You can download the September 2023 Balladeer here.
Monthly Archives: August 2023
Frank and Erin with Toil and Trouble, at Acoustic Routes
Thursday 28 September, Roseneath School Hall, Roseneath, 7:30 pm
Entry: $15/$10 for members. Cash only (no eftpos facilities). Vaccinations and masks encouraged.
Originally from Amsterdam, Frank brings his technical brilliance to this New Plymouth-based duo, while his Taranaki-born wife, Erin, provides the driving rhythm guitar and has a reputation for her unique style on the banjo – described by Albi (& The Wolves) as having ‘a
kinda swagger’. Whether it’s a sizzling acoustic instrumental or the soulful delivery of a ballad, they capture the essence of “guitar and song”, through the variations of the acoustic genre – folk, blues, country, bluegrass, swing, classical. All wrapped into a neat Kiwi-Dutch package. They perform some hidden gems, well-known standards, and their own compositions. Currently, they are in the middle of recording Frank’s instrumental compositions and working on their follow-up vocal album.
“Beautifully concise guitar playing, tasty harmonies, well- crafted originals and brilliant covers” – Chris Penman
https://www.facebook.com/frank.and.erin
https://www.youtube.com/user/FrankJohnErinManu
Toil and Trouble are a Wellington based trio comprising Jude Douglas (fiddle and vocals), Mary Hubble (flute and vocals) and Ron Craig (guitar and vocals). They play traditional and contemporary songs and tunes mainly with an English/Celtic flavour. Also included are a few American, Canadian and antipodean numbers. The group are all long-time members of the Wellington folk scene.
The Jimmies – the final fling, with Divine Pitch and Simple Gifts, at Acoustic Routes
Thursday 24 August, Roseneath School Hall, Roseneath, 7:30 pm
Entry: $15/$10 for members. Cash only (no eftpos facilities). Vaccinations and masks encouraged.
The Jimmies, Wellington’s longest running folk band, have decided to call it a day after more than 35 years of music making. Their appearance at Acoustic Routes’ August concert will be their swan song.
The band began life in 1986 as the Jimmy Cook Band – a ceilidh and barn-dance band, and their distinctive brand of mainly Irish and Scottish music broadened over the years to include Kiwi songs and standards from the sixties and seventies, as well as original songs and tunes. Besides their dance, birthday and wedding gigs, they have been regulars at Wellyfest and have kicked up a song and dance at festivals and other events throughout the North Island.
The first line-up back in 1986 was Mary Hubble, Kevin Ikin, Liz Merton, Ken Allan, Colin Morrison and (briefly) Bruce Chapman. Other Jimmies over the years have included Malcolm Alder (bass) Bob Silbery (bass), David Knowles (electric guitar), and Ruairidh Morrison (fiddle, flute, whistles and concertina). Musical mates who have helped out when they have been short of a player have included Tim Barrie and Duncan Davidson, as well as whanau.
This final concert features Mary Hubble, Kevin Ikin, Ann McChesney, Murray Kilpatrick, Susan Ellis and Kevin McLoughlin. Together they’ll be on flute, whistles, tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin, percussion, keyboard, accordion, banjo, fiddle, bass, and of course vocals, reviving some of their earlier repertoire as well as more recent favourites.
Divine Pitch (Stephen Riddell and Megan Ward) are a folk duo who tell stories from the mouth of the fish: Te Upoko o te Ika / Wellington. The “divine pitch” is what they call A = 432 Hz tuning, a slightly flatter pitch with a certain resonance that helps humans feel connected to one another and to a spiritual reality.
Stephen and Megan play from a foundation of Irish tunes and old-world ballads, and also write their own songs about local content. Stephen plays guitar and occasionally piano, while Megan plays fiddle, mandolin, and banjo, also occasionally tin whistle or cello.
Divine Pitch Creations – YouTube and https://www.divinepitchcreations.org/
Simple Gifts are Sue Rose and Philippa Boy – two friends who share a love of harmony singing and very eclectic musical tastes. They revel in unusual arrangements of traditional and current songs accompanied by a range of instruments including Appalachian dulcimer, guitar, and hurdy gurdies.
August 2023 Balladeer
You can download the August 2023 Balladeer here.