"CELTICANA"

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Welcome

Steve Crawford & Spider MacKenzie from Aberdeen in Scotland make music that is at times rich in warm, candlelight intimacy and in others all burning hell fire and brimstone. Bold and eloquent songwriting, and delivery, often reminiscent of the classic ‘70s singer/songwriters, combines with acoustic guitar, wailing and weeping virtuoso harmonica and mellifluous vocals to complete this dynamic duo. As Germany’s WAZ newspaper simply put it, “Top class music from Scotland”. 

To record their second album ‘Celticana’, they relocated first to Nashville to rehearse in the city’s historic East Side, soaking up all the muse this musical heartland has to offer. From there they travelled on to Moon House Studios in Austin, Texas to work with veteran musician-producer and former Texan musician of the year Chris Gage. The result is music stylistically drenched in Americana set to lyrics that spin stories from the Scottish motherland. 

The album was mastered by the five-time Grammy nominated Jerry Tubb, whose previous work includes albums by Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. In contrast to their stripped-back debut album ‘5am’, which features the duo alone in an almost live setting, Celticana benefits from Gage’s excellent contributions on piano, mandola, mandolin, guitar, Hammond organ and harmony vocals alongside the mighty Austin rhythm section of David Carroll on upright bass and drummer Kevin Hall

Since the release of their first album ‘5 am’ in 2008 to great reviews (Scotland’s biggest selling newspaper The Daily Record awarded it five stars) the duo have gigged extensively in Scotland and across mainland Europe, with their first gigs in the USA in 2018. 

 

What the press & revered musicians say

“Masterful and rich Celticana, underpinned by perfect playing and singing, creating a whole that just shines with class” (Times Past & Times Passing, UK) 

“Top class music from Scotland” (WAZ newspaper, Germany)

“Their music may be inspired and influenced by musicians on both sides of the pond, but it doesn’t actually come from anywhere. It’s already there. The music is embedded in Steve and Spider and they are graciously welcoming it to surface” (Texas Lifestyle Magazine, USA) 

"A fresh and upbeat collection, just what we need at the moment" (BBC Radio NAN GAIDHEAL, UK)

"As good a combination of vocal, guitar and harmonica as you're likely to hear"  (Folking.com, UK)

"I just listened to "Celticana" with Spider MacKenzie and Steve Crawford. The CD is full of great songs, great vocals and Spider's harmonica is a high spot. Put an ear on this one. You'll be glad you did"  (Charlie McCoy, most recorded harmonica player in history, Grammy-winning, Country Music Hall of Fame legend)

“I sat spellbound…..in love equally with Steve Crawford’s strikingly charismatic voice and Spider MacKenzie’s wistfully virtuoso harp playing” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Germany) 

“Spider Mackenzie’s harmonica emotes the feelings that emerge from the lyrics and music of Steve Crawford. Together, the Scottish pair has introduced a version of Americana music that raises the bar for everyone”  (Texas Lifestyle Magazine, USA)

“An absolute asset to fans of wonderful folk, blues and Americana music” (Rootstime, Belgium) 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a guitar and harmonica combo this good”  (Fatea Magazine, UK)

“Powerful alt-country and blues arrangements from a singer with a voice with 'open-road 'Americana' written all over it”  (The Daily Record, UK)

"Lovely acoustic country and blues tinged harp behind the great vocals of guitarist Steve Crawford, It is what the harp was made for"  (Harmonica World, UK)

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Shows & tours

Previous events

Steve and Spider perform their one off intimate show "Celticana" at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Doors. 8.30-930pm, No support 'Spider's harmonica emotes the feelings that emerge from the lyrics and music of Steve. Together, the Scottish pair has introduced a version of Americana music that raises the bar for everyone' (Texas Lifestyle Magazine, USA). 'I sat spellbound, in love equally with Steve Crawford's strikingly charismatic voice and Spider MacKenzie's wistfully virtuoso harp playing' (Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Germany). 'Perfect playing and singing, creating a whole that just shines with class' (Time Past And Time Passing, UK). 'As good a combination of vocal, guitar and harmonica as you're likely to hear' (Folking.com, UK).

Ticket sale details to follow

Tickets £14 + Concessions £12 and £11 see ticket seller for information on the concession price requirements

Mar21

This is a rare Home Country Gig for the Aberdonian Duo of Guitarist and Singer Songwriter, Steve Crawford, and legendary Harmonica Player, Spider MacKenzie. They are Big in Europe, having made the step up from the club circuit to larger venues.

Admission is £11 (Payable at the Door or tickets can be reserved by emailing kenneth@fivefurlongs.plus.com).

Steve Crawford & Spider MacKenzie sind ein Musikduo aus Aberdeen, Schottland. Scottish Folk und Americana sind die Zutaten ihres ausgeschlafenen Songwritings. Steves lyrische Akustikgitarre ergänzt kongenial Spiders virtuos wehklagende Mundharmonika. Die zwei Musiker nehmen den Ball auf, den ihnen die klassischen Singer/Songwriter der 70er zuspielten. Die Bandbreite reicht von getragener Kerzenscheinidylle bis zu schwindelnden Uptempo-Kaskaden. Um ihr zweites Album Celticana aufzunehmen, verließen sie ihre schottische Heimat, um in Nashville, Tennessee, zu proben, wo sie alles aufsogen, was die Muse dieser magischen Musikmetropole zu bieten hat. Die Reise führte das Duo weiter zu den Moon House Studios in Austin, Texas, wo Chris Cage, legendärer Produzent und »Texas Musician Of The Year«, ihre Aufnahmen produzierte. Das Resultat: »Celticana«, das die schottischen Wurzeln der Musik des Duos stilsicher in einen uramerikanischen Kontext setzt. Als Gast haben sie sich Johannes Epremian (Violine, Gitarre und Gesang) eingeladen, dessen Liebe zur Kultur und Musik der Cajuns zentraler Motor seiner Musik ist.

Tickets from €18.00. Concessions available

Steve and Spider will be joined by special guest Johannes Epremian, the hugely talented multi-instrumentalist known through his work with bands such as Le Clou and Austin, Epremian, Weller.

Eintritt 18,- € im VVK (22,- € AK) Schüler/ Studenten 12,- € im VVK (16,- € AK)

Two of Aberdeen and the UK’s finest musicians Steve Crawford & Spider MacKenzie are delighted to be back at the Blue Lamp. In 2019 the pair relocated first to Nashville to rehearse in the city’s historic East Side, soaking up all the muse this musical heartland has to offer. From there they travelled on to Moon House Studios in Austin, Texas to work with veteran musician-producer and former Texan musician of the year Chris Gage. The result is music stylistically drenched in Americana set to lyrics that spin stories from their Scottish motherland. The result was their long awaited second album “Celticana”. It was released in June 2020 to critical acclaim from press and radio.

On Sunday 24th October the duo will perform songs from “Celticana” along with many other old favourites. This show was originally planned for 2020 but circumstances prevented them.

Since this concert which falls on a Sunday evening, it will have a relatively early start time.

Doors open at 6pm and the show will start at 7pm.

Tickets are available from

“Top class music from Scotland” WAZ newspaper – Germany

"A fresh and upbeat collection, just what we need at the moment" - BBC Radio NAN GAIDHEAL

"As good a combination of vocal, guitar and harmonica as you're likely to hear" - Folking.com

"I just listened to "Celticana" with Spider MacKenzie and Steve Crawford. The CD is full of great songs, great vocals and Spider's harmonica is a high spot. Put an ear on this one. You'll be glad you did" - Charlie McCoy most recorded harmonica player in history, Grammy-winning, Country Music Hall of Fame legend.

“Spider Mackenzie’s harmonica emotes the feelings that emerge from the lyrics and music of Steve Crawford. Together, the Scottish pair has introduced a version of Americana music that raises the bar for everyone.” - Texas Lifestyle Magazine

“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a guitar and harmonica combo this good” - Fatea Magazine

“Powerful alt-country and blues arrangements from a singer with a voice with 'open-road 'Americana' written all over it” - The Daily Record

“Confident in every different style they play they serve an enticing mix of country and jazz to their enchanted audience – bluesy, funky, humorous and presented most virtuously” - WAZ newspaper – Germany