THE TRAVELLING FOLK FESTIVAL: Jacqui McShee's Pentangle & Magna Carta
JACQUI McSHEE is best known as lead singer and co-founder of the original iconic progressive folk band PENTANGLE, the band she co-formed with the late BERT JANSCH and late JOHN RENBOURN. Their ‘Basket Of Light’ album in 1969 was their greatest commercial success, spawning the hit single ‘Light Flight’, from the BBC TV drama series, ‘Take Three Girls’. Formed in 1994, Jacqui’s current band continues to perform an exciting and eclectic mix of folk, blues, jazz and world music.
Central to Magna Carta has always been songwriter/poet/singer/ acoustic guitarist, CHRIS SIMPSON, whom MOJO writer Fred Dellar once described as, ”the English Paul Simon”. The bands’ ‘Seasons’ (one of three albums featuring later ELTON JOHN guitarist, DAVEY JOHNSTONE) and ‘Lord of The Ages’ albums (released on the iconic Vertigo label) sold in their millions, with the band still retaining massive respect for those and their subsequent recordings, right up to date with ‘The Fields of Eden’ – with respected journalist and author, Nigel Schofield reflecting: “No need for comparisons; this is their best”.
The two bands’ heritages have been intertwined for decades: bassist with Pentangle during their most influential period was DANNY THOMPSON – later musical partner of the late John Martyn, amongst countless others. Danny was also a key musician with Magna Carta during the late 60’s and it was his influence that helped secure prestigious supports for the band with Pentangle. Current bassist for Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, Alan Thomson, has also recorded with Magna Carta…
JACQUI McSHEE’S PENTANGLE are:
Jacqui: vocals
Spencer Cozens - KEYBOARDS & VOCALS - Regularly tours the world with Joan Armatrading. He toured and recorded with John Martyn and also performs with Carol Decker’s T’Pau and Julia Fordham.
Gerry Conway - DRUMS - One of the country’s most respected drummers and a current member of Fairport Convention. His history of touring and recording is a Who’s Who of the music world with artists including Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Alexis Korner, Fotheringay (feat. Sandy Denny), Elton John, Emmylou Harris and Richard Ashcroft.
Alan Thomson - BASS – Another long-term member of the John Martyn Band and an accomplished song-writer. His touring and writing credits include Robert Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Andy Summers, Bo Diddley, Denny Laine and Long John Baldry.
Gary Foote - SAX & FLUTE - A multi-talented musician, playing drums as well as sax on Joan Armatrading’s world tours. He has played with musicians from across the musical spectrum such as Jools Holland, Tom Jones, Leo Sayer, Zoot Money, and Banco De Gaia.
MAGNA CARTA currently feature:
Chris Simpson: vocals & acoustic guitar
Doug Morter : guitars & vocals – ex-Hunter Muskett, formerly with both Michael Chapman and the Albion Band and now a member of The Backroom Boys with Jerry Donahue (Fairport, Fotheringay) and Alan Thomson; The Gathering (with Jerry and Ray Jackson of Lindisfarne)
With - Wendy Ross (violin); Will Stock (bass) and John Shepard, drums.
JUNE
FRI 10: SHOREHAM, Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5EG www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk/ 01273 464440 'The Travelling Folk Festival’, with Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle)
SAT 11: WIMBORNE, Tivoli Theatre, 19-23 West Borough, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1LT 01202 885566 http://www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk/ Tickets £21.50 Support: Dave Sharp (The Alarm)
SUN 12: SOUTHAMPTON, 1865 Club, Brunswick Square, Southampton SO14 3AR
book@the1865.com www.the1865.com/ 023 80 222 605 (‘The Travelling Folk Festival’, with Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle)
WED 29: FALDINGWORTH, Memorial Hall £10 8pm Contact Andy Watkins 01522 535770 watkins.folk@gmail.com faldingworthlive.org
THURS. 30: BILSTON, Robin 2, 26-28 Mount Pleasant, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 7LJ £22.50 Door Price: £24.50 http://www.therobin.co.uk/ 01902 401211 Time TBC (‘The Travelling Folk Festival’,with Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle)
