First Anniversary

The session on January 5th, 2009 will mark the first anniversary of us booking performers to play extended slots.

On that night we will play host to Nick Burbridge, a powerhouse of the local arts scene. Not only is he a published novelist and poet but has also had two of his plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

Many will remember him playing local pubs and clubs with Tim O’Leary, who later played with The Boys Of The Lough.In 1986, as singer-songwriter, he co-founded McDermott's Two Hours (see their myspace page), a band that “cut the mustard” (Q Magazine), and earned a reputation as one of the best live acts of its genre. Their album The Enemy Within has become a folk-rock classic. One track, Dirty Davey was covered by The Levellers on their eponymous album, which sold over 250,000 copies.

Recent collaborations between the two bands have produced four albums of Nick's songs: World Turned Upside Down, Claws And Wings, Disorder and Goodbye To The Madhouse.

He will be accompanied tonight by Ben Paley on fiddle, so expect some unique melodic riffs to embellish Nick's impassioned lyrics.

Ray Chandler was the first guest in January 2008 - and a great night it was too. He is a man of modest demeanour but he set the room alight with some wonderful songs and his usual multi-instrumental virtuosity. The good news is that he will be back on February 2nd, in the company of his regular co-performer Barry Ruffell as well as occasional member of The Rude Mechanicals, Jeremy Sherman.

Stuart Reed
December 2008