Jim Causley: Shammick Acoustic

Event information

The tag-line on the website is “Devon Incarnate”, and certainly Jim’s repertoire is deeply rooted in his native Devon (Whimple, near Exeter, to be precise), but it also indicates a certain sense of mischief which runs throughout his performances. Last time he came to Shammick Acoustic, he was with friend and fellow performer Jackie Oates; this time the audience can enjoy a whole evening of this gifted singer and musician. Since studying traditional music at Newcastle University, he has earned the respect of the greatest luminaries of the folk scene, working on Martyn Wyndham-Read’s ‘Song Links’ project, and touring for six seasons with Waterson-Carthy on their annual ‘Frost and Fire’ Christmas show. He has twice been nominated for the BBC’s Folk Awards, and has recorded three solo albums, no less than eight with the likes of Devil’s Interval, Waterson-Carthy and Mawkin, and made guest appearances on eight others. And still he finds time regularly to involve himself in local events with the Dartmoor Pixie Band, talks for local WIs, Jan Stewer nights, and his own village wassail tradition on Twelfth Night. He has become renowned for his warm, rich singing voice (“akin to the fruitiest of real ales”!), his gift for interpreting songs, and his wry and cheeky stage presence. From ballads to broadsides, and stories to tunes on the accordion, all are presented with a relaxed air that charms the hardest hearts.