Magpie Lane

Traditional English songs and dance tunes performed on acoustic instruments:

7 critically-acclaimed CDs on the Beautiful Jo label
buy online at www.bejo.co.uk

Popular guests at discerning folk clubs and festivals - including Sidmouth, Fylde, Towersey and Chippenham

'Thanks for another great evening. Every time Magpie Lane appear at Ringwood Folk club we are near to capacity, with plenty of great singing from you and the audience. It's really good to hear proper Southern English Traditional music played so well.'
Rod Biggs, Ringwood Folk Club organiser

'Magpie Lane have turned their hands to many different themed projects down the years and are every bit as listenable here as ever. They are equally effective singing in permutations from solo to full ensemble and (a big plus in my book) make good use of a cello in their arrangements.'
Nick Beale, fRoots

'They do sterling work dusting off England's traditional songs and tunes'
Verity Sharp, BBC Radio3

'this Oxfordshire sextet represents the very best in the English country dance and song tradition… an accomplished and joyous album that's the finest in its genre in many a moon'
Sing Out!

‘The music and songs are all performed with a deep respect for the material, retaining the traditional flavour completely ... Will prove a delight to lovers of traditional English music and song,'
Folkwrite magazine

'Carefully chosen material, meticulously arranged and honed to perfection... Familiar songs have been revitalised and given a new burst of energy either through original arrangements - 'A Begging I will Go' - or full blooded chorus singing - 'The Constant Lovers'. 72 minutes of quality music'
Folk London

'release consistently good albums of English songs and music'
Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

 

'You can tell it's English a mile away'
Ashley Hutchings

‘If there were a pub session in heaven, it would sound like this.'
Sing Out!

Band members

• Ian Giles.. vocals, side-drum, percussion, hurdy-gurdy
   
• Andy Turner.. vocals, anglo-concertina, one-row melodeon
   
• Sophie Thurman.. vocals, cello, whistle, tambourine
   
• Mat Green.. fiddle, vocals
   
• Jon Fletcher.. guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, vocals