Tag Archive for: Singer

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Men At Words: Archie Fisher, James Keelaghan & Jez Lowe

Men at Words. Songwriting Heaven? Three of the most respected songwriters come together for the first time ever for this tour.

At the Performance Hall at the Somerville Armory, April 9th. Tickets Here

Three of the world’s finest songwriters and most respected singers have decided to take their friendship on the road. Having come together for several years while on a cruise they found that their music has a great synergy.  James has toured separately with Archie and Jez and when they again all found themselves staying in the same house last Fall the idea for the tour was born.

A Benefit Concert for FOLK New England

Archie Fisher

An avid horseman and master guitarist, singer and songwriter Archie Fisher is Scotland’s foremost Folk music troubadour. He is known in his homeland for a 27-year tenure as the host of BBC Radio Scotland’s award-winning “Travelling Folk” show. Recognized for his contributions to Scottish folk music, he was inducted into the Scots Traditional Music Hall of Fame and in 2006 was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire), a prestigious honor nominated by his peers and bestowed by Queen Elizabeth.

James Keelaghan

Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons. As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, intent and intensity, and curiosity.

Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community.

Armed with a songbook that has enlightened and enthralled, and been embraced, by audiences around the world, Keelaghan’s life as an artist is one that is a perpetual journey on so many levels.

Jez Lowe

Jez Lowe has built an enviable reputation as a songwriter and performer in the world of acoustic music, and as a recognised musical ambassador for his native North East England, with more than a dozen albums and countless live performances around the world over the last twenty years.

Among those who have recorded their own versions of Lowe’s songs, are Fairport Convention, The Dubliners, The Tannahill Weavers, Cherish The Ladies, Gordon Bok, The Black Brothers, Liam Clancy and literally hundreds of others. Songs like BACK IN DURHAM GAOL, THE BERGEN, GREEK LIGHTNING and THESE COAL TOWN DAYS have generated scores of cover versions around the globe, and are now classics of their kind.

He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, both solo and with the Bad Pennies, including the main stages at Edmonton Festival (Canada), Tonder Festival (Denmark), The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian (US), Port Fairy and Byron Bay Festivals (Australia) and at concerts and festivals in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Ireland, Holland, Germany and Spain.

At the Performance Hall at the Somerville Armory, April 9th. Tickets Here

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Marina Evans In Concert February 12th

Marina Evans

Marina Evans nominated for female performer of the year by the New England Music Awards, will perform a benefit concert for Folk New England in the Cafe at the Somerville Armory, Somerville, MA on Thursday, February 12th at 7:30pm.

Information on the concert here.

In 2005 Marina Evans moved to New York City, where she taught herself guitar and began writing songs that combined her background as a jazz vocalist with traditional folk and a rock edge. Within a year, she was performing as a solo acoustic act around New York and her home state of Massachusetts. Since that time Marina has recorded three original EPs and a full length album, and has taken her music from Rockport, MA all across the United States: from Portland to Nashville, New Orleans to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between. Marina has also made her way over to Europe, performing in London and touring across Italy every spring since 2011.

In 2012 Marina released two original EPs, Dogtown and The Tuscan Sessions. Dogtown, released first, was written and recorded with Marina’s band in Gloucester, MA; The Tuscan Sessions was written and recorded while touring abroad in Italy. “The EPs are really two sides of the same coin,” Marina says. “While complementary, they reflect this sort of bi-continental, rambling life I’ve been leading with my music.” Dogtown rocks – described as “raucous” and “anthemic” in The Noise Magazine – and “swellingly beautiful” Tuscan takes a distinctly European perspective on folk americana.

In the spring of 2013, Marina launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the recording of her debut full-length album, Unbound. Through overwhelming support from across the globe, she reached her funding goal and recorded the album abroad in Florence, Italy with producer Bernardo Baglioni. With clever lyricism and unusual melodies, Unbound deftly combines various styles, genres, and instrumentation – from sweet ballads to folk anthems to straight up rock and roll – and paints a picture of a versatile and passionate artist.

More on Marina here:

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Marina Evans Debuts New Album

Marina Evans

Marina Evans is looking for funding for her new cd and LDP is happy to spread the word.

From Marina:

I am Marina Evans, a folk/rock singer songwriter from Rockport, Massachusetts. This April, I am SO excited to board a plane to Florence, Italy where I am hoping to record my first full length album!

I’ve got the plane ticket, and I’ve written the songs. The band, producer, and studio are on board and at the ready; pre-production is already underway. Now, all I need is your help to git ‘er done!

First off, let me explain how Italy fits into the picture. I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Florence in 2008, and promptly and permanently fell in love with the place. I had written a few songs then and played at the open mics, where I met some Florentine musicians with whom I eventually gigged and recorded. From that point on I couldn’t stay away, and I have been extremely lucky to be able to return to Florence over the years as time and money has allowed.

When I wasn’t in Italy, I was in my hometown of Rockport, Massachusetts or nearby Gloucester. These too are beautiful, inspiring places that are just full of music – so much so that the majority of my catalog has been written here (check out Dogtown, the EP I released in Gloucester last fall). In fact, unless something spontaneous happens in the studio in Florence (you never know), this entire new album will have been written on Cape Ann. In that way the new album is a product of a bi-continental life, divided and bridged by oceans.

Years of traveling back and forth have paved the way for this record. And now, incredibly, it’s all in place – the songs, the band, even the studio (!) – just waiting for me to pull the trigger.

That is (ahem), with your very kind assistance!

Help out with the project

Click here

 

 

 

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Cheryl Wheeler, Hayley Reardon and Chris Smither

Cheryl Wheeler, Hayley Reardon and Chris Smither perform for The New England Folk Music Archives at the Somerville Armory.

What a week for Last Dance Productions! Three great shows in 8 days. New England Folk Music Archives presented Cheryl Wheeler on December 1st at the Somerville Armory. Arts at the Armory showcases a wide range of visual arts, dance, theater and musical performances. Last Dance Productions was delighted to present Cheryl Wheeler. After the show we all met downstairs at the Archives Gallery for a VIP reception. A wonderful night.

Cheryl Wheeler signing CD's after her Concert

Cheryl Wheeler signing CD’s after her Concert at the Somerville Armory (Photo by Melissa Totten)

Hayley Reardon performed on Sunday December 2nd for one of the “Gallery Sessions” at the Archives. Hayley is making her mark on the acoustic singer/songwriting scene and this show was no exception. Hayley performed songs from her recent CD “Where The Artists Go” and the audience was also treated to new material. One of the highlights was a cover of “Fishing Blues” by Henry Thomas. Written in the 1920’s, Hayley’s version was closer to Taj Mahal’s interpretation. She certainly is a student of the music.  Hayley was recently featured in the Boston Herald.

The third concert Sunday December 9th, featured the great Chris Smither! We were treated to songs from Chris’s latest CD Hundred Dollar Valentine.

Thanks to all who made it possible especially the volunteers. The New England Folk Music Archives and Last Dance Productions plan to have several more events at the Armory, so check back here for more information.

Nice performance of Chris here, thanks WFUV!

 

 

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Hayley Reardon Finds Her Voice

Last Dance Productions client  Hayley Reardon says she first picked up a guitar during the summer before sixth grade because she was bored. Her dad showed her some chords, and pretty soon after she started writing songs. Reardon’s debut album, “Where the Artists Go,” will be released on Oct. 23, with a release party and performance at Club Passim on Oct. 21 which has already sold out! She recently spoke with WBUR Morning Edition host Bob Oakes about her music.

Read More

 

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