Past Concerts at Pondside Music

	2008 Season
June 13th	Bob Evans -- Champion Finger Style Guitarist. Fabulous playing, great audience and wonderful songs. Bob has a very good and easy banter with the audience and hosts and his songs and covers are all expremely enjoyable. 2 CD's available, one is Beatles covers - instrumental, the other is a mix of his own writing and a couple of covers from friends. Both highly recommended.
May 30	Andrew Smith -- fingerstyle and tap guitar player -- singer songwriter from Kelowna BC. Wonderful technique and lovely songs presented well with a good voice and excellent audience reaction.
May 10th	we present Thomas Loftke. Master Celtic Harper. He has recently been performing with Eidolon and Norland Wind and we're very excited to be his venue of choice for his solo tour of BC this year.
April 18th LeftOver Dreams Patrice Haan & Tony Marcus	http://www.tuxedorecords.com The vocal harmonies and sparse but memorable accompaniment have drawn praise from such as Richard Hadlock, author of Jazz Masters of the 20s and host of the radio show The Annals of Jazz, who says " Singers Patrice Haan and Tony Marcus (also an ace guitarist) do something unusual: they treat often neglected popular songs with respect, restraint and unerring good taste ". Recently the group was featured on NPRs All Songs Considered, where its rendition of Teach Me Tonight won the weekly listeners poll. While the music was every bit what we had hoped for, there was just so much more to the performance. The chemistry between you two made for one of the most romantic musical experiences we have ever encountered. —Roger & Donna Brinton, Redwood City Your voices are like velvet on velvet. like you were born to sing together. it's like one big slow dance where emotions are oozing. —Mary Flower Sometimes your voices are pitched so closely it’s hard to tell who is singing which line, and then Tony will drop to basso profundo (always astounding) or soar into the stratosphere. —Nikki, San Francisco
March 14, 2007 Tony Turner	http://www.tonyturner.ca/songs.php Tony is bringing musician (Ann Downey) with him. As a mainstay on the Ottawa folk music scene, Tony has become a guiding member of Writer's Bloc, organizing and hosting the monthly meetings for the collective. He's played at several editions of the Ottawa Folk Festival, including being a Main Stage host/performer at the 2000 edition. He also leads a small folk group at the First Unitarian Congregation runs the annual Song Along songwriters event and organizes songwriting workshops with artists such as Ian Tamblyn. Tamblyn was one of the founders of Writers Bloc in the 1980¢s and the producer of Tony's new CD.

April 23 - Jane Eamon & Gord
May 7th -- Penny Lang
May 12 - James Gordon
June 8th - Les Barker

Norm Walker February 26th, 2006

Ian Sherwood , a fine singer songwriter from Halifax whose new CD was named CBC Album of the Week
Rozalind MacPhail , Rozalind has just returned from her Cross Canada Fluteways Tour, a 4 month oddessy across Canada and back. She's down in Seattle right now recording her new CD.

May 8, 2006

Valdy - no more need be said....

What can I say that hasn't already been said better by these folks?

-- some quotations --

"Few performers are capable of achieving the kind of energy he generates on stage." - Globe and Mail

".....name probably doesn't ring a bell with most Americans, but in Canada this singer and guitarist is a legend." - Anchorage Times

".....unquestionably the most public performer in Canada today, and the most loved." - Macleans

"Valdy elicited a genuinely warm standing ovation, the real kind, where the applause continues long after the encore is assured." - Winnipeg Free Press

"...judging by last night's performance, Valdy's musical magic is alive and well." Beacon Herald

"One of the best evenings of entertainment Confederaion Centre has ever seen....a man of formidable talents." Charlottetown Evening Patriot

"Valdy remains one of the country's purest and most credible storytellers." Toronto Star

"Valdy's show is a disarming and practical blend of respect for the audience and show business expertise." Edmonton Journal

Paul O'Brien & Calvin Cairns

May 1, 2006

Paul, a immigrant from Ireland via Birmingham has tied his Celtic roots with a strong interest in his new country, Canada and the and shares his deep rooted traditions in familiar and not-so-familiar music. Paul plays guitar, Irish bouzuki and vocals. He has established himself as a fine singer-songwriter, as proven by his most recent CD.

Calvin and I have been playing regularly over the past two years and hope to record an album this year. Both of us are really interested in looking at the history of Canada through the eyes and ears of immigrants.

Calvin Cairns joined Paul O'Brien for an evening of traditional and new music.

As well as being one of the most talented fiddlers in Canada, Calvin plays concertina & saw.

Calvin Cairns is a well known Canadian fiddler, teacher and musical entertainer. He has performed in Russia, Europe, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, USA and from coast to coast to coast across Canada.

He's been in demand by some of this country's most popular Celtic and Canadiana folk artists, performing and recording with Stringband, Connie Kaldor, Humphrey and the Dumptrucks, Don Freed, Spirit of the West, The Bill Hilly Band and Stewart Mclean's Vinyl Cafe Orchestra.

Troy MacGillivray - March 20, 2006 with Kimberley Fraser

Barrie Davis - returned February 13th, 2006

Terry Tufts
January 2, 2006

Terry Tufts has been playing professionally for three decades. His music is inspired and his lyrics speak straight from the heart. His guitar playing is from the same school that created John Fahey and Leo Kottke: strong melodies supported by uniquely crafted finger-style orchestrations, painting stirring backdrops for some engaging stories. His rapport with the audience is strengthened by a lightning deftness and a command of the fingerboard that leaves the listener breathless.

Terry was born on Lake Erie in Gasline, Ontario, Canada and grew up in the U.S., Italy, Eastern and Central Canada. His talents have carried him all over the world where he has been employed by numerous artists in the studio and in live performance for his abilities on a variety of instruments and a seemingly limitless vocal range. He has released four independently produced albums.

Terry is the 1997 regional winner of Standard Radio’s National Songwriting Competition and the only two-time winner of the Ontario Council Of Folk Festival’s Songs From The Heart competition, taking that honour in 1998 and 2001.

December, 12th, 2005

Alison Vardy is an exceptionally creative performer on the Celtic & Paraguayan harps. Her delightful arrangements & compositions have enchanted many audiences in New Zealand, Australia, the USA & Canada. With her warm & engaging personality, Alison welcomes her listeners into the captivating world of multi-cultural solo harp music.

Alison's concerts are unique as they are mostly amplified albeit very subtly. She creates a rich, magical atmosphere that surrounds & envelops her audience to create a very special experience.

Being the master musician she is, Alison plays the spaces between as well as the notes themselves which further draws her listeners into the spaces between their own thoughts. The experience is uniquely enchanting, vibrant, exhilarating and zen like all at the same time.

November 21, 2005

The weight of his surname is enough to garner Nathan Rogers a preliminary buzz, but after hearing his razor-sharp brand of fusion folk it becomes obvious that Nathan would have earned himself a place in the music world even without the family heritage and acclaim.

With one foot planted firmly in folk music traditional roots and the other stepping proudly into its dynamic and incendiary future, Nathan writes and performs songs that are rife with insight and blazing with purpose.

A student of religious studies and an avid historian, Nathan is a new age troubadour. He tells stories about Canadian events and people in the oral singing tradition, just as many cultures have done in the past. His lyrics are not an adjunct to the music but the primary focus of his writing.

Nathan is welcome to return to Pondside anytime, he filled the house with guests, music and laughter!

October 21, 2005

Well Strung
In House Concert

Keith Watson, Jake Galbraith , Don Chambers & Robert Andersen

Have all played music individually and in small groups around Victoria for many years

What do you get when you put Four Very Talented Victoria Musicians together? In this case, they are named Well Strung!

In their own words:

Only in the past year have we come together under the name Well Strung.

We are primarily acoustic musicians dedicated to "serving the song" as Keith puts it. Most of our songs are created by Robert or Don and we also perform some interesting "covers". Robert¹s songs, like the guitars he builds, are beautifully crafted; Open up Your Heart and Blackberry Jam. Robert brightens our performances with his mandolin playing as well.

Don brings an eclectic range of material Dysfunctional Family (Prine-like), Atlantic Shores ( the flight 911 disaster), Internet Love & Brothers. He plays a strong guitar and a moody cello.

Keith is a fine flat-top man who has previously played in many country bands and is a skilled, intense, and refined addition to our group.

Jake Galbraith is an exceptional bass player and is equally talented on a great range of other instruments. He plays with finesse, economy and care. Generally, we are a fine mix of kind, caring and very funny musical people.

Yael Wand

Monday, August 15th 2005

Melisa Devost http://www.melisadevost.com/music/

from Hornby Island opening for:

"Yael Wand"
(Yah-el)

True to her divergent roots and wanderings, Yael delivers songs with the demanding sensibility of folk, the landscape of a wild country, allusions to sultry jazz and mid-eastern exoticism.

" On stage she is captivating and charming, one of those rare performers with the ability to draw in an audience not only by the sound of her voice, clear and wrought with emotion, but also with the colour and substance of her songwriting." - David Essig

Yael's Web Site

Http://yaelwand.com

Wednesday, July 20th 2005

Aaron plays the banjo, mandolin, and sometimes a little sitar. Aaron’s song writing is both genuine and candid and his vocals will make you melt

Trina Nestibo begged her mother to let her quit taking piano lessons as a young girl, but is grateful that she was persistent. She strums guitar, plays the squeeze box, and sings her prairie heart out on stage. Trina is a clever lyricist and tells stories with her songs.

Soultree

"Soultree sound good"

Soultree's Web Site

"With roots spanning from folk to funk, Soultree weaves a satisfying blend of hummable melodies and intriguing acoustic sounds....Aaron Bonney and Trina Nestibo deliver a woodsy groove of music that is free of pretence and drenched with soul."

Friday, June 24th 2005

I wasn't surprised to learn that Hank is a favorite at many of folk festivals in the Northwest or that he was a resident bard at an Irish pub.

His music, a mix of his own songs, traditional tunes, and songs written by others, has that storyteller touch that one expects from poets and songwriters who frequent small pubs and cafes.

On his CDs we hear stories about love, the sea, the open road, and the sacrifices of life.

Wild, Wild Heart and I am Gone, another of Cramer's originals, help us feel the long road and truck drivers' love of traveling. There is also the sense that traveling leaves lots of time to think and to remember.

Songs like Pay Me My Money Down, Santy Anno, Liverpool Judies, Snap the Line Tight," and The Ballad of Saint Anne's Reel, all serve to keep a rich tradition of sailors' worksongs alive. The two chanteys (Pay Me My Money Down and Santy Anno), with their rich choruses, are real sing-a-longs.

All in all, Hank and his music are hard to classify. Rooted in several traditions, his music seems original. His work is eclectic, but the music is honest & straightforward.

Hank's rich bass voice is perfect for authentic delivery of sea chanteys or songs of the mines.

Hank Cramer's music is distinctive. He knows the waters because he sailed on the Lady Washington, one of the remaining tall ships which is pictured on North by Norwest's cover.

Jane Eamon

Monday, May 30th, 2005

Where to begin??

Blues, Jazz, Gospel - she's got it all, smooth and just right.

Jane and Gord were WONDERFUL. We're looking forward to having them back for a repeat performance next year!!

"Every once in a while, a musical treasure drops into your lap, a disc you can't resist playing over and over again. There's no filler to interrupt the musical flow and plenty of variety to keep you interested."

Where to begin? There's the infectious Robinson Caruso Blues, for instance, with only Norm Strauss's bluesy guitar picking and Eamon's vocals pushing the song along. Simplicity sometimes speaks volumes. There's also the absolutely gorgeous Starlight Parade, co-written with Dave Sopel and only tune Eamon did not pen alone. It's a great love song - and tells a great story to boot.

Eamon remembers the past as well, giving us the insightful Lady of the Blues, which pays tribute to the likes of Memphis Minnie, Ma Rainey and Alberta Hunter. (Eamon may even raise a few feathers here, comparing Memphis Minnie's guitar picking to the likes of Muddy Waters.)

My favourite track is Ruckus in the Henhouse, a rollicking tune and one of the best commentaries yet on the sad state of current global affairs. Eamon tells us "faith is on the auction block", that "terror is a currency" and that "everybody's praying too loudly to be heard". (Whew - just think of the madmen doing the decapitating in Iraq and the cowboys shooting up the White House and you know the situation can't be described any better than that.)

David K

Monday, April 25th, 2005

Somewhere out there is a crossroad where old blues collides with country, and there you'll find David K hunkered down over one of his favorite instruments, creating his unique blend of acoustic country, folk and blues.

From 1994 to 2000 David K was one third of Canada's outstanding vocal group TRILOGY (with Eileen McGann and Cathy Miller) in their critically acclaimed musical/theatrical production, "Two Thousand Years Of Christmas", which toured extensively in Canada, and was twice broadcast as a National CBC Radio Special.

David K has toured regularly over the last dozen years in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Ireland, impressing audiences everywhere with his Guitar, Slide & Steel Guitars, Mandolins and Bass, plus his great singing. He is a dynamic solo performer and songwriter, as well as a gifted side-musician, and his performances have been praised in newspapers from the east coast to the west.

Solo or with the band, David K always leaves you hoping for "just one more".

David K has also been a key musician and producer on CDs by many Canadian, American and British recording artists, and has performed on dozens of live radio and television broadcasts in Canada and abroad, with the JUNO nominated EILEEN McGANN BAND, TRILOGY, THE MRS. ACKROYD BAND, and as a solo performer. With Eileen McGann, he has been awarded three international touring grants from Canada's Ministry of External Affairs.

Joël Fafard
From Regina, Saskachewan

Monday, March 14th, 2004

Regina Guitarist, Joël Fafard’s fiery blend of urban and rural slide finger style guitar embodies such styles as blues, bluegrass, country, Celtic, jazz and classical.

Joël performed at the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2004 and has showcased at Ontario Contact 2000, Western Candian Music Awards 2003 and Pacific Contact 2004, OSAC 2004 and Rendevous Folk 2004.

Fafard has performed with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and has opened for such artists as Joe Cocker and Burton Cummings.

Joël was recently honoured with the inclusion of his tune Megan and the Wascana Cyclone in Mel Bay’s Master’s Anthology for Finger-Style Guitar Solos Vol. 3.

Joël also sings -- I wanted to make sure we didn't have an entire evening of wonderful instrumentals -- I like to hear voice too. He wrote back "I sing, I sing" I made him prove it :)

His latest CD, Rocking Horse was nominated for Outstanding Instrumental Recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2004 and will be released in Europe in 2005 with a European tour to follow.

Pat Moore
One of Ottawa's Finest

Monday, January 24th, 2004

Born in Ottawa, Pat Moore's musical roots start with her family, where singing was as much a part of life as taking a breath. Her influences are wide and varied, from traditional jazz, to bluegrass, country and roots music. Pat spent several years singing lead and harmony in bluegrass bands - primarily Maple Hill and Beyond the Blue (where she plays a percussive style slap bass on the acoustic upright), and has earned a reputation as a solo performer in the acoustic roots scene. Pat started writing a few years ago, and has found her niche, telling stories with strong images and emotion.

Her interpretive style and strong warm voice captures the listener's attention, and her performances have a natural spontaneity and groove, picking up the mood of the audience and presenting each song in a personal and entertaining way. Her strong rhythm guitar accents the dynamics of her songs.

Songs like:

Cash and Carry is a tongue in cheek look at the story of a couple of would be thieves who tried to break into an ATM machine in North York Ontario using a backhoe - and blew it. (Surprise, surprise!) Based on a news headline of the same name. “Where’d you get that crazy idea that you could figure it out, what gave you the thought that you were a genius, that dogs wouldn’t bark, you couldn’t be seen in the dark, draggin’ it back to your hideout.”

A young girl from Lanark county, a young lad from Lennox. Blueberry Hill is a love story that will take you to highway 7 at Kaladar, Ontario, and along the Skootamata River . It tells the story of an elderly couple who have spent their lives in this rocky, harsh land where little grows but blueberrys and wildflowers, and one can “hear the phoebe’s sing, and marvel at the wingspan of the Great Blue Heron as it glides across the lakes, over the rushes in the spring.” Beware... this song has brought tears to the eyes of even “big guys”.

Steve Slade
Fresh from the Yukon

Monday, November 15th, 2004

Gifted with a rich, full voice he is equally at home singing traditional folk and blues or belting out a host of jazz standards, which he embellishes with some pretty impressive "harp" playing. But, in my opinion, the brightest moments in his performances come when he displays his considerable talent as a singer/songwriter. One minute he can have the audience laughing and the next moved to tears, as he sings of people he has met and stories that touch us all.

Ray Tucker, President
Folk Society of Whitehorse

Steve Slade stands out in my book as a gifted singer, songwriter, and performer. He's got a remarkably versatile voice and ain't afraid to use it. He makes every song his, especially the smooth croonin' tunes. He's got a great touch with a harmonica, a sure feel to his guitar playing, and he's a master at combining both to draw a song to a sweet, lingering ending - you can't always tell whether the sound you're still hearing is in the air or just in your head. His songwriting gives you the feel of a song you already know, not because it's predictable but because it resonates with how you feel and what you unconsciously want to hear; he's got original approaches to familiar themes, and an ear for the rhythm, and a heart behind the lyrics. His stage presence invites the audience along for quite an enjoyable ride.

Don Osburn
Deep Roots Music Festival
Wolfville NS

Jennifer Clarke

Jennifer returned to PondsideMusic September 27, 2004 for a Concert preview of her new CD.

Always looking for new venues, Jennifer charmed our audience and booked a House Concert for Wisconsin from amongst the audience.

Look for her new CD and, if you don't already have them - pick up her 2 previous CD's too, you won't regret it.

Barrie Davis

Thursday, September 2, 2004

& Monday, February 13th, 2006

Barrie has been playing 12 string guitar and singing for more than 30 years in England, Australia. He started performing in the skiffle era and subsequently moved on to more serious and contemporary folk music. His deep and resonant voice gives lustre to his extensive repertoire, which is complemented by his sense of humour ranging from the impish to the macabre, with a collection of humorous songs to match. Barrie is also famous in Adelaide for his sizable collection of railroad songs.

March 27th, 2004

Nova Scotia-based singer/songwriter Morgan Davis has criss-crossed Canada playing the blues for three decades. He has jammed with Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, opened for John Lee Hooker, and recorded a string of fine solo albums.

Colin James covered Morgan's "Why'd You Lie," testimony to his writing talent. Morgan has won multiple Jazz Report and Maple Blues Awards, and Painkiller is another winning effort

2004 Juno Award winner for Blues Album of the Year.

Penelope Swales

Pondside Music Presents A House Concert
September 3 , door 7pm Concert 7:30pm
Penelope Swales

Singer and storyteller Penelope Swales is at the cutting edge of contemporary folk in Australia. Best described as a musical journalist, she constantly travels Australia and the world. She combines wry and often outrageous humour with her deep passion for people and issues.

In concert, she blends the best of old and new - not only does she present songs a cappella and in the time-honoured singer-guitarist format, but by applying a small on-the-spot sampler to both her rich vocals and her energetic guitar style, she builds live, trance-like soundscapes over which she deliveres a shatteringly incisive commentary.

Her spoken word material swings from anecdotes bordering on stand-up comedy to an astute presentation of deeply challenging and thought-provoking ideas. She pokes sly fun at our failings while celebrating with insight and compassion our attempts to build a better world and our capacity for love, courage and sensuality.

Penelope turned to songwriting at the age of 16 when she was homeless, living in poverty and supporting herself by busking. Forged on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne, her songs developed an authentic edge that only personal experience can supply.

Aengus Finnan - July 31st, 2003

At 26 Aengus left for the open road, guitar in hand, with humble songs and piercing stories that beckon us to "remember what was forgotten, restore what was lost, and redeem what might have been".

Aengus has toured from Newfoundland to Vancouver, presenting concerts in schools on Baffin Island, for Elder Hostel programs in Whitehorse, and inmates in the Kingston Penitentiary. He was invited to host a television commercial for the 40th MARIPOSA Folk Festival, has performed from Yukon's Dawson City to the Kennedy Center in Washington and shared marquees with the likes of Garnet Rogers, James Keelaghan, Stephen Fearing, Tanglefoot, Tamarack, and John Renbourn.

Finnan was nominated "Touring Artist of the Year" by presenters in the B.C. Touring Council, while most recently he returned from his first US Festival appearance in Texas where he was awarded the "New Folk Songwriting Award" from the 2002 Kerrville Folk Festival.

Aengus Finnan has a map in his mind; an old fur-trader's map, of a dark and often desolate land. Scratched onto it, in ink and blood, are mapmaker's words…

"Here be mountains; yonder lies the sea!" A map begs a quest, and Finnan's quest finds him charting the distance of a quiet land in song; evealing the lonesome lives of familiar strangers, small town visionaries, restless boys, weary waitresses, forlorn captains, and lovers cruelly parted by the whims of coldest fate.

JULY 30TH, 2003 / September 12th 2005 with Keiran Means
Sara Grey

Once you have heard Sara Grey you will never forget her. She has a certain quality of voice that compels you to give her your undivided attention. Her voice is both powerful and sweet with a distinctive and lovely tremolo. It is a voice well suited to native American ballads and ballads of Ireland and Scotland.

One of the best things about her singing is that it reflects her great knowledge of and feeling for traditional music. She just seems to know what is right in the interpretation of a traditional song. She is a ballad singer of great strength with a fine understanding of the importance of understatement in the art of ballad singing. Her singing is richly emotional and she is equally at home with a gentle lyric or a harsh account of life on the frontier.

It is not Sara's lovely voice alone that makes her one of the most popular singers on the folk scene, on many of her songs Sara accompanies herself by frailing a five string banjo and, when playing tunes, it is obvious why she is regarded as one of the foremost exponents of the old-time style. As well as singing and playing superbly Sara is a fine story teller specialising in stories from New England where she grew up and learned many of her stories from her father.

She was the first American to participate in the Annual Ballad and Folksong Seminar in Innishowen in Co. Donegal where the theme of the weekend was the movement of songs from the Ulster tradition to North America. She has also attended the Forkhill Traditional Song Weekend in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland. She will be chairing a one day seminar in October '97 for the Traditional Scottish Music Association and also for the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, a week-long festival of Celtic music. She had a very successful US tour in the Autumn of 1998 with Anne Neilsen and Jack Beck presenting on stage the Scottish – American Ballad and Song Connection

Sara is from the States but has been living in Scotland and briefly in England for the last 32 years. She has always been interested in the migration of songs across the Atlantic and it was as a result of a collecting trip to Scotland in1970 that she moved to the UK. She has been working closely with other traditional singers from Scotland and Ireland to look at the movement of Celtic songs and how they change. Some of the projects she has been involved in include a seminar in Alness, Ross-shire, Scotland looking at the culture of Travellers in Sutherland and the movement of their songs and stories to North America.

Sara Grey

Now, after more than 25 years of singing and playing her banjo in public, Sara's repertoire is as fresh and relevant as ever. She has been concentrating for the last several years on tracing the migration for songs from the British Isles to North America. Sara lives for her music and works at her trade with the result that her music is not only technically excellent but also filled with her warmth and spirit.

Sara's interest in the musical traditions of America led her to form the Lost Nation Band. For anyone interested in the traditions of old-time American songs, tunes and ballads, the combined forces of Sara Grey, Dave Burland and Roger Wilson presented a lively and sensitive interpretation of the music.

Sara has sung at over 150 folk clubs in England, Scotland and Wales and has performed at over 30 different folk and bluegrass festivals. She has been heard on local radio all over the UK, has been featured in two Women's Hour programmes to talk about her musical career and her tour to Lithuania and has performed on her own and with the Spinners on Radio 2. She has appeared on BBC-TV Scotland and with the McCalmans on Grampian Television, . She has toured abroad in Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Norway, Lithuania, Australia and the USA. Sara is a card-carrying member of British Actor's Equity.

Recordings:

"Five Days Singing"

"Sara Grey with Ed Trickett" 1970

"A Breath of Fresh Air" 1981

"Making the Air Resound" 1984

"Flash Company" 1987

"You Gave Me a Song" 1987

"Promises To Keep" 1990

"Sara" 1994

"Back in the Airly Days" 1998

"Oh Boy, She's A Daisy" 2002

Nonie Crete and Eugene Rea:

Nonie returns to Pondside for another wonderful performance. Originally performing in the Spring of 2001, None returned, this time with Eugene Rea - July12th, 2003

Recordings:

New Romance 1995
Maybe I'm a Loner 1996
Live at Leyanders 1997
The River Grand 1998-99
Moonlight Dreams 1999-200
Holidays in Harmony - Nonie Crete and Brenda Lewis 2001
Danny Boy and the Ballads - Nonie and Eugene joint effort 2002 '

Nonie is a prolific songwriter. Whether racing through a dance "Johnny keeps me dancing" or examining our brief span on earth, her music captures your attention, body and soul. Her guitar and harmonica worth together seemlessly to fill your ears with the perfect accompanyment to her fine voice and just the right lyrics.

Nonie Crete

Nonie is a bundle of warm rich energy. Her guitar and harmonica playing perfectly complement her stories of family, love and the richness of life. Nonie is a true professional, making each guest feel as though she is especially glad that "they" came. She has many too many songs for just one concert and is returning to us July 12th for another visit to Pondside.

Nonie was invited to open for Clannad and Altan in a Concert in Donegal. 'Moonlight dreams' is being played on radio stations all over Canada and on the BBC.

Eugene Rea

Cousin to the famous Tommy Sands and Sands family, Eugene Rea plays guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin and bousouki and has played with various groups including Crubeen, Atlantic Bridge, The Mourne Ramblers, Dhu Varryn, The Rea Brothers, and Eugene and Andrea Rea, and recorded a number of albums. Eugene has recorded 5 albums to date:- "Houl Yer Whisht - On Boyne's Red Shore", "Houl Yer Whisht - The Muttonburn Stream", Eugene and Andrea Rea, "The Murphy Family - Here we are Amongst You", and Rathlin;

June 26 to July1, 2003, Pondfilk III and House concert

Joe Bethancourt , from Phoenix, AZ, plays more instruments that we own (and that's hard to top )

He's an accomplished professional musician who is equally at home on the classical stage, Folk Concert stage, a filk convention, an SCA fireside or a Wild West reenactment. He's been playing professionally for over 30 years people like him so much - they even pay him to stay!

The concert was a huge success, we sold out and are looking forward to bringing Joe back again.

Seriously -- we were very proud to be able to bring Joe to Victoria for Pondfilk III. The opportunity to make music and listen to a musician of his caliber does not come along often - we made this opportunity happen. If you've never heard Joe then you're really in for a treat. You name it, he can play it - styles, instruments, truly a renaissance man.

What can you expect from Joe? Anything: Celtic, folk, bluegrass, sing alongs - dramatic murder ballads - he does them all.

Joe was raised mostly in the southern Appalachians, in North Carolina, and absorbed the music almost from the time he could walk.

Joe is unusual for this day and age, perhaps because he has devoted himself to the music in which he was raised: the music of the Southern Appalachian and Ozark Mountains of America. In this, he follows the tradition established by such sterling performers as Grandpa Jones, Uncle Dave Macon, and others of the "Old Timey" Country Music era.

He doesn't stop at this however! He is equally at home in popular Country music, writes songs about space exploration, and plays Irish, Scots, Bluegrass and Medieval/Renaissance music with equal facility.

He plays no less than 65 different instruments; from his beloved banjos (yes. plural! He has one of the finest collections of antique banjos in the Southwestern United States, and uses them on stage!) to 12-string guitar, all the way to more exotic things like Mando-Cello, Celtic Harp, Lute, Harp-Guitar, and Ozark Mouthbow!

It becomes obvious that this is a consummate entertainer when you hear him shift from a "murder ballad" of the 1870's, played on a 100 year old banjo with gut strings, to a version of the Bill Monroe classic "Uncle Pen" that will bring you right out of your chair with the speed of his Gatling-gun flatpicking on the guitar.

And then he picks up the Celtic Harp .... and the world goes away! Due to his love of Irish and Scottish music, he has developed a repetoire of Celtic music, both ancient and modern.

Recordings

SOLO:

That Great Big Way Out There (Random Factors) (cass. & CD) (in production)
Bordertown Ballads (Random Factors) (cass. & CD) (in production)
Ballads of the Miskatonic (Random Factors) (cass. & CD) (in production)
Revenge of the Banjo (White Tree Productions) (cass.) (in production)
Who Fears The Devil? (White Tree Productions)
Celtic Circle Dance (Random Factors) (CD)
The Black Book Of Locksley (White Tree Productions)
Naked Banjos (White Tree Productions)
Old Red Cat (White Tree Productions)
Arizona Road Song (White Tree Productions)
String Concert (Public) PS 5001 (out of print)

SHARED REALITIES:

Our Fathers Of Old (with Leslie Fish) (Random Factors)
Serious Steel (with Leslie Fish) (Random Factors)
Lock And Load (with Leslie Fish) (Random Factors)

ANTHOLOGIES:

357 Miles East Of L.A. (Zia)
CactusCon Choruses: NASFIC 1987 (WailSongs)
This Train Is Bound For Glory (Carsten) LC 75-751068
Arizona Sounds KDKB Vol. 1 (Dwight Karma) (out of print)

Noah Zacharin
March 31th 2003

What people have to say about Noah, his songs and his music:

"One of the finest songwriters Canada has ever produced": Rick Fielding, Acoustic Workshop, CIUT

"One of the best on the scene…the leader of his community and he plays the heck out of his guitar": Danny Marks, Blues-FM

"Zacharin deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with names such as James Taylor and David Wilcox": Minor 7th Nov-Dec 2000, review of aLIVE!

"Like Bruce Cockburn, Ry Cooder, and Bonnie Raitt, Noah Zacharin possesses a virtuoso command of the guitar…world-wise songwriting": Minor 7th May-June 2002, review of crow dark wind

"Years on the circuit have honed Zacharin's skills to a sharp edge": The Gazette (Montreal)

Lisa's Music moves you:

Lisa Winn

"...her voice has a rarely felt power and purity...genuinely moving..."
Philip Wilding, Classic Rock Magazine, UK

"...beautifully blended vocal harmonies... lovely, honest voice... "
Jim Kelly , Canadian Musican Magazine

"Lisa Winn has one of those rare voices that can rip the paint off the wall or melt your heart, all within a heartbeat. This debut album weaves musical magic..."

"...the floating, sustaining harmonies of an angel."
Janine Stoll, indievoice.com, Toronto

James Porteous, Editor, writer and reviewer, The SamTheRecordMan.com Music Newsletter

Troy MacGillivray - Nov 18, 2002 / March 20, 2006

Troy brought some surprise visitors with him: Yvonne Hernandez, North American Fiddle Champion; Ryan MacDonald on Scottish small pipes and Courtenay, clog/step dancer, joined Troy for his evenings performance. He and they were very well received.

Troy MacGillivray

Troy MacGillivray is a multitalented musician, accomplished on both keyboard and fiddle. He was born into a rich musical tradition. For generations, the MacGillivrays on his father's side and the MacDonalds on his mother's side have been proprietors of the Gaelic tradition in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Troy began impressing audiences with his step dancing at age six and soon decided to master the piano and fiddle. By age thirteen, Troy was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne's, Cape Breton.

At age 21, Troy proudly continues this Tradition on-stage with exciting displays of musical genius and off-stage with a perfectionist's approach to hard work.

Sue Pyper - Oct 2002

We were called out of town unexpectedly on a family death, friends took over Master of Ceremonies duties and hostess duties and Sue gave all a very good performance. I returned home to excited tales of "a wonderful concert missed". Sue is fine musician, whether performing traditional favorites, covering accomplished musicians material or her own fine songs.

Sue Pyper

Sue Pyper is a singer/songwriter, who can bring you to tears with her poignant lyrics and haunting voice, or have you laughing with her witty repartee and musical comedy.

Pull up a chair and see why Christine Lavin says "Long time fans of folk music will recognize her as a wonderful new discovery."

Eileen Laverty - July 2002

Eileen arrived at Pondside from a gig in Tofino after the Vancouver Island Music Festival at which she was a featured performer. Her songs and infectious laughter warmed our hearts and she is eagerly welcomed back when next she returns to our island.

Originally from Belfast, N. Ireland, Eileen Laverty retains a strong attachment to her celtic roots. She began her musical career with Saskatoon celtic band, SIAMSA, leaving in 1996 to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter.

Since then, she has charmed audiences across Canada with her honest songwriting and sense of humour.

Callie Hall (of Echo's Children) - June 2002

Callie and Beth Morris performed at our Renaissance wedding. Delighting us, our guests and the coachdriver and horse that carried us throughout the district after the ceremony, serenaded by period music expertly played on flute, recorder and guitar.

Alistair Brown - May 2002

Alistair was a genuine delight - his warm, rich voice and love for his instruments transported us. We were sad to hear that Alistair was returning to the British Isles and hope that he returns soon as we have not heard enough of his music.

Alastair Brown, long time member of the Friends of Fiddlers' Green, has also been the host of 'A Sign Of The Times', a folk show heard over CIXX-FM (106.9) Sundays 9-11 am London, Ontario, for the better part of the last two decades.

His love for traditional singing is evident as is his dedication to promoting excellent folk music to his listening community.

He exemplifies those who soldier on for the sheer love of what they're doing, and we're all that much better off for it.

Jennifer Clarke Skromeda

Jennifer has a delightful clear voice and an enthusiasm for the material she covers. Traditional ballads, beautifully rendered rang through our home. She was very pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the acoustics and we were very happy to have her with us.

The words ‘impressive’, ‘mesmerizing’ and ‘amazing’ are just some of comments you hear from critics and audience alike when this Prairie Canadian Celtic folk singer takes the stage.

Jennifer Clarke is one of the most engaging acts on the Celtic scene, whether performing solo or with her band, ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. She’s especially known for her ability to enchant with only a single instrument: her unforgettable voice.

Paddy Tutty - July 2001

Paddy plays a rocking dulcimer! Her guitar, fiddle and dulcimer were all perfectly matched to the songs that she sang and she explores both Childs Ballads and Appalachan traditional music with the same reverent verve. Her style and voice are unique and we look forward to seeing more of Paddy in future concerts.

Paddy's passion is the traditional folk music of Britain, Ireland and North America.

At the heart of her repertoire are the ballads: compelling tales of empowerment, calamity and the supernatural.

Paddy Tutty

Recordings:

Paddy Tutty, 1982,

Who Liveth So Merry, 1986,

Prairie Druid, 1992,

In the Greenwood, 1998

The Roving Jewel, 2000

Her performances encompass a miscellany of old and new music including ancient ballads, songs of labour and love, seasonal pageants, humourous songs and new pieces from some of today's finest writers.

Powering the rhythm and ancient drone of the music are Paddy Tutty's guitar and fretted dulcimer, fiddle and concertina.

Aengus Finnan - July 31st, 2003

JULY 30TH, 2003 / September 12th 2005 with Keiran Means Sara Grey

JULY 30TH, 2003 / September 12th 2005 with Keiran Means
Sara Grey