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gigs
Watermill Sessions Live
Christ Church, Guisborough Road, Great Ayton, TS9 6AA
Friday 10th August 2018 | 19:00
The third event of its kind, previously sold out Watermill Sessions Live, brings together some of the finest acoustic based performers the country has to offer. Hosted and curated by country/folk singer Elaine Palmer who grew up in a beautiful old Watermill on the North Yorkshire Moors, restored lovingly by her father into fully working order. Esk Mill is the setting for a series of music films featuring various other singer songwriters showcasing their work. At the end of each season of filming the artists get together to perform at these special events, bringing the more earthier elements of music together in such historical and culturally significant buildings. Each performer has a unique, distinctive voice and each venue a rich history with wonderous tales to tell.
This fantastic line-up will be a shame to miss with performances from Jack Harris, Paul Mosley, Samantha Durnam and host, Elaine Palmer, herself.
Biographies
Jack Harris’ songs take a compassionate look at things both common and uncommon, and see them differently. They are literate, curious songs, often in character, always intriguing. His latest album, ‘The Wide Afternoon’, assembles 11 new songs, rooted in Folk and Blues traditions, telling real and imagined stories.
The result is a bigger, darker record than Jack’s previous, critically acclaimed offering, 2012’s The Flame and the Pelican (Maverick, The Telegraph top 10 Roots/Folk albums of the year). ‘The Wide Afternoon’ is an album of mystery and melody, set against the expansive sound-palette and intricate arrangements of Gerry Diver (Sam Lee, Lisa Knapp, Tom Robinson). Gerry’s swooping violins and eerie percussion are at the record’s sonic heart, perfectly offsetting songs of dangerous men, literary women, stolen horses and vanished birds. All are delivered in husky, intimate vocals and fluid guitar picking.
George Boomsma is a North Yorkshire singer-songwriter. George’s effortless vocals and sensitive guitar playing evoke an intimate atmosphere that silences even the rowdiest of crowds. He has supported artists such as 'Natty', 'The Travelling Band' and 'Skinny Lister', been played on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music and performed at Latitude Festival 2016 on the BBC Introducing stage. His debut album was released summer 2016.
George takes his influence from the likes of: Nick Drake, John Martyn, Neil Young, Thom Yorke, Anne Briggs, The Band, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Jackson C. Frank and Johnny Cash.
Samantha Durnan is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the North-East who has been on a musical adventure of late, already supporting the likes of Ed Sheeran, Beverly Knight and The Hoosiers. Writing music from a young age, her influences come from the new and classic alernative sounds of Stevie Nicks, KT Tunstall and Michelle Branch. Samantha has been play listed on both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing across the UK. Performing to music fans around the globe in places likes Dubai and America, she is ready to expand on her loyal UK fan base that she has gained over years of performing.
Elaine Palmer hails from an isolated village up on the North Yorkshire Moors and now lives in Great Ayton. Growing up in the wilds of Yorkshire Elaine surrounded herself by music, writing songs, playing the piano, guitar and singing. Once Elaine started to play live, she finely honed her own voice and built a reputation for her emotive mesmerizing stage presence. Elaine soon started touring, sharing a stage with the likes of David Gray and Ryan Adams. After seeing her play live Inspiral Carpet’s Clint Boon invited Elaine to record at his home studio, the culmination of this would turn out to be her debut album, Into the Spotlight. Elaine continued to tour extensively playing with a host of successful artists including Paolo Nutini and KT Tunstall.
Elaine's success continued receiving airplay on Radio 2 by Bob Harris and fantastic reviews from MOJO, UNCUT, Maverick, R2.
Elaine’s music picked up the pace a little when she started performing with a band in the UK and then the States. Her material developed as she became influenced by the great female singer-songwriters she performed with along the way…. Joanna Newsom, Patty Griffin, Jesca Hoop, Dark Dark Dark. She then released a live studio album, Fire and Flames to great critical acclaim.
Elaine’s work has textures of New Country yet very authentic and edgy. Her album Show me the Way was more complete with layers of vocals, electrics and pedal steel. The lyrics more mature, and the songs well crafted, receiving radio airplay in UK and USA.
Elaine’s latest record, Still Life released on Mill House Records Nov 2017 is a collection of haunting songs reflecting on lost souls, telling stories of ghosts and legends. Elaine plays electric guitar mostly with some piano, beautiful textures of pedal steel and cello, layering her vocals with emotive delivery.
‘Elaine has this uncanny talent that I’ve never experienced with any artist I’ve ever met or worked with. Nothing more is required than what she delivers when you turn on the tape machine. True Genius!’ - CLINT BOON
‘With a beautifully conversational voice, an unerring sense of melody and a bittersweet and wistful repertoire, Elaine Palmer is undoubtedly a talent’ - MOJO