Music from Wear Delta album celebrates Sunderland sounds

George Lamb (left) and George Shovlin who are staring a Speak easy at the Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland.

The weekly event, which began life at the Dun Cow in High Street West three years ago, has proved popular thanks to its ethos of celebrating home-grown sounds as well as those from further afield.

Now the organisers of the event, which takes place at the Harbour View in Roker, is releasing Speakeasy Vol 1.

Paul Old performs at Speakeasy, Harbour View, Roker.

It features 11 tracks, the majority of which are self-penned, performed by regulars.

Speakeasy founders George Shovlin and George Lamb feature on the album, alongside acts including Les Dodd, George Pallas, Jim Bullock, Andy McGill, John Casey and Paul Old.

The release comes on the back of a successful Speakeasy Summer Special, a day-long festival held at the pub earlier this month.

George Shovlin said: “Each Thursday the pub is packed with players and performers. Every two weeks we have a featured ‘guest’, quite often from out of town.

“We were thrilled with the turnout for the festival. I don’t think there are enough music events like this in Sunderland and these kind of performances should tie in with the City of Culture bid that we’ve got going on.

“Sunderland has a great music scene and it needs to be supported more.”

Speaking about the CD, he said: “It’s surprisingly good. The only cost is in the printing of the actual CD and that is being met by kind donations from Rough Diamond Entertainment, Martino’s Restaurant Group, Sunderland and Illusions, Sunderland.

“All proceeds from the CD will go to Sunderland RNLI, with whom we have close links. The main aim of the CD is to promote The Speakeasy but also to promote Sunderland live music.”

l Speakeasy at the Harbour View, Music from the Wear Delta, is out now. It’s available at various outlets, including the pub, priced £10.