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Live music upstairs at The Salmon Inn, 54 Bank Street, Galashiels, Scottish Borders TD1 1EP Tel: 01896-752577


2008 DATES



 

Saturday 26 January 2008, Doors 8.00 p.m.
BURNS NIGHT BASH

One of our most popular nights of the whole year, the Burns Night Bash is a great opportunity for local musicians to come and strut their stuff. Instead of booking a headline artist as we normally do, the String Jam Club’s stage is being thrown open for musicians everywhere who would like to come and play. Everyone will be a star for the night, performing two of three numbers (dependent on how many people turn up to play). If previous years are anything to go by, then tonight will be an entertaining and magical musical marathon for everyone, whether performing or just coming along for the experience! As ever, Helen’s delicious homemade haggis pies will help to keep the energy levels up, and there will be a piper to pipe them in as well as a special festive raffle with lots of great prizes.

The Burns Night Bash is a fantastic showcase for the huge musical talent that is everywhere in the Borders, so whatever age you are, whatever style of music you play, whether you're into jazz, folk, blues or singer-songwriters or whatever, whether you perform original material or do covers, whoever you are - we want to hear you play!

The Burns Night Bash is a tribute to all the local musicians who have helped to create the enduring success of the String Jam Club "the Borders haven of acoustic music” and now in its eleventh year. All proceeds will help towards funding the String Jam Club's big autumn event. If you would like to play, please contact us soon for a spot as we anticipate great demand.

Please call 01750-720538 or email stringjamclub@vixenrecords.com

Admission £7.00 on the door (Musicians £2). Please note this is not as ticketed event.

Door price includes food





 


 

Saturday 23 February 2008, Doors 8:00pm
EDDIE WALKER AND FRASER SPIERS

Eddie Walker and Fraser Speirs present 'Beyond the Blues', an eclectic, electrifying and entertaining 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.

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, in radio and television, and live on stage, appearing over the years with performers 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.

www.eddiewalker.net

www.fraserspiers.co.uk

Admission £7 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon.



 

Saturday 29 March 2008, Doors 8.00 pm
JACKIE LEVEN

Singer-songwriter Jackie Leven was born in Scotland in 1950 and his first album Control was released under the pseudonym ‘John St Field’ in 1971. Jackie first made a serious impact upon the UK music scene in the late 70’s with rock band Doll By Doll, a hard-hitting classic two guitars, bass and drums outfit that beguiled audiences with a rare on-stage intensity. Blending folk, blues, celtic, psychedelic and punk influences, the band made five superb albums of warped melodic rock music.

In 1983, after a late night recording session for a solo album due for release by Charisma/Virgin, Jackie was the subject of an unprovoked street attack during which he was nearly strangled. Unable to speak or sing, he lost his record deal, friends and way, entering his own period of psychic disorder, taking heroin and living in isolation for nearly a year. He re-joined the world in 1985 after a successful course of traditional Chinese acupuncture and psychic healing, and co-founded The CORE Trust which offers an holistic approach to addiction. To this day the Trust operates a centre in London, working with people with all forms of addiction. Jackie has been their manager, chair of trustees, and is presently the patron.

In 1988 he released a single ‘Big Tears’ under the name ‘Concrete Bulletproof Invisible’ which was a Melody Maker single of the week in 1988. In 1994 his solo career started in earnest with the release of the album ‘The Mystery of Love is Greater than the Mystery of Death’ which earned much critical praise. Since then he has been extremely prolific, releasing another twelve official solo albums and a number of fanclub-only releases, including a joint album with crime writer Ian Rankin ‘Jackie Leven Said’ featuring the keyboards of Mike Cosgrave. Jackie’s most recent release ‘Oh What a Blow That Phantom Dealt Me!’ was released in 2007. We are delighted to welcome Jackie to the club for his first visit. He writes searingly of the human condition, and is a truly singular talent, a songsmith poet among singers, and a singer among poets. He is an original who casts a shadow true and rare.

www.myspace.com/thejackieleven

www.jackieleven.com

Admission £7 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon.

 



Saturday 26 April 2008, Doors 8.00 p.m.
THE COAL PORTERS


Hold on to your hats folks - String Jam Club's favourite bluegrass band is set to take the place by storm again, this time promoting their brand new album ‘Turn The Water On, Boy!’

After the band's first legendary performance in the Borders in 2002, The Guardian voted us the second best gig in the whole of the UK, beating Oasis hands down. Since then every time they have played at the club, it has been a sell-out, so buy your tickets in plenty of time y’all, and prepare yourselves for a night of class bluegrass with real attitude.

Led by Kentuckian and ex-Long Ryder Sid Griffin, the Coal Porters are pioneers of the UK alt-country scene. Performing a mixture of authentic traditional bluegrass songs and tunes, classic contemporary country-rock material by such greats as Chris Hillman, the Byrds, Flying Burritos, Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan, and some fine original songs, their superb music is characterised by knife-edge four-part harmony singing, and an entertaining and electrifying stage presence. They were one of only thirteen acts worldwide to be invited to perform at the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass Festival in Kentucky.

The new album has already received rave reviews in Mojo, Uncut, The Sunday Times, Maverick and Word magazines with European reviews out soon. It features new songs by band members Neil Robert Herd, Sid Griffin and Gemma White as well as a startling cover of ex-Byrd Gene Clark’s classic ‘Silver Raven.’ And speaking of the legendary Byrds, the great Chris Hillman plays mandolin on the second track on the album ‘Mr. Guthrie’, a song tribute to Woody himself.

Ringleader and frontman Sid is a true rock’n’roll renaissance man, a regular contributor to the music press and radio and is an expert on the life and music of Gram Parsons. His recently acclaimed book on Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes sessions has been touring arts centres and venues throughout the UK.
Miss this gig at your peril! This is bluegrass for both traditionalists and the Clash fan on your block!

“A sumptuous bluegrass spread, impeccably served.” UNCUT
“Swell picking, sweet vocals, strong tunes, a bucketful of tradition with a smidgeon of cheek.” TIME OUT
“Absolutely inspiring.” JANICE LONG, BBC RADIO 2
“Be warned….may inspire yee-ha’s!” WORD

www.sidgriffin.com

www.myspace.com/thecoalporters

Admission £7 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon




Saturday 31 May 2008, Doors 8.00 p.m.
THE GROANBOX BOYS


The Groanbox Boys are an extraordinary New York/London-based music duo comprising Cory Seznec and Michael Ward-Bergeman who play a highly unique blend of what they call Old Time Mountain Gypsy World Folk Blues Music on accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica, percussion and their self-made foot-stomping ‘Freedom Boot’, a synthesis of rhythm sticks used around the world in myriad folk music traditions. It is constructed with a large dowel with 420 bottle caps screwed on to it, a black boot fastened at the bottom, and topped with Bolivian goat toenails, rings, Guatemalan worry dolls, a Thai good luck phallus, and other mementos from their travels.

Noted for their exuberant, raw and high-energy live performances, they have generated accolades wherever they have played, notably in the Independent: “Dig underneath the fingernail of modern popular music and you get to the quick. There - in the raw, living, tissue - is where you'll find the Groanbox Boys. It's not a show. It's life.” At their core, the Groanbox Boys express a desire to continue the traditions established by the great folk musicians of the USA, but also do precisely what they did: play folk music their own way, putting their hearts and souls into it and all their idiosyncrasies as well!

Cory is a highly accomplished player - fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar, clawhammer, plectrum, and three-finger banjo, and blues harmonica. Michael plays the accordion, hammering out a deep, full bass and accompaniment with his left hand, and authentic melodic lines with his right. Michael has also worked with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, worked on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola’s new movie, had his music premiered at Carnegie Hall and brought his music-making to many venues around the globe, from the local pub to the Sydney Opera House.

The Groanbox Boys have toured extensively throughout the UK and the east coast of the USA. They have released two CDs: ‘Smokestack Trilogy in 2006, and ‘Fences Come Down’ in 2007.

“Utterly enthralling. This is music that goes deep into the roots of popular music. Mixed in here is West African Griot songs, Deep South blues, Nashville harmonies, Eastern European gypsy dances, even a touch of English Morris Dancing....” INDEPENDENT

www.groanboxboys.com

www.myspace.com/thegroanboxboys

Admission £7 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon

 



Saturday 28 June 2008, Doors 8.00 p.m.
KRIS DREVER

Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Best Newcomer Award in 2007, Orcadian multi-instrumentalist and singer Kris Drever is one of the brightest young talents to come out of Scotland, an inventive guitarist and singer who has already accumulated an impressive CV, having worked with the likes of Kate Rusby, Eddi Reader, Roddy Woomble, John McCusker and Donald Shaw. The son of Ivan Drever of Celtic rockers Wolfstone, Kris joined forces with Aidan O’Rourke and Martin Green in 2005 to form the excellent trio Lau who are also signed to Reveal Records/Navigator Records, in fact a new Lau live album is to be released on April 28th 2008. Kris knocked everyone out with the depth, maturity and distinctive style of his debut solo album ‘Black Water’ (2006), which was produced by John McCusker at Pure Studios and nominated for an Album of the Year award at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

Over the last 12 years Kris has been involved with a myriad of different projects quickly moving from traditional pub sessions in Edinburgh to the gigging circuit, playing large tours of the United States and Chile with dance show Celtic Fusion.

After leaving the show Kris began working with Fine Friday, and also worked as a session musician for a variety of artists including The Battlefield Band, John McCusker, Kathie Ryan, Harem Scarem, Clare Mclaughlin and with his father, folk singer and guitarist Ivan Drever. Kris has toured much of Europe, Canada and Australia with Fine Friday and Lau and many others. He has also toured Canada with trumpeteer and fiddler Daniel Lapp and England, Ireland and Wales with folk superstar Kate Rusby. Kris also performed with Eamonn Coyne and plays in the John McCusker Band and Session A9. Don’t miss this chance to see a superb solo artist with an impeccable folk pedigree, a voice full of resonance and character and a judicious selection of old and new songs that, that once heard are never forgotten., won't leave you alone.

“Drever’s debut aligns ancient with modern. A poignant picture of modern Britain and makes the standard live anew. “ Album Of The Week SUNDAY TIMES
“A strong natural singer and top notch guitarist. The folk revival has a new standard bearer.” Q MAGAZINE
“One of the best singers I have ever heard. His emotional range is outstanding.” EDDI READER
“Many moments of rare beauty. Further confirmation that folk music is kicking and screaming into the 21st Century” THE SUN
“Kris Drever is a serious talent." MOJO

www.krisdrever.com

www.myspace.com/krisdrevermusic

Admission £7 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon

 



Saturday 26 July 2008, Doors 8.00 p.m.
RACHEL HARRINGTON


Americana country singer-songwriter sensation Rachel Harrington is a roots musician in the truest and purest sense, an artist who truly understands and conveys the deep link between country & soul. Reared among the Pentecostal pines of Oregon, Harrington’s rural gospel roots shone through on her 2004 living room demo. That humble four-song EP spent 13 weeks on the Americana Music Association’s chart and garnered the Seattle siren stellar reviews. By 2006, Rachel was touring with her songwriting hero, Guy Clark, winning national songwriting awards, and performing at large festivals.


From the crossroads of country, folk and bluegrass, her debut CD ‘The Bootlegger’s Daughter’ (May 2007) featured some of Northwest America’s finest musicians, and was co-produced with two-time Grammy winner Garey Shelton. The album has made its way around the globe, its impact being felt far and wide, reaching No. 1 in the Euro-Americana Chart, and climbing into the Top 40 on the esteemed Americana Music Association’s radio chart in the US. In the UK Rachel has been championed by Bob Harris who invited her to do a live session on his BBC Radio 2 show last year. Singing the album’s praises, Bob said “I am absolutely enchanted with this record! A brilliant debut ... already a leading contender for album of the year in my opinion!”

Rachel has been compared to Gillian Welch and has shared stages with or supported such great acts as Shawn Colvin, Be Good Tanyas, Guy Clark, David Lindley, Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson to name but a few. This summer Maverick magazine is sponsoring Rachel’s UK and European ‘City of Refuge’ tour to promote her second album, due for release in August 2008, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Galashiels for her first ever club visit in Scotland. She will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Zak Borden on vocals, mandolin, guitar and various other weapons of mass destruction. A solid songwriter in his own right, Zak has toured extensively throughout the US and UK having worked with, among many others, Casey Neill, The Watson Twins, and his own platinum selling cousin, Willy Mason.

“A brilliant debut… already a contender for album of the year!” BOB HARRIS, BBC RADIO 2
“This debut is a primer in Americana.” MOJO
“Absolutely brilliant! The best debut since Gillian Welch’s ’96 Revival.” CTRL.ALT.COUNTRY
“The shiny-voiced Harrington makes easy bedfellows of old and new country…. A wandering bluegrass waif.” UNCUT

www.rachelharrington.net

www.myspace.com/rachelharrington

www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=21896

Admission £7 on the door - or advance tickets from The Salmon


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