A Night of Folk Ballads at the Linden Tree Coffeehouse with John Roberts and Debra Cowan

The Linden Tree Coffeehouse is pleased to welcome to Wakefield international folk musicians, John Roberts and Debra Cowan on Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m.

John Roberts and Debra Cowan both share an enthusiasm and passion for the old songs and ballads that have been handed down through the oral tradition in the English-speaking world. Even though a John Roberts and Debra Cowan evening will certainly include many traditional songs, there will be contemporary songs as well, some by writers personally known to both performers. Be prepared to join in and sing along.

About John Roberts

John Roberts is a widely acclaimed British performer who often recorded with Tony Barrand when they first met at Cornell University back in 1969. A singer of ballads and songs of the sea, rural pursuits, social situations, industrial strife, and more, John is also an expert on concertina, banjo and guitar. John demonstrates the diversity and vitality of the English folk tradition. His most recent solo CD, Sea Fever, songs of ships and the sea, leads off with the famous poem by John Masefield set to music.

About Debra Cowan

Debra Cowan’s beautiful voice first appeared on the Linden Tree stage several years ago at an open mike where the coffeehouse organizers quickly asked her back. Her captivating warm alto carries each folk song she chooses with such emotion that you’ll forget that they were written by others. She performs a cappella, accompanied by guitar in the great tradition of folk singers like Joan Baez and Judy Collins. Debra has a clear vocal that calls forth the ghosts of long past but can also offer a more modern urban landscape. In her newest release, Fond Desire Farewell, she’s taken contemporary and time-honored public domain songs and put them in a modern setting.

About John and Debra

John and Debra met for the first time at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in 1999 where John and his long-time musical partner, Tony Barrand, were performing a concert of Maritime Songs. Afterwards, they continued to meet at various folk music events in New England and became friends, often appearing on stage together at New England folk festivals. 

With a question in 2009: "How are you getting to Chicago?" John Roberts and Debra Cowan decided to team up for a series of small concerts before arriving as separately booked artists at the Fox Valley Folklore Society's annual festival. The combination of car-pool and mini-tour was successful enough that John and Debra decided to do more performing together both in the USA and the United Kingdom. Successful for them, lucky for their ever growing fans.

Tickets and Information

Tickets will be sold at the door beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission for this show is $16 adults, ($10 students 8-17).

Thanks to partial support from Massachusetts Cultural Council, Wakefield chapter.

For more information and reservations call 781-246-2836 or check out the website www.LindenTreeCoffeehouse.org.