Cumbrian folk singer-songwriter Elaine Davidson is playing live at Florence Arts Centre in Egremont this Sunday. The gig is the first in a new occasional series of Sunday night folk concerts at the West Cumbrian venue.

Elaine Davidson first hit the road when she was 18, busking her way around Europe, working in bars and picking fruit whilst playing songs from the Beat Generation – Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Eagles. At 21 she returned to Cumbria where she met her husband and continued to play, solo or in groups. Soon afterwards she began songwriting, inspired by Joan Armatrading.

As well as playing the club circuit, over that time period Elaine also played and wrote for several original outfits with jazz, blues, rock and country overtones, learning her craft as a songwriter as well as a performer.  Elaine eventually returned to being a solo singer songwriter and self-produced her first CD Inside.

The production was basic as she learned to use a home studio set up, but the singing and songwriting were not and this gained her a foothold in the growing festival scene in the county. Various musicians joined her for performances at this time but Danny Hart, a talented violinist, and multi-instrumentalist, became a mainstay.

Danny Hart joined her on her second CD, Moon and Tide, which was produced and engineered by Steve Brookfield. Various musicians were brought in including Paul Doherty (guitarist and long time friend), Terry Coyne (flute) as well as Chris James (blues guitarist).

The title track of Moon & Tide was written after reading Melvyn Bragg’s historical novel ‘Credo’, based on the life of St Bega, an Irish princess who escaped an arranged marriage to come to the Cumbrian coast and set up a spiritual community. The CD was launched sailing on a steamer up Lake Ullswater, which proved to be a truly memorable evening.

Elaine will be performing songs from across her career at this intimate concert in one of the county’s most surprising and atmospheric venues. She will be joined by double bassist, Laurence Blackaddder.

Tickets cost £10 and can be booked online via  https://www.florenceartscentre.com/live-music/elaine-davidson/  or in person at the box office.