Legendary songwriter and guitarist Ralph McTell brings his UK tour to Southwold Arts Centre on Friday 18th October and The Auden Theatre at Holt on Saturday 19th October, promoting his new studio album ‘Hill of Beans’.
One of the great storytellers, McTell celebrates more than fifty years on the road and as a recording artist, and this this quintessentially English troubadour still loves touring. Known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter, weaving a narrative that is both significant and poignant.
“A big man with a big heart and a big, big talent.”
Willy Russell
In 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award and in 2002 Ralph was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Known and much admired by musicians and aficionados for his dexterous guitar playing, aspiring young guns of the acoustic guitar find inspiration in Ralph’s intuitive, inventive and highly proficient ragtime and blues instrumentals, delivered with style and panache. An equally gifted and prolific songwriter of course, Ralph’s shows feature beautifully crafted narrative songs combined with evocative storytelling – including of course ‘Streets of London’ which is as socially relevant today as when he first wrote it.
Shaped artistically by the poetry of Bob Dylan, the spirit of Woody Guthrie and the music of the Mississippi Delta, Ralph developed a style that has continued to defy easy categorisation, his trademark being delicate melodies and compelling stories that are by turns uplifting, encouraging, thought-provoking, challenging, and socially relevant.
The new album ‘Hill of Beans’, produced by the great Tony Visconti, is a reminder of why Ralph McTell is still one of the best loved and most respected singer-songwriters performing and writing today.
Catch Ralph McTell at the Southwold Arts Centre on Fri 18th October (call the Box Office on 01502 722 572 for returns only) and Auden Theatre, Holt on Sat 19th October (book via Box Office on 01263 713 444 or visit www.audentheatre.co.uk).
