Paisley-born guitar legend, Tony McManus rolls into town for his first homecoming gig in three years, and fans could be in for a surprise.
For the musician, who is recognised around the world as one of the finest instrumentalists of his generation, has, he revealed this week, found his voice.
And those with a ticket for the show, at The Bungalow Bar in Shuttle Street, this Sunday (29th), will find, surprisingly, that a few songs have worked their way into the set.
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Multi-award-winning Tony has earned a global reputation as one of the finest guitarists playing today.
But now, he has revealed, he'll be singing, with his new musical partner, Julia Toaspern, too.
The instrumental accompaniment will still involve some of the spectacular playing that made him a famous name in places as far afield as New York, Melbourne, Bogota and Tokyo.
Tony, who is currently on his first UK tour since the pandemic struck and put a stop to those activities, told this week, how, as a schoolboy attending St Catherine’s Primary School, he had enjoyed singing, until he picked up his first guitar and knew straight away, that he'd found his true calling.
"I sang in primary school but it had become uncool by the time I became a teenager, and had picked a third-hand Japanese 12 string acoustic for twenty five quid.
"I would shake my head in response whenever I got “d’ye no sing?” questions at the folk clubs where I started out - they were all very much based around song and the community that group singing involves."
He added: "I’ve been lucky to work with some phenomenal singers over the years, and now, I’m happy to give the fingerboard excursions a back seat from time to time.
"It’s also a help to be touring with a musician of Julia's calibre - she had classical training in voice.
"Fear not, though - I’ll not be singing opera anytime soon, but I now have a better understanding of what's required to get the best from the songs that have crept into the repertoire."
Tony, who now lives in Canada, would normally try to head for home to visit friends and relatives at least once a year.
Due to the pandemic, he has had a three-year absence, and so, this return to his roots will, he says, will be more important to him than ever before.
Some of the world’s best-known musicians are fans. Guitarist Steve Howe of the band, Yes, has described his playing as: “World class – masterful!” Tommy Emmanuel says his music was “beyond beautiful, it’s....PERFECT.”
Tickets for Sunday's gig have been selling well.
A spokesman for the venue said there were only a few left and they expect it will be a full house.
To book tickets, go online at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tony-mcmanus-and-julia-toaspern-tickets-161726758087
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