MAINBRACE
Thursday, June 3rd, 1999, 8pm
at the home of Mark Katz
Newton, MA
Call (617) 964-1836 for reservations/info

Mainbrace is a duo dedicated to singing the traditional and modern songs of our seafaring heritage. Their songs tell of Jack Tar's life at sea and on shore -- of wrecks and gales, stately clippers, leaky tubs, boarding house masters and bawdy-house women. Mainbrace sings the chanteys that helped the heavy work along, and the "forebitters" that brightened precious leisure time. In short, Mainbrace sings the whole of the sailor's story from the time of the tall ships to the present.

Mainbrace is Michael O'Leary-Johns and Tony Fraser, singers with many years experience behind them. Michael O'Leary-Johns grew up in a family of Irish singers. He was brought up in Wales but stoutly maintains that he is "proud to be Irish." Mike is the powerhouse and mainstay of the group, and has sung all over the British folk scene for more than 20 years. Formerly, Mike sang with the chantey group Motley Crew. Tony Fraser also comes from a singing family. His parents were both singers who, in the 1960's, helped Roy Harris run the Cardiff Folk Club. Tony's guitar and five-string banjo bring a different texture to an otherwise all a cappella program. Tony is also the one who adds an occasional harmony line. He too has been singing for more than 20 years.

Mainbrace matches commitment to the music with an equal standpoint on performance. Mike and Tony go all out to please, with humor and audience participation given a high priority. And please they do.