Sarah McQuaid at the Bothy

This Sunday sees the return of Sarah McQuaid to Southport's Bothy Folk Club. Looking back on this blog, I see it's been nearly three years since she was here, which I find hard to believe: perhaps it's because I've had two of her excellent CDs to listen to in the meantime.

She is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Her songs are accessible, covering a range of themes and moods, such as letting your children go, Bess of Hardwick, hard times (see YouTube video below), feeling sad (and don't say cheer up!), historical themes, traditional songs, and carefully chosen covers, such as Bobby Gentry's Ode To Billy Joe and John Martyn's Solid Air. She has a mellow, expressive voice and her guitar playing is excellent. It has been said of her that she is both a song crafter and song collector, equally at home with traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads and 1930s jazz numbers.

"A great songwriter and traditional singer, and a wonderful guitarist." Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2.

"Diese Frau hat Stil." (This lady’s got style.) Volker Dick, Folker, Germany.

Sarah is appearing this Sunday 18  November at the Bothy Folk Club, Park Golf Club, Park Road West, Southport, PR9 0JS. The venue serves Thwaites real ale, and the music begins at 8.00 p.m. Click for on-line tickets. 

Here is a song, The Sun Goes On Rising, from her latest album, The Plum Tree And The Rose: