Ryan Adams, folk, roots and acoustic music, Kris Drever, The Poozies, Elvis, Wrigley Sisters, John Martyn, Gram Parsons, Teenage Fanclub, The Magic Numbers, John Prine, The Vines, Beck, Loris, The Beatles, Keith Richards, Rolling Stones, 60s Folk Rock, 70s Glam Rock, Beach Boys, Tom Waits, Jazz, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Punk, Mavericks, Jimi Hendrix,The Buzzcocks, The fall, Marc Bolan,T-Rex, The Kinks, Captain Beefheart, Jon Wayne, The Undertones, Loyd cole and the Commotions, Van Morrison, The Pogues, Kings of Leon, Ry Cooder, Pop music from the year dot onwards, pre-war blues players, Professor Longhair, Orange Juice, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, The Creeping Charlies, Bach, Hank Wangford (first album), Plato and his philosophical cronies, The Monkeys, Hank Williams, Dr John, Dr Feelgood, Bert Jansch.
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I'm very happy to report that my new CD, 'On these dark nights' is now available to buy.
"Your CD has been played a lot in our house: it's fantastic!
One of my favourite albums this year!
I like it very much: fine guitar playing, a sympathetic voice and good tunes. it makes us feel good, my wife and I."
Jan Byker
"The gig last night was wonderful. We are listening to the CD this morning over breakfast. Fab voice. Love the words." Basia Palka
"Said it before, say it again, the songs and geetaring are great"
Gill Maxwell
"Jim's ballads are a blend of the familiar and the romantic. Tunes from the heart which you catch yourself singing (in my case in the shower only)"
Issi Wilson
"I have been listening to Jim's new album ON THESE DARK NIGHTS
over the weekend and I think it is fantastic."
Dougie Wilkinson Clannan An Drumma
On these dark Nights, the new album by Jim Byrne
New and old friends have brought their talents to the studio, making this a unique recording. Mick West, nominated for the award of Scottish Traditional Singer 2008, sings backing vocals on two of the tracks and Geoff Martyn, Peter Byrne and Robert Ruthven, all great players, add their magic to these new songs.
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Files will play with ANY MP3 player. No DRM!
Trip to Italy inspires debut album
After an Italian Road to Damascus experience in June this year, Glasgow songwriter Jim Byrne has been forging a new path as a solo artist and his album 'On these Dark Nights' will be launched on December 12th 2008.
The music has been described as "contemporary folk, alternative country and laconic, acoustic blues' - it includes new songs and a bonus track, written and performed with Vivian Scotston and Madalaine Hart in Italy.
Having played with various bands in Glasgow and Clydebank (Jim's hometown) including: Loris, The Hemingways, The Primevals and Dexter Slim and the Pickups, Jim has many years' experience playing in rock and pop bands. He also achieved some claim to fame as the person who gave Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand his first gig, when he established Glasgow's cult music venue, The Kazoo Club in the late 80's.
An invite from Chris Difford
In May this year he was invited to participate in Chris Difford's songwriting workshop in Monestovole in Italy, where his enthusiasm for songwriting was reignited after spending a week writing and performing songs in the company of other artists including Mari Pellow, Linda Lewis, Vivian Scotston, Jan Biker and Madelaine Hart.
Picking up the acoustic guitar leads to a raft of new songs
Since his return has had a wonderful time performing as an acoustic artist, playing his new songs at gigs, folk clubs and festivals around Scotland. His reception as a solo performer has been remarkable with reviews in Spiral Earth.co.uk and 100% successful track record of being invited back to each venue performed.
And a debut album
The positive feedback and constant requests for a CD encouraged him to put together this album, where both new and old friends have brought their talents to the studio, making this a unique recording. Mick West, recently nominated for the award of Scottish Traditional Singer 2008, sings backing vocals on two of the tracks and Geoff Martyn, another graduate of Monestovole, was keen to participate in the project, playing Wurlitzer on one of the tracks and recording some of the album tracks at his own studio.
Long time musical buddies also got in on the act and two other Clydebank fellows, Robert Ruthven and Peter Byrne, Jim's brother, lent their considerable musical talents to the venture as did Graham MacIntosh, who's much in demand as a guitarist.
Up in the morning
Look out the window
I see the birds
I see the sky
I see the clouds as they are rolling by
I see the sea and I sea the shore
Now what do you see?
Put on your wellies
put on your big coat
time to go splashin'......
"We were delighted to have Jim Byrne in our FESTIVAL SHOWCASE and MUSIC AT THE CROSS OUTDOOR STAGE. His highly innovative compositions were well received by our Festival-goers and we would certainly welcome him back"
Murdie Kennedy, Linlithgow Folk Festival
"Excellent! Jim is breath of fresh air amongst Glasgow's acoustic scene"
Dochan MacMillan, Free Candy Sessions
"'Jim Byrne's unique and personal set at the Open Mike session at The Place Music Club Milngavie, was perfectly suited to the intimate, cabaret atmosphere in this popular club. His engaging lyrics and slick guitar puts Jim firmly on the performance circuit in Scotland. Worth looking out for."
Erne Parkin, The Place Folk Club, Milngavie.
"Special mention should go to Jim Byrne and his laconic folk blues.."
David Kushar, UK new Folk and Roots music (SpiralEarth.co.uk )
"...his accomplished guitar work, well crafted songs and sensitive singing were very well received." Pedie MacNeill, Colonsay Festival Organiser
Singing and writing songs since birth (well after the football and bike riding). Acoustic, bluesy folk and country style songs of love, heartbreak and the Scottish weather. From Glasgow, Scotland.
Currently playing festivals and gigs throughout Scotland - recently at Colonsay Folk festival and featured on the Linlithgow Folk Festival Showcase. Soon to be supporting Canadian singer songwriter Allison Lickley in The Liquid Ship and Supporting Southern Tenant Folk Union in Brel in Glasgow's West End.
Win free CDs, get discounts on CD and get the latest news on new releases, gigs, and other stuff as it happens! You will receive a newsletter via email about once a month.
Be assured I respect your privacy. Your email address will never be passed on to anyone else. You will be able to remove yourself from this list at anytime.
Bands Jim has played in include The Primevals, The Hemingways, Hyperstar, Dexter Slim and the Pickups and of course his most recent band Loris.
In the early 90s he set up the Kazoo club in Glasgow - which launched many a Glasgow band's career - and gave Alex from Franz Ferdinand his first ever gig.
Thanks, Jim! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch it - sad day. I'll have to see if I can get a copy somehow. All the best with your gigs. Take care, Erin
Hi Jim (and fellow band member...we was robbed by a tourist advert!!!)
Seriously, it was great to meet you and Pat, two wonderful, talented, gentle people. Really enjoyed chatting with you and listening to your stunning songs.
Hi Jim I really enjoyed you on Ciaran's show yesterday. What a treat to hear you perform live!! I do love your picking :) Come on over to Nashville, and bring your lovely wife...I'll set you up some gigs!!! :) ~Tori
Looking forward to having you castaway on Dorris Island tomorrow at 5pm, Jim. Hope the weather stays good for you! www.celticmusicradio.net and 1530MW across Glasgow
hi jim, I love Down by the wildwood, you can really create an atmosphere!I'd like to know what you think of our song SPRING that my son has put on our myspacepage, he learned how to get it done through your myspacepage!For SPRING you helped me finish the chords on the last day in Italy, still grateful for that! See you in august! Bye, Jan Bijker/Bijker&Blom
New and old friends have brought their talents to the studio, making this a unique recording. Mick West, nominated for the award of Scottish Traditional Singer 2008, sings backing vocals on two of the tracks and Geoff Martyn, Peter Byrne and Robert Ruthven, all great players, add their magic to these new songs.
