THE MYSTIC EAST

Despite being primarily about music in the county of Cambridgeshire, we're not above venturing a little further when circumstances demand it. And demand it they do. Undoubtedly one of the big hits of last summer was Acoustic Triangle's performance at Peterhouse, Cambridge – and this year they're back with a 14 date tour of 'some of England's most awe-inspiring spaces'. This includes abbeys and cathedrals all around the country, getting underway at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds on Friday 16 May. The trio are joined by six world-class string players – the Sacconi Strings – and will be playing new works by award-winning composers Tim Garland and Gwilym Simcock which are individually ‘choreographed’ for each building in order to create a series of unique performances. The Guardian described them thus: 'Adventurous, eclectic, frequently breathtaking… undisputed masters of the game.' Enough said.

Read Anne L Ryan's review from last year's concert in Peterhouse, Cambridge

Acoustic Triangle - Peterhouse, Cambridge 3 August 2007

Cambridge Summer Music Festival 2007 

He is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English speaking people. With gentle intelligence he weaves the tradition with his own contemporary parables, his writing has been said to share the same timeless quality as Richard Thompson at his best.

Na Mara: Paul McNamara (guitar and vocals) and Rob Garcia (guitar and mandolin) have an ever-expanding repertoire from lively arrangements of Irish fiddle tunes to poignant songs and ballads for voice, guitar and mandolin. When they played for us in February, we were privileged to hear the first public outing of their new song Solo Por Tres Meses, so we know there will be more excellent music this evening.

www.na-mara.com

Samantha Marais: New to the Club is the fresh young talent of Samantha, who delivers her exotic music, unusual imagery and anachronistic melodies with the innocence of a previous age. "Lighter than a Malteser in a flotation tank, Marais' ethereal vocals (have) weightless, simple beauty." - New Musical Express.

www.myspace.com/samanthamarais

www.samanthamarais.com

Robert Brown
With his unique style and presence, Robert delivers a wealth of styles and emotions throughout the roots spectrum, drawing on folk, blues and jazz. Don't miss this chance to hear this long-standing friend of the Club's driving, emotional delivery of songs that make you think.

www.robert-brown.info

Al Parrish (double bass), Rob Ritchie (piano), Steve Ritchie (acoustic guitar), Terry Young (guitar, mandolin, five string banjo and harmonica) and Sandra Swannell (violin and viola) are the thunderous band Tanglefoot. Expect sets with rampaging energy, superb musicianship, breathtaking vocal harmonies and engrossing story-songs with hints of Celtic, French-Canadian and English influences. "A full-throated, multi-instrumental road of exuberance and delight." Toronto Star.

www.tanglefootmusic.com

Local harmonica wizard Steve, and rock, blues, slide and ragtime guitarist Chris Newman are the duo Hot Lips and Chilli Fingers. They will take you on a seamless roller coaster ride through traditional music, presenting an eclectic mix of original and cover songs from the last 80 years. Expect some spice!
www.steve.ms

www.chrisnewmangrooves.com