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08 Sep 06 - 03:49 AM (#1829805) Subject: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton Every few months I discover a band or group of muscians that I have not heard before. I get very excited and want to share them with the world. I got this way with Whapweasle, 422, Bellowhead, Gracenotes, Little Johnny England, The English Accoustic Collection and too many Irish Bands to name. Generally people reply to posts with "where have you been - you must get out more" So here I go again: "The Boat Band - A Trip to the Lakes" This is a brilliant collection of music! Exciting and thoughtfully varied arrangements of a great collection of tunes from the English Lake District. It says so much about the power and lasting value of English dance music that after how ever long people have been playing it and how ever much has been recorded in the last 40 odd years, that in its own straight forward way it still sounds fresh and exciting. If you enjoy country dance music or just thoughtfully arranged and well played tunes of any kind contact Greg Stephens via this website and buy this album. |
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08 Sep 06 - 08:15 AM (#1829917) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Brass Monkey They are playing in West Cork this weekend don't you know. Go and see them. |
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08 Sep 06 - 08:52 AM (#1829932) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton West Cork hey! International jet setters from Stoke and no more than they deserve. I may not get to West Cork but might just make West Didsbury. |
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09 Sep 06 - 05:22 AM (#1830533) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton |
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12 Sep 06 - 12:36 PM (#1832756) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: greg stephens Thank you for the kind words, Les from Chorlton. We arrived back from ireland at 4AM today, having missed one ferry in Dublin after stopping too long drinking coffee in Roscrea, having been hijacked the night before in East Clare; we were then imprisoned miles from anywhere and made to stay up all night drinking. A series of very nice gigs, in Cork,Waterford and Clare. For some unaccountable reason our playing of English tunes seems to be more poular in Ireland than England: an interesting topic to speculate upon,to while away a long winter's evening. |
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12 Sep 06 - 01:01 PM (#1832773) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Willie-O man you get the best hijackings Greg! Say hi to Kate. Bill |
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12 Sep 06 - 06:37 PM (#1833012) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Mo the caller 422 now there's a band. |
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12 Sep 06 - 07:34 PM (#1833071) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: vectis Well said Les it's a cracking CD. |
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13 Sep 06 - 02:52 AM (#1833289) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton The first time I went to a Folk Club was around 1964. Upstairs at the Princes Hotel in Ellesmere Port. It was run by 2 lads from Liverpool called Dave and Geoff. They had a duo called Hillary and Joan from Chester as guests. They just got up and sang with simple guitar. I had never been so close to people who sang well and I couldn't believe how exciting it was and how good the songs were. Some time later I went to a Ceilidh at a social club. The band consisted of a drum, an accordion and a fiddle and they played these fantastic tunes. The point I am trying to make is that so much of folk or traditional music is just great music. It doesn't need much doing to it. It has survived for that very reason, it is great as it is. We can all recall songs or tunes played by one person, floor singers or pros, that are unforgetable. At the same time I really enjoy Whapweasle, 422, Bellowhead, Gracenotes, Little Johnny England, The English Accoustic Collection. These are bands who clearly love and respect old music but have enough musical skill and integrity to do something a bit different. Which takes me back to the sheer joy of the Boat Band! At first they recall for the direct simplicity of my first contacts with this music but their music is much closer to the list above because it has sophisticated arrangements for a a number of instruments. The arrangements a subtle and thoughtful, the Band carefully make tremendous use of what they play. The tenor banjo playing alone is a master class in great tunes on a much abused instrument. At one point I thought I could hear a hammer dulcimer but I couldn't find one in the credits! I know, I should get out more, but not until I have put A "Trip to the Lakes" on the pod. Buy this record it will bring much joy! Can't wait for the next Duncan McFarlane!!!!!! |
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14 Sep 06 - 06:10 AM (#1834186) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull ive got this cd, its really nice. i played it loads of times already. |
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14 Sep 06 - 08:27 AM (#1834283) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Fidjit had this a while now. Brilliant stuff. Chas |
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15 Sep 06 - 05:45 AM (#1835069) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton Have Punch the Horse made any recordings? |
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15 Sep 06 - 08:49 AM (#1835182) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Mr Red Country Music? COUNTRY MUSIC??? - have the Boat Band deserted Cajun? Or are they Multi-tasking? Great to One-step, 2-Step & Waltz to - Mamou Mia! (Zydeco - I don't do) Greg even invited me on stage at the Bristol Cajun Festival two years back - and I would have if I had my bodhran with me! Or even a triangle to bang. Laissez les bon temps rouler |
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15 Sep 06 - 08:56 AM (#1835188) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: greg stephens Mr Red: the Boat Band sticks to cajun tunes at cajun festivals(people might throw cabbages if we didnt) but we also play a lot of English music, and other music as well. The new CD is exclusively English stuff, but that is not to say we only play English these days. We've just finished an Irish tour, and we did a mix of English and cajun. And some Harry Belafonte and Lonnie Donegan. But no Irish, they seem to have plenty of people over there who can do that for themselves! |
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15 Sep 06 - 09:09 AM (#1835198) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Big Mick I just want to chime in my two cents worth. Greg sent me the CD "A Trip to the Lakes" when it first came out. I have just enjoyed this CD immensely. I keep hoping they decide to come to the States. I think folks would enjoy them. They come straight at the music, and the result is great music, well performed. I am with Les on this. Their CD is one that well rounded folkies should have in their collection. All the best, Mick |
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24 Sep 06 - 04:19 AM (#1841840) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton Good news for Greater Mancs, I understand the Boat Band are comming to Swinton Folk Club, is this correct? |
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24 Sep 06 - 07:03 AM (#1841919) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Dave the Gnome They are indeed, Les. Friday November 17th at Swinton folk club. Tickets £6 from me:-) Cheers DtG |
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27 Sep 06 - 02:33 PM (#1844295) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton Is this a one off special then Dave? Is it a Barn Dance or night of songs and tunes mostly from the Boat Band? |
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27 Sep 06 - 02:59 PM (#1844327) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: vectis When are you and the band coming south again Greg? |
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27 Sep 06 - 04:02 PM (#1844390) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: greg stephens When you offer us a booking in your club vectis NCTWWASBE |
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28 Sep 06 - 07:15 AM (#1844859) Subject: RE: Review: The Boat Band From: Les in Chorlton |