On the 12th of October 2009 Beggar Joe will release their acclaimed self-titled debut album.

Beggar Joe, formed at Salford University where they had one idea in common, to create meaningful music. Coming fresh out of Manchester’s, bar, cafe and live music scene they soon attracted a strong gathering, large enough to catch the eye of C.A.T Records, where they recorded their debut album Beggar Joe.

The group consists of John Kenzie – guitar/vocals, Justin Sheren – keys, Andy Brown – double bass, Rome Mosabbir – percussion and Chris Butler – drums.

Beggar Joe style is hard to classify as it falls into not one genre but many. You could say folk rock, blues, soul, all wrapped up with a near African percussion sound, added for a touch of extra rhythm.

The production is pure bliss and very tight. Al Stone (famous for producing Jamiroquai’s Travelling without Moving) seems to capture the mood/sound straight from the group. Beggar Joe’s debut album really is a kaleidoscope of styles, which seem to roll into each other. This group will go far.

“Beggar Joe blend blues guitar with seamless finger work and raw vocals on their debut album. An Amalgamation of blues, folk, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll- it is good, very good. Take for example lead-off single ‘Sleeping City’. It’s a masterful bluesy number which triumphantly picks up speed towards it’s close and leaves you in no doubt that Beggar Joe means businees”
-Official PR

Checkout their site at: http://www.myspace.com/beggarjoe

Sean Taylor, fresh sounds from North London. His latest album Calcutta Grove seems to be a light in a very dark folk/blues world. After the loss of John Martyn and Davy Graham its good to hear an array of cleverly arranged songs with inspirations from some of the great heros.

From the soft bluesy fingerpicking of Calcutta Grove to a new and very original approach in Hard Time Killing Floor Blues, Sean seems to stay true. Calcutta Grove, 11 full tracks including some very inspiring piano playing in The River Merchant’s Wife and Hold onto your Love.

For more information see: http://www.seantaylorsongs.com

With a little over a month after Davy Graham’s death the folk world was shocked to her John had departed us. I remember first hearing his London Conversations LP spinning at 33rpm on my turn table. Its now hard to imagine no more John. His music will always be playing and continue to inspire us. For more information refer to the offical John Martyn site: www.johnmartyn.com

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Davy passed away on the 15 December 2008 from a seizure at home after a short battle with lung cancer. Davy will be missed by those of us who loved him. The many fans who came to see his last concerts gave him much joy and satisfaction and was something he drew great strength from.
www.lescousins.co.uk

Davy Graham was a guitarist, singer and arranger who revolutionised guitar playing in the early sixties and enjoyed a long career as England's greatest: if often over-looked, guitarist.

Revered by several generations of guitarists, he invented the Folk -Baroque style, invented a modal tuning system for the guitar called DADGAD and composed the signature tune of the sixties folk revival, Anji.

There is a danger of letting many gems slip through the gaps of rigidly imposed labels; it is unwise to think of Davy in terms of "Folk Music".

Davy demonstrated that folk music has as much right to be thought about and developed as art music or jazz. He has been influenced by these forms as well as by folk, Indian and Arabic and also Occidental.

His music, a blend of so much, is itself a minature universe, “I write my own complete music, resulting from a fusion of influences”

‘I’m a traveller really, I would die as a person if I stayed in place for more than a year, I like to change my impressions and refresh my personality. My roots are in my music, and in my friends, that’s enough…”

-Source www.daveygraham.moonfruit.com