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Folk - Sara Grey and Kieron Means
Sara Grey is a traditional ballad singer. She is
American, but has lived in the British Isles for 35 years:
she visited Scotland in 1970 to collect a few folk songs,
and ended up staying. She has become one of the regulars on
the folk scene circuit, playing in over 150 venues, and most
of the top festivals. Her voice has the reputation of being
powerful and sweet, with a distinctive tremolo, which is perfect
for Celtic and Americana ballad singing. Her speciality is
singing songs that have migrated across the Atlantic; she
enjoys studying their evolution. She accompanies her singing
by frailing a five-string banjo; tonight she is accompanied
by her guitar-playing son Kieron Means, who has a fine voice
himself. Expect some songs from Sara’s latest album,
A Long Way from Home, including Barbara Allen,
Five Nights Drunk and Old Smokey.
Regulars to the Royal Oak Folk Club will know what to expect
from a ballad concert. The audience is reverent and rapt:
they may well join in the chorus if they recognise the song.
The main act is accompanied by several floor shows: this can
be anything but usually includes some harmony singing and
squeezebox playing. The whole affair is hosted with some gusto
by Vic and Tina Smith. If you’re curious about folk
music, it’s worth going along, because the Smiths have
turned their weekly session at the Oak into one of the most
highly rated folk clubs in the country. Just don’t expect
any dancing on the tables. AL |