Powerful original songs, traditional Scots ballads

Flying Piglets present

ALISTAIR HULETT

Powerful original songs, traditional Scots ballads

Celebrate Burns Night at Genesis Theatre, Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre, Tuesday 25 January, 8pm

Alistair Hulett is a powerful and impassioned singer who proudly carries on the folk tradition of the singer as social and political commentator, protester and witness bearer. "One of the defining voices of Scottish music’. - Folk on Tap. Alistair plays Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre in Upper Hutt on Burns Night, 25 January, and his repertoire is sure to include some of the great Scottish poet Robbie Burns' material.

The Scots-born singer, guitarist, songwriter and former front man of the Sydney based band Roaring Jack built quite a reputation for himself during the twenty five years he spent in Australia as one of the Folk/Punk scene’s most outspoken exponents.

At the same time Alistair was also making his mark on the folk festival circuit around New Zealand and Australia as a fine performer of traditional and self penned songs, backed by his distinctive modal-tuned acoustic guitar. His debut solo release, Dance Of The Underclass is still regarded by many as one of the classic Australian folk albums.

When Alistair left Australia in 1996 to return to his native Glasgow, his new collaboration with veteran British fiddle legend, Dave Swarbrick, had already produced their much acclaimed CD release, Saturday Johnny & Jimmy The Rat, and a farewell tour that took the pair round all the major Australian cities. Since then Alistair Hulett and Dave Swarbrick have enthralled audiences throughout Britain, with several national tours and a welcome return jaunt Down Under in 1998.

Alistair has also established a solid career as a solo performer. In Sleepy Scotland, his CD of mainly traditional ballads, elicited a glowing response from the now renamed but still as influential Froots magazine, concluding with ‘ a powerful album that demands, - and deserves – one’s full attention and definitely merits seeking out.’

In contrast to the mainly traditional bias of In Sleepy Scotland, the follow-up album, Red Clydeside, saw Dave Swarbrick back on fiddle duties and the emphasis once again fully focussed on Hulett’s own writing. Red Clydeside relates the story of the massive opposition by the workers of Industrial Scotland, led by the charismatic John Maclean, to the slaughter of the First World War. Alistair will present Red Clydeside at Auckland Folk Festival.

Alistair Hulett tours New Zealand solo from 22 January to 7 February 2005. He is a headline guest at Auckland Folk Festival and at Waihi Folk Festival (Woodbury, near Geraldine)

He plays Expressions, Upper Hutt on Tuesday 25 January, 8pm. Tickets are adults $25, Concession $20 (unwaged; groups; folk & acoustic club members), school students $15, on sale now.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT ALISTAIR HULETT:

'an intense singer, radiating conviction, and a genuinely imaginative lyricist’. - Folk Roots

'A powerful album that demands, - and deserves – one’s full attention and definitely merits seeking out.’ - Froots magazine reviewing Alistair's solo album In Sleepy Scotland

The Living Tradition praised Hulett’s command of traditional ballads and suggested ‘if you’ve seen him live you’ll want to buy this. If you buy it you’ll want to see him live'

'A singer, songwriter and interpreter of traditional song par excellence,’ whose knack for song writing ‘propels him into greatness.' Sing Out

FLYING PIGLETS MUSICIANS AT EXPRESSIONS: Performers and dates January - July 2005:

Tuesday 25 January, 8pm ALISTAIR HULETT Scottish singer-songwriter and singer of traditional Scots ballads. Powerful thought-provoking sings, imaginative lyrics, strong convictions.

Friday 11 Feb, 8pm TOTALLY GOURDGEOUS Four of Australia's foremost songwriters play together in a lively, colourful band in which all the instruments are made from gourds.

Saturday 26 Feb, 8pm KRISTINA OLSEN A big beautiful voice, great songs, hilarious stories. The gal from LA takes you on a musical roller-coaster from side-splitting, & sometimes raunchy humour to heartrending poignancy. A Fringe Festival 05 event

Thursday 31 March, 8pm MARGRET ROADKNIGHT One of the great personalities of Australian music, singing blues, jazz, gospel and songs of social commentary.

Wednesday 6 April, 8pm MUNDY-TURNER (Aust/UK) A unique and special acoustic duo - original songs, great vocals & beautiful harmonies, accompanied by guitar, violin and piano.

Saturday 30 April, 8pm KAVISHA MAZZELLA (Aust) Enchanting & expressive singer in English and Italian, with GERRY O'BEIRNE (Ireland), singer/songwriter, master of the 6 & 12 string guitar.

Saturday 14 May, 8pm HINEMOANA BAKER * Songwriter & poet, with an astonishing voice ranging from soprano to jazz diva; strong melodies, bi-lingual lyrics. NZ MUSIC MONTH [* Tickets $20, $15, $10 for this concert only]

Wednesday 8 June, 8pm DUCHAS (Ireland) Beautiful traditional Irish music and engaging humour with June Nichormaic (flute) and Michael Rooney (harp).

Sunday 3 July, 8pm, GYPSY NIGHTS (Australia) Ernie Gruner (violin) & Phil Carroll (accordion) play Klezmer, Tango, Gypsy & Eastern European music with humour & flare.

TICKET PRICES Adults $25. Concession $20 (unwaged; groups; folk & acoustic club members). School students $15. Tickets are on sale for all these concerts now.

BOOKING Ticketing office, Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt. Open 10 - 4 Tuesday - Sunday & public holidays except Xmas Day. Phone 04 527 2168 Email info@expressions.org.nz Fax 04 527 2180 Postal address PO Box 40 594 Upper Hutt

TOUR CONTACT: www.flyingpiglets.co.nz Gill Winter ph 06 754 6928 winter@netsource.co.nz .

ENDS

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