Joining us for our Club Night on Friday 16th August is the great Dave Goulder. Dave will perform extended sets including songs, stories and poems. Dave Goulder is a contemporary of his friends Martin Carthy, Archie Fisher and Gordon Bok, all of whom have recorded his songs over the years
A locomotive fireman in the days of British Rail, he has recorded and published two albums and a book of ‘steam’ ballads as well as his more lyrical output of wild songs such as ‘January Man’, ‘Easter Tree’ and ‘Sandwood Down to Kyle’. Classical guitar has always been his instrument of choice but he’s also happy to give a tune on the Jew’s harp. A master craftsman dry stone dyker and instructor, he can punctuate his sets with humorous tales of stone and steam
Plenty spots for keen performers to take the floor and entertain too.
Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. £5 entry fee. Bring your own bottle. All welcome, to perform, or just to relax and enjoy the entertainment on offer.
Folk at the Salmon Bothy have compiled a plentiful programme of concerts, sessions, workshops and sing-arounds, which will showcase traditional music, song, dance, stories and more. Taking place in Portsoy from 31 May to 2 June, the Haal festival offers lots of opportunities for both participation and spectating.
The main Friday evening concert features internationally renowned Cloughmor Ceili Band. The band has a wealth of champions among them, and has toured extensively across Europe. They will have toes tapping with their lively tunes at the concert, and will also provide the music and guidance at a ceilidh dance workshop on Saturday afternoon.
Also on the Friday night line up are veteran Scottish traditional singers Arthur Watson and Chris Miles, as well as young award-winning Aberdeenshire fiddler George Davidson, and Irish guitar maestro Gearaidh Matthews, who will also leading a workshop on Saturday afternoon.
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On Saturday, two of the biggest names in British folk music will perform, Allan Taylor and Jacqui Mcshee. Allan Taylor is a wonderful songwriter who paints pictures through words, accompanied by his sublime guitar playing. Many of his songs such as Good To See You, The Beat Hotel and Traveller, have been covered by many performers and translated into multiple languages.
Jacqui Mcshee’s Pentangle is a reincarnation of the 1960s groundbreaking group which included world class musicians such as Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, playing a mix of trad folk with a hint of jazz. The current band is equally high in class, and includes percussion, double base, keyboard and sax, which beautifully complements Jacqui’s rich voice.
New this year is the Haal fringe, including acts such as Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland from Belleek, Bob Sharp, Alyson and Neil MacConnachie, Moonshine Madness, Dick and Maggie Trickey, The Sir-Reel Clarks, SC&T Youth, and Beyond Boyndie. They will busk and perform sets across various venues in the town free of charge, with thanks to support from the event’s generous sponsors, including Hydrasun, Kenway Tyres and Hamlyns of Scotland.
For those who enjoy bothy ballads, a celebration of the life and songs of the late Jock Duncan will be held on Sunday at Portsoy Church Centre. Many champion bothy balladeers will sing songs strongly associated with Jock, while folklorist Pete Shepheard will also give a short talk on his recently published book about the renowned Scottish singer.
Bob Philips, chairman of Folk at the Salmon Bothy, commented, “Excitement is really building for us now as the Haal nears. We have a confirmed full programme of music, song, dance, stories and more, which showcases the vast talent across the traditional folk scene, both from the UK and beyond. The festival promises lots of opportunities to join in and participate, as well as the chance to sit back and enjoy the entertainment on offer. Demand has been high for the ticketed events, so we would encourage visitors to book in advance to avoid disappointment.”
Remaining tickets are available from Bob Philips, on 07968 872 217 or bobportsoy@gmail.com
Further information on all Folk at the Salmon Bothy events is available at www.bothyfolk.org or on the Folk at the Salmon Bothy Facebook page.
Folk at the Salmon Bothy members and guests recently enjoyed one of the best attended Open Mic Sessions for many months.
Borders based singer songwriter Kenny Speirs enthralled the audience with performances of his own sensitively and well crafted songs, as well as many popular covers from the pens of Andy M Stewart, Rabbie Burns and more.
Kenny was supported by fourteen sets from floor singers, musicians and storytellers. The appreciative audience enjoyed sea shanties, the history of Fyvie Castle, and a variety of unaccompanied Scottish and English traditional songs.
Tributes were paid throughout the evening to the late great Joe Aitken, who sadly died recently. Seven times Bothy Ballads Champion of Champions, and dedicated family and community man, Joe was remembered fondly by many who knew him.
Organiser Bob Philips, MC for the evening, opened and closed the session with tributes to Joe. During the evening, John Mather recited a poem by Sheena Blackwall about Joe, while Doug Hay, Bill Gray and John Dickson sang some of Joe’s well known songs, including The Hearst o’ Retie, The Twa Gadgies and The Yellow’ on the Broom. The audience joined in enthusiastically.
The next Open Mic Session takes place on Friday 17 May at Portsoy Salmon Bothy, where the full session will be dedicated to performers keen to take the floor. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Admission is £5, and guests may bring their own bottle.
Folk at the Bothy’s annual general meeting will take place at 7pm at the Station Hotel on Tuesday 21 May, all welcome.
The Club is also looking ahead to the 14th Haal which takes place in Portsoy from 31 May to 2 June. Tickets are on sale now, and the full programme can be found in businesses locally, or online.
Salmon Bothy, Portsoy. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Admission is £5, and guests may bring their own bottle.
Kenny Speirs, a well-known figure on the national and international folk circuit, will perform an extended set as part of Folk at the Salmon Bothy’s Open Mic Session on Friday 19 April. Performing initially with the John Wright Band in the early nineties, Kenny was propelled from the pubs and clubs of his local area in the Scottish Borders to some of the biggest festival stages throughout the UK and Europe.
Releasing seven albums with the John Wright Band after turning professional in 1995 earned him as a sensitive guitarist, singer and arranger. A further two solo album releases gained further wide critical acclaim.
In 2001 Kenny formed Real Time with his partner Judy Dinning. For the next 12 years they toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, until Judy’s untimely death in 2013.
The band continued without her until 2019, by which time Kenny had decided to concentrate on writing his own material and pursue a solo career, releasing two self-penned albums ‘Sleepwalking’ and ‘New Dawn Breaking’.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Kenny back to Portsoy. A highly acclaimed singer/songwriter, Kenny has performed for us in the past, and has been very well received by local audiences thanks to his interesting song repertoire and laid back style. His extended sets will complement performances from regular club members and guests who will also take to the stage on the night. A warm welcome awaits all who wish to join us.” Bob.
Enquiries and ticket requests to Bob Philips at bobportsoy@gmail.com, or by telephone, 07968 872 217.
I hope you are all well. Spring is hopefully round the corner. I’m delighted to confirm that this month’s Club night will have The Sir Reel Clark’s as guests, who will perform two extended sets. There will of course be plenty time for floor singers to deliver s couple of songs, stories, tunes, poems etc
Friday 15th March Doors open at 7 pm. B y o b.
Date for your diary. Friday 19 th April. We have Borders based singer songwriter Kenny Spiers as guest, who I’ll b3 performing two extended sets.
Bothy Ballads & Burns, Sat 17th Feb, Portsoy Bowling Club
Guests ~ Choras and Tom Dymock 3 Course Meal, Dram and a Glass of Port ~ All for £25 ~ ~ Sat 17th Feb. 2024 Starts at 6:30pm Portsoy Bowling Club ~ Contact Bob Philips for your tickets 07968 872217 ~ Bobportsoy@gmail.com
