever standard should be at Irvine Folk Club to hear Maurice Dickson, asking themselves ‘ How does he do that?!’ Hear this acoustic guitar master at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 1st April starting at 8pm in Vineburgh Community Centre in Caldon Road and remember it’s BYOB.

Virtuoso Fiddler Tom McConville is the very welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th March. This is one not to miss. He is one of the leading Fiddle players of our time and it will be great to hear him again in Irvine.

Tom McConville is a performer, session musician and teacher – and is in great demand on all three fronts. His first experience of traditional singing and fiddle music was in The Globe pub in Newcastle where he was brought up. It was ‘the watering hole’ for many in the local Irish and Scottish communities on Tyneside. That explains why Tom’s repertoire although deeply rooted in his native North East, has strong Scottish and Irish influences.

Tom is a scintillating Fiddler. He has rich and warm vocals and a dry Geordie wit. The Irvine Club audience should be prepared for a rollercoaster of fast rhythmic dance tunes through to beautiful slow airs and great singing – with at all times his inimitable sense of humour and style in tow. When Tom plays at the Irvine Club, he will have just returned from a three day stint at the Costa Del Sol Folk Festival!

As well as performing solo, Tom tours with a variety of line-ups and accompanists including Guitarists David Newey & Andy Watt, Phil Murray on Acoustic Bass and Accordionists Shona Kipling & Leonard Brown – the latter plays Keyboards too. Back to Scotswood released last year is Tom’s most recent album and is described as being perfectly executed and a real pleasure to listen to.

Some years ago, because he had a continuous shoulder problem, Tom was advised to give up Fiddle playing. He heard about the Alexander Technique and has never looked back. The Alexander Technique is about gaining better freedom of movement through better health and better posture. Tom went on to take a three year course and is now a fully qualified practitioner in this technique. Musicians feature among his many clients.

Do your very best to be in the Irvine Folk Club audience on Wednesday 18th March at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road for 8pm. It’s BYOB.