Music

SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 2011 – Doors 7.15

The amazing PETER CASE Live at String Jam Club

"It's not just a way of life, it's an explosive reaction against the tension of living in an insane century." (Peter Case, describing his new album)

After his tenure in the proto-power pop band the Nerves and following the dissolution of his early eighties Los Angeles rock & roll band the Plimsouls, Peter Case launched a career as an influential American singer songwriter specialising in finger-picked acoustic guitar and redemptive story-songs about society's outcasts and drifters, delivered in a uniquely soulful, folk-rock style.

Case’s secret weapon is his powerhouse voice combined with his imaginative and visionary songwriting and his ability to blow real harmonica licks.

Case grew up in the small town of Hamburg (near Buffalo), NY. Like any number of young men of his generation, Elvis Presley and the Beatles made a profound impression on him, but he was equally moved by the folk and blues sounds of Mississippi John Hurt, Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie.

Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar, again with the assistance of choice musicians like David Hidalgo, Ry Cooder and Benmont Tench. In a 1989 Rolling Stone interview, Bruce Springsteen cited Case as the songwriter he was listening to most at the time. For 1992's Six-Pack of Love, Case chucked the folk aesthetic for something more rock-oriented, but the collection flopped, as did his liaison with Geffen. Galvanizing his forces, he self-released Sings Like Hell (1993) a stark collection of traditional folk songs, favorite covers, and originals, recorded with Marvin Etzioni in a Los Angeles living room. The bold move earned him a new recording contract with Vanguard where he came on strong with Torn Again (1995), a set of visionary songs with potency reminiscent of Blue Guitar. In 1996, the Plimsouls re-formed for some reunion shows and a recording session which yielded Kool Trash

In spring of 2001, he produced Avalon Blues, a Grammy-nominated tribute to his childhood hero, Mississippi John Hurt featuring contributions from Lucinda Williams Dave Alvin and Steve Earle. That same year he self-released Thank You St. Jude, a collection of songs from his catalog recorded in solo acoustic arrangements with fiddle. Fall 2002 saw release of his ninth solo album, Beeline which combined his rock-folk style with new rhythms and prepared guitar sounds. In 2004, he celebrated 20 years as a solo artist (and ten years with Vanguard Records) with the release of the compilation Who's Gonna Go Your Crooked Mile. It was only a matter of time before Case would enter the spoken word/literature realm: turning his poetic visions into a six-song suite, Bomb Light Prayer Vigil was released on the literary audio magazine Verb in early 2006 and by mid-year was preparing a studio album for 2007 release.

In 2009, Case underwent major heart surgery but is now back on the road with renewed vigour. His latest album ‘Wig’ is highly acclaimed raw energy swampy bluesy & edgy. In Peter’s words: "It's not just a way of life, it's an explosive reaction against the tension of living in an insane century."

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW (£9) in person at THE SALMON 01896-752577, or email stringjamclub@vixenrecords.com, or pay on the door

String Jam Club meets on the last Saturday of every month at The Salmon Inn, Bank Street, Galashiels, Scottish Borders TD1 1EP



For an entertaining evening that won't break the ever-depleted fear-of-double-dip piggie bank why not head to Yarrowfield Village Hall at 8 pm on Saturday 30 April to see Dere Street.

A light supper will be provided and there's a bar so it's ok to to turn up hungry and thirsty....

Gary Smith played with "club" bands in his native North East before moving to Selkirk in the late 80s. He has always been a keen amateur musician with eclectic tastes which includes both traditional and contemporary music evident in both his playing and song-writing. Gary learned his trade in the working men’s clubs in his native North East but is deeply rooted in Northumbrian folk music.

Keith Leisk, raised in Perthshire, has played pipes since childhood. He is a former pibroch champion and veteran of several grade one pipe bands. Keith is a true master of his chosen instruments, in particular the pipes, Highland or bellow. He also played with local Celtic band Chrysalis with whom Gary also occasionally guested.

Wuillie Mabon is a Selkirk lad and played keyboards with several local rock bands before playing for one of the former Borders premier function bands of the time. He met Gary when they joined forces a few years ago to develop a stage set with Selkirk Pipe Band which took them to Plattling, Germany in 2010 to perform. Wullie too, has some classical training, his musical routes are deep in orchestral music.. This brings dramatic undertones to the music.

Their songs are atmospheric with haunting melodies and their instrumental music ranges from, delicate Airs to foot stomping Reels, all uniquely based around the Scottish Small pipes (bellow pipes), Mandolin and keyboard with a smattering of guitar and low whistle. The lads have a fresh and laid back approach which endears them to audiences.

Enjoy!



Roll up to the Salmon in Gala on 30 April to see American legend Peter Case singing songs from his recent blockbusting album WIG!. This event, starting at 7.30 pm and with tickets at only £9 is not to be missed.

Peter Case is one of America's most gifted singer-songwriters. For over 30 years - from street singer to soul punk bandleader to solo tribal folk acoustic performer, Case has used his songs to crash barriers in popular music and win huge praise from his peers and contemporaries.

Peter Case left his New York home in 1974 to travel west to California As Far As You Can Get Without A Passport, which is also the name of the book about his reminiscences about that trip. Striking up his acoustic guitar as a street singer in San Francisco, he made his way to LA to unravel the rock and roll mystery.

But it is Peter’s solo career that has proven to be the most enduring, earning him the accolades and die-hard fans. As a rocker turned acoustic guitar player, Case's maverick move inspired a whole new generation of musicians to pursue alternative-Americana routes of sound. In 1986 his eponymous T-Bone Burnett-produced solo album earned him end of year honours and his first Grammy nomination and set the benchmark for what was to follow in his long career.

Over two decades he has recorded ten solo albums including the watershed new acoustic singer-songwriter work The Man With the Blue Post Modern Neo-Traditionalist Guitar, the stunning and varied Full Service No Waiting and the back-to-basics self-released Thank You St. Jude. In 2001, he was nominated for a Grammy once again, this time for his work as producer of Avalon Blues: A Tribute to the Music of Mississippi John Hurt (featuring Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Beck).

“ WIG! A great album of raw, roaring rhythm-and-blues rockers, a masterclass in potent simplicity, displaying an assurance most bands would kill for, the secret ingredient being the undertow of swing that gives the grooves their irresistible momentum.” THE INDEPENDENT



A stronghold of music in the Borders is the String Jam Club which meets on the last Saturday of every month in Bank Street, Galashiels. This club which meets upstairs in The Salmon Inn, Bank Street, Galashiels was launched in 1997 by singer-songwriter Allie Fox, who is the host and resident musician. The String Jam Club is famous for showcasing great eclectic music and for its friendly atmosphere.

"The Borders haven of acoustic music." (The List)
Scots Trad Music Awards Club Of the Year Nominee 2007
Voted the 2nd best gig in the whole of the UK by the Guardian
for info call: 01750-720538



Saturday 26 March 2011, Doors 7.15
EDDIE WALKER AND FRASER SPIERS

Eddie Walker and Fraser Speirs are an eclectic, electrifying and entertaining duo performing a show of blues, folk, roots and Americana. Eddie Walker is one of the Britain's leading singer/song-writers and guitarists, playing a mixture of blues, ragtime, hillbilly country, British and American folk and original material.

Living Tradition Magazine described him as one of the most consistently popular musicians on the UK folk scene over very many years. Based in the North-East of England, Eddie has toured throughout Britain and Europe and to festivals in New Zealand and Hong Kong during a 30 year professional career.

Well-known for his interpretation of old country blues classics by Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Willie McTell, he also champions the songs of the late Steve Goodman (City of New Orleans) and John Prine. His fantastic finger-picking guitar is a real treat for lovers of acoustic guitar and blues.

Fraser Speirs has become synonymous with diatonic harmonica playing of the highest quality (Paul Jones described him as "a great harp player with a gorgeous tone"). Based in Glasgow, Scotland, he has built an enviable reputation for professionalism in the recording studio, radio and television, and live on stage.

He recently toured the world in Paulo Nutini’s band. He has also worked with artists as diverse as Alexis Korner, Muddy Waters, Homesick James, Champion Jack Dupree, Marion Montgomery, Tam White, Rab Noakes, Carol Laula and Eddi Reader to name but a few. Over a hundred album credits have defined for Scottish audiences his status as an artist of the highest quality. Put these two guys together on a stage and you have music with class, magic, passion and true authenticity.

This is their second visit to the club and not to be missed!

http://www.eddiewalker.net
http://www.fraserspeirs.co.uk
Admission £9 on the door - or advance tickets NOW ON SALE from The Salmon.



Saturday 26th June 2010

http://www.myspace.com/angiepalmer PRESTON REED

Preston Reed is a one-man guitar revolution. The New Yorker tweaks the nose of musical convention, pokes the eye of accepted wisdom, and burns the rulebook of the past. His unique style is impossible, unfathomable, unthinkable, as with blurred hands he taps, tickles, slaps and soothes his instrument, fusing polyrhythmic percussion with emotive melody to create a sonic landscape. Each piece is a symphonic tidal wave, yet Reed only needs one acoustic and ten fingers to send it crashing onto audiences across the planet.

Drawing on blues, rock, funk and jazz influences among others, Reed weaves and melds genres, rhythms and textures to produce a signature sound that has been likened by critics to Jimi Hendrix for its emotional power and stylistic creativity. Reed's vast range of explosively original music will forever change your expectation of a guitarist. Reed attacks the entire instrument in a never-ending search for the orchestra he knows is lurking inside. His two hands racing up and down the fretboard to create a rock/jazz rhythm section, melody line, chordal accompaniment and percussion simultaneously. Preston's live shows are full of contrasts, by turns explosive and sweetly lyrical. He riffs with the conviction and guts of a rock band, yet plays with the subtlety of that most delicate of jazz pianists, Bill Evans. There are no fancy gadgets or gimmicky FX - just 6 strings (or occasionally 12), two hands and a daring and innovative musical imagination that crosses all boundaries.

Preston Reed will make your jaw drop. The secret, he says, is to relax and let the guitar patterns run by themselves. Which explains how, at full tilt, he may sound like a full-on heavy metal band but he still won't have broken sweat. What is impossible to convey, however, is the impact of going to your first Preston Reed concert and actually believing what you're actually seeing. The String Jam Club is the ideal venue for a first-hand close-up experience such as this, and you simply shouldn't miss this truly exhilarating musician in action.

"Widely thought of as the world's most gifted acoustic guitarist. " TOTAL GUITAR
"Heart-stopping tour de force." BILLBOARD
“True spellbinding guitar mastery.” GUITARIST MAGAZINE
“Absolutely unmissable.” THE HERALD

Admission £9 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon – on sale from tomorrow (1st June) evening

http://www.prestonreed.com
http://www.myspace.com/prestonreed



Saturday 24th April 2010 RORY McLEOD

Doors open 7.15 pm

RORY McLEOD is a one-man-soul-band, and poet who has a natural troubadour's talent for weaving magical, musical, storytelling spells accompanied by his own bizarre solo orchestra of distinctive instruments. The spoons, finger-cymbals, bandorea, Djembe-drum, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes accompany the rich, raw, deep and resonant voice of this singular and liberating performer.

RORY McLEOD is a musical Gypsy, his eccentric melodies are infused with influences from Flamenco to blues, through to Celtic, East European and Calypso rhythms creating a style of music and songwriting that has been described as "intimate, revealing, political and powerful."

"When he sings his songs he will take you on a journey with him."

"Poetry and dance-stories with verve, sharpness, humour and warmth about people and for people."

"Great songs to dance to, infectious rhythms, flying harmonica!"

An ex-circus clown and fire eater, Rory has played harmonica and guitar with MICHELLE SHOCKED, ANI DI FRANCO, BUTCH HANCOCK, TOWNES VAN ZANDT, with the West-African guitarist ALI FARKE-TOURE and TAJ MAHAL and Madagascan group TARIKA. He's enjoyed creative collaborations with HASSAN ERRAJI, KATHRYN TICKELL and PAUL RODDEN - virtuosos, respectively, of the Moroccan Oud, the Northumbrian pipes and the Irish banjo.

Rory has written songs and music for a BBC radio documentary - an oral history project about East London's 400 year old Spitalfields fruit and vegetable market. Also written songs and music commissioned by 'SHIFTWORK', a Scottish dance and circus theatre based company devising a psycho-comedy theatre-show based on a traditional puppet play called Punch and Judy. Also has been commissioned to write music for T.V. animation series ‘Creature Comforts’ 2003. Has appeared on Channel 4’s arts programme 'After Image' and Welsh TV 'Television Ballads'.

ADVANCE TICKETS FROM THE SALMON or admission on the door £9

Thanks to Allie Fox for this bright copy.

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