Four Rivers Folk Club

08/08/2024

Too much going on even though I'm retired . Late but great ad for our next outing at Four Rivers Folk Club.
We are very lucky to have the ultimate professional "Steve Young and The Real Time Players" as our next headline act.
Steve is an excellent singer, songwriter and guitarist with long track record..

Steve Young is a British Guitarist & Songwriter from the Isle of Wight. He is also a Music Teacher, Corporate Entertainer and Band Coach.

In May 2024 he became the centre of a global news story as the first person in the world to receive a revolutionary new mRNA Cancer Vaccine. Sky News combined the story with his music career and his meeting with King Charles III - WATCH HERE

Since 2014 Steve Young has written and released three albums; Troubadour, A Little North Of Nowhere, Is Anyone Listening. His debut EP 'Little Things' was meant to be a one off but the songs keep coming. He has also released a number of singles including 2023 - LONG LONG ROAD - LIVE VIDEO (2023) - LOOKS LIKE YOU - WATCH VIDEO & FEELIN' FINE - WATCH VIDEO (2024)

In 2024 Steve began work on a brand new album called ‘Famous For A Day’ He told BBC News “Writing & Recording Music is my identity, as long as I am playing guitar, teaching guitar & writing songs then all is ok with me” The album, due to be released on Vinyl will coincide with the end of his Cancer Treatment in early 2025

Here is a little taster of one of the new tracks performed live with members of The Nashville Nights Band - DOG & BONE - LIVE VIDEO

Earlier in his career Steve performed with Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) 2007-2012 and co-wrote & recorded guitar on his 2012 album 'Secret Codes & Battleships'

In 2011-2013 he worked with West End Theatre Star - Ramin Karlimloo forming a project called 'Broadway to Bluegrass' which toured in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada & South Korea. Featuring hit songs from Les Mis, Phantom, Miss Saigon performed in a BlueGrass / Country Style

In 1996 he signed a record deal with ZTT/Warner with the band 'Rehab' going on to become a TV session guitarist for the likes of Lionel Richie, Peter Andre, Dane Bowers & Delta Goodrem

Steve worked with Producer Tom Nichols (Black Coffee, All Saints, Kylie, Hall & Oats) writing 100's songs for artists from around the world. He also co-wrote and performed with Lizzie Pattinson (sister of actor Robert Pattinson)

Use this www.linktr.ee/steveyounguk for streaming platforms, website and videos

Support is from local artists Peter Crossley, Paul Hilder and the ubiquitous Why Not?

19/07/2024

Next Wednesday we have as our headline at Four Rivers Folk Club Chris Wright. Chris is from the Stevenage area but his guitar style is definitely rooted in the USA. He's a great finger stylist with a wonderful selection of songs too.

"Chris Wright is a Stevenage-based guitarist specialising in folk, country and bluegrass. His warmth and precision shines in every performance, inspired by classic greats including Bob Dylan, Tony Rice, and Glen Campbell, as well as contemporary guitarists like Tommy Emmanuel, Molly Tuttle, and Billy Strings. Chris performs regularly across Hertfordshire at venues including Baldock Folk Club, Four Rivers Folk Club, and Southern Maltings, and is beloved by audiences for his toe-tapping renditions of familiar favourites and lesser-heard gems alike."

Currently support is from Steve Ingrey, Sally Vinson and Leia Coral. I'll be egging them on!

Although the club is nominally free I do expect that donations in the hat, all going to the main act, will be in paper form but no IOU's please.

See you then.
Cheers Pat

Problem with uploading poster..will try later

10/07/2024

A few notes about tonight's Four Rivers Folk Club.
1. A small change to the programme with our token male dropping out due to family commitments, watching tonight's football with his dad (?) but being more than adequately replaced by the wonderful "Why Not?" and why not indeed!
2. Due to tonight's football match we are going to run the club out of the Chauncey Room upstairs at the Hertford Club and hope we won't be too disturbed by the cheers, or tears, from the bar below.

Maybe see some of you then.

01/07/2024

On the 10th July we have the wonderful Melody Coles joining us for a headline spot.
Cambridge based singer-songwriter Melody Coles has lived and breathed the music scene for a number of years and has gained past radio support from local BBC including Radio 1. Melody is enjoying being back to performing after having two children and is ready to take the stage with her folk infused and emotive storytelling songs.

Melody will be accompanied on some of her material by multi-instrumentalist Bryan Causton.

BUT, in addition we have even more female performers with Nuala o'Halpin and Leia Coral. Ryan Davies will be providing some maleness to our proceedings. There may be also some songs from me if there's time.

See you soon, cheers Pat

17/06/2024

Hi y'all, Greg Camburn is compere at this Thursdays, 20th June, Acoustic Club in Bishop's Stortford and since that musical maestro is there I've requested that he accompany on my songs.

A reminder that it will be at South Mill Arts Centre, 1- 3 South Road, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3JG

Doors Open at 7.30pm..........Music starts at 8pm

Tickets at £7 each can be purchased in advance via the following link >>>

https://southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873658659

Alternatively they can be bought for £7 on the door on the night cash or card.

Bishops Stortford Acoustic Club returns with a "6 Act x 4 Song" night. We have another eclectic mix of music for you..........our booked acts…

12/06/2024

I've a busy few weeks coming up so I'm posting the Four Rivers Folk Club ad for the 26th June today.
We're extremely lucky to have a return of Craig Joiner to our wee club...here is an abbreviated info all about him

Released on April 26, 2024 by Molano Music, storytelling is at the heart of ‘A Kind Of Calm’, the new album by Craig Joiner.
Whether lamenting a love lost, celebrating the calming beauty of nature or relating the epic tale of a struggle at sea, Craig’s songs are informed by experience, observation, vivid imagination and a desire to take his music “deeper into folk”.
As a dextrous and highly accomplished guitarist, Craig is fully equipped to play out his compositions against an acoustic musical backdrop which perfectly suits his subject matter and vocal delivery.
Featuring seven original songs by Craig, two trad arrangements and one cover, the album’s ten tracks combine to carry the listener away on a journey of the mind. “My hope is that my music will help people escape the pressures and the madness of the world we all now live in and provide them with...a kind of calm, if only for a short while,” he says.
Although Craig has forged a career and won repute in the rock arena, folk music has always been his true muse and calling. “As a 15-year-old, I played my first gig, guitar in hands, at the Cellar Folk Club in Hemel Hempstead,” he recalls. “Life and opportunities then led me elsewhere, but here I am again, having travelled full circle. It feels like home and it’s so wonderful to be here.”
Craig released his debut solo album, ‘Art Of Landing’, in 2018 but his incredible journey began back in 1987 when his band Romeo’s Daughter was signed to Jive Records and released their debut album a year later. The self-titled album was produced by the legendary Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange (Def Leppard, The Cars, AC/DC, Shania Twain), spawned a whirlwind tour of the USA and saw the single ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ shoot up the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart there.
��Over the years the band’s infectious music has attracted the highest calibre of established artists, with Heart covering their single ‘Wild Child’ on their multi-million selling album ‘Brigade’, achieving No.2 on the US Billboard Rock All Play charts. Eddie Money also enjoyed a huge hit in America with the band’s track ‘Heaven In the Backseat’.
Songs written by Craig have also been recorded by artistes as diverse as Bonnie Tyler and Steps and featured in major Hollywood movies, A Nightmare on Elm Street, 102 Dalmatians and Jack Reacher among them.
Craig has been equally successful writing library music for TV and radio; his compositions have been used on programmes including Friends, Cold Feet, European Golf and by Disney. Craig is the co-writer of ‘Bar Fight’, the theme tune for the long-running BBC 1 comedy panel TV show Would I Lie To You? As a session musician Craig has played guitar for an impressive list of names, including Tom Jones, Jane Wiedlin and Peter Collins.

Support will be from local poet Peter Hart reciting some of his quality poetry, Dear Wife with her wonderful self penned songs, Vic Newman from North London with great guitar playing and songs, and the indescribable songster of many guises John Bell. I'll be trying to keep them in order but I may require some audience assistance with Mr. Bell.

It'll be a great night..

24/05/2024

This coming Monday, 27th May, I've been invited to perform another showcase set at EMC2 at the Southgate Club , 17 Chase Side, London N14 5BP. The very versatile and excellent Peter Crossley will be accompanying me on fiddle. I'll be performing on guitar and Irish bouzouki. Lots of fun and we're looking forward to it!!

24/05/2024

Next Four Rivers Folk Club will be on Wednesday 12th June with a showcase from Kelvin Davies and Chloe Turner.

‘Kelvin Davies & Chloe Turner are rooted in beautifully harmonised voices and intricate guitar work. Their soulful voices and heartfelt performances are captivating. Tapping deep into the history of acoustic roots music and delivering sounds from a past time, expect to hear stunning versions of songs by folk legends such as The Carter Family, The Delmore Brothers and more. Their new EP, ‘Some Songs That We Like’ is certainly one to be on the look out for!’

This'll be a great night as Chloe and Kelvin are very popular.

We also have great support from Brett Marvin with Keith Trouble, Paul Hilder and some wonderful poetry from Peter Hart. I'll be there keeping order and hoping to make it run smoothly.

Cheers Pat

15/05/2024

Next session of Four rivers Folk Club will be on Wednesday 22nd May with Jeremy Harmer from Cambridge as our headline act.
“Jeremy Harmer’s songs are tuneful, thoughtful, fun and compelling - and there’s a chorus or two! He will be singing tracks from his latest CD ‘We carry on’ recorded in collaboration with Folkhouse, one of whom (well known to Four Rivers folk) will be with him. “

Our support that evening will be club favourites "Why Not? (why not ? indeed!), a sorely missed wonderful performer Jessica (Jess) Brett and newcomer to our club "Archduke". I'll be compere and hoping to get a few songs in too!

See you then, cheers Pat

One of the supports can't make it but Peter Crossley gamely volunteered.

14/05/2024

Listing for second half of 2024. In 2025 I'll be running Four Rivers a different way with solo duo acts and much reduced pa system.

04/05/2024

An advert for "Folk By the Oak"...gets bigger each year and a great day out!

25/04/2024

First Ad for the next outing at Four Rivers Folk Club. This time we have a special guest from Scotland , Pauline Vallance who accompanies herself on harp...not a capo to be seen!

All the way from Ayrshire with songs all the way from Burns and Tannahill to Stevie Wonder via Barry Cryer. Performing on the clarsach (harp), flute and kazoo, Pauline is "delightful and convivial on so many levels".

Her last album was deemed a Must Listen by Folk London and nominated for Scottish Album of the Year.

Support acts play acoustic blues , countryish and obscure acoustictry!

23/04/2024

This fine collection of "ne'er do wells" , Geoff Stevens, Peter Brown, Peter Crossley and myself, will be playing at Southern Maltings in Ware on Friday 19th July...this is your first warning!

23/04/2024

Peter Crossley (on fiddle) and myself (on Irish bouzouki & guitar) have been requested to perform an evening of Irish music at No 5 Eat and Drink at Old Cross, St Andrew's Street, Hertford on one of their Supper evenings. There are a few tables still to be taken so contact them if interested. We've been to a couple of they supper evenings and they're excellent. Thursday 16th May!

16/04/2024

Next Four Rivers Coven will be on Wednesday 24th April and will feature "Red Velvet" as our headline act.
Red Velvet are now a trio, bringing together Deirdre Murphy’s passionate vocals, Les Ray’s thoughtful songwriting and Gene Thunderbolt’s virtuoso musicianship. Formed by Deirdre and Les in 2011, their style, rooted in folk, also embraces elements of blues, jazz and reggae, with the committed social messages of their songs always at the forefront.
In addition our support will be Why Not?, Sally Vinson, Al Neville
and hosted by Pat Crilly...whoever he is. See you all then.

04/04/2024

First ad for our next meeting.

Aslo to advise that the Four Rivers Folk Club is scheduled to have it's last outing on Wednesday 11th December 2024. A shame but it really is unsustainable to run as a one man operation. There will be some one off events.

Colin Frid , big voice, great songs and guitar playing.

See yo on the 10th April. Cheers Pat

22/03/2024

I'll be there through sickness etc! Tonight with Greg Camburn!!

22/03/2024

Hey Folks, a very big apology to you all for the very late posting of the next folk club outing. I haven't been feeling too great and I couldn't face being on screen, on line or even here!!!
Our next head line act is Malcom MacWatt who I encountered at Runnymede Folk Club a few months ago.

Here is a short blurb but do check him out he has a bit of a career.
Suppoert from Peter Crossley Singer Songwriter , That Blue Patch and Dave Hogan, there may even be a few from myself but the way I feel currently maybe not!

With comparisons to Dick Gaughan, Jackie Leven and Steve Earle, Scottish troubadour Malcolm MacWatt weaves Celtic balladry with Appalachian string band influences while threading his own unique path between British Folk and Americana. Appearances at Celtic Connections, Broadstairs Folk Week and Rambling Roots in the Netherlands attest to his ability to engage and hold an audience with his sensitive, powerful and emotional songs.
His work has been resonating with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, garnering scores of superb reviews, with the likes of Eliza Carthy, Gretchen Peters, Angeline Morrison, Nathan Bell, Kris Drever and Laura Cantrell lending their names and voices to his work.

“If there is such a genre as Scots-Americana Malcolm MacWatt belongs at the heart of it” Alan Cackett, Founder/Former Editor Maverick Magazine

“Brilliant … a wonderful celebration of the magic of song.. a strong Celtic sweep to it” Ralph McLean, BBC Radio Ulster

“Exceptional Scottish storytelling” Iain Anderson BBC Radio Scotland

“One of the best lyricists that oor wee nation has produced in a generation” Rob Ellen, Medicine Music, founder of the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Now back to bed!

05/03/2024

Very late in posting this but our headline act is still in the States but will be back for the gig on the 13th March. I've snagged the jpeg and the blurb from the internet but may change after Catherine's arrival in the UK this friday.
Catherine Ashby is a British Folk Americana artist. Laurel Canyon meets the English hills with a stop-off in Nashville on the way.
A sensitive Singer Songwriter inspired by the likes of Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, Bobby Gentry & Nick Drake.

Being a lover of the natural world with an adventurous spirit, in the summer of 2017 Catherine left London for the wilds of Portugal, working with rescue horses & exploring ways of living more in tune with nature & herself. All the while she was writing, creating songs about obstacles to overcome, real & imagined, songs to uplift & empower with melodies that stay in your head long after the last note is sung.

In 2019 Catherine was awarded a scholarship to perform at The Folk Alliance International Festival in Montreal Canada. From there she made her way to New York City with a desire to visit Greenwhich Village & soak up the vibes from yesteryear. Then Catherine headed back to Nashville where she began working with Grammy award winning producer Jamie Tate.

The first single from these recordings 'Ready' was released with socially conscious LA based record label Piece Of Pie Records, raising money for Marine Conservation Society Sea Shepherd. An accompanying music video that premiered with Americana Uk, was filmed along the beautiful Dorset coastline on the South Coast of England.

The next single to be released is 'Now' an ethereal yet earthy psychedelic folk song with Pat Sansone from the band Wilco adding some magic on Mellotron.

Catherine has recently released a remastered version of her self produced debut album 'King of my Sky' to celebrate 10 years since its initial creation. A collection of Catherine's earliest songs, this album is dedicated to her best friend Ben King who the title track is written about & for.
'King of my Sky' is available on Bandcamp & limited edition Cd's that have 3 bonus tracks that are versions of songs from the album recorded live earlier this year.

Support from Steve Young, Why Not? and Vic Newman. See you then!

02/03/2024

Right then. even more Celtic nonsense but well performed Celtic chaos...3 more Irish gigs two for St Patrick's day on Sunday 17th March and yet another for the 16th March....go on yersel's Peter and Pat!!!!
I've made my appointment with the throat clinic already!

02/03/2024

Well me lads and lasses, Peter Crossley and myself kicking off St. Patrick's weekend with a purely acoustic set at Hertford's smallest and best coffee and emporium No 5. I think we'll be in the window but not performing as the occupants of the windows in Amsterdam. First gig of a very busy weekend but more about them later!

18/02/2024

Well now me lads Peter Crossley and I have another gig at The Quiet Man in Ware next Sunday 25th February...there's more than enough drink there to wet your whistle and grease your throats to sing along with us!

18/02/2024

Hi there, first I have to apologise for the short notice of cancellation of The Club on Wednesday 14th February. Briefly, I awoke on wednesday morning with my tongue, lips and mouth swollen and with weals and lumps all over my body. I managed to get an emergency GP appointment who was particularly concerned with the swollen tongue and worried that I may end up choking if the tongue ended up swollen in my throat. Off to A and E in Stevenage where they dosed me up with some stuff and surmised that I must have developed a reaction to ibuprofen which I'd been taking a high dosage off for a pain in my back.
All back to normal and pain in back gone too!

Our next outing of Four Rivers Folk club is on the 28th February and we have a welcome return of Kate Ellis accompanied by Andy Hobsbawm.
Born In Louisiana, Kate Ellis uses melancholy Folk/Americana to conduct fearless soul-searching. A journalist for the Observer described hauntingly beautiful songs, Americana UK gave her latest album Spirals 9/10 calling it “An irrefutable, unquestionable joy” while Folk Radio UK noted it was "Beguilingly sung, melodic, warm, tender, open and insightful in its vortex of emotions – an early contender for the year’s best-of lists." BBC Radio's Ralph McClean recently said: "Kate Ellis's beautiful album Spirals is absolutely brilliant, the Louisiana-born singer-songwriter really has something very special going on."

Coordinates
SITE: kateellis.com
IG:
FB: /kateellismusic
TW:
YT:

Video Links
1) 'Spirals' album trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=770XPQS_hcM&t=1s 2) Music Video 'Another Way': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhpbKnuAVhU 3) Live at the Green Note 'Wonderland': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7-BSD28VlU

We have support from some of our regulars, Paul Hilder, Sam Smith and Paul Pullen.

I have a bit of sorting out to do later in the year to get Anna Bass and Ray Taylor back...proving difficult so I have to make some hard decisions!

Keep Well....Pat

09/02/2024

It's been a while but Greg Camburn and myself are performing 4 songs at The Acoustic Club in Bishops Stortford on the evening of Thursday 15th April. I found this Snap of us from our 12 Bar Club Days...Greg is slimmer and we're both older but none the wiser!!
The event is running out of The Southmill Arts Centre, 1-3 South Road. Bishop's Stortford, CM23 3JG
Please reserve your ticket by booking below or pay £7 on the door
southmillarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873656050

07/02/2024

Another request tonight to perform at The Quiet Man in Ware on the evening of Sunday 11th February...of course3 we said yes.
Peter Crossley and myself honoured to be returning there....c'mon down and grease your throats with some Guinness and sing along with us...

06/02/2024

And even more. As usual on International Woman's Day I put up a show with local female artists performing what they will. It's another great evening!
Friday March 8th...

06/02/2024

More acoustic addiction at The Hertford Club this time a James Taylor and Carol King evening ....lots of songs from 5 performers...That Blue Patch, Keith Snowdon, The Badmen, Peter Crossley and yours truly. 4 songs each with no repeats. It'll be great as these evenings usually are! More Anon!

06/02/2024

At last , I've got around to advertising the next witches coven at the Four Rivers Folk Club! We are very honoured to welcome Anna Bass and Ray Taylor to the club who bring decades of songs and folk experience with them.
Anna Bass and Ray Taylor make up the duo Bass & Taylor.
The couple have been together both romantically and musically since 2009, and live in the North Essex village of Great Bardfield which nestles in rolling hills somewhere between Chelmsford and Cambridge.
Both have dabbled in music for most of their lives and most recently were part of the touring folk band Two Coats Colder.
From the end of 2020 the couple reverted back to being a duo and now perform at Folk clubs, Festivals and house concerts up and down the country.
The couple perform a good mix of self penned songs plus some better known favourites by artists such as Karine Polwart, Joan Baez, Mike Silver, Anthony John Clarke and Kate Rusby. One thing is certain, they will have you singing along in no time at all.
In their spare time both of them are into building and exhibiting model railways
(well someone has to).
www.bassandtaylor.co.uk
www.facebook.com/bassandtaylor

We will have more than adequate support from Sadie Comment, Paul Hilder, Graham Moss and some poetry from Peter Hart.

See you then...

05/02/2024

We had another wonderful evening on the 24th with support from Why Not?, Peter Crossley, Vic Newman and Mike Excell. They were a great variety of acts and shows that we have great acoustic performers in Hertford, environs and beyond.
Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner were their usual brilliant selves and most thoroughly and magnificently entertained us. Songs about things you don't expect to hear from such gentile and demure ladies. I highly recommend them to clubs looking for something unique. Great songs , singing and harmonies a big thanks to Lynne and Pat.