Date/Time Sun 29 Nov 2015 7:45 PM
Price Online - £8 + 80p booking fee; On The Door - £10
Website: http://www.sarahmcquaid.com/
Photo by Phil Nicholls (www.philnicholls.co.uk)
Sarah McQuaid’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and “honey poured into wine” (Minor 7th). Her new album Walking Into White (2015) is her most honest and adventurous work to date, with a depth and texture of soundscape that are reflected in her beautifully crafted live shows. A captivating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.
Born in Spain, raised in Chicago and now living in rural England, Sarah refuses to be pigeonholed, segueing easily from one of her emotive originals into a 1930s Cuban jazz number, a 16th century lute piece or an unexpected contemporary cover.
Born in Spain, raised in Chicago and now living in rural England, Sarah refuses to be pigeon-holed, seguing easily from one of her emotive originals into a 1930s Cuban jazz number, a 16th century lute piece or an unexpected contemporary cover. Like its predecessors, her fourth solo CD has drawn international critical acclaim: The Musician (UK) called it “A work that grows with each listen,”. “Sending out a trembling resonance, this is a collection of songs that feel their way into your being,” wrote FolkWords (UK), where it prevailed over stiff competition to be selected as Album of the Month.
Here’s Sarah performing at The Poly, Falmouth, in May 2012:
Andy Mathewson hails from Topsham in Devon, where he was exposed to folk music at an early age; performing floor spots at Exeter University as a teenager. In the 70s he was part of the band Spredthick with Simon Mayor and Hilary James, before entering the world of ‘proper’ jobs.
Since 2008, Andy has been back in business, working with Lisa Winship, and more recently aas a solo performer: “Still drawn to country blues and ragtime guitar, nowadays I also like exploring what can be done on the solo instrument with a wider range of material, like vintage pop and jazz songs from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s.”