Helena Reynolds - Vocals, 5 String Viola, Octave Violin, English Bagpipes
Richard Arrowsmith - Vocals, Melodeons
Influences
Very varied but including: Cordelia's Dad, Tim Eriksen, The Young Tradition, Peter Bellamy, The Watersons, John Kirkpatrick, Swan Arcade, Chris Wood & Andy Cutting, Malicorne, Gabriel Yacoub, La Bamboche, Brass Monkey, Kings of Calicutt, Fred Jordan, May Bradley, Walter Pardon, Bob Roberts and many more traditional and revival musicians and singers.
Sounds Like
"Crucible reach to the heart of the matter... bringing guts and attitude back into the music."
FRoots
"It's unusual to encounter a group that displays such instrumental talent and such vocal strength simultaneously: these kids can really play."
Sing Out!
"Emphatically talented... What instantly stands out is that each of them is not only a very capable musician but also has a joyfully distinctive voice"
The Folkmag
"plenty of light and shade, good taste, expertise and clued in performance - an example to anyone and everyone - young and old- who wishes to get involved in the interpretation of traditional English music and keep it real and keep it cool! Their combined instrumental and singing skills are nothing short of stunning."
The current line up congealed over a number of years of friendly playing, singing and drinking together in the vibrant trad. music scene of Sheffield, UK, a place that Colin Irwin recently described as the "Capital of English Folk Music". All four members of Crucible had been playing in other bands, notably dance/ceildih acts Jabadaw and Hekety whilst singing together informally in pubs around the city and at clubs and festivals. Slowly this developed into actually a) practicing and b) getting some gigs.
In 2003 Crucible recorded their debut CD "Changeling" on WildGoose Records, and then went off to tour in Canada. This in turn led to an increasing UK profile and a steady trickle of bookings at folk clubs and festivals around the UK. Since then the band have released a second album 2005's "Crux" (again on WildGoose) toured again in Canada and Europe and in 2008 released 3rd ALbum Love and Money on Fellside Recordings.
Crucible are imminently due to head out to Canada once again, followed by a few UK dates and then a mini tour of austria around October.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
We are proud to announce that we are HEADLINING the Cream
Insturment Cable Stage at the Lesser Muni as part of the 2009 Great British
R&B Festival in Colne, Lancashire, UK on Monday August 31st. The
Charlie White Project and Sheffield’s blues
poet Mr Billy Martin Jnr are also appearing. Expect great music and utterly
immaculate sound quality using cutting edge PA cables and power amps. Ticket
details are available at www.bluesfestival.co.uk.
Doors open at 7.30pm and we will be onstage at 10.15pm.
Our new album “A Time and Place” is available directly from www.robinhoare.com via Pay Pal and from
good record stores.
Thanks very much for becoming friends with The Living Tradition.
We are re-launching our myspace to include more gig dates and news than it is possible to include in The Living Tradition magazine.
To keep up to date with news and gigs from around the UK folk music scene please subscribe to our BLOG and our FRIEND UPDATES on your myspace home - and don't forget to tell us what you are up to. All the best The Living Tradition Team
Thank you for such a fun workshop yesterday (Saturday 25th) and an amazing concert. Loved the interpretation of Dancing in Whitsun(?), also the beautiful harmonies. All the best, Russell - musical beggar (the lone guitarist at the workshop!).
Hi there to all of you Hope things are going well for you and the rest of your summer has been great. We loved meeting you in Canada and having a good tune! Take care and keep in touch. Love Rallion
Hi again to all four of you Hope you are enjoying your week. It was fab to meet you in Cambridge and I really enjoyed our joint workshop. You guys have a great sound and are great people as well. Thanks for your company and your music. Hopefully we will meet again soon. Love Fiona
Hi there Crucibles! Great to meet you on here. And we will; be meeting each other in the flesh in a few weeks at the Mill Race! Looking forward to it loads and hopefully we'll have a great weekend. I play with the band Rallion. Take care till then Love Fiona
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