The best of the UK Concertina players

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Alan Day
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 08:21 AM

I have been enjoying some recordings this week ,just received from Jon Boden and Paul McCann , very nice Duet playing.
Al

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: mikesamwild
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 07:24 AM

I was just listening to Holly Geraghty (Anglo) and Jonathan Roche (box) a great couple of young players and we haven't scratched the surfcae of the plethora of young and olde Irish Anglo players.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Peter Stockport
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 07:39 PM

Yep, Jeff Lefferts,I've had another look and there's lots of stuff.
here's the link again , it may work this time


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqcosJHAepA&feature=related

He's got loads of stuff on there and its fun.
I saw a u tube clip of Stan Laurel playing concertina and that was well worth a look! Since he's from Ulverston it makes him Uk concertina player!
Peter

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Surreysinger
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 12:46 PM

Jeff Lefferts - Hayden duet player (who I believe is going to be on Duet International as well) ... I think I remember someone saying that he's been playing for 4 years. Al?

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Peter Stockport
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 07:04 PM

I looked for a clip of Tim Laycock on U tube but couldn't find any of him playing one!He is one of my favourite concertina players though.
I've seen Brian Peters play Dallas Rag on what I think is an Anglo --

Saw this bloke on U tube who also looks very handy!...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqcosJHAepA&feature=related

Now,to someone who don't play concertina, he looks impressive!

Peter

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Alan Day
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 07:06 AM

I hope so.
Having listened to about 300 players in the last six years even a beginner can come up with a new approach, or style that is interesting.
It also comes down to the type of music you enjoy.
Al

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: mikesamwild
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 06:09 AM

Have we squeezed the last drops out of this one?

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Geoff Wright
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 09:00 AM

My all-time UK favorites - JK, AA,(GW with L plates on)

My World favorite - Noel Hill

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 02:55 PM

100???
58, it says here...
(this'll be 59)

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 02:24 PM

ye, keth kendrick is good, but keith kendrick is even better, oh and 100

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 01:40 PM

As Alan Day pointed out . there are different instruments that all get called Concertinas and any ability on (Say) Anglo does not mean a similar ability on Duet (Of whichever breed)
However Keth Kendrick is WELL worthy of extra mention . as to MY ear he seems just as capable on Anglo as on English !

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 10:21 AM

judgements on virtousity are best made by players of a particular system, very few other[ to my knowledge] than A Anderson, G Cutty, lea Nicholson AND myself have attempted RAGTIME PEICES or duet style [on the English], with out double tracking.
then we must consider skill at double tracking, Lea Nicholson comes into the picture again, on both his lps [but particularly the second one]
but is technical virtuosity of paramount importance, well when combined with musicality, yes, but not as in an end in itself.
   musicality is a subjective opinion, personally I respect every player who has put in hours of practice.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 07:32 AM

whether, I am best or not does not bother me ,
the only thing that bothers me is that when I do a gig I try and put on a professional performance,and play /sing to the best of my abilty
however I have an English Concertina song accompaniment tutor[which is the most comprehensive one available to my knowledge] and an English Concertina tutor, plus a new cd Windy Old Weather, visit my website.http://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: oggie
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 02:25 PM

A chemnitzer is definitely a concertina not a melodeon. All the lefthand chords have to individually formed from the notes, not just press a button like a melodeon or accordion. Imagine an anglo concertina on steroids with a range of about five octaves.

Steve

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Roger Gawley
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 11:29 AM

Well, they are all very good, but so are some younger players: Michael Jary, Emily Ball (her dad is pretty good too) and Alex Wade whose mum is not bad) spring to mind.

As others have already said, there is no "best" but there are a lot of very good.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 11:19 AM

Dick
What classification does a Polish Chemnitzer Concertina come under.

Example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHNKnifOrJg

Looks more like a melodeon to me.

I am off to Specsavers!

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 10:17 AM

he may be the best in your opinion,but this bring us to a point raised before ,subjective opinion.
now there is no denying he[robert harbron] is a very good player,I certainly prefer him to some of the others mentioned,whose playing[ im0] are reminsecent of typewriters, but that he or anyone is the best is just an over simplification, there is no best, music is not like sport, music is a very individualisitic genre.
when i listen to nic jones or martin carthy, i enjoy them both, i dont have to make immature judgements that this one is better than the other, they are different, but both very good.
likewise there are many good concertina players,all of whom are different[thank god for that], and whose differences in style provide and maintain interest.
to say Robert Harbron is better than Alistair Anderson or Steve Turner is rather like saying an orange is better than an apple or a banana.
finally to lump all 3 concertina systems together is just silly., it is akin to comparing a c melody sax with an alto sax or a soprano sax.
the[EC, ANGLO, DUET are three totally different instrument] all with different advantages and disadvantages

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 10:01 AM

Wild Thing?

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Graham O'Callaghan
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 09:59 AM

Well, his name has already been mentioned earlier and I must agree that Rob Harbron is THE best. A virtuoso concertina player of outstanding sublime quality. Technically brilliant within such line-ups as Van Eyken:Harbron, Dr Faustus, English Accoustic Collective and numerous other duos; musically gifted with a huge base knowledge and experience of world music (especially Scandinavian) and music history; a master of musical style and adaptability - he toured with the Chip Taylor band (writer of Wild performed by Jimi Hendrix and Troggs)and finally an outstanding song accompaniest - of which I have some experience of.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 07:01 AM

Hi Gail

I know Chris well and thank you for posting the links. He is a fine player.

Arthur

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 06:45 AM

Hi Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr/Prof Itus, may I then take the liberty of adding 2 links to my favourite UK concertina player? It's Chris Sherburn, who has been mentioned once on this thread. He plays a Dickinson Wheatstone anglo and currently plays in 2 duos who tour regularly in the UK.

1st duo is with his long-term Irish partner Denny Bartley:
Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley


2nd duo is with his English partner Bella Hardy, with whom he appeared on BBC4 at the Folk Proms:
Bella Hardy and Chris Sherburn


Gail

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 05:28 AM

I agree that I could have done a better job on the wording of the title.

I was hoping that mudcatters would provide names (not a list) of nice concertina players and provide links to youtube videos so that the uneducated could gain knowledge about them.

I might not like each video, but it would give me an idea of who these artists are. After all I might like to go and see them, if they are ever in my neck of the woods.

HTH

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: mikesamwild
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 02:28 PM

Peter if you start it you can ask the appropriate question

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 06:22 AM

The subject of being happy to play in private and shun the spotlight has been touched upon on concertina.net. To my surprise some people got almost angry at the notion that someone would want to stay in his/her own environment and play for the entertainment of friends, family and oneself above all.

Someone should start a separate thread.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Alan Day
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 05:23 AM

Interesting Peter as I have just been discussing that very subject with Colin Dipper. There are a number of excellent players that like to remain anonymous.
Al

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 05:06 AM

Which opens up another area of discussion that would warrant another thread maybe: does it matter that fine players don't pursue getting wellknown and play away happily in their own environment?

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Alan Day
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 05:55 PM

I agree with that Dick,we can go on and list just about every UK and Irish and Concertina Player and Bands past and present and have a never ending list. There are concertina players mentioned on this thread that I have not hear of, although I have been working on this players subject non stop for six years.Even then some wonderful players are out there playing along in their front room that only their family know about.
Al

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 05:17 PM

Treewind, yes, but it illustrates how badly phrased the original question was,best at what,song accompaniment? playing classical music? playing jazz,playing morris tunes, playing northumbrian music, playing irish music.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Jane Bird
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 02:20 PM

Sheena Masson - terrific dance musician and English concertina player

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: treewind
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 02:12 PM

"Gordon Cutty."
Now you're talkin'!

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 01:13 PM

Gordon Cutty.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: mikesamwild
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 08:25 AM

I've just got a Jeffries Duet
so Michael Hebbert (Free Reed CD, Rampin'Cat) and 'Big Nick' Robertshaw RIP and Gavin Atkin

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Les from Darlo
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 08:12 AM

An older lady, greying hair plaited in a bun, who went into a pub session in Whitby an hour or so after it had started, took an Anglo out of a hessian shopping bag and played 'David of the White Rock' in a minor key and a selection of O'Carolan tunes then quietly went away before I could get her name. Moved me nearly to tears.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Tootler
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 06:36 PM

I'm not bad on the Shruti Box, but I don't think that qualifies somehow [g]

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 05:51 PM

for the record, guest Mick Diles is not me, but someone intent on taking the Michael.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 04:41 PM

And there's always Paddy Marchant on English.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 04:32 PM

Alexander Prince on Maccann duet - definitely. (Said by someone who had never heard of him, or heard his playing three years ago ... LOL)

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 03:57 PM

Julie Carter, who played with Ian Blake (and me) in the Momeraths, and also with Shirley Collins, was pretty damn good at constructing interesting accompaniments on the English - a much better musician than a number of the English system players mentioned here, a couple of whom frankly make me chortle with derision. But whatever turns you on, folk fans ... hey ho. She gave it all up years ago, so I believe.

Not wishing to rain on anyone's parade, of course. (As if I could.)

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 12:55 PM

Alexander Prince.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 12:12 PM

the trouble with Dick Miles is that his head is so big,he cant get out of his house.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 11:32 AM

Someone once said : 'on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog'. True, isn't it? Unless you put videos on Youtube ofcourse.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 11:29 AM

sfmans - is the lurcher available for gigs yet?

I'll check her diary, but she won't get off the settee for just any old gig you know, I'm not sure you'll be able to afford the Winalot ...

Bugger - I was hoping to hear her play with David Grisman on one of his ""Dawg" duets... :-)

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 10:15 AM

sfmans - is the lurcher available for gigs yet?

I'll check her diary, but she won't get off the settee for just any old gig you know, I'm not sure you'll be able to afford the Winalot ...

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 09:40 AM

sfmans - is the lurcher available for gigs yet?

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Bernard
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 09:30 AM

Okay, as we're going down the shameless self-plugging road, I play both English and Anglo, and am considered fairly adequate...!!

A Leg End in my own lunchtime...

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 08:52 AM

Wasn't Dick also in both the New Mexborough Quartet and the New Mexborough Band?

I would just like to recommend myself as the best English concertina player in our house, and my wife is the best anglo player.

And if only the lurcher had opposable thumbs we could buy her a duet, and then she'd be the best duet player in the house and we'd have all three systems covered.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Alan Day
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 08:27 AM

There are some wonderful Irish players, but as UK was mentioned and the precise address of them, Southern or Northern was unknown to me I thought best to leave them off my list. There are of course some wonderful old players including William Kimber that I thought would make the list endless
Al

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 07:23 AM

This is a wind up. Dick Miles is Good Soldier Schweik LMAO

Nobody needs to mention Dick as he does it himself LOL wink wink

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 07:16 AM

Dick Miles was mentioned Murray, By dick himself.

Subject: RE: The best of the UK Concertina players
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 07:05 AM

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Dick Miles, probably the only concertina player who could give Simon Thoumire and Aly Anderson a run for their money in the technical virtuosity department ...