Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival

Subject: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Mick Tems
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 08:21 AM

Brass Monkey, that amazing combination consisting of Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Martin Brinsford, Roger Williams and Paul Archibald, make their ONLY appearance in Wales on their whistlestop tour at Tredegar House Festival on May 8 - 10, 2009.

On the roster are Calan, five dynamic, sparkling young Welsh musicians who delight festival-goers and organisers throughout Wales, England and Brittany; Roots and Galoots, good-time happy bluegrass band with jawdropping maestro and Tredegar Festival hero Chris Moreton a member; One String Loose, young Newport wizards cutting their teeth on Irish styles and original, wonderful music; Isambarde, popular festival trio sponsored by Newport Folk Club; Allegria, marvellous gypsy jazz; Juice and Band Dai Bach (ceilidh and twmpath bands); and international dance teams Lubana (Latvia), Bock Yuan Fannee (Isle Of Man), the Mizen Set Dancers (Cork, Ireland), Gwerinwyr Gwent (South Wales), Seven Stars, Chequered Flag, Instep and much more.

Taplas and The Living Tradition are doing main features on Brass Monkey - should be good reading!

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST,Lawrence Heath
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 08:51 AM

The new line-up of Brass Monkey made their debut at Guildford's Electric Theatre last night (15th March) and were magnificent. Not only is Paul Archibald a great trumpeter but his personality and stage presence fits in perfectly with the camaraderie amongst the band members and the enormous sense of fun that is a key ingredient of a Brass Monkey performance.

Their set contained loads of new songs and tunes to be found on their new CD "Head Of Steam" - all of which well up to the standard of their previous material. Their "hits" like "The Maid and the Palmer" were also included.

In short it was tremendous to see Brass Monkey restored to their former glory - simply the best.

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Mick Tems
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 10:23 AM

Well said, Lawrence! I interviewed John Kirkpatrick, and he had this to say:

. "Martin (Carthy) and I had spent a long time working up to Brass Monkey, and the band had grown gradually from the two of us as a duo, into a trio with Howard Evans, into the full five-piece with Martin Brinsford and Roger Williams. So it had been quite a gradual process for us, rather than a sudden explosion.

"But when we came to playing dance tunes, we were all blown away with the noise we found we could make. "The two Martins and I are all mindlessly enthusiastic about getting as much rhythm as we can out of the music. Martin Carthy is the greatest rhythm guitarist in the universe, with that lovely thumping acoustic guitar and strings the size of telegraph poles, and Brins works miracles with his one-finger tambourine bashing.

"I'm always trying to find the dance in everything, and play as many notes as I can and make as much row as possible - so with Mr Carthy's thwacking thumb and Mr Brinsford's driving knuckle, you're setting the controls for the heart of the sun every time. When you add the power and force of two brilliant brass players, it's as exciting for us doing it as we hope it is for people listening to it. When we all lock in together, it's a fantastic fix."

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Mick Tems
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 09:33 AM

From Dr Price's friend, using Dr Price's computer:

We are all looking forward to a wonderful festival weekend with Brass Monkey and Calan topping the bill. For those who haven't seen Brass Monkey, it's sheer cameraderie, wonderful thrilling music and a whole lot of joyful fun. Watch this incredible concert!

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 09:33 AM

I hear there'll be a singaround too!

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Surreysinger
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 11:51 AM

I'll second Lawrence;s statement on the new lineup's appearance in Guildford ... they were stunningly good, and it was lovely to see them back as a five piece again. Paul Archibald comes to the group with a terrific pedigree, and fits into the lineup seamlessly (even if he was the only one wearing a posh jacket on the night ... as JK pointed out more than once!!) A really good feel good night (and the CD is fab ... although it doesn't officially come out until late April ... nudge nudge, wink!! ) Grab them while you can!!!

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 03:12 PM

Also, see the website: 20th Tredegar House Folk Festival

Cheers
Nigel
(Gratuitous links a specialty!)

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 04:40 PM

Can someone tell me where else they will be playing please?

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST,Martin Berrisford
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 08:56 AM

See John Kirkpatrick's website, http://www.johnkirkpatrick.co.uk/gigs.asp

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST,Dai Jones
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 09:02 AM

Congratulations to Tredegar House Festival, they have a stonking list of artists.

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Mick Tems
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 07:53 AM

Whoops... sorry!

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Mr Red
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 08:39 AM

How about Brass Monkey playing for a Ceilidh then. Too much to hope for?

Martin Brinsford - the best ceilidh drummer - IMNSHO.
And JK (the notsominor deity) rooted in dance.
And his MBEship (touches forelock) plays very danceable tunes.

It couldn't fail. As long as they want to do it, I am waiting.

But all being well we will be at Trdegar for the dancing, and if I could just figure the schedule probably all Saturday.


and just to make it easier the blickie - http://www.johnkirkpatrick.co.uk/gigs.asp

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: ClaireBear
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 04:39 PM

They've been known to -- a Brass Monkey ceili at Sidmouth (2002) was a definite high point in my usually humdrum existence.

C

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST,Mad Spaniel
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:44 PM

Can't wait for new album

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 02:03 PM

They also did a ceilidh at Godalming Borough Hall many moons back, with a concert in the afternoon before it.

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST,Kev Boyd
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 05:33 AM

Can I be really repetitive and also say that Brass Monkey were very brilliant at Guildford. Mr Archibald's trumpeting was lovely, as indeed was his jacket. Is it too much to hope that his influence will start a new trend in sartorial elegance on the folk scene? Smart/casual allowed on singers nights but jacket and tie only if there's a guest?

Kev
www.tinyurl.com/carthy

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 10:16 AM

Ok so a Brass Monkey Ceilidh is not too much to hope for. I would advise the decision maker at Stroud Ceilidhs, but her policy is not to book acts she has not danced to recently. A policy that is working so far.

But she does like Brass Monkey a lot so.....................

twmpathau - Dai Bach Band Fri , and Juice Sat. Real ALes and real cider - now if I didn't have to drive home.......

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Two of a Hind
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 07:21 AM

I'm sure it will be amazing to see them but we are also hoping for quite a number of singers and musicians to turn up this year as there will be plenty of room for everybody, in the bar and with a second marquee I'm told.
Terry

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: Two of a Hind
Date: 07 May 09 - 06:07 AM

Are there tickets still available for this on the Sunday evening

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 09 - 08:25 AM

If anyone is in the London area on 15th of May then they can see Brass Monkey at our East Dulwich venue ,DHFC . We also have Matthew Ord and Drohne as support .


have a look at our website for further details

http://www.thegooseisout.com

Subject: RE: Brass Monkey at Tredegar House Festival
From: GUEST,Flapjackdavey
Date: 09 May 09 - 07:22 AM

iF You havn't seen Drohne then I strongly recommend them :)