A lot of my writing comprises narrative folk songs in a traditional style, often about the past, , sometimes about events in and around my home town of Southampton. I also write in a more mainstream style about topical and social issues, with songs like Best Wishes and City Lights, which even have middle eights!
I tend to write chorus songs, because I love to hear audiences joining in and improvising harmonies. The choruses are usually relatively short, which I feel makes them very accessible to audiences on first hearing.
A FEW QUOTES:
On Nelsons Wake album Ebb and Flow - "Gently imaginative arrangements, excellent solo and harmony singing, accomplished musicianship and an acute empathy with Barry's writing. A thoroughly charming release......." (fRoots magazine June 2008)
Also about Ebb and Flow - "bringing together the veritable song-writing talent of Wake, with Chris Nelson's accomplished and accommodating musicianship and Siobhan Nelson's utterly charming vocals....." (Mike Wilson, folking.com)
and on Mike's myspace blog intro to his review "This is proper, honest music; well informed, beautifully crafted songs, played and sung with integrity and empathy".
And more about Ebb and Flow - "We don't have to recommend this album, as the song extracts do this wonderfully on their own.....combining a genuine appreciation of the folk tradition and an ability to portray it in highly enjoyable modern songs is a precious gift"...... (Mark Coyle, wovenwheatwhispers)
And even more on Ebb and Flow - "But all in all, this is a most attractive collection of classy and satisfying songs that richly deserve to be heard (and sung) more widely"..... (David Kidman, NetRhythms)
And finally from S.R from Manchester, CD purchaser - " A Delight!
A wonderful collection of songs, ranging from joyful, to poignant or even heartbreaking, but each one beautifully crafted".
On Barry's album Time Alone Will Tell - "Here is a sensitive musician, a writer who can take a snippett of converation and turn it into a good song, the magician who can grow something out of a tiny acorn....." (John Paddy Browne in Folk on Tap)
"For my money, Barry Wake is one of the finest songwriters I know.... " (George Wilson in Folk on Tap)
On Barry's album Rise at Dawn - "Barry Wake writes evocative songs with singable choruses that should have the song stealers busy for some time....."(Brian Hooper in Folk on Tap)
On the song Lovell's Bride, a reworking of the Victorian song The Mistletoe Bough - "Barry's version is brisk and would send a chill through any modern audience....." (Brian Hinton in Folk on Tap)
On Chris and Siobhan Nelson's album Day Has Dawned - "City Lights is a delightful and gentle song about deciding whether to leave the rat race and venture into pastures new. If like me, you dream of of trying to find a new life away from the town or city, this will certainly strike a chord......." (Mark Coyle,wovenwheatwhispers)
On Chris and Siobhan Nelson's album Day Has Dawned - "Perhaps best of all, The Climbing Boy and Chapel Streets, two excellent local-historical songs by Barry Wake......" (David Kidman, NetRhythms)
On the trio comprising Barry Wake, Chris and Siobhan Nelson - "The first performance was a brilliant set by Nelsons Wake. Spine tingling vocals were complimented by sensitive fiddle and guitar arrangements....." (Sid Meats in Folk on Tap's review of Solent Folk Festival 2004)
Influences
I’ve watched and listened to many performers over the years, and have learned a great deal from all of them (including what not to do in certain cases!).
If I have to choose someone who has influenced me directly in respect of guitar playing, it would have to be Martin Carthy.
I can remember a night at the Anvil Folk Club in Southampton, in 1965, when I sat just in front of Martin and was completely blown away with his style of playing.
I threw away my plectrum, never to be seen again, and discovered I had fingers on my right hand!
I also was enlightened regarding the many ways to tune a guitar – a true landmark in my quest to understand the instrument I was playing.
With regard to singing, I took most notice of Carrie Jones, who gave me invaluable tips on breathing, projection and making the most of the voice I was born with!
For harmony in traditional song, I must name the Watersons as a fundamental influence.
A friend of mine lent me their 1965 album “Frost and Fire” and it changed my perception of folk music for ever (I had a bootleg cassette for many years after, but it eventually died).
My eldest son Chris remembered from his childhood that I was always playing it and bought the reissue CD for me in 2006 – magic!
In song writing I have not so much been influenced by, but have been and always will be impressed by any songwriter who can not only write a great tune but can also deliver the goods with the lyrics.
When the combination of the two instantly captures the imagination of the listener, there can be no better moment or motivation for the performer or the writer.
I’m Barry Wake and I’m based in Southampton. I’ve been writing songs, generally in the folk idiom, and inflicting them on innocent folk club audiences for twenty years or so.
I started performing in folk clubs in 1964, playing guitar and singing backing vocals in various Hampshire based folk groups, starting off with generally American material and gradually discovering that there was a wealth of songs in our own tradition, thanks to people like the Watersons and Martin Carthy.
I can’t remember any of the group names except the last one, which was the New Barn Singers, doing mainly traditional British folk. We ran a very successful folk song and dance club at the Kings Head in Wickham for a couple of years.
I had a great time basking in the folk revival of the time, when folk clubs were packed out and starved of oxygen from all the cigarette smoke.
I left the folk scene in 1970 when the last group folded, due to interest waining as the members grew up, moved away or got married, including me in 1971.
Three children and two houses later in 1987, I discovered that a folk club was running in the pub just up the road and went along out of curiosity.
This was Woolston Folk Club and I was fascinated by the variety of traditional and contemporary songs being performed, compared to my previous experiences.
I soon realised that if I wanted to perform again, it would have to be solo and I would need to learn some songs, as I had only ever sung choruses in groups before.
I struggled to find suitable songs and before too long I decided to have a go at writing my own material, which turned out to be a very rewarding, long-term venture.
I must pay tribute to Sandy and Sam, who run what is now Woolston and Bursledon folk club, for their great encouragement in the early days.
To cut a long story short, I have appeared at quite a few folk clubs and festivals over the years, mainly in the Southern Area, but sometimes as far flung as Leeds and Southport, singing my own songs, usually solo, but sometimes with my great friends Chris and Siobhan Nelson or
Carrie Jones (my top gig with Carrie was as supporting act to Rolf Harris!).
Over the years I have also been accompanied at some gigs either by Howard Bown or Barry Toward, both excellent lead guitarists, who always seemed to come up with the right setting to suit the songs.
From 1989 to 1999 I played banjo in a five-piece string band for Loose Screws Appalachian dance team (Chris Nelson played fiddle for us and Siobhan and my wife Maureen were two of the dancers), who appeared at festivals all over the country, to much acclaim.
I also played in the Loose Screws revival team Kaleidoscope, who performed at selected events in the Southern area, including Solent Folk Festival, from 1999 to 2005. This team are reluctant to hang up their dancing shoes just yet, having done a gig in 2006 for Maureen's 60th birthday and a gig in 2007 for Folklights Extra in Romsey. Is this the end? Watch this myspace.
From 2000 to 2006 I was business manager and stage manager for Solent Folk Festival, which was based at Woolston Community Centre and was mainly about providing a platform for top class local acts, built around a headline guest and a day of workshops, sessions and dance displays.
Since 1997, I have been playing banjo in a four-piece band for Southern Lights Ladies Traditional dance team, displaying at all of the major Southern festivals.
My wife Maureen is the dance co-ordinator and does all the hard work!
Along the way, I have done several projects for Roger Watson of TAPS (Traditional Arts Projects), including Songmakers in 1996, with Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings and Roger Watson, Song of Gosport in 1997 with Cyril Tawney, Songs of Southampton Water in 1998, with Tom Robinson, and Basingstoke Mysteries in 2003, when I was appointed musical director for a series of six community plays. Sadly, the funding that made TAPS possible was withdrawn for 2008, and they are no more.
I don’t feel the need to perform so much these days, though I like to keep my hand in as a folk club floor spot, support act or accompanist and do the occasional solo gig when asked. I also "sit-in" as guitar or banjo player with various barn dance bands on occasions.
I always look forward to appearing in the trio Nelsons Wake, with Chris and Siobhan Nelson and had a great time recording and releasing our first (and probably only) CD, "Ebb and Flow" in February 2008.
It's always a great thrill though, when other artistes choose to sing or record my songs (see my playlist).
These artistes include George Wilson, Carrie Jones, Three’s Company, Brian Hooper & Jeff Henry, and especially Chris and Siobhan Nelson who featured four of my songs on each of their first two CDs and achieved a startling amount of radio play for some of my songs, not only in the UK, but also in North America, Canada, Australia and Ireland – tomorrow the world!
DISCOGRAPHY
EBB AND FLOW (as Nelsons Wake, with Chris & Siobhan Nelson)
Released 2008
Tracks :
Heartbeat of the Town, The Itchen Ferry Lad, Along the Way, Woolston's Pride, Mazey days, A Drink Now and Then, The Morning Train, 15th April 1912, Soldier Boy, Raise a Banner, Living in a Shadow, St. Crispin's Day, Ebb and Flow, James and John, Close the Door.
BUY EBB AND FLOW ONLINE!
Click on the cover image below to buy it through those lovely folks at CD BABY, and also to hear clips from all 15 tracks.
See the relevant Blogs on this page for other online sources.
For comprehensive reviews see the relevant Blog on this page.
The album is also available online from our discerning friends at The Music Well (formerly Radio Britfolk) at www.themusicwellhome.co.uk/pSales.aspx
If you prefer, you can of course buy direct from me, for £8.00 plus £1.00 P & P - send a message !
BEST WISHES (with various artistes)
Released 2002
Tracks :
Don’t Forget, The Great White Whale, Looking for Someone, Dancing in the dark, Play the Hand, Millionaire, People Say,
Spirit of the Carnival, Cradle to Grave, Lamplighters, The Climbing Boy, In the Vale, Flying for Freedom, Appalachian Sunrise,
The Fate of Itchen Ferry, Best Wishes.
(Accompanying songbook available for this album)
RISE AT DAWN
First released 1997, re-mastered and re-released 2001
Tracks :
See the Blood, Northam’s list, Four Hours’ Work, Next Sunday, Tyrie’s Downfall, Flying Solo, Marching to Work,
Gateway to the Empire, October Lament, The Demon Waits, Lovell’s Bride, Elizabeth Biggs, My Hero, The Last Flying Boat.
(Accompanying songbook available for this album)
TIME ALONE WILL TELL
First released 1994, re-mastered and re-released 2001
Tracks :
The Widow Maker, Tomorrow’s Sun, Seven More Days, Here’s to Absent Friends, Fox on the Run, The Wedding,
Dream On and On, The Black Face Miner, The Endless Chain, Chapel Streets, In the Queue, The Mayflower, For the Empire,
Just One More Song.
(Accompanying songbook available for this album)
RECORDINGS BY OTHER ARTISTES
Chris and Siobhan Nelson
TOMORROW’S SUN
Tracks :
The Widow maker, For the Empire, The Mayflower, Tomorrow’s Sun.
Chris and Siobhan Nelson
DAY HAS DAWNED
Tracks :
The Climbing Boy, Purple White and Green, City Lights, Chapel Streets.
Chris and Siobhan Nelson
On Barry Wake’s album BEST WISHES
Tracks :
Play the Hand, Lamplighters, Appalachian Sunrise.
George Wilson
WHEN JENNY SMILES
Tracks :
Tomorrow’s Sun.
George Wilson
DARLING GOOD ALE
Tracks :
Dancing in the Dark, Dream On and On.
George Wilson
On Barry Wake’s album BEST WISHES
Tracks :
The Great White Whale, People Say, The Climbing Boy.
Carrie Jones
MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES
Tracks :
Home is a Valley, City Lights.
Carrie Jones
On Barry Wake’s album BEST WISHES
Tracks :
Looking for Someone, Spirit of the Carnival, In the Vale.
Three’s Company
ALL THE GHOSTS OF GREEN
Tracks :
Dancing in the Dark.
Three’s Company
On Barry Wake’s album BEST WISHES
Tracks :
Cradle to Grave, Flying for Freedom, Dancing in the Dark.
Brian Hooper and Jeff Henry
SOUTHAMPTON IN SONG
Tracks :
Northam’s List
George King
KING SINGS WITH PRIORY HARD
Tracks :
Purple, White and Green
Several other artistes, including Mike Nicholson are currently working up songs from my back catalogue.
Hello Barry Thank you for your kind words mate, and for listening. I've just had the pleasure of listening to your fine music & reading your great biog. Top stuff. I met Chris & Siobhan at The Bothy a couple of times whilst making a fool of myself! Lovely & talented people. Good luck with the music. Onwards & upwards! Regards Paul
Hi Barry, Thanks for listening to 'Plans', my new song, that means a lot. Yes it is rather more Poppy in style. I am always seeking new ways to arrange my songs. I'm definately not a folkie, although I admire greatly what they do :)
Beautiful musicianship on your page Barry, really lovely compositions,
Funnily enough, we've managed to get a limited number of CD's produced for Chippenham first come first served - exciting!!! Have a great bank holiday w/end whatever you might be doing! x
Thanks for your comments - any feedback is very much appreciated. Listen out for some more tracks over the next couple of weeks. Are you going to Chippenham Festival next weekend??? We're going to be there & can't wait!!!
Hey barry, we've got some saturday night gigs coming up if you're interested! Not sure if we're your style though! You might most enjoy Sat 23rd Feb at Havana Bar, cool banana are playing with us and they are pretty good, checkout our top friends to listen to them.
Hi Barry, great to see you on here. Havn't had a chance to put some info about myself up yet,i must get round to it. Hope to see and hear you soon Best Wishes Chris
I was actually searching for Roger Watson! I too used to do stuff with TAP's (seems like forever ago!)& I haven't seen him for years. Came across your profile & thought it'd be good to make contact. Nice to meet you here in space:) Thanks for the comments. Kerensa x
Hi there Barry! Thanks for listening to 'Stay with me Now' ;) I'm chuffed you like it. Love your background. 'Best wishes' is my fav on your player :) Keep in touch! Eimear :0)
Hey Barry! Thanx for the nice comment! O, & sorry for only replying now, been a busy couple of days. Really like what you've done with your page & found the bits about your influences and the history & styles VERY interresting! You should let us know when you're next performing. All the best..
Hi Barry! How are you and family? Sorry couldn't come to the wedding. We've managed to get ourselves a slot at The Wedgewood Rooms Showcase 2007 2nd August!! Anyone you can get to go fab as 25% of the vote is the audience :o Speak soon Jen
Thanks, Barry. It would be great to hear you do some of your songs. Local musicians book up the slots so let me know when you are coming so I won't have to squeeze you in soon. Look forward to seeing you some time. Best, Paul
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