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FIRST TIME IN SCOTLAND FOR ‘UTTERLY ENTHRALLING’ MUSICIANS
The Groanbox Boys are heading to Scotland in May for their first ever tour here, although many will be familiar with their music, played regularly by BBC presenters such as Bob Harris, Iain Anderson and Mary Ann Kennedy.
These amazingly-talented musicians have already been winning major press in some of the country’s national newspapers. The Independent described their heart-warming blend of Cajun/country blues/old-time/gypsy/folk/world music as “utterly enthralling”.
That’s the kind of write up that won them the opportunity to appear at Glasgow’s big Americana Festival with a gig on The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour on Sunday, May 25.
But, the trio are also heading for Edinburgh, Stirling, Perthshire, Fife, Aberdeenshire, Inverness, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire, while here.
These remarkable musicians, playing gritty but beautiful music with a style all of their own, employ accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo and harmonica, to deliver a foot-stompin’ hoolie that is said to have “the power to energise everyone who comes close”.
Cory Seznec and Michael Ward-Bergeman are seasoned musicians who are cut-above in every department employing unconventional arrangements - sometimes Morris-meets-Salsa - woven together by tight vocal harmonies sung with rugged but warm intensity.
Cory plays fingerstyle and flatpick guitar, clawhammer, plectrum, and three-finger banjo, and blues harmonica; Michael plays accordion, hammering out a deep, full bass and accompaniment with his left hand, and authentic melodic lines with his right. Banging out the percussion with Freedom Boot bedecked and for added effect, a set of "ghungroo (Indian ankle bells), percussionist Paul Clifford adds the right amount of infectious pulse and texture.
Corey was born in France and raised in Connecticut and Maryland where he first encountered the music of Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and Big Bill Broonzy; Michael, a graduate of Berklee College, Massachusetts, has collaborated on many big projects with classical composers and Hollywood giant Francis Ford Coppola, had work premiered at Carnegie Hall and performed at Sydney Royal Opera House.
Prior to their arrival north of the Border, English dates include The National Theatre on the South Bank in London as well as the Royal Albert Hall!
Corey says that although they are used to appearing on big stages (they also have a date at the prestigious City Blues Festival in Leicester in June), all three of them are much more at home in an “up close and personal” setting when they get to engage with the audience and “see the colour of their eyes”.
“It’s always a great experience to get the big gigs but some of the best nights we have had, took shape in some much more intimate rooms,” he said.
“Our good friends The Hunger Mountain Boys played at The Courtyard when they were touring in Scotland last year and told us it was one of their favourite places. Good atmosphere - that's a real important ingredient.
“They are back there again in July, so that’s something else for local music lovers to put in their diaries.”
May 21: The Groanbox Boys – The Courtyard, Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore, Perthshire, PH15 2HN. 7.30pm. Tickets (£12 incl supper) from 01887 830763.
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