For our 30th birthday on 21st October 2013 we updated our 'Compleat History of the Ram Club' booklet (PDF format, 10Mb). Click to view or download - it's a 'must read', with a list of all the guests we have ever had plus some stories and pictures!
Below is a list of the past guests from September 2006.
JOE TOPPING is a charismatic singer and musician who is no stranger to the Ram, having been here with Elbow Jane and Rainbow Chasers. A superb singer-songwriter, he has been described as a cross between Ry Cooder, Woody Guthrie and Paul Brady. Influenced by traditional music heard in the folk clubs he grew up around to the Americana and blues influences from his adventures in the USA (including walking 1400 miles with a guitar on his back from Chicago to New Orleans), he has honed his craft to perfection. His voice, always passionate, can move from velvet soft to steely and powerful, complemented by his unique guitar, banjo and mandolin style. Joe has played with many legends of British folk, most recently as stand-in lead vocalist for the Home Service. SCOTT plays dobro, lap and pedal steel like Nashville's finest. He started his professional career at the age of 13 playing blues, pop and rock music and his unique and intoxicating style has featured on countless recordings. Always on the road, Scott was last here in 2010 with Cara Luft. A perfect pairing!
http://www.joetoppingmusic.com£9 members/£10 non-members
This fast-fingered acoustic guitarist defies categorisation, as he incorporates elements of folk, country, rock and blues into his repertoire. Renowned as an easy-going and engaging performer, he can dazzle with his playing and move an audience with his beautifully composed songs. He is one of those priceless artists who appeals to music lovers of all ages, spanning generations and encouraging younger fans to sample the wider delights of acoustic music. Fresh from a slot at the Cambridge Folk Festival and a busy summer schedule, he visits the Ram Club before setting off on a tour of The Netherlands.
http://www.adriannation.co.uk£8 members/£9 non-members
An auld friend of the club, Fraser Nimmo is a Scottish singer, songwriter and actor who combines traditional songs with his own material in an organic melange of Celtic musicality. His songs cover the whole gamut of human experience and are delivered with flair, wit, compassion, conviviality and serious digital dexterity on his trusty guitar and banjo. He travels hither and yon singing songs of love, hate, loss, injustice, fear, outrage, bewilderment and Scotland (and no doubt the referendum). His latest 20 track album, 'The Best Of Five And A Wee Bit Live' does exactly what it says on the tin - the best of five CDs with some excellent 'live' renditions. A welcome return for one of Scotland's best-loved musical ambassadors.
http://www.frasernimmo.co.uk£8 members/£9 non-members
A welcome return for this internationally renowned Canadian singer/songwriter. Like fellow compatriots Robbie Robertson of The Band and the much-missed Stan Rogers, JAMES draws from the rich traditions, history, triumphs and tragedies of his home land, creating a powerful, melodic, stirring narrative that combines Folk and Canadiana. Not afraid to dip his toes into the waters of politics, disasters, social issues and Sinatra (his dog, not old Blue Eyes), his brilliantly-powerful, evocative songs are delivered in that rich baritone voice that 'soothes, seduces and packs a punch'! HUGH is a multi-instrumentalist capable of playing just about anything with strings on it, including octave mandolin, mandolin, bass, fretless bass, 8 String Bass, pedal steel and lap steel. He tours regularly with James as his 'backing band'. James also has a new retrospective CD/DVD, 'History', charting 25 years in the business. It's chock-full of classics, as will be his gig tonight.
http://keelaghan.com£9 members/£10 non-members
Pronounced 'Crave Roo-ah', Belfast's finest are back at last for what promises to be a stunning celebration of Irish music and song. 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', should be their motto, as this exciting, internationally-renowned acoustic four-piece present their refreshing, unpretentious and uncommonly skilled run at some of the greatest music in the world. They play Irish Traditional Music with their distinctive Northern style - rousing jigs, reels, polkas, airs and more as well as a bundle of cracking songs. They are all superb musicians; founder member BRIAN CONNOLLY (banjo & mandolin), MICHAEL CASSIDY (fiddle), DESY McCABE (uilleann pipes & whistle) and JIM RAINEY (guitar and vocals). A 'supergroup' by any notion, they are rightly regarded as true ambassadors of Irish traditional music and it's a pleasure to welcome them back.
http://www.craobhrua.com£10 members/£12 non-members