What better on a Diamond Jubilee of an evening (Folk Club #75) than a diamond guest? Simon Kempston promised a few years ago that he would come down to Bonn Folk Club every year in December if he had a new cd to promote – and he has, every year since. In his first ever appearance at the new venue, Sträters Sports Bar, Simon once again had us enthralled with his blend of cutting lyrics wrapped up in delicate guitar melodies.
Eric Bibb in Cologne
Eric Bibb – at Bonn Harmonie in 2012
A quick mention that the excellent Mr Eric Bibb is playing a gig at the Kölner Philharmonie on Sunday (11 December 8pm)
Richard Limbert – New York (EP)
There’s not much remaining of the rather shy and clean shaven Richard Limbert who first played at Bonn Folk Club in Grauerheindorf not so long ago with a Guild Parlour guitar and pile of song lyrics at his feet. The metamorphosis was rapid even then – by years end Richard was walking round the audience with a twelve string and the confident manner of someone who knew he had something to say even if he hadn’t got round to saying it yet. Well now, with the four track EP ‘New York’ he has got round to saying it and it’s well worth hearing.
Toys2 Masters Final 2016
It began in 1995 as a means to encourage and support young musicians in the NRW area but has become established as a showcase for rising local musical talent. It’s not the prizes (totalling 20.000 Euros in value this year) that create a mountain of applications for places in the competition, not even I suspect the chance for band coaching and recording help. It’s a competition to test how far a band has come. A possible slot on the main-stage at big festivals like Greenjuice and Rockaue is also a ‘carrot’that hungry young musicians want a bite of. 3songsbonn caught the dramatic Grand Finale of Toys2 Masters 2016 at Bonn Brückenforum.
Jazz in December
Click HERE for details of the Jazz coming your way in December
Shane O Fearghail – The Irish Rover
The day before he was playing in Vienna, On Saturday he’s back in Ireland, but today he’s in the closest you’ll get to a pub on Grafton Street this side of Bonn Station – The Fiddlers Irish Pub. Shane O Fearghail is the perfect antidote to a stressful day at work, so pull up a Guinness and join me.
Party Time with Julian Sas
“Just got home after a hell of a gig in hell’s kitchen: the Harmonie Bonn” – Julian Sas describing his sold out 15th gig in consecutive years at the venue. If this is Hell then maybe the Devil does indeed have the best music…
Making Blues, Not War with Mike Zito
Best known in Bonn for his stint as guarist alongside Devon Allman with the multi award winning Royal Southern Brotherhood, Mike Zito is a popular man on the American Blues circuit in his own right and his visit to Bonn Harmonie recently was proof of why.