Ken Nicol and Mrs Hemingway | Boite World Music Cafe
“Formidable and painstakingly acquired skills on both acoustic and electric guitars, a very high class player indeed. Flexible too. He seems comfortable with whatever style is tossed at him.”Martin Carthy
“It’s difficult for me to imagine a more talented all rounder than Ken; both as singer and guitarist.”
Ashley Hutchings
“I first met Ken when we collaborated on an Ashley Hutchings song on his last album. I was amazed at Ken’s beautiful ragtime guitar style. He has such a great way of delivering a story and gently laying down the punch line. Humour, great guitar skill and 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
Ken Nicol, one of the UK's outstanding guitarist, singer, songwriters brings his masterful guitar playing to Melbourne's home of acoustic music, the Boite World Music Cafe.
Ken Nicol’s music covers the spectrum from blues to rock, and effortlessly takes in folk, jazz, ragtime and more along the way. Renowned for his super-fluid fingerpicking acoustic guitar technique, Ken also plays electric guitar, 5-string banjo, mandolin and ukulele. His gigs delight audiences with music drawn from throughout his career, ranging from mesmerisingly fast instrumentals to heart-stoppingly beautiful ballads and even some comedy numbers.
Ken’s guitar playing has brought him the rare accolade of having a special guitar designed for him by top luthiers Fylde Guitars: the Fylde Ken Nicol Signature Guitar.
Ken was a member of the renowned Albion Band from 1997 until September 2001. In December 2002, he became lead guitarist with folk/rock legends Steeleye Span. He worked with the band up until 2010, touring Australia twice during that time.
Opening the Melbourne Concert will be women's trio Mrs Hemingway. Caroline Connors, Rose Turtle-Ertler and Helen Begley are all recognised as individual songwriters and performers. Collectively they bring a number of ukuleles, other instruments, a heap of talent and a very dry sense of humour to the stage.
Despite not enjoying the venue as it was not intimate enough for the performer, Ken Nicols is clearly an accomplished performer with a sharp sense of humour.
A most entertaining evening.