Calahen Morrison & Eli West

Event information

When people talk about the music of Cahalen Morrison and Eli West, terms such as gorgeous, amazing, gentle, lush, sophisticated, soulful, organic and earthy get bandied around. Hailing from New Mexico, Cahalen is a multi-instrumentalist who is equally at home playing fingerstyle guitar, lap slide, mandolin and clawhammer banjo. Before they met and discovered they shared the same authenticity and outlook, Seattle-based Eli had also been a busy multi-instrumentalist, sitting in at times with the likes of Michelle Shocked and members of the Wailin’ Jennys and Crooked Still.

When they released their stunning debut album, The Holy Coming of The Storm it met with instantaneous reaction on both sides of the Atlantic. Bob Harris invited them to record a session for his BBC Radio 2 show, saying their music was ‘quite extraordinary’, and Mary Ann Kennedy recorded a studio session for BBC’s World on 3 as well. They created such an impact during their first ever UK tour in 2011 that Celtic Connections gave them a show of their own in Glasgow in January.

The duo perform old-time music styled for the 21st century and are back in the UK for summer festival appearances, including Larmer Tree and Summertyne Festival in Newcastle.

‘Impeccable’ – Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3

‘A major new talent’ – Maverick magazine

‘Outstanding’ – fRoots magazine

‘Brilliant’ - Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales