A fantastic weekend of music beckons at the Down Arts Centre.
On Saturday 25 October at 8pm, Knotty Pine String Band makes a welcome return with its energetic brand of Bluegrass and American Roots. And on Sunday 26 October at 8pm the highly acclaimed Neil Cowley Trio will make their DAC debut.
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The Knotty String Pine Band are to play again in the Down Arts Centre.[/caption]
Knotty Pine String Band has been playing together since 1993 and has brought bluegrass and American roots music to audiences all over Ireland and the UK, and as far a-field as America and Spain.
Since 1994, the band has recorded four albums: Blood Sweat and Bluegrass, Against the Grain, Whisky Before Breakfast and The Old Home Place. The band has recently released a new CD, Twenty Years a Growin’, as a celebration of 20 years of making music.
The instrumental line up in the band consists of Seamus Mc Gurgan (Banjo and Dobro), Tony Hutchinson (acoustic guitar and vocals), Aidan Mc Gale (bass and vocals) and Declan O’Kane (fiddle, mandolin and vocals). Vocal harmonies are an integral part of the band and these are prominent in practically every song.
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The Neil Cowley Trio (photo by Tom Barnes).[/caption]
The band has a strong country roots influence and will perform songs from John Prine, Kristofferson, Steve Goodman and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and as well as giving popular songs a bluegrass twist. Those that attended the band’s performance at DAC last year will attest to their energy, musical talent and fantastic on-stage camaraderie, guaranteed to have your feet tapping!
Eight years ago, Neil Cowley Trio released a debut album of outstanding original recordings that established the prodigiously gifted Cowley as a dazzling pianist and stunning composer. He created a unique trademark sound for his trio, where ferociously forceful melodies, memorable hooks and thrilling crescendos sit side by side with heart shattering tender whisperings. Coupled with Cowley’s mischievous humour and remarkable rapport with his audience, they carved out a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting live bands.
Earlier this year the trio released their fifth album, Touch and Flee. Dubbed by Cowley as their ‘concert hall record’, it strayed from their usual high octane workout, presenting instead exquisitely graceful movements, dark haunting passages, unobtrusive rhythms and dreamy melodies.
Down Arts Centre are delighted to be hosting one of only a handful of Northern Irish performance dates as Cowley embarks on a UK tour with the Trio, featuring Evan Jenkins on drums and the big-bearded Rex Horan on bass. Together they will perform gorgeous expansive music from their new recording, alongside a rip-roaring set of Cowley classics. With Cowley’s instinctive flair and ingenuity as an entertainer, this powerful, dynamic and captivating live show promises to be a must-see this autumn.
To purchase tickets (Knotty Pine £10 / £8; Neil Cowley £12 / £10) and for further information on any Down Arts Centre events, please contact the box office on 028 4461 0747 or visit the website:
www.downartscentre.com]]>
