So Tell Me About FLOOK!

Subject: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: GUEST,Mbo
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 06:53 PM

I just heard that the band FLOOK! is coming to play here at ECU. I've heard their name mentioned around here--and there's supposed to be really good...so can anyone tell me more about them? Thanks.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 07:29 PM

Not too sure when they are playing, but I would suggest that you go. I ahve seen them and they are certainly worth a look. They are basically a tunes band with flute/ whistle with a stunning guitar and magic bodhran player.

I'll see if I can find some more detail for you.

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:22 PM

I think the current line-up is Sara Allen, flute, whistle accordion (and watching little Sara playing her big Alto flute is a highlight), Brian Finnegan, flute and whistle, Ed Boyd, guitar and John Joe Kelly, bodhran. I did find a web site for them, but they were not at home one the one I found.

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Brakn
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:27 PM

I may be totally wrong , but I thought Flook started out as a Flute band, a couple of years ago. There were three flute players from, I think different traditions, with one of them being Michael McGoldrick from Manchester. Michael was the BBC young folk musician of the year a couple of years back. He used to play with a band called Toss The Feathers, who were the best Irish band ever to come out of Manchester. I don't know if he's still with Flook.

Michael Bracken

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: alison
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:30 PM

He was playing with capercaillie when they were here last year.. he has also played with lunasa.... and recently (2000 celebrations) he was playing in Dublin with the Afro Celt Sound system.. fantastic on flute and uilleann pipes

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Brakn
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:52 PM

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Brakn
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:56 PM

I used to watch him when he was about 15 or 16 years old and he was dynamite then. He used to play in the Thirty Two Club in Manchester on a Monday night and you could not get through the doors.

BTW How are you Alison?

Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Caitrin
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 09:19 PM

Mbo, when are they supposed to be at ECU? This sounds pretty cool.

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: GUEST,Mbo
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 10:08 PM

Darn! They're going to be playing next Saturday, January 27th. They got the whole S.Rudolf Alexander Performing Art Series schedule in the Greenville phonebook (the one with the big flower on the front.) I, of course, and as usual, will be at home with my family in Jacksonville on Saturday. Now why couldn't they play during the week?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: GeorgeH
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:05 AM

They're simply the best band in the world, even without Michael McGoldrick . .

Their web site is http://www.flook.co.uk (I MUST learn to do those blue clicky things . .) and includes a couple of real audio samples (but they don't do the band justice on the system I had here).

Apart from amazing musicianship they are all stunningly original musicians, always exploring what their instruments are capable of (flute as a percussion instrument, and not by hitting anything with it), but always using what they find in the service of the tune they're performing. Ed Boyd is a wonderfully versatile guitarist - when you hear them, keep half an ear on the different styles of playing he uses in his various accompniments. John-Jo Kelly is unbelievable on bodhran (he proves that "sensitive bodhran player" isn't always a contradiction in terms), Brian Finnegan is a simply amazing flute and whistle player, with a wonderful collection of intruments, while Sarah Allen (flute, alto flute and whistle) isn't far behind and is superb on fitting orignal and apt second parts to Brian's flights of fancy. And, if they're in the mood, they'll happily try playing each other off stage. Also, they take musical influences from "everywhere" and impose their own stamp on them,

They started out as "Three Nations Flutes" or some such, with just Sarah, Mike and Brian. Ed joined a little while later - I think they'd become Flook! by then. They recorded a fine Live CD in that line-up; (thought I wish there was a recording from their final tour when they really would try to upstage each other; preferably of their gig at the Boat Race in Cambridge). Michael left to pursue the other demands on his time (he was in such demand that Flook! could hardly find any times when they could play together; the departure was entirely amicable, and they all remain good friends) and John-Jo joined; an utterly inspired choice. Their first studio album, Flatfish, is simply a musical masterpiece.

And, in addition, they're all lovely people, extremely friendly off-stage. If anyone sees them, give them love from George, Chris and Jennie!!

The only trouble is, they're too good to do justice to in words!! Last time they played for us we sold out, about 25% of the audience returned our survey forms, and every one of those forms rated the performance 5 out of 5. (And about 45% of that audience were "young people" of one type or another . .)

G.

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Caitrin
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 07:06 AM

Mbo, I think they're playing on a weekend so I can go! : )

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Alice
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 09:22 AM

Flook (click here) The homepage George referred to.

Subject: RE: So Tell Me About FLOOK!
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 10:57 AM

I'd entirely second GeorgeH's comments. They're a great and highly original band. Flatfish is a masterpiece IMHO.

Go and see them if you can!

All the best,

mcmoo