Ron Taylor and Jeff Gillett are: Ron Taylor (vocals)
Jeff Gillett (guitar, mandola, English concertina, Appalachian dulcimer, vocals)
Malarki are: Jeff Gillett (guitar, mandola, mandolin, vocals)
Cathy Brown, Adam Brown (fiddles)
Colin Rudall (bass)
Ron Taylor began singing traditional folk song with harmony group The Songwainers over thirty-five years ago. He has also performed unaccompanied song solo, with Sue Burgess and with another highly regarded harmony group: Regal Slip. He began working with Jeff Gillett in the late nineteen-eighties.
Jeff Gillett is best known as a sensitive and inventive accompanist on guitar, mandola, English concertina and Appalachian dulcimer. As well as accompanying Ron, he is an experienced solo performer, with a diverse repertoire that leans towards traditional folk. He also continues to perform mostly Irish music with Malarki (Cathy Brown, Adam Brown and Colin Rudall) and with Becky Dellow. His previous band, Fubar, was formed with Glyn Hendy and Becky, later replaced by Cathy.
Jeff's musical compositions go some way beyond the normal bounds of folk music. He has set the entire collection of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience to music. The project has developed as a multi-media presentation with projections of Blake's original paintings, additional vocals by Elaine Gillett and Alison Gregory (who also plays cello, keyboard and recorder) and violin and mandolin by Cathy Brown.
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..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
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; "Broken-roofed 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..?
Hiya Jeff..... yeah it was great - really enjoyed all the different songs, and enjoyed my own sister singing, rare thing, but she felt comfortable enough among friends. Wonderful group of people you hang around with..... regards to Elaine, and of course Ron! Niamh x
Hello Jeff, welcome to MadSpace. I've only just discovered your William Blake stuff ... Blake is a big inspiration for me so I'm very interested in that. Anyway I expect I'll see you at the Minch again in due course.
Thanks ever so for the friends request... a nice surprise to see you on here, and look forward to seeing you both again before too long!! All the best Irene
