LEWES EXILES - February 6th, 2012

Vic & Tina Smith have been at the very heart of folk music in Sussex since the 1960s, as performers and animateurs. Currently running the highly respected weekly club at The Royal Oak in Lewes, as well as the annual Lewes Folk Festival, Vic's Scots roots are evident in his and Tina's polished and faithful interpretations of songs from over the border.

They will be appearing with two of the other resident singers at the club, Will Duke and Dan Quinn who, whether as a duo or performers in their own right, justly deserve the accolades that have come their way because of the huge contribution they have made to traditional music. Both have extensive repertoires but it is their commitment to the songs and tunes of Sussex which is most impressive.

Musicologists of the future will be particularly indebted to Will for his recordings of Scan Tester's tunes, but he also renowned for his fund of hilarious parlour ballads, delivered with inimitable deadpan panache.

Dan's musical CV contains resplendent reviews of his most recent recording with "supergroup" Duck Soup's eponymous album but his musical pedigree can be traced back to his days as a co-resident of Bob Davenport at the legendary Islington Folk Club. Between times he has played with Etchingham Steam Big Band, the Albion Dance Band, and Flowers and Frolics.

Mention must be made here of of BING LYLE'S return to the club on January 2nd, when he stepped in at the last minute to replace The Other Band who had to withdraw due to illness. It was as wonderful an evening as we have come to expect. His vast repertoire seems to be continually expanding and included on the night an immensely moving and tender song he wrote after talking to a war veteran after a performance at a retirement home. I don't think he's given it a title yet but do request it next time you see him.

THE OTHER BAND - January 2nd

On the occasion of our fifth anniversary we are delighted to welcome this outstanding Sussex trio.
Accordionist Iris Bishop is one of the country’s most sought after accompanists and Gary
Holder is surely the hardest working and most respected string bass player around.
Fronting the line up is Marilyn Bennett, whose captivating singing breathes new life into an eclectic repertoire of blues, folk, ragtime - and some Dylan for good measure.

CHARLOTTE & SPONG - December 5th

A delightful evening in prospect in the company of this excellent duo. Imaginative arrangements of traditional songs and tunes plus Charlotte's own wry songs.

CHLOE OVERTON & HATFUL OF RAIN

MONDAY NOVEMBER  7

The Chloe Overton project gathers pace.  The addition of Fred Davies and James Shenton  has added a rich instrumental dimension to the band  -  Fred’s guitar and mandolin playing and vocals have long been admired in his appearances with the excellent Porchlight Smoker and James has an impeccable pedigree, both as a classical violinist and sometime member of The Crawfish Scrapers string band.

Phil Jones (bass and banjo) is the band’s bantering front man but the eye nor the ear never wander far from Chloe’s compelling onstage presence. Her soulful yet winsome vocal style bring out the best of the bluegrass and country repertoire but it is her own captivating songs that linger in the memory.

       Reviews

“Heart-stopping vocals and unforgettable songs”  

“Stunning instrumental virtuosity and harmonies”

“They deliver a whole package of contemporary and traditional roots music in all its finery”

“With Chloe’s songs at its heart this band is destined for great things”

Tim Broadbent - October 3rd

Many years after bursting on to the Brighton folk scene as a precociously talented teenager Tim is still on top of his game. 


Forever the wisecracking, dazzling fingerpicking entertainer he has now accumulated a portfolio of original material which sits alongside his superb versions of folk, blues and country favourites.


Now resident in France this will be a rare British appearance on his European tour promoting his new album, Sessions and Solos

Latest News

July & August are usually fallow months in clubs and sessions but we had virtually full houses on both of our club nights.

Terry Masterson's unique collaboration with Chris Littledale, Transports of Delight, is a refreshing way of presenting songs in their social and historical context and gets better every time I see it - wonderful singing and uncannily accurate sound effects.

The following month, Mike Ainscough, Chris Wolferstan and Ian Chisholm gave an effortless demonstration of musicianship which also provided a showcase for the quality of music on offer at clubs and sessions across our county.

September's guest is songwriter Robb Johnson, who runs the Hove Folk Club. His reputation is garlanded with too many superlatives to be repeated here - just check out the links elsewhere on this site!

June 6th - Jimmy Lee & The Edge of Chaos Orchestra

Jimmy is a much-travelled Sussex man whose picaresque life is reflected in his engaging songs, deeply rooted in his native county.

Backed by an all-star line up of musicians, his performance left a deep impression when we last persuaded him to perform for us.

Check out his website here: http://www.edgeofchaosorchestra.co.uk/band.html