Keith James and The Great Canadian Songbook

THE GREAT CANADIAN SONGBOOK An intimate concert. Music of such integrity that it flows from the innermost wellspring of human spirit. “It was around 40 years ago that I became drawn to these 3 wonderful songwriters, unaware at the time that each of them are Canadian. I am still in awe of their profound contribution and of all the dots that they have joined up in the lives of millions of us across the world. Their music forms the backdrop to all of the joy, hope and anxiety that we have lived through in recent times. Now somehow locked in time, these are songs that expose such personal and global fragility that they continue to embrace us as if they were our mother’s arms”. “The concert also includes some rare and never transcribed poetry by Leonard Cohen that I have, with great pain and respect, set to music” ‘Musicians brave enough to make the music they really believe in. Keith James is one of these’ Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 ‘Some of the most atmospheric and emotive music you will ever hear’ The Independent

Keith James gave a stunning concert in Trellech Church last year and broke new ground inthe type of performances that have been held at Trellech over the years. An enthusiastic audience listened intently to his music and his passion for songwriting and poetry. His return to Trellech where he found the acoustics quite incredible is awaited by many people from the Wye Valley and surrounding districts.

Keith describes himself in simple terms, "I am an acoustic guitarist and singer. A somewhat tricky Occupation at the best of times, although I have ‘been in the same business’ So to speak, all my working life. During the ‘90s I rarely played concerts as I set up a recording studio spending almost an entire decade working as a producer and sound engineer
I have released a collection of my own albums on CD; A few of my own material and a number that feature music of particular interest that I have been involved in over the past few years. Most notably my interpretations of Nick Drake’s beautiful songs".

Keith spent the majority of 2007 and 2008 working on two fascinating projects; that of setting music to the words of the Spanish Poet Federico Garcia Lorca. The 2 Albums that come from this are ‘Lorca’ and ‘Poet in New York’. He put the project to together with his great friend Rick Foot who plays amazing Double Bass (rather an understatement). They toured the UK with both Lorca concepts to far greater support and enthusiasm than one might expect for something so particular and esoteric.

So if you want to listen to music that has a special quality then reserve a place at Trellech Church on Saturday 12th may 2012, an evening of very special magic and atmosphere. Do not be surprised to find that you leave humming to yourself many of the tunes you hear that night.

Ther will be a bar and light refreshments provided on the evening. The venue is next to the Lion Inn at Trellech who are well known for their wonderful meals and real ale. Why not consider a pre-concert meal at The Lion?

The Great Canadian Songbook