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[andylemontree]

Davey Graham
Mark Pavey
Monday 19th March
Doors Open 7pm/Onstage 8pm
£15 (£10 concessions and Regulars)

Davy Graham picked up the guitar at the age of 12 and has devoted his life to achieving total mastery of the instrument ever since. In 1960, at the age of 19, he wrote an instrumental tune for his then girlfriend, Anji, which remains a rite of passage for every budding guitarist. In1962, he invented a system of tuning called DADGAD, which is now used by musicians all over the world and has become a cornerstone of acoustic guitar playing.
He is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of any genre and era and has been an important influence on countless musicians including Bert Jansch, Paul Simon and Jimmy Page. The word “legend” is vastly overused in music circles but Davy Graham is one of the elite band of performers who genuinely deserves such a description. He has recently made a comeback to live performance and recording after a very long lay-off and we are absolutely delighted to welcome him to The Lemon Tree.
www.davygraham.com

"Davey Graham is a living legend of the British folk scene. Back in the 1960s, when the folk clubs provided a home for mavericks as well as traditionalists, he was always ahead of the pack, a guitar hero who mixed English folk songs with blues and jazz, and then disappeared to north Africa to add in Arabic influences long before anyone else. He wrote the classic Anji, covered by Paul Simon, and influenced other great players like Bert Jansch. There were fears at one time that his lifestyle would overtake him, but he survived to be rediscovered by the new generation of folk fans.

Davey (or Davy as he was once known), now in his 60s, came on looking like a cool veteran cowboy in black hat and dark glasses. He had confided earlier that "I'm a bit slower than before", but his guitar work was as eclectic as ever. He started with blues, followed by a baroque piece from Serbia and a dance tune from Romania. When asked to sing he responded with Big Bad Bill, the ragtime track recorded by Ry Cooder. Then came his intricate guitar treatment of songs from South Africa, Irish pipe tunes, or a courtly piece from 16th-century Italy.

There were a couple of stumbled passages, maybe, but his playing and musical vision are still unparalleled."

Robin Denselow, The Guardian, Tuesday September 12, 2006

[Alan Cynic]

Anybody else going to this?

He paved the way for Jansch, Renbourn, Harper etc etc
If you're a guitarist you really should consider going.

[Old Gold]

Bugger, I'm goddamn skint! Never heard him, but I love a bit of Bert and John. Shame I'll miss it.

[Alan Cynic]

You'll probably have heard one of his tunes though......Bert Jansch and Paul Simon both covered 'Anji'. It used to be described as 'every folk guitarist's beginner's piece', although I never really mastered it....but I'll bet there'll be plenty in the audience on Monday who have!

[Old Gold]

Originally Posted by Alan Cynic

You'll probably have heard one of his tunes though......Bert Jansch and Paul Simon both covered 'Anji'. It used to be described as 'every folk guitarist's beginner's piece', although I never really mastered it....but I'll bet there'll be plenty in the audience on Monday who have!

Ah, course. Lovely tune.

Bugger bugger bugger.

[thestooge]

Well that was about the worst performance I have ever seen. Thought my old man was gonna go for him at one point. Some folk manage to put on a show even when pished but that was woeful. Total fucking disgrace.

[jester1470]

Originally Posted by thestooge

Well that was about the worst performance I have ever seen. Thought my old man was gonna go for him at one point. Some folk manage to put on a show even when pished but that was woeful. Total fucking disgrace.

Yeah, my girlfriend said it was probably the worst gig she'd ever been to as well, it wasnt even a case of some people enjoying it and some not, sounds like everyone hated it. Sounds like they should have had the decency to return half the money

Cheers

Stuart

[button-boxer]

I had tickets but couldn't go - Thank Christ.

[Alan Cynic]

It was a grim experience.......but at least it was memorable.

(I quite liked the bits where he just sang, but didn't attempt to play).

Glad I saw him in the 70s.