A night of Scottish songs and music in the company of Fyrish
Fyrish is a Scottish folk duo, based in Yorkshire, with a varied repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes. Cello and guitar blend together to create an engaging background to a collection of great songs.
Find out more about Fyrish:
www.myspace.com/fyrish
Marjorie Paterson
Marjorie Paterson is a cello player, originally from the Black Isle. There was always music in her house, whether her mother singing Gaelic songs or her father's fiddle tunes.
Marjorie says: “My father used to stand outside my bedroom door playing to send me to sleep, the tune fading as he walked further away. If I didn’t go to sleep quickly, I learned that I got more tunes!”
“I ’ve always liked a good tune; old or new, from near or far - Jean Redpath or The Byrds“.
Dave Cowan
Dave Cowan is a singer and guitar player, originally from Glasgow, who has been singing all sorts of folk songs for many years. He has a relaxed, easy style and a mellow voice.
“David Cowan is a compelling singer with real honesty in his fine voice. You find yourself being drawn to his music in a quite magical way - and that’s even without the allure of the oh-so-subtle cello accompaniments provided by Marjorie Paterson. David sings songs of rare power; his rendition of When The Boys Are on Parade, for instance, challenges all of us to think about our attitude to soldiering and war. So: go and listen to him and Marjorie, there’s a treat in store for you.” Steve McGrail
Sam and Ed
Scottish Night Special on January 30th 2009!
We are fortunate in having several Scottish singers in the Leeds Region.
The Dogsbody Celidh Band
The Dogsbody Ceilidh Band leads us off, and most of you will know Norrie and Brenda Spence if you have been coming down to the Singers Nights. They will be joined by Peter Norman, Leah Fox and Kath Charnock - to give us a good start to the evening.
Find out more about the Dogsbody Ceilidh Band:
www.dogsbodyband.co.uk/
Norrie Spence - melodeon, whistle, vocals
Norrie Spence, born in Edinburgh, is a fine exponent of Celtic music both as a musician and singer. Equally at home with Auld Lang Syne or Danny Boy, with Burns or the Dubliners, his lead vocals put Dogsbody into a class apart from other ceilidh bands.
Brenda Spence - caller, bodhran, banjo, bazouki
Brenda is well-known throughout the folk music world as an MC and caller. She has made regular appearances at folk festivals such as Beverley, Holmfirth, Saltburn and Whitby. Her ready sense of fun, and ability to match the dances to the skills of the dancers ensure a good night out for everyone
Peter Norman - guitar, harmonica, vocals
Peter Norman is an outstanding guitarist. Best known for his regular partnership with Norrie Spence, he has also performed at clubs and festivals throughout the UK with sister-in-law Sylvia Needham. An excellent harmony singer, he also plays a mean harmonica!
Leah Fox - harp
Leah Fox is a recent graduate of Leeds University in Music Performance (and Computing!), specialising in the harp. A skilled classical musician much in demand for weddings and similar occasions, she adds an extra dimension to the Dogsbody performances, adding that Celtic feel to the band sound.
Kath Charnock - fiddle, mandola
Kath Charnock is very much in demand as a folk fiddler, playing for several Yorkshire bands when not out with Dogsbody. She is a resident musician at The Yorkshire Mixtures Folk Dance Club in Batley and is also a member of the Spen Valley T'Apps Dance Team. We're lucky to have her!
Sam and Ed
Ewan McLennan
Ewan is a young Scottish singer who is another regular at the Grove, and you can enjoy his striking singing of Scottish songs.
From Scotland Ewan moved to Leeds in 2005 to begin a three year degree course in music at Leeds University School of Music. It was during this period that he became increasingly obsessed with traditional music and singing, and the guitar.
Find out more about Ewan:
www.myspace.com/ewanmclennan
During his time in Leeds, Ewan also became a regular at the Grove Folk Club, soaking up the atmosphere, learning style and repertoire from the singers around him, and generally developing his talents for traditional singing.
Today, Ewan’s singing and playing covers the broad range folk music has to offer; from traditional ballads sung unaccompanied, to dance tunes or melancholic airs arranged for the guitar, and his own contemporary songwriting, following firmly in the folk tradition.