September 2012 Programme  (14th - 16th Sept)

  Paul Wrigley (Hambleton - Fylde Coast) Like many a seasoned musician Paul's career goes back further than he cares to remember, from the late 60's folk era,the early 70's "pop" bands, the 80's cabaret scene and, after a brief, but frustrating rest he formed the Irish/Folk band Folklore. When they disbanded he returned to his geat love-songwriting, and managed to produce two albums of his own material (Wild Horses and Don't let them Dance on your Dreams) before being lured back into the "band" scene by the gentle persuasion of Dave Cooper, (Captain Coopers Motley Crew). Since the sad loss of Dave, the band, unable to replace the big man, perform as a trio under the name The Captain's Crew, but Paul is still writing and performing in his own right whenever the opportunity arises.

    The Sail Pattern (Halifax)

 The Sail Pattern offer up a raucus broadside of folk, encompassing original songs, plus our own arrangements of shanties and other traditional songs. we love playing live, and breathing new life into near forgotten songs. Although having played together for years The Sail Pattern was formed in the summer of 2010. With a shared passion for playing folk music they have gigged relentlessly and won a reputation for energetic and memorable live performances. With an ever increasing repertoire of home spun melodies and their own arrangements of traditional songs The Sail Pattern are looking forward to another busy summer of shows

  The Gerry McNeice Band     

Gerry McNeice has been part of the UK music scene for over 30 years. Beginning his career playing English and American folk music he has travelled through the genres settling comfortable in the current folk/Americana/roots scene.Often seen fronting his own band he is also a valuable sideman to leading Folk-Rocker, Duncan McFarlane and Scottish singer-songwriter Wendy Arrowsmith. He is now making a name for himself as a producer of records working with Wendy Arrowsmith, Niamh Boadle, Nick B Hall, Mic and Susie Darling, Tri, Nicky Phillips and Martin Francis.His perhaps best known collaboration is with Katriona Gilmore who not only plays in Gerry's band but records extensively on the projects Gerry produces. Their latest venture is 'supergroup' which also features Katriona's partner Jamie Roberts, Ben Sutton, Charlie Barker and Lynn Blakeston. 'Sweet Dixie Dreams' will be playing music by the Dixie Chicks, Brad Paisley and Jo Dee Meseena to name a few. The Gerry McNeice Band for the Festival is; Gerry (guitars. vocals), Hannah Bunyan (violin, vocals), Liam McNeice (guitars), Chris Bunyan (cajon) and Dr. Dave Turner (flute, harmonica and vocals)
 

   Mike Rolland & Joanna Byrne (Blackpool) Two of the most enthusiastic and energetic performers at Langdale. Part of the Blue Pig Orchestra.  

   Mike Allen (Southern Ireland) & Jim Smith (Blackpool) At the first Festival we were lucky enough to have Mike and Jim and the other members of 'Traditional Edge' as they were then, to top the bill for us at the first Festival in 1990. A powerful force even then. Mike moved on to play in a little band called 'Earthwoode' around the South Lakes and then to pursue his love of Irish Traditional Music in the Emerald Isle itself. Jim's confidence and sense of humour is well known and he became one of the main comperes at Fylde (and other) Festivals. However this ( I think) can come out strongly and take the emphasis slightly away from an amazingly good Guitarist and Folk performer which is the side of his set that I enjoy the most. He is the type of invaluable influence at a Festival who can have you laughing and deeply thoughtful within the same set. They re-united in 2008 and now with the talents of Bev on flute. whistles and vocals are unstoppable. This is a high value act with years of experience to back it and will form a lasting impression on you if you value 'real' folk music. Whew! that was hard - a whole description without a word of an insult about Jim! Please see Photo section for images???  

    Rachel and Sally (Essex) Rachel and Sally are a recently formed duo and between them play fiddle, guitar and mandolin. They perform folk, bluegrass and self-penned songs, complimented by rich vocal harmonies, both are well known!! regulars of the Festival.

      John Harper   John Harper has been singing and playing guitar in folk clubs, festivals, theatres, bars and just about anywhere else (including the early Langdale Festivals) for well over thirty years. His introduction to folk music was back in the late sixties/early seventies in his home town of Chester, where there was a very healthy folk club scene. He learned to play the guitar and played with a variety of musicians, and with Ian Chesterman founded the Cellar Folk Club.   Moving to Brighton in 1974, John quickly established himself on the lively music scene there. Playing fewer folk clubs and more wine bar and pub gigs, he developed a wide repertoire of songs by British and American songwriters such as Ralph McTell, Tom Paxton, Harvey Andrews, Jim Croce, Allan Taylor, Paul Simon and many others. John and David Charles played as a duo for a couple of years until David moved to France in 1977. John had begun writing his own songs and, although not a prolific writer, he still sings some self-penned material today.    After five years in Brighton John travelled for a couple of years in Morocco, Andorra and Greece before settling in Cumbria in 1980 and has played regularly in the Lancaster and South Lakes areas ever since. With Steve Black, a fine traditional singer, he founded Arnside Folk Club which ran for almost twenty years.  John also became a regular at the Kendal Folk Club and the annual festival at the Brewery Arts Centre, headlining some gigs and playing support to such names as Isaac Guillory, Harvey Andrews, Whippersnapper, Ashley Hutchings and many others. John can be heard regularly at the Mortal Man in Troutbeck and the Robert Gillow in Lancaster as well as other venues in the area. We are delighted to welcome him back to Langdale!

    Rum Doodle     After a chance reunion in the Duck and Drake pub early 2009, RUM DOODLE was born. Snap back twenty years - The Spotted Cow, a smoky run down pub two young bands bash it out, ..Snakehouse.. and ..Gun Law... Martin Brennan vocals with snakehouse. B.B. guitarist with gun law. After the demise of Snakehouse Martin paired up with guitarist Chris Taylor and spent the next ten years giging around the country. Meanwhile B.B. formed a band with the ledgendary George Little ..The Survivors.. he then joined Steve Sanderson in The Attic, The New Ponies and also had a sortie on the bass guitar with The Chief Whips for a couple of gigs. With RUM DOODLE it is striped back down, two acoustic guitars, a mix of original and cover songs influenced by Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Trad. Folk Music, but most important is the .......CRAIC.......

    Trevor Reed   I bought my first acoustic guitar at the age of 15 in 1969 and my first electric guitar in 1970. I always dreamed of being a songwriter and I was influenced by my older sister’s record collection, which included Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. I am a huge Beatles fan and love early Dylan too.My first band was the four piece rock outfit ‘Paths of Tarot’ in 1971. I went into the acoustic bands ‘Mosstrooper,’ ‘Mosstrooper Mk 2’ and ‘Jasper.’ In between myperiods with bands I always played solo in folk clubs throughout the 70’s. I had some of my songs published with the Lancashire based ‘Coastal Music’ during 1972/3 after they heard my acetate demos. I won the area final of the ‘Melody Maker folk/rock contest’ in 1974 after having been highly commended the previous year.I took a long layoff to bring up a family of three then in 2005 I was goaded by my wife to answer an ad asking for a ‘Singer for a folk band.’ The fact I could also play guitar, dulcimer, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin and bass helped me get through my ‘audition’ with Brian and Chris and we became few broth shortly after I joined. My newest acquisition is an Irish bouzouki, which has been included in two of our songs already.

    Fool's Gold  Fool’s Gold is an acoustic duo based in the North-East of the UK. We play mostly our own songs, but also include a few well known – and less well known – covers. Our songs are mostly ‘in the tradition’, being story songs with strong hooks and choruses and often intricate instrumentation.
We play everywhere we can, usually in the folk and acoustic venues that thankfully cover our part of the world, but we travel far and wide to play.
Fool’s Gold is:
Carol Robson – Vocals, Tenor Guitars, Flute
Steve Robson – Vocals, 6 &12 String Guitars, Mandolin
Occasional support from:
Steve '‘The Nugget'’ Wilson- Vocals, Double Bass, Percussion