Starting out as school friends in 1966, the Foresters of Walesby began singing unaccompanied vocal harmony folk tunes in Lincolnshire folk clubs. Dez Allenby, Martin and Adrian Welham soon progressed to writing within the burgeoning psychedelic folk movement in the wake of the Incredible String Band's mid 60's beginnings, finally changing their name to FOREST.
The rare single 'Searching For Shadows' was released in 1969, followed by Forest's debut eponymous album which featured a colourful mix of acoustic instrumentation and rich harmonies, evoking pastoral sound scapes of misty, smoke-filled worlds of olde. 'Full Circle' was released a year later, a more eclectic mix of tracks which saw each member venturing down their own unique avenues. Titles such as 'Bluebell Dance', 'Midnight Hanging of a Runaway Serf' and 'Graveyard' portend the darker offerings explored. By the early 1970's the Harvest label no longer looked to invest in such esoteric musical genres, and in 1972 the trio disbanded.
The seminal albums have since been reissued both on vinyl and CD. Recently the track 'Graveyard' featured on psych-folk compilation 'Gather in the mushrooms' and 'Fading Light' on the 'Strange Folk' compilation CD. Thirty years on, Forest are as moving, stirring and haunting as ever.
Martin is now back as part of psych-folk duo THE STORY with his son Tom. Dez is now recording with his wife Cathy as Southernwood, and Adrian is still writing and adding to his canon of songs to this day.
N.B.
Please note that this neck of the woods is not presided over by FOREST, but by the Forest Faerie. Should you wish to contact a member of Forest, please e-mail Martin Welham @ THE STORY.
TWILIGHT FOLK CLUB PRESENTS… CIRCULUS plus SYD ARTHUR LIVE AT ORANGE STREET MUSIC CLUB CANTERBURY
ORANGE STREET MUSIC CLUB (01227) 760801
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH 8.00PM TICKETS £9/£8 IN ADVANCE CIRCULUS
‘British band Circulus have almost single handedly reinvented English Psychedelic Folk Rock for the 21st Century…..their sound is totally unique coming across like a mixture of medieval English Folk, Fairport Convention and Ozric Tentacles! ‘This band just leave you wanting more, playing a wonderful mix of psychedelicised folk whilst hankering to a more pastoral time, but always feel uncomfortably bang up to date. The songs are a fantastic mix of heady summer jigs & ballads, sung with a crystal clear Englishness that can make you come over all unnecessary. This is prog/folk spot on in every way, and probably the only band around who use a Crumhorn, Cittern & Rausch pfiffer????......the audience is sent home happy. Seeking medieval inspiration is not in itself new – Gryphon and Amazing Blondel spring to mind – but Circulus marry this with vintage 70’s space-rock a la Hawkwind/Gong’. Power to the Pixies! WATCH CIRCULUS HERE- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2OavLPpPVw
SYD ARTHUR Syd Arthur are an exciting new band from the South East of the country, at the forefront of the young musical explorers whose unique sound has been making waves far beyond their native Canterbury. Their highly ec
High time I passed by to leave you a warm greeting for a prospering spring season, and thanks for the beauty, visually and aurally, you are presenting here. It's an oasis.x
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