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Musicport premiere for Waterson's work
THE world premiere of the songs of the late and much lamented Robin Hood's Bay folk singer Lal Waterson will be unveiled at Whitby Musicport next weekend.
One of the famed Waterson family, Lal spent most of her adult life working from her home in Robin Hood’s Bay, although she originally hails from Hull.
Along with brother Mike Waterson and sister Norma Waterson, Lal was at the forefront of the sixties folk revival.
But her creative muse took her along a path that first revealed the force of her songwriting with 1972’s Bright Phoebus (recently the subject of a Radio 4 documentary).
This was followed by a few rare performances over the years, culminating in two last records with her son, Oliver Knight.
Lal died of cancer in September 1998 aged just 55.
Her uncompromising songs have been described as high poetry, raising deep and soulful mysteries.
And Mojo magazine rated Lal as “up with Nick Drake and Richard Thompson in the very front rank of English songwriters”.
As the 10th anniversary of Lal Waterson’s passing approaches, singer and musician, Jo Freya (Blowzabella, Old Swan Band, Token Women, Coope, Fraser, Boyes, Boyes, Simpson, Freya), has brought together a unique group of musicians – The Lal Waterston Project – to celebrate the songs of Lal.
The landmark performance next Sunday, marks the CD release of the album entitled Lal this month.
The Lal Waterson Project consists of Chumbawumba’s Jude Abbott on trumpet, Neil Ferguson on bass and guitar, The Poozies’ Mary Macmaster on electro and acoustic harps, Coope/Boyes and Simpson guitarist Jim Boyes, Fi Fraser (TokenWomen, Fraser Sisters, Old Swan) on fiddle and clarinet and Jo stepping out from her usual Musicport comparing duties on vocals and sax.
Musicport’s festival director, Jim McLaughlin said: “The Lal Waterson Project will go on to play many prestigious venues because Lal’s work is increasingly recognised for what it is – some of the most unique and visionary songwriting this country has ever produced.
“Here it is reinterpreted with great sensitivity and insight from a woman who got to know Lal and fell in love with her material. It shows.”
You can catch the Lal Waterson Project as part of Whitby Musicport World Music Festival’s programme of events next Sunday afternoon.
Tickets cost 22 adults, 20 concessions and 11 children aged 11 to 16.
There are still weekend tickets and day and evening tickets as well as a limited number of Saturday and Sunday full day tickets which include the evening performances – Saturday evening tickets have sold out.
l For tickets call (0845) 3732760 or call into the Port Hole in Skinner Street.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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