PATSY Matheson, known for her work as a founder member of the award-winning acoustic quartet Waking The Witch, will be performing at Peel Centenary Centre on Saturday, October 3.
She will be accompanied at the gig – which is the start of a tour – by singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Clive Gregson. Critics and fans were surprised when Waking the Witch announced they were calling it a day after three albums and five successful years on the road.
Yorkshire-based Patsy, Jools Parker, Rachel Goodwin and Becky Mills, whose enviable song writing skills and harmonies had been likened to a female Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, had decided it was time to pursue other avenues following a farewell tour last year.
Patsy, who plays mandolin as well as guitars, had been a successful solo artist for some time before Waking the Witch was formed.
She had already released two albums, performed solo at Glastonbury and supported top artists including Al Stewart, Christy Moore, the late John Martyn, Gordon Giltrap, Dick Gaughan, Glenn Tilbrook and The Saw Doctors.
Last year she released A Little Piece of England, her first solo album in 11 years.
It received rave reviews from critics.
The Halifax Courier said: 'One quarter of now defunct acoustic darlings Waking the Witch, Matheson's new collection of songs; distinctive, often plaintive guitar sound and honeycomb vocals single her out as a talent demanding to be heard in her own right.'
Triste Magazine said: 'Uncluttered sound, warm and intimate acoustic guitars. If you believe the journalistic comparison that Waking the Witch were a Brit-folk version of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young then Patsy Matheson must surely have been cast in the role of Neil Young.'
Clive is probably most well known for his successful work with Manx vocalist Christine Collister throughout the 80s. He has toured and recorded with Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith, Eddi Reader and Boo Hewerdine and was the musical director for the Dennis Locorriere Hits & History tour in 2007.
He has been voted one of the 1,000 Great Guitarists by Guitar Magazine.
Clive, who is also appearing in the autumn throughout the UK as a special guest of Jools Holland, will be accompanying Patsy on acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and accordion.
They will be supported on the night by Barry and Val Nelson who are well known musicians in the Island and they play in both Jeceris and RedGap.
The gig starts at 8pm and tickets are £10 from Peter Norris Music in Douglas, Shakti Man and Ramsey Music Supplies in Ramsey, Celtic Gold in Peel and also online at www.etickets.im
The gig has been organised by Jonno Gollow of JonnoPromotions who has brought over a whole host of acts to the Island this year and is the organiser of the GuitarFest which takes place in September.
www.patsymatheson.co.ukwww.myspace.com/clivegregsonwww.reverbnation.com/barrynelsonwww.jonnopromotions.com