161 - FRAN MCGILLIVRAY & MIKE BURKE

Fran McGillivray ( vocals, bass guitar ) and Mike Burke ( acoustic, electric & resonator guitars, mandola, mandolin & vocals) are an exciting and compelling duo with a strong following on the blues and roots music scene . Former founder members of the legendary Urban blues outfit So Long Angel, Fran and Mike have spent many years honing their craft and have developed a unique take on roots music and an amazing empathy on stage. They have performed at many major festivals in Europe and the UK including Rotterdam, Cambridge and Shrewsbury. They have shared the bill with artists such as Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne and Elvis Costello and recently toured as an expanded version of the Spikedrivers. They are regulars on the club and concert circuit, and on BBC and local music radio shows. Fran and Mike’s own vibrant and original songs are complemented by soulful, dynamic and powerful interpretations of songs from a broad range of genres from Americana through to Country and Blues. Fran & Mike have recorded four CDs the latest is entitled “Midnight Call”.

Critics like them too.

"Splendid! wonderful voice and tasty guitar" Paul Jones Radio 2, "Mighty good!" Maverick

“Beautifully delivered, a thoroughly enjoyable set” Blues Matters

“Very impressive”. Robin Denselow, The Guardian

“Fran at times sounds like a mix of Rory Block and Bonnie Raitt” Blues in Britain

“Heartbreakingly poignant one minute, rousingly upbeat the next” Colin Irwin, FRoots