Though not a regular permanent band, "Los Marbles" is the name I give nowadays to the collective power of talented friends who collaborate with me on the albums. And they are - in no order at all:
Miranda Sykes (of SoH, LJE etc)- double bass, lekky bass, vocals Saskia Tomkins - fiddle Anahata - cello, concertina, melodeon Mary Humphreys - vocals Vicki Swan - smallpipes, double bass, lekky bass Jonny Dyer - Accordion, guitar John Thompson (of Cloudstreet) - vocals Nicole Murray (of Cloudstreet) - whistles, vocals Chris Green (of Isambarde) - bouzouki Jude Rees (of Isambarde) - oboe Terry Silver - more whistles Jeff Hinds - steel drum Robb Johnson - lekky (Slough) guitar Dan Waller - lekky (sweet) guitar Johnny Collins - vocals Graeme Knights - vocals John Breeze - vocals
My thanks and admiration to one and all, they are awesome.
Influences
Pete Atkin & Clive James, Stan Rogers, Angelo Branduardi, Jake Thackeray, Jeremy Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel and Richard Thompson for a start. And then, everyone else too. And also medieval music, byzantine music, English & Irish folk, Latin American folk, Greek trad & contemporary folk, Italian & French pop of the 60s...
The Mudcat Cafe and all those lovely, crazy, annoying, diverse, perverse, talented and sheer anoraks that comprise it has often given rise to inspiration; and more often to relaxation, meeting of minds and discourse. Sometimes even intelligent conversation!
But above all, the people around me, "heroes just for making it through each day", struggling with their loveable imperfections to achieve that universal dream: A normal, happy life. Their winges and moans, their small joys and weaknesses, their courage and their capacity for wonder, love, hate, prejudice, altruism and selfishness, sacrifice and indifference. Bless them all.
Sounds Like
What a question - any answer is bound to be patronising. Tell you what - you tell me!
Even better - why not click on the picture below and buy this great charity album supporting the Alzheimers Foundation of Ireland, and then you can find out for yourself, as well as getting another 25 great tracks!
“George is something special” – Martin Carthy
“The best thing to happen in UK songwriting in many a year” – Harvey Andrews
George’s stock-in-trade is quality songsmithery that everyone can relate to, rather than the more exclusive overt-confessional-soapbox mode that we often encounter. But he is not politically naïve, neither is his outlook without conscience; he just prefers lasting values to transient/parading activism, and takes genuine delight in simple pleasures.
George only began songwriting in 2001, but since then he has written 200+ songs and produced no less than eight CDs of his material. As an indication of the man’s quality, four of his albums were released on Robb Johnson’s Irregular Records (Ordinary Heroes & For My Next Trick) and UNLaBELLED Record labels (Silent Majority & Life As Usual), and with his last two, Life’s Eyes & Looking Both Ways, he entered the WildGoose stable. Additionally, more than a dozen of his songs are already covered by singers like Vin Garbutt, Andy Irvine, Roy Bailey, Jim Causley, Cloudstreet and Enda Kenny to name but a few. He has also made numerous appearances on UK and Australian radio and toured in Australia three times (2004, 2006 & 2008) including performances at the prestigious Australian National Folk Festival.
As a performer, George has a unique singing style. First impressions of gentility and understatement are quickly dispelled by his trademark passion. As a writer, he is driven by a love of people with all their imperfections, conveying the various issues and concerns with a healthy integrity and a deep folk sensibility. George is clearly conversant with a variety of musical styles and song forms, and his versatility extends throughout the many facets of folk music and types of song - from seasonal to the theory and practice of war, protest, industrial, vocational, social observation, local history/nostalgia, childhood memories, maritime, philosophical anthems and story songs. Now and then he also mirrors the music and rhythms of his native Greece.
A fitting epithet for his work might well be "songs for tomorrow's tradition", for make no mistake – George’s songs are putting down roots.
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..?
Thanks for checking out Charlie’s pages, we’re pleased to have you onboard! We hope you enjoyed her music and will continue to visit for all the latest news, downloads and updates. Please stop by Charlie’s other websites below.
Thrifty Beatnik Vintage Clothing Newcastle You Need Vintage Originals in Your Life x START A BAND IN THE NORTH-EAST AT OUR FORUM www.thriftybeatnik.co.uk
Thank you for your friendship and supporting my music!
I blend folk, jazz and contemporary music that soothe the soul and mellow the mind. Join my mailing list and get free downloads! http://www.tanjamaritsa.co.uk
Tipota. Thank you for having me, your music is very sweet sounding. i like the picking style, subdued and modern. songs have early brit folk feel and rebetika to it, very interesting. will come back for more. Gia soy Georgy!
Tomorrow is the launch of the 'Forget Me Not' CD. Please tune in with us at 9pm (UK Time) as Terry Ferdinand's Folk Show launches the CD. You can listen live at www.bishopfm.com/listen/
Thank You for supporting the CD and for giving so freely your time and talents. ALL proceeds WILL go to Alzheimers' Ireland.
Thanks to you as well. I'm loving the tunes man. The ones on my profile are considerably older than the ones you will have heard through Mudcat, but they are all I currently have recorded.
You old hypochondriac you. My possible CD tracks sound like I have swallowed a frog. It all adds character was what I was told ;) I know an old malaka who swallowed a frog. What a hog to swallow a frog. Don't think he'll die.
