Patrick Walker?

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 07:04 AM

Cheers Dave.

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 06:57 AM

Donald Grant is probably better known as a classical fiddler.

However he was brought up by a family of traditional Gaelic singers and fiddlers, and became a classical fiddler later.

IMHO he has a great feel for the dynamics (for a quick and easy description) of traditional music and has amazing technique - playing down at the dusty end (copyright Sam Sweeney) of the fiddle with ease and grace.

For a number of years he has been with Ensemble 360 based in Sheffield which accounts for his popularity here in Sheffield. He left them earlier this year. He has accompanied Kate Rusby and Roy Bailey amongst others. Collaborations with Catriona McKay and Alistair Anderson. Plays with a band called the Red Skies Ensemble.

When his record "The Way Home" was launched he filled the Lyceum Theatre - 1200 seats. Last Saturday (19th) there was a concert at the new Crucible (950 seats) with Martin Simpson, Roy Bailey and Donald Grant, which sold out within days of being announced.

Patrick Walker is a superb fiddler - often found in Fagan's Sheffield. Plays a lot of jazz with the Dizzy Club.

As a young boy he accompanied Christy Moore, and has been in various combo's. Mostly lately he plays with the Dizzy Club. Serious fiddle player.

Different "voices" on the fiddle. Both extremely talented.

This will tell you a bit about the "folk" side of Donald Grant.

HTH

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 06:02 AM

I think you might be mistaking him for fiddle player Donald Grant

Never met either of them (if they are separate beings). But Mr Eyre was telling me about some fiddler in Sheffield . . . there you go, there may be two of them.

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: r.padgett
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 05:33 AM

He's been about since a lad of about 14!

His dad first took him and his dad's mates round the Sheffield scene and folk clubs in Sth Yorks and Derbyshire ~ I remember him at Pointon ff (nr Manchester) too

Was once held by the legs over a well at Stainsby folk festival, by some of his dad's big mates!! he loved Whitby ff and was well recieved the year he was booked by the trad old fiddler lads

Used to sing the Tailors Britches, among others

Learned to drink and play in the Irish pubs (see above)!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 05:13 AM

Any recordings available ?

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 05:11 AM

I shared a few tunes with Pat (and Napper) at Whitby. It was actually the first time we'd met but he's mates with chums on the Sheffield session scene and I've known him by repute for years. He was in The Mull Jumpers with Ciaran Boyle and, I think, plays/ed with Gina Le Faux (though how formally I'm not sure). Stirrings had him on the cover a while back.

Very much around.

Tom

Pat at Fagans

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 05:11 AM

Who's Donald Grant?

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 04:53 AM

Err....Diane,...not as far as I know - I think you might be mistaking him for fiddle player Donald Grant - who is in a totally different league!

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 04:49 AM

what, just by playing the fiddle??

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 04:06 AM

Yes.
He sold out a several thousand seater venue in Sheffield recently.

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 27 Dec 09 - 04:04 AM

Nobody else know this fella?

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST,Clive the Crumhorn
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 04:27 PM

Sounds great Dave, look forward to that one

Subject: RE: Patrick Walker?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 01:38 PM

He is most certainly around and I hope to have him on my radio show on January 16th 10.00 - 12 noon.

Subject: Patrick Walker?
From: GUEST,Clive the Crumhorn
Date: 26 Dec 09 - 01:15 PM

Pat Walker - sheffield fiddle player, former teenage prodigy, great things seemed to beckon, brilliant player, not heard of him for years, what happened, is he still around?