All Aboard for Second Sailing of Lauren South's Tiny Boat

Lauren South. Photo courtesy of the artist.

For those who missed it – or want to see it again – there’s a second chance to enjoy the full line-up of leading folk musicians in concert to celebrate the release of Lauren South’s amazing debut album, Tiny Boat.

The all-star show takes place at 7.30pm on 14 April at the Albany Theatre, Coventry for the next ‘2nd Sunday’ event, staged each month by local folk promoters, CVFolk.

Two years ago, Lauren was virtually unknown on the national folk scene, but the Warwickshire singer and accomplished player of fiddle, guitar and shruti box has been winning accolades from far and wide since the album first became available last November.

Becky Syson. Photo courtesy of the artist.

On At The Barrier website, John Barass praised ‘her angelic voice, her perceptive and melodic songwriting and her interpretations of traditional material’, while Fatea Magazine commented on how the album ‘illustrates Lauren’s eloquence as a writer’ and her ‘excellent musicianship’.

And leading English singer-songwriter, Reg Meuross describes her voice as having ‘a distinctive and unique beauty that allows her to turn every word she sings into a kind of magic formula’.

The album was put together in Leamington by producer Bill Bates and saw its official launch last month in the town’s Temperance venue, featuring all the artists who had appeared on the recording as guest performers.

Tickets quickly sold out for the memorable event. The good news was that Lauren had already arranged with CVFolk to present a repeat show in the more spacious Albany Theatre studio – and all the guest acts who performed with her will be there to repeat the experience.

Keith Donnelly Photo courtesy of Alan Mellor.

Nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Ellie Gowers adds her strong and expressive voice to some of Lauren’s songs, while the irrepressible and multi-talented Keith Donnelly provides expert guitar accompaniment.

Half of the former chart-topping duo, Nizlopi, John Parker contributes cool and jazzy double-bass while his colleague in Wes Finch’s acclaimed band The Silver Wye, Ben Haines supplies skilful and complementary percussion.

The concert also features two additional support artists, chosen specially by Lauren for this event. Both excellent singers and guitarists, Maria Barham is a popular solo artist in the local circuit and a member of Leamington folk-rock band The Redhills, while songwriter and folk festival favourite, Becky Syson will be travelling down from a wedding gig in Nottinghamshire to be part of this memorable evening.

Tickets are now available from the Theatre’s Box Office for £11.50 – you can order in advance on 02476 998964 or on www.albanytheatre.co.uk/box-office, or queue up on the night (doors open 7pm), to be part of the celebratory cruise.

For news of further CVFolk events at the Albany Theatre, visit www.cvfolk.com.