Chris Martin shot this video of Kelso’s David Kilpatrick singing another happy song at String Jam Club, end of May - Clive Carroll’s fantastic guitar skills being the real attraction, of course, with the usual support from several floor spots.
The small guitar is a Brook Bovey 21.5″ scale tuned to F#C#f#bc#f’# (DADGAD four frets up). The song is traditional with a strong influence on the guitar setting from Dáithí Sproule’s version as performed by Altan. See:
Due to the noise from Le Jardin’s refrigerators, recordings of song performance were not so successful on Friday June 5th. Here, though, is an instrument which can mask the sound of a humming fridge with ease - Ian Croall on Deger electronic smallpipes!
From Friday June 5th at Le Jardin we will showcase the individual talents of members and visitors in an open mic format. Although the spotlight is just right for one performer, participation may be requested to back up solos - and duos, trios or small groups are welcome to do the slot, which should be limited to three songs or tunes/sets. A single microphone and small amplifier will be provided.
Anyone interested in contributing a 15-minute maximum set should contact David Kilpatrick (david@maxwellplace.demon.co.uk). The open mic will run from 7.30pm to 10.00pm, followed by our usual late night session at The Cobbles Inn.
This new format is at the request of June and John of Le Jardin. They have new plans for July onwards, our regular arrangements for the early Friday session may need to change and we are keeping in touch about this. No future bookings or guests are affected
On Monday June 15th we have the chance to present a duo gaining a big following - Chris and Thomas. They have been compared to the Byrds as well as to Simon and Garfunkel, as a visit to their website will show you. The Cobbles Inn is not normally open on a Monday, but this time it will be, and the concert will be held downstairs in a true pub atmosphere with table seating - admission will be £8 on the door, and the public will not be admitted to the pub for this special night!
Doors open at 7.30pm, and there will be a short floor spot opening from 7.45-8.15pm. Club members who would like to do a spot should notify David Kilpatrick in advance, and must arrive before 7.30pm. Chris and Thomas are perhaps the most ambitious act the club has booked and they are dedicated to getting a studio quality sound regardless of the venue. This really will be a special night as well as the first time we have dared schedule anything for a Monday. It will not end late - you can expect to be off and away not long after 10pm. They will be doing a single 90-minute set.
On Saturday June 20th we have another guest - this time, free! David Leask, Border singer and guitarist who is now well-known in Canada, returns to Kelso - 20 years ago David had a regular gig at the Cross Keys Hotel. This is an extra night on our programme, David will do a two-half set starting around 9.30pm downstairs.
Then, on July 11th when the first Saturday of Civic Week and the arrival of the British Motorcycle Federation meeting coincide, we have a fantastic upstairs Saturday concert followed by an extra downstairs session. Our guests are one of the top Scots folk names, North Sea Gas - in the tradition of Silly Wizard, Battlefield Band, and the Corries they combine excellent musicianship with powerful songs. This will be a £5 admission concert.
Completing our arrangements so far for 2009, our Friday night Le Jardin guests for the St James’s Fair weekend (September 4th-6th 2009) are the Matt Seattle Band. Matt is an old friend, and his new band is underpinned by Donald Knox on guitar, another familiar face from his appearances as part of Carlenjig. Here’s a poster for their Sunday April 26th 2009 Denholm Meet gig.
At the Cobbles, we then have a St James’s Fair Saturday night downstairs free concert from Sandy Brechin and Ewan Wilkinson - again, top Scottish vocal and instrumental talent. We will also have a Sunday afternoon traditional session again for the fair weekend, guest anchors to be confirmed.
Kieran Halpin gave us a first concert night at Le Jardin with an audience of 46 (not counting our three supporting artists, Iain Petrie with Anna and Hannah as ‘Gypsy Soul Trio’). We were pleased to welcome many of Kieran’s fans who are well known to us, as well as new faces and regulars. Kieran performed two 40 minute sets and an encore, a simple set-up with his AER amp and mic - just one guitar, one man, one voice but a wealth of songs.
Here is the first video ready from the performance: Letter to America
And here is ‘Walk Like a Champion’:
The opening support act was Iain Petrie with part of his Gypsy Soul Band - Anna and Hannah singing harmony:
Seen through the ‘window’ between the comfy bit and the main room at Le Jardin - one or two audience members sat in here because the sound was fine and there was lots more space.
Kieran Halpin is the first concert guest at the club’s new Le Jardin early Friday night venue, on May 22nd (doors open 7.30pm for 8.00pm, admission £5). This will be Kieran’s third gig for the Kelso club and his large local fanbase. He will be supported by Iain Petrie.
Since 1979 Kieran Halpin has recorded 17 albums, one live DVD and published 2 songbooks with 50 songs in each book. He is a successful songwriter with many of his songs covered by other artists such as Ilse De Lange, Vin Garbutt, Dolores Keane, Geraldine McGowan, Tom McConville, Niamh Parsons, The Battlefield Band, Flossie and the late John Wright. In fact his songs are performed in clubs, pubs and concert halls throughout the world. He has recorded albums in his native Ireland, Scotland, London, Nashville and Sydney.
2009 started with the release of his 19th album – a remarkable achievement over a 35 year career – consistently prolific and artistically inventive. The new CD has 10 new songs including a song Halpin wrote for his friend John Wright – “So Long John”.
Whilst his albums are always something to look forward to it is live on stage where Halpin makes his mark. Powerful and passionate, intimate and intense, he is impossible to ignore. His voice has such an edge to it that he sounds like he is living every song. He has managed to marry his intelligent and thought provoking lyrics with great melodies and has developed over the years into a writer with a style all his own. All of this is underscored by an incisive wit in his introductions which helps an audience to understand where the song comes from and hint at where it might be going. Halpin is equally at home playing to a small folk club audience and a large festival crowd.
What the critics say:
“Songs of sheer class and originality”
“Wonderful stage presence and surprising humour”
“Halpin is one of the country’s most intelligent writers”
“He has a voice that sells the songs the songs and cuts to the heart”
“Thought provoking lyrics and memorable melodies”
“These songs made me think, laugh and cry – all in one evening”
“Great songs, great singing and great stories”
The success of the Cobbles Inn has been a great pleasure for all of our regular club members to see happening. We have been at the Cobbles for ten years starting with just four or five regulars. The club has grown in popularity, but so has the pub, with Gavin and Annika’s remodelling and award-winning menu making it one of the dining-out hotspots of the Borders.
Friday night is very popular and meals are taken later - Scotland really is part of Europe in this respect now. So the arrival of dozens of club members from 9pm has sometimes conflicted with the best interests of the Cobbles Inn. We do not want to occupy tables and see bookings turned away!
So, from Friday April 10th, the Kelso Folk and Live Music Club will meet at Le Jardin Bistro, the Knowes (facing the main car park, technically on The Butts, next to Kelso Pottery) for our new authentic coffee house acoustic session starting at 7.30pm. This is a club function and a donation will be expected at the door from members or visitors, who are of course welcome either to listen or join in. The café has a drinks licence as well as excellent filter coffee, bites, soft drinks and a quiet comfy sitting area away from the music for those who want to chat.
The singaround format or take-it-in-turn, with an invitation for others to accompany unless specifically requested not to, will still be used. The coffee house session will end at 10.00pm, followed by a short walk to the Cobbles Inn. In recent weeks, music has often started after 10.00pm anyway. You are welcome to join us for the Le Jardin acoustic café evening, 7.30-10.00pm - or for the Cobbles Inn late night come-all-ye 10.00pm to after midnight - or for both!
Kelso Folk and Live Music Club provided music for the opening night of the newly refurbished Ancrum Village Hall. The tightly programmed (and accommodated!) sextet consisted (as seen from the left in the line-up) of Peter Gillespie guitar & vocals, Ron Hastings g&v, Steve Dent percussion, Dave Mullen g&v and MC, David Kilpatrick g&v and viola, Ian Croall midi smallpipes.
Nicole Mullen shot some videos of the event - a difficult task given the lighting and the odd close-up balance created by the PA, it sounded better balanced back down the hall where the audience was.
The link to view all seven videos edited by Dave and Nicole, with sound mixed from recordings made by Nicole, Pete and David Kilpatrick, visit YouTube and search for ‘KelsoFolk’. We have removed the embedded link as it was slowing the site down.
