Black Swan Folk Club

E-Newsletter 14

Late October 2003

  1. SIMON MAYOR & HILARY JAMES. First up, a reminder about our third concert of this season at the NCEM. Musical virtuosity and variety combined with exuberant good humour − that's about the best way I can sum up this Saturday’s guests (25th October), Simon Mayor & Hilary James. As their literature puts it: "Hoagy, hornpipes, Handel and hoedown" − an eclectic mix of folk, blues, swing and classical showstoppers. Simon must be the only musician to have had the same album in both the Folk and Classical charts!
    A little surprisingly, there are still plenty of tickets left for this one, priced £10 or £8 for concessions. Reserve yours with the NCEM Box Office ( boxoffice@ncem.co.uk / 01904 658338) or buy online at www.ncem.co.uk. There are also tickets available at Cassadys Records and I will of course have some at the club tomorrow evening. There will almost certainly be unreserved tickets available at the door on the night.
    As usual at the NCEM it will be a prompt 7.30 start, with an opening set by our very own Stan Graham − singer, guitarist and songwriter with a steadily growing national reputation.

  2. JIM MORAY SPECIAL − 18th NOVEMBER AT THE BLACK SWAN INN. In a last minute addition to our November programme, we are intrigued to present the York debut of much talked about young singer Jim Moray. Jim's 21st Century approach to English traditional song has been described by one critic as "the first real creative leap forward in the folk scene since folk-rock". Playing a laptop computer on stage, he generates electronic beats, sound loops, vocal distortions and synthesized music around his singing. His home recorded debut CD Sweet England has certainly sold well and generated huge interest and some controversy. Well here's your chance to listen and judge for yourselves!
    Touring with a drummer and a bass player, Jim was due to play at an alternative York venue early next month, until they got cold feet! Stepping into the breach, we have agreed to host his gig at the Black Swan instead, on Tuesday 18th November. Rather than the usual floor spots, there will be an opening set by locally-based young folk trio Ola, comprising Michael Jary, Helen Bell and Bella Hardy. Doors will open at 8pm as usual, for a kick off around 8.30, with admission £6 on the door (£5 concessions) − no advance booking required. Put it in your diary NOW!

  3. A MUSIC FILLED MONTH IN NOVEMBER. Next month is going to be a full and lively one. The Jim Moray Special comes on top of two first rate Thursday guest nights at the Black Swan − Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman (13 November) and Tom McConville, Pauline Cato & Terry Docherty (aka The Great Northern Roadshow, 20 November). Then there is also our November concert at the NCEM, (Tuesday 25th) "Harvest Home", a thematic show of readings and glorious acapella singing from Coope, Boyes & Simpson with Jo Freya, Fi Fraser and Georgina Boyes. Serious enjoyment or what!

  4. FUTURE ADVANCE TICKET EVENTS. The remaining events this year for which advance booking is available (and advised) include the aforementioned "Harvest Home" and also Artisan's Christmas Show "Stuff The Turkey" (22 December), both at the NCEM. Tickets are now on sale for both shows at the NCEM Box Office (note the new and shorter e-mail address, boxoffice@ncem.co.uk) and tickets will also be available from next week at club meetings and at Cassadys Records. Also going on sale next week at the club and at Cassadys will be tickets for our pre-Xmas "biggie" at the Black Swan Inn, namely Nancy Kerr & James Fagan (11 December).

  5. MAORI STORYTELLER IN COXWOLD (!) One other snippet for this edition. I have been asked by one of our supporters to pass on word of a special and unusual event taking place in Coxwold. Maori storyteller Rangimoana Taylor will be appearing there on Saturday 1st November at the Village Hall, starting 7.30pm . Apparently he is the most respected Maori storyteller in New Zealand , a dramatic and galvanising performer. Admission is £5 (children £2.50) and the person to contact for tickets/info. is Linda Hencher on 01347 868703.