ONE of the great storytellers, Ralph McTell, is now celebrating his 40th year at the top of his field. Known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter who enjoys a loyal following thanks to his shows which create an intimacy that few solo performers can match. He has an easy-going style that weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant. Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album Eight Frames A Second. In 1974 he released Streets Of London which earned him an Ivor Novello Award and became his trademark even though it is just one in a back-catalogue of modern day classics. Ralph says that singing Streets Of London is never the same - so in each concert he never tires of singing it. It has become the song most performed by buskers. "It feels as fresh now as when I first wrote it and sadly all too relevant today," he says. In 1993, Nanci Griffith recorded his atmospheric ballad From Clare To Here on her Grammy Award-winning album and in 2002 Ralph was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The affable star, who appeared at the George Harrison tribute concert at the Empire, is popular in the area and the good news is that he is returning to the Southport Arts Centre on May 5 - his first visit for four years. It is the last date on his critically-acclaimed Springtime Walk Into The Morning tour. Ralph will be performing songs drawn from his four decades such as Summer Lightning and his other story-telling songs. He will also be performing some new material as well as blues numbers. This is one part of the show that music lovers relish, after all Ralph is a first rate blues guitarist even taking his name from veteran star Blind Willie McTell. Ralph has many fans including Billy Connolly and the late, great George Harrison praised his guitar work. Indeed, Mr Connolly used Ralph's music on the soundtrack for his BBC travel series and regards the singer-songwriter as 'one of England's national treasures'. Ralph McTell Southport Arts Centre. Call 01704 540011 or book on-line www.seftonarts.co.uk | 
