28th October – Kent DuChaine

Kent DuChaine the nomadic Bluesman from Minnesota is back at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 28th October and this will be welcome news for his many fans in these parts. His abundant energy and enthusiasm means there is no chance of nodding off when he is playing. Kent’s guitar playing is exceptional and combined with the power of his voice and his passion for the Blues means it’s another night not to be missed at the Irvine Club.

Kent’s potted history is: born in Wayzata, Minnesota; formed a garage band at 13; and it was reading Eric Clapton album notes led him to check out a Robert Johnson album at his local library. So taken aback was Kent by the album, that he almost wore it out listening to it. The music of the Mississippi Delta had captured him.

In 1969 Kent learned to play slide guitar and ten years later he found his beloved Leadbessie – ‘a beat-up 1934 National Steel Guitar’ as he describes her. It’s kitted out with extra heavy strings to cope with his ferocious style and there is now a whole lot of gaffer tape on Leadbessie as well! The name Leadbessie is an affectionate amalgam of Blues legends Leadbelly and Bessie Smith.

Kent lives to spread the Blues and has clocked up countless thousands of miles and close on 100 overseas tours from his South Georgia base in the USA. Songs about Kent’s youth, his adventures, family and friends are linked by frank anecdotes in true troubadour style.

He always brings something of his own interpretation to covers of standards such as Little Red Rooster, St James Infirmary, I’ll Be True To You or Trouble in Mind. His intricate, finger-picking slide-guitar and use of his hand as a handhammer beat, all contribute to the sheer intensity of a Kent DuChaine performance.

Wednesday 28th October is a night for Blues fans to enjoy at Irvine Folk Club with Kent DuChaine. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

14th October – Steve Dan Mills

Steve Dan Mills is a new name to Irvine Folk Club and he makes his debut appearance on Wednesday 14th October. He is an American singer and songwriter and was a co-founder of Speed 35 – one of the first folk-rock bands in the American South.
A native of Milwaukee in Wisconsin, he eventually settled in Nashville, Tennessee, began a solo career in the mid ‘70s and did the rounds of the journeyman singer for a number of years. He has a rich and powerful voice and there’s a chance that you may have heard him as he is frequently asked to narrate documentaries and also does voice-overs for commercials – listen out for Ben & Jerry’s or Gatorade!
His vocals and songwriting talent is best heard on songs like ‘Inside out lookin’ in’ – taken from a CD of the same name: a song about the pain of being misunderstood. His songwriting has been described as reflective, sensitive, moving and healing – songs that can illicit tears and laughter and also instil hope. He accompanies himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica. Having moved to London a couple of years ago, Steve Dan Mills regularly tours the length and breadth of the UK.
On Wednesday 14th October, Steve Dan Mills will be at Irvine Folk Club in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB. Floor singers and Storytellers are always welcome !

Fraser and Ian Bruce album launch concert in Glasgow on Saturday

I thought club members would appreciate a reminder about the Concert and Album launch for Fraser & Ian Bruce – Mrs Bruce’s Boys – this Saturday, 10th October at Adelaides, Bath St, GLASGOW, 7.30. Tickets and details from www.trad.org.uk

Fraser used to be an MC at Irvine Folk Club and did a great night at the club recently. On that night, his brother Ian played guitar, but for this evening as Mrs Bruce’s Boys, you get the full power of Fraser and Ian together.  A little bit of as they were then, a bit of as they are now – and a hint of things to come.

Mrs Bruces Boys, Concert Flyer