Edinburgh Fringe 2010: SCOTTISH FOLK ROOTS AND OFFSHOOTS ****
DAVID FERRARD
23-30 August 18:30hrs
The Royal Oak, Infirmary Street TICKETS
David Ferrard spent his youth travelling between Scotland and Pennsylvania where his mum comes form. His music embraces both sides of the Atlantic. He traces many of those songs that began in Scotland and set down roots in North America, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains. On most of this show, he accompanies himself on an acoustic guitar, but he holds his notes well enough to sing two ballads a capelo.
He learned one fine son from a 93-year-old lady who has since died.. Wistfully entitled, Oh, I wish I was Single again, the song contrasts the hopes and dreams of a courtship and a future marriage with the less pleasant realist.
Ferrard has a quiet engaging style that allows him to win over reluctant audiences, most of whom tend to sit well back in fear of being picked on to do something embarrassing. In the space of an hour the international audience in the intimate venue were cheerfully joining in the choruses.
Much of the material, though sadly not Oh, I wish I was Single again, is on Ferrard’s new album, Across the Troubled Wave. If you can‘t make the show do get hold of this CD. You won’t be sorry.
**** four stars
Counter Culture 
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