Duck duo
Preview by Peter Ashton
Singer-songwriter
Eleanor McEvoy may not be a household name in this country, but back home in her
native Ireland she is a massive star. Her song inspired the title for and
appeared on “A Woman’s Heart,” a 1992 anthology album which has since become the
best selling album in Irish music history, eclipsing records by legendary
artists like U2 and Van Morrison. Eleanor appears with pianist Brian Connor at
The Duck, Laverstock, near Salisbury on Sunday March 14.
Eleanor seems to have been predestined for a career in music from the day
she was born. At the tender age of four she performed at an Irish music
competition as the lead singer in her sister's band. At eight, she took up the
violin and studied both piano and violin throughout her childhood. Upon leaving
school she attended the prestigious Trinity College in Dublin, studying music
by day and worked in pit orchestras by night. She graduated from Trinity with
an honours degree and was accepted to the National Symphony Orchestra of
Ireland. Eleanor worked with the NSO for five years before following her heart,
leaving the classical world behind her to concentrate on her real passion -
songwriting.
Two years after the success of “A Woman’s Heart” Eleanor’s eponymous
debut album "Eleanor McEvoy" was released world-wide and Eleanor toured the USA,
Europe and the Far East to promote it. Two more albums followed in the 1990s,
"What's Following Me?" and “Snapshots”, and Eleanor also sang several songs
on movie soundtracks, notably "Whisper A Prayer To The Moon" in the Pierce
Brosnan film,"The Nephew", and "The Seabird" in "Some Mother's Son" starring
Helen Mirren. Over the last few years Eleanor has teamed up with pianist Brian Connor,
who appears with her at Laverstock and features on her latest album, “Yola.”
Based on a fundamentally classical approach, Eleanor’s songs are tinged with
the influences of many cultures: traditional Irish music, South American,
Americana, and much more.Her songs have been covered by artists as diverse as
Emmylou Harris and Mary Black.? For more detals of The Duck gig ring 01722
327678.
(©Peter Ashton 2004)
Lighthouse Rokia
Preview by Peter Ashton
Some
high-quality world music happens at The Lighthouse in Poole on Thursday March 11
when top singer-songwriter Rokia Traore from Mali in West Africa, appears.
Rokia comes from an area where professional musicians are often from a
certain lowly caste called the 'griots'. However, Traore's family are from the
Bamana ethnic group who do not observe this restriction so strictly, so when
Rokia was young she was able to sing with others at wedding celebrations,
despite coming from a privileged background. As Rokia's father was a diplomat,
her
family spent a lot of time in different countries while she was growing up.
She came into contact with many local and international styles of music,
although her parents were reluctant for her to become a musician. When she was a
bit
older Rokia stayed at the lyciin Bamako while her parents were in Brussels and
there she developed her voice and first performed in public.
In 1997 she met Ali Farka Toure who gave her a lot of guidance and
confidence to record her first album in 1998, “Mouneia.” She followed up with
2000's “Wanita” CD which included a song sung in French, “Chiau de Sable”
with all other songs in her native language. The lyrics of Rokia’s songs cover
issues like respect, traditions, childhood and relationships but the hallmark
of Rokia's music is her trance-like rhythms and beautiful melodies. Her
latest album is “Bowmboi” was released last year.
Rokia has performed at the WOMAD Festival in 2001, and also at several
venues in USA and London including the Barbican. She has been a finalist for
several awards and won the Kora All Africa Music Award for Most Promising Female
in 2001. A compelling stage performer who combines vocals, guitar and
dancing Rokia should light up The Lighthouse. (© Peter Ashton
2004)
Freed Spirit
Preview by Peter Ashton
Remember
the classic rock anthems “Alright Now,” “My Brother Jake” and “Wishing Well” -
if you do then you must be a fan of Free, one of Britain’s best-ever blues-rock
bands who last performed live in 1973.
Over thirty years later their music is still as popular as ever, and it’s being
played live again by London-based band Freed who have taken their heroes’ mix of
blues with attitude, groove and raw soul back on the road. Playing to fans of
Free and a whole new generation of rock-lovers, Freed’s Spirit of the Sixties
Tour includes a charity event at The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Dorset, on
Friday March 19. The gig is being staged to raise money for the Paul Kossoff
Fund. Paul Kossoff, an original member of Free, died tragically on March 19,
1976, so the Marine Theatre gig is dedicated to his memory, 28 years after his
death. Paul was a victim of drug abuse, and his father, actor David Kossoff
manages the Paul Kossoff Fund in a bid to warn other youngsters of the dangers
of taking drugs. He will be attending and opening the show which also features
Jimi Hendrix tribute artists, Purple Haze.
Bill-toppers Freed will be presenting their usual dynamic stage act with
vocalist Simon Fowles capturing the legendary Paul Rodgers' vocal style and Mike
Jarvis superbly reproducing the raw and emotional guitar voice of Paul Kossoff.
Former Hackensack bassist Izzee Misri and drummer Kenny Stone produce uncanny
groove sounds in recreating the work of Andy Frazer and Simon Kirke to complete
a winning combination
that is authentic, exciting and sincere.
Advance tickets are ?10 via 01297 442394; you can find more info by having a
look at Freed’s website www.freed.org.uk. (© Peter Ashton
2004)
One
of the country’s most innovative and original musicians plays a gig at 
