Eric Bibb, and Michael Jerome Brown: Darvel 3 May 2014
There’s
a little town in Scotland that’s home to one of my oldest friends. He’s an
Englishman, like me, or, should I say, he was an Englishman, once. After
marrying a Scot, he moved to Darvel, East Ayrshire, in the heart of the land of
the Scots. He’s now been there so long, he has a Scots accent and even supports
Scotland over England in sport. I won’t name him in case nobody up there actually
knows he’s a Sassenach, but let’s call him, Keith.
travel from all over the UK and overseas to Darvel each year, Keith tells me,
to enjoy their annual music festival. It won’t surprise to learn this is called
the Darvel Music Festival, an event
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| Acoustic bluesman, Eric Bibb |
that’s increasingly gained in stature since
its inception in 2001.
first
in this year’s Concert Series is on Saturday 3 May 2014 at Darvel Town Hall, with
appearances by Grammy-nominated American bluesman Eric Bibb supported by roots
music virtuoso, Michael Jerome Browne.
acoustic blues singer-songwriter originally from New York City who, like Keith,
married a foreign girl, in Eric’s case a Finn, and currently lives in Helsinki.
(Reminds me of Californian blues musician, Seasick Steve, who married a
Norwegian and went to live in Norway; and of myself, who married an Australian
and went to live Down Under for many years. That’s what happens, guys.)
Godfather was the late, great African-American
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| As the sign says, this is Michael Jerome Brown |
singer and actor, Paul Robeson,
has recorded with a host of artists over a long and distinguished career
including Taj Mahal, Odetta (a family friend), Charlie Musselwhite and Pops and
Mavis Staples. He has also been nominated for many W.C. Handy Awards and for
Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year an incredible six times. Eric Bibb, whose
latest album is ‘Jericho Road, will appear at Darvel with his band.
May is Montreal-based Michael Jerome Browne was actually born in Indiana, USA,
and plays many different blues styles on guitar, harmonica, banjo, fiddle and
mandolin.
Northern Spring and fancy some great acoustic blues from two top acts, don’t
miss the Darvel Music Festival. Tickets, which include early bird
discounts until 1 April 2014, can be bought on-line at www.darvelmusicfestival.org
