FARMINGTON – New England Celtic Arts will present Scottish born Canadian Song-smith David Francey on his CD release tour of “Empty Train” at One Longfellow Square in Portland on Tuesday, May 10; and at North Church Concerts with the Farmington Historical Society on Wednesday, May 11. Curtain times are 7 p.m. at both locations. A jam session and pie social will begin at 6 p.m. in Farmington.
New England Celtic Arts will launch its second Celtic/Roots series at One Longfellow Square with multiple Juno Award winner David Francey on Tuesday, May 10. Ten concerts are planned in the collaboration this year.
“We found it an excellent fit to bolster the Celtic market” said OLS talent buyer Derek Lombardi. “Working with NECA has allowed us to reach out to many new fans in this burgeoning genre.”
Other artists featured this year will include: Tomato/tomato from NB; Barrule from the Isle of Man; Makem & Spain; Dallahan from Scotland; The Gothard Sisters; The East Pointers from PEI; and Outside Track from Ireland, to mention a few.
It’s the ultimate pastime of the introvert, spending time alone in a crowd contemplating the dynamics of the characters around you, reflecting on their emotional lives, reflecting on your emotional life.
With “Empty Train” three-time Juno winner David Francey elevates the practice to high art.
The long-time manual laborer, turned revered singer-songwriter, populates “Empty Train” with the lonely faceless patrons of a Yukon night club “Mirror Ball”; hospital patients who might get home but you never know “Hospital”; working class heroes in the form of sailors, signalers and stokers “Crucible”; and women seeking to escape their circumstances through the sex trade “Blue Girl”. Then there’s the man who struck up a conversation with Francey on a flight from California, a real life California football coach heading to the Holy Land, hoping to cheer up Palestinian children for a moment with his handful of magic tricks “Holy Land”.
Francey contemplates each of their circumstances, singing with sensitive, weathered vocals, accompanied by beautifully spare acoustic arrangements, courtesy of long-time collaborators Mark Westberg guitars, Chris Coole banjo and guitar, and Darren McMullen mandolin, bouzouki, etc. Additionally, fiddlers John Showman, New Country Rehab, and Rachel Davis (Còig) guest, along with Francey’s son, Colin, who contributes some guitar and backing vocals on the album.
One Longfellow Square is located at 181 State Street in Portland. Tickets $15. Call 207-761-1757 for reservations or go online: https://onelongfellowsquare.com/event-registration/?ee=520.
North Church is located at 12 High Street at Farmington. Tickets $15. Call 207-778-2006 for reservations or www.necelticarts.com
A big thanks to Franklin Savings and Saddleback Ridge Wind for sponsoring Sound and lights. David is an amazing story teller and very well known throughout Canada. I have been working to get him here for the past 5 years and the stars finally aligned. A Maine favorite, Darren McMullen, is touring with him and it will be great to see Darren not only on this tour but in December with Coig. Thanks Bull Dog for your great coverage of live music in Franklin County. Pmc