Ken Nicol former Steeleye Span member playing in Upper Hutt

Ken Nicol former Steeleye Span member

Former Steeleye Span singer, songwriter and guitarist Ken Nicol (UK )plays Mainly Acoustic Music Club in Upper Hutt on Tuesday 18 October . Ken was our guest a few years agoand many will remember his last visit where he mesmerised the Mayfair audience with his sublime guitar playing, and his riffs effected with the ease of someone, very much at the top of his game. Ken Nicol is an exceptional musician. As a guitarist, he is one of the most skilled and exciting players anywhere today; as a singer he is capable of evoking wide range of emotions in his audience; and as a songwriter he demonstrates these abilities in his clever and well-crafted material. As a performer, Ken brings a certain warmth and grace to the stage. He’s relaxed, at home, and clearly, appreciates and enjoys his audience. I confess to trying to copy his playing but soon realised I was much better on air guitar. Faultless in fact.

It’s going to be a great, great show.

Ken’s talents, were first recognised in the early ‘70s and he landed a recording contract. His music has taken him to the USA, Australia and much of Europe. He’s been a leading member of Versailles, The Albion Band and Steeleye Span to name but a few. His music covers the spectrum from blues to rock, effortlessly taking in folk, jazz, ragtime, ballads and more along the way. Looking at his career, what an exciting era for a musician to be in and to be an influencial part of. They’ll be some rich memories to savour I’ll bet. Right!

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A quick look at Ken Nicols website is more than enough to tell you that he plays with some very notable people www. KenNicol.com

“Formidable skills on both acoustic and electric guitars, a very high class player indeed. Martin Carthy

Great guitar skills, the right drop of humility, and a passion for right, proper, good music.” Ralph McTell

“Ken Nicol is a consummate musician. A guitarist of broad scope, a sensitive singer and an intelligent writer of songs with stirring melodies. A musical paragon.” Maddy Prior

“It’s difficult for me to imagine a more talented all rounder than Ken Nicol.” Ashley Hutchings

“Prodigiously talented.” Clive Pownceby (BBC Radio Two website – June 2004)

Reviews of CD Initial Variations

Acoustic Magazine: The musicianship is staggering, seldom are the compositions less than inspired.

Living Tradition: I would urge even listeners who wouldn’t normally subject themselves to an entire album of instrumentals to give this one a bash. . . Ken Nicol at his best – roller coasters of musical virtuosity that spellbind .

Stirrings: Ken plays with great virtuosity and sensitivity, and recording and production values are excellent. Recommended.

Net Rhythms: a brilliant sequence of ten finely-etched and well-contrasted instrumental pieces . . . a CD that will be a must for guitar aficionados there’s intelligent and beautiful music here to suit all moods and tastes. Exquisitely crafted and melodically rich; deftly and stylishly played; A lovely record.

Record Collector: Guitar players will appreciate his masterclass style, while more general listeners will be aware that his gift for melody carries the album higher than the rest.

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