Big Al Whittle

I play blues, ragtime, country music, folk music and my own songs.
BEST PERFORMER AWARD FROM THE MU

October 2004 I was lucky enough to win the best performer award at BBC Radio Lincolnshire's annual 'write a folksong' competition.. Playing before a packed house at Spilsby Theatre was a real thrill and I want to thank the organisers of this competition.
'One of the new acts to the competition was Big Al Whittle. His humorous delivery and smart guitar style perfectly complemented his clever song about his school days in Boston. Al was a big hit with the audience and thoroughly deserved his award of the Musicians Union performance prize.'.
Tom Lane BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Cara

Founded in late 2001, Cara performs a selection of the finest songs and tunes drawn from the Celtic tradition. Cara's characteristic sound results from a subtle blend of musical styles combined with musicality and inventiveness. Respect for the Celtic tradition and an ability to apply refreshing harmonic and textural ideas, creates a warm and haunting brand of Celtic music; both traditional and original.
All three members of Cara have extensive musical experience and backgrounds encompassing rock, folk and classical styles. Although regularly heard in concerts, festivals and sessions on both banks of the Humber, the band is best experienced in a concert setting where the sensitivity of their performance, and their enthusiasm for the lyrical quality of the music can be fully appreciated. They are:
Mike Ryan:
Uillean Pipes, Whistles, Mandolin, Guitar and Vocals. Also has a rare ability to convey Cara's passion for the music with his unique and engaging narrative style.
John Rawlings:
Guitar and Cittern, combining driving rhythms with dazzlingly intricate and innovative accompaniment.
David Oakley:
Fiddle and Mandolin played with sensitivity and verve in equal measure: An exponent of the application of counterpoint and harmonic lines.


Flossie

Flossie Malavialle is a French singer who started getting involved in the British folk scene in 2000-2001 while she was on a teacher exchange in the North East of England.

How it all started...

After 12 years of teaching English full time in secondary schools in the South of France, she decided to apply for a job as a French teacher in England, as she felt it would boost her English to live abroad for a year. She got one in Stockton-on Tees and was living in Darlington at the time. She had also been singing for years in France before that and that's why she found it quite natural to turn up at the Darlington folk club one night to meet the locals and sing a song... She didn't realise then that this was going to be the beginning of a new life in England for her.

And now ?

After her exchange was over, she went back to France for a year but she missed the life she had had in England so decided to come back! She is now based in Darlington, does some supply teaching in the area when needed but is mainly focused on her singing. She has released 3 albums since September 2002, "Thistledown", "Let's do it!" (March 2003) and "Flossie sings Piaf" (May 2003). She is now currently working on her 4th, which should be released in the Autumn 2004. (See the "Music" page for more details on albums) Flossie is making new friends wherever she sings and is looking forward to seeing you at any of her concerts soon!

Rhyzome

Established in the summer of 2004, this collaboration of experienced musicians and songwriters is taking it's folk/rock grounding and moving into a stimulating fusion of acoustic roots music and original song material. Three-part harmonies are embellished with a variety of acoustic guitars styles, along with bouzouki, piano accordion, keyboards, mandolin, harmonica, mandola, acoustic bass and percussion.

A concert with rhyzome will include lively chorus songs, a capella singing, humour, subtle ballads and though most songs are new and original, they have a healthy respect for English traditional style. The band hope to be promoting their new CD 'MAYDAY' throughout the remainder of the year and hope to spread their performances over a broader area.

WHO AND WHERE?

Graham Peebles and Helen Marsh were founder members of the well known West Midlands band 'Midlife Crisis', and have played in a multitude of clubs and festivals over the last decade and have produced 3 well-received albums. Graham is a prolific songwriter and has also produced and recorded 2 solo CDs which showcase the broad spectrum of his writing. Helen is a classically trained pianist and self-taught accordionist and provides sympathetic accompaniment and stirring solo work.Third member Barry Hunt, also extremely active as a song-writer, has appeared in folk clubs and festivals for 3 decades & produced 2 solo CDs and featured with many distinguished bands including The Raconteurs.

All three are very experienced performers at festivals throughout the UK and overseas, and have (either collectively or individually) performed at Bridgnorth, Alcester, Lichfield, Caversham, Wheaton Aston, Baggeridge, Burntwood, Clitheroe, Cork (Eire), Heather, Tamworth Folk Moot, Folk on the Farm, etc. Individually, they have also over the years supported many of the top folk artists in the UK including Show of Hands, Vin Garbutt, Waterson Carthy, Whippersnapper, etc.

Barry Hunt (Vocals, acoustic guitars, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica) has been a solo performer in folk clubs since the mid 70s, and a writer of original songs. Despite a few breaks into R'n'B, Rock bands, and even Country and Soul, he has always returned to traditional and modern English folk music.In the mid 90s, Barry formed The Raconteurs with Tina Mcbain, and produced a fine debut CD 'Pure & Simple' with many songs written by Barry, produced by Phil Bates (ELO Pt2).Barry then produced 2 solo CDs, 'I sit on the fence' and 'Light and Dark' with guest appearances from Andrew Cadie, Tom Leary, Keith Buck and Fred T. Baker. Many of his songs have been played on local, national and international radio. Mid 2004, formed rhyzome with Graham and Helen.


Graham Peebles (Vocals, acoustic guitars, mandola, mandolin, harmonica)has over the years performed with a variety of bands, performing many types of music. His musical influences span across a wide spectrum, ranging from Traditional & Contemporary Folk, Pop Music, Country through to Blues, Rock and Progressive music. Graham is very prolific with a style that is wide ranging, including traditional style, ballads, love songs, social comment, plus the occasional humorous ditty. His solo albums 'Whistledown Ridge' & 'Flying With The Heron' have been well received by the folk media and on radio stations.Graham's is well known for his work with Helen Marsh & Brian Oldham in the now deceased Mid - Life Crisis. Their albums' Journey', 'Hey Mister Scarecrow' & 'Kegs A Bobbing' all received critical acclaim in the local press, folk music journals, as well as receiving regular air play on local radio stations. At this time Graham was performing with the blues band 'Four Dogs Barking' and with Helen in 'Two Way Split'

Helen Marsh (Vocals, accordion, keyboard)
started at the tender age of 5 playing the piano and definitely made the grade - all 8 of them. Helen was strictly classical then and her first group in her teens was a quartet.
First discovered love of folk at Sheffield University in the 70's but didn't get involved in it till much later when she decided to teach herself the accordion.
In the early 1990's became one of the founder members of "Mid-Life Crisis" with Graham Peebles. Has also played as a duo with Graham as Two-Way Split, and ventured into Blues with the band "4 dogs Barking" with Graham, Kieran Smith and John Drummond.
Now enjoying the new line-up with Graham and Barry in rhyzome.