Singer-songwriter Pete Morton returns to the Cambridge Folk Club this Christmas
Performing a Christmastime gig at the Cambridge Folk Club has become something of a tradition for folk singer-songwriter Pete Morton.
Leicester-born Morton will be appearing at the Folk Club – upstairs at the Golden Hind pub on Milton Road – on Friday, December 17, alongside fellow musicians Emily Sanders and Chris Parkinson. Support at the show, titled When We Sing Together – A Christmas Gathering, comes from Andy Wall.
Pete, whose latest album, A Golden Thread, was released in 2020, says: “I’ve probably played the Cambridge Folk Club seven or eight times over the years... Previously, we did a Christmas show called The Magical Christmas Tree that ran for many years, and we were often at Cambridge. But this year we’re doing something different which is more focused on singing and people singing together.”
He adds: “What it will be is a mixture of seasonal favourites and then interludes of carols, which people sing along to, and then a lot of popular songs people know as well – really emphasising the singing.”
Pete and Chris Parkinson are long-time collaborators and were previously part of a trio, with the late Maggie Boyle on The Magical Christmas Tree. “Emily [Sanders] became Maggie’s replacement,” explains Pete. “Emily’s in another trio, with her partner and a great Irish guitar player, and they perform the folk scene the majority of the year – and me and Chris have worked together in various things over the years.
“We get together just for the Christmas thing now. We’ve always had a good crowd and it’s something that I think fits what the club wants to do at that time of year really.”
London-based Pete has also performed solo at the Folk Club and did a few performances via Zoom during the pandemic. And the 57-year-old has also graced the stage at the Cambridge Folk Festival. “I’ve played in the Club Tent, for the Folk Club,” he says.
Alongside the festive favourites, Pete is also planning to include a couple of songs from A Golden Thread. “Then we’ll throw in some of the older stuff of mine,” he says. “The title of the show actually comes from an old song of mine called When We Sing Together, which I always finish my gigs with.”
Pete adds: “It’s all about us getting together after the tough time we’ve all had; it’s trying to emphasise this thing of having a sense of community and starting again – new beginnings.”
When We Sing Together – A Christmas Gathering, featuring Pete Morton, Emily Sanders and Chris Parkinson, will be on at the Cambridge Folk Club on Friday, December 17. For more information, visit cambridgefolkclub.co.uk.
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