The Lark Rise Band

Subject: The Lark Rise Band
From: Cuddles
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 10:09 AM

Has anyone seen them yet on this tour?

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 11:10 AM

No Lizzie

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 11:20 AM

Haven't seen them but I did see a performance of 'Lark Rise' at Derby last year. It was introduced by Ashley Hutchings. I wondered if there was any connection.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Cuddles
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 11:58 AM

Yes, it's Ashley's new band.

Ruth Angell, Simon Care, Mark Hamilton and Ashley himself.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Gene Burton
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 12:06 PM

Yes, I was the support act for their gig at the Red Lion, Birmingham last Saturday. They sounded pretty good. I'd never heard Ashley sing before, and was pleasantly surprised at his quality as a vocalist (having heard reports to the contrary). Having talked with him, he seems a good bloke...quite particular about the sound, lighting etc though!

I'd happily listen again.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Cuddles
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 12:31 PM

Was it anything like the Cd by The Albion Band? Readings from the books and such?

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Cuddles
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 12:39 PM

Ruth Angell, Simon Care, Mark Hamilton and Ashley himself.

Humble apologies, that should have read:

Ruth Angell
Simon Care
Mark HUTCHINSON
Ashley Hutchings
&
Judy Dunlop

I've just checked their myspace page.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 01:18 PM

No Lizzie.

The band I saw in Derby last October was Kate Banks, Jonathan Brooks, William Hess, Mick Jones, Mitzi Jones, Oli Matthews, Chris Mills, Heather White, Alex Wilson.

They were introduced by Ashley Hutchings so must be legit.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Cuddles
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 01:32 PM

Yes, that was a performance of Lark Rise, not The Lark Rise Band.

Ashley's new band has many gigs, right through the year, including Cropredy and Towersey and loads of other places round the country, such as the Flora Thompson Museum itself.

Good to know who was in the Lark Rise concert though.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Surreysinger
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 01:35 PM

Sorry Cuddles/Lizzie - whoever you are - I have it on reasonable authority (ie the promoter for the Guildford show on 15th February (at the Electric Theatre in Guildford)) that the band is variable, and is likely to be different at each venue, which is why their publicity handouts don't actually specify the names of the band members.

And Mark Hamilton, eh? That would be interesting - many years since he was using the Force in the Star Wars movies - didn't know he was active on the folk scene as well!!

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 01:38 PM

Well, that's what I thought,

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Cuddles
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 01:47 PM

Mark 'Hamilton' mix up with Jo Hamilton from The Rainbow Chasers there I'm afraid.

Another of Ashley's bands and of course the one that Mark HUTCHINSON has recently left, to focus on his recording studio, Joe Topping taking over from Mark and now being the newest Rainbow Chaser.

He's a busy chap that Ashley isn't he?

I think you'll find that the five people I named above ARE the Lark Rise Band actually Surrey Singer. This is from Ashley's own site:

"More "Larkrise" News

Ashley will be taking the music of "Lark Rise" on to the road in the New Year and the spring, when BBCtv screens a 10-part series based on the Lark Rise to Candleford book. Obviously, this will raise the country's awareness of Lark Rise and a new album of music, together with more performances including Folk festivals, will certainly follow. The five piece band consists of Ashley, Judy Dunlop, Simon Care, Ruth Angell and Mark Hutchinson and they will be presenting the music from the much loved National Theatre plays based on the novels by Flora Thompson.

Meanwhile, the "Lark Rise to Candleford" album is now available on CD. One of Ashley's most memorable albums, it has been unavailable for a number of years and there has always been considerable interest in the album and a possible CD issue. Ashley has finally managed to achieve this with the help of Talking Elephant Records and the CD can now be obtained direct at gigs or via Talking Elephant's website

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Gene Burton
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 02:07 PM

The Birmingham gig included a fair number of readings, yes. Can't shed much light on the composition of the live band 'cos Ashley was the only one I was formally introduced to, though I exchanged pleasantries with one or two others. There was, if I recall correctly, Ashley, a young bloke, young woman, a middle-aged bloke (all musos) and an older woman who sang.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 02:12 PM

"And Mark Hamilton, eh? That would be interesting - many years since he was using the Force in the Star Wars movies"

ummm...surreysinger, that was Mark Hamill...check YOUR facts (if it matters)

and Gene...Ashley sings a number of pieces on both Rainbow Chasers CDs and I believe his voice has actually improved with the years.
Fore reliable sources on anything concerning The Lark Rise Band or anyother of Ashley Hutchings's projects, I think either the man himself or his management would do in a pinch

Charlotte (going through her Rolodex)

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Gene Burton
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 02:17 PM

Well, I admit I was only previously familiar with his work with Fairport (I don't think he did much singing back then?) but based on what I heard the other week I'd happily investigate his later recordings, time/finances permitting.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 03:35 PM

unless you have a soft spot for Mr. Lacey from What We Did On Our Holidays (which I must admit I do...a song from one English eccentic to another) Ashley Hutchings's composing skills still needed some work at that time..but these too have also improved with the passing of time.

Charlotte (going through her CD and vinyl collection)

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 04:23 PM

He has been a prolific song writer for the last 25 years at least.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 04:41 PM

There is also a ceilidh band called the Larkrise Ranters - it predates Ashley's project by a few years. At a recent student ball, they were pronounced as "better than Whapwhistle" and "awesome" - no doubt these same people will be in government one day.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Surreysinger
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 06:29 PM

"that was Mark Hamill...check YOUR facts (if it matters)"

Doh! I stand corrected, and, of course, you are right (and I should have known that, having all of the REAL Star Wars movies on DVD etc - mild aberration and lack of concentration on my part) - mind you,for the record, I would point out that I wasn't actually commenting anywhere on the correctness or otherwise of anybody else's statements (since that had already been self-corrected by the original poster , anyway) - I was just mildly amused at the thought of (the wrong person) being involved in the folk world, and the surreal images it conjured up .. so no need, therefore, for what appears to be a rather barbed comment - and no ,of course, it really doesn't matter !!

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 06:41 AM

The Ashley Hutchings box set on Free Reed is a fine and reasonably priced overview of his career. Extraordinary how many superb projects he's instigated.

Ashley's new Rainbow Chasers bandmate, Joe Topping, played at the Topic with his other band Elbow Jane. They were brilliant - strong songwriting, massive harmonies and a really laid-back and amusing stage presence. They don't exactly play folk music but ther're the most exciting band I've heard in a long while.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,Meggly
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 09:46 AM

Wherefore is this Lark Rise Band Myspace page you speak of? I can't find it (I've never been any good at searching on Myspace).

Please, if you would be so kind, post a blue clicky thing so I can navigate directly there and save me hours of frustrated searching.

I can't find any centralised list of the tour; Ashley's web page only mentions the first concert last November.

I loved the Lark Rise folk-opera as an impressionable 6-7 yr old and still can't walk through a forest without cautiously eying the tips of leaves for any sign of witches; I'd hate, hate, hate to miss this new tour.

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: RTim
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 10:00 AM

Try looking here for The Larkrise Ranters:


http://www.myspace.com/larkriseranters

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: LesB
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 10:25 AM

Ashley's Lark Rise Band website is here
The Lark Rise Band
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,Meggly
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 11:12 AM

Thank you Tim & Les.

xx

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 04:56 AM

Les, do you know if those pages of Ashley's Lark Rise Band (ie on Google and MySpace) are being maintained on his behalf?

Subject: RE: The Lark Rise Band
From: GUEST,M
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 05:10 AM

They are being carefully maintained. They have also been viewed by both Ashley Hutchings and Simon Care, both of whom have given their permission for them to be used in various places.

I hope this answers your concerns.