Arts / American roots musician to return to isles for two gigs
HIGHLY rated American roots singer and musician Cahalen Morrison is back in Shetland for two shows in March.
Morrison, who previously performed at Shetland Folk Festival back in 2015 alongside Eli West, will play at the Carnegie Hall in Sandwick and the Dowry in Lerwick on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 March respectively.
Originally hailing from the high desert of New Mexico and now based in Glasgow, as well as touring with Eli and his own band Western Centuries, Morrison has also carved out a name as a solo performer. He is described by bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien as “making music the world needs”.
Equally at home on guitar, banjo, mandolin, singing three-part harmony or unaccompanied, he has carved out a place for himself as a unique voice in American music, according to promoter Ragged Wood.
He will be performing material from his most recent solo record, Wealth of Sorrow, along with selections from his duo records with Eli and a smattering of new songs.
“Shetland is always a thrilling place to go back to. Everything about it is exciting and stimulating – the weather, the landscape, the music, the people,” Morrison said.
“I love getting to go to isolated places that have created and maintained such great culture. I can’t wait to play a couple shows and kick around the island.”
Support at the Sandwick show comes from local trio Black Shed Green, while Morrison’s fellow American Seth Travins will be opening at The Dowry.
Neil and Kelly Riddell of local promoters Ragged Wood said it had been an ambition to bring the musician back to the islands for a number of years.
“The roots music scene on both sides of the Atlantic is full of amazing musicians, singers and writers,” Neil Riddell said.
“Cahalen is exceptionally good at all three of those things, and we are thrilled to be welcoming him back to Shetland for what should be a couple of really special nights.”
Tickets are available now online.
Meanwhile Shetland Folk Festival has just announced the line-up of concerts for its event in early May.
Today (Thursday) is the last buy people can buy advance memberships for the folk festival.
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