Musician and organiser Ad van Meurs books singers from all over the world for his Monday night concerts. The evenings are also supported by the owner of Meneer Frits, the Muziekcentrum Frits Philips. Every week, about 150 people gather to listen to all kinds of music, from folk to R&B. “Basically, I go for what I like. I invite people from my personal network. I know all sorts of musicians from touring in the States and the UK since 1990,” Van Meurs explains.

“I’ve been organising this type of concert evening for at least 15 years in various places. Lately, the singer/songwriter genre is becoming more and more popular. It’s easier for singers to record and to get noticed because of improved recording equipment and the internet. So that gives us a wider choice and makes it possible for people in Eindhoven to hear musicians who are just becoming successful.”

Nightclub
The ambiance in Meneer Frits on a Monday night is special. There is a definite nightclub atmosphere. During the concert, waiters discreetly move among the guests to deliver drinks and collect orders. The sound system is state-of-the-art and sound engineer (and singer) Ankie Keultjes ensures that it is used to its best advantage. The intimacy of the venue makes it easy for the musicians to connect with the audience. There are times when everyone is holding their breath because a song has such an emotional charge and others when people are clapping and jumping up and down. Members of the audience are not shy about talking to the musicians afterwards. The evening ends by midnight, so attending a concert doesn’t disrupt the work week too much.

“Some of the people we book would never have bothered to come to Europe if we hadn’t invited them. Famous 77-year-old country singer-songwriter and record producer ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement was a good example. He took part in one of our club nights where people are also interviewed. You better believe he had a lot to say. Clement was the one who discovered Jerry Lee Lewis, he worked with Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash when they were still unknown. He wrote for Ray Charles, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones, to name just a few. Jack still calls me from Nashville every so often just to say hello. But many of our guests include us in their own tour of Europe.”

One of the more notable concerts last year was given by Chip Taylor, author of hit songs like ‘Wild Thing’ and ‘Angel of the Morning’. He surprised by bringing along a band and one of his discoveries, Kendel Carson, a diminutive blond Canadian fiddle player with a big voice. Chip Taylor collaborated on the CD she brought out last year. Together they charmed the Eindhoven audience. Another highlight was one of the best singer-songwriters in the world, Chris Smither, who left the audience stamping their feet.

Smither has been invited back as one of the main acts of the Naked Song Festival on May 31st in the Muziekcentrum itself. About 1500 people are expected at this festival. The name is a word play on ‘pure’ or ‘naked’ music. The festival is the last activity of the season. There will be an impressive line-up of singer-songwriters, including Dave Eugene Edwards, Gabriel Rios, Chris Smither, Grayson Capps, Jody Moon and Linda Thompsen. The week before there will be a bit of a foretaste in Meneer Frits with local singer-songwriters each singing two songs.

Prices
Next week (April 7th) Freddie White from Ireland is expected. This guitarist/singer has won just about every prize there is in Ireland for his performances, which can be sensitive and heartrending, but also loud and in your face.

Ad van Meurs himself will be playing on April 21st with his No Blues band, with their ‘Arabicana’ repertoire, combining the storytelling traditions of folk, blues and Arabian music. Van Meurs’ No Blues project has received enthusiastic reviews in the Dutch and music press.

Last but not least, the price of these concerts should be mentioned. The standard ticket costs 5 euro, occasionally 10 euro, which is often less than for concerts by the same artists elsewhere in the country. A ticket to the Naked Song Festival is 19 euro. Reservations can be made at the Muziekcentrum 040-2442020. More info (in Dutch): www.advanmeurspresenteert.nl./.