Paul Armfield- vocals, double bass, guitar, saw
J. C. Grimshaw- guitar, ukelele, mandolin, harmonica
Adam Kirk- guitar, piano
Rupert Brown- drums, noises, studio.
Influences
Jacques Brel, Beaver and Krause, David Ackles, Bob Dylan, Nick Lowe, Burt Baccarach, Leo Ferre.
After many years playing bass in an assortment of bands, bookstore manager Paul Armfield eventually sat down with Joan Baez's guitarist Adam Kirk and wrote and recorded a handful of songs. These demos came to the attention of a new label who comissioned an album. With his collaborator and friend now in the States Paul turned to other friends to make up a scratch band- the remarkable Four Good Reasons who, along with producer Ian Caple (Tricky, Stina Nordenson, Jan Tiersenn) and arranger Dickon Hinchliffe (Tindersticks) created the album Songs Without Words. One of the tracks on the album- Paul's self translated interpretation of a lesser know Jacques Brel song Why Should It Be That A Man Gets Bored, made it onto Barklay's Brel compilation where it sat very comfortably alongside the likes of Bowie, Scott Walker, Nina Simone et al.
Those who got to see Paul live during this period, whether as a duo supporting Lambchop, solo with the Go-Betweens or with all four of the Good Reasons witnessed performances of intense emotions, wringing tears of laughter, joy and sadness from the audience on a nightly basis. After witnessing their performance at the Glastonbury festival James Delingpole raved in the Sunday Telegraph of his 'star find'.
Since the release of the critically acclaimed second album Evermine in 2005 Paul has been busy, still selling books but also lending his upright-bass and saw playing skills to the wonderful Gramophone Party, doing a Vashti Bunyan with erstwhile cult '70s folksters Shide And Acorn now resurrected as Stickman, and playing the occasional solo show.
Which brings us up to date, the new solo album 'Blood, Fish and Bone' is pencilled in for a late summer release in 2009. Look out for live dates soon.
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Absolutely loved your set at Dimbola, My favorite of your songs is 'If I Was A Woman'. I love the ending when you ROCK OUT!!
Also just noticed your video from Dimbola last summer. I think I've got the extended version of that on DVD somewhere. Hopefully see you in another couple of weeks.
How are you? I just got the T-shirts I ordered for the NYC Musical Saw Festival. I'm excited about the logo: What do you think? I wish you could join us at the festival on Saturday, July 18th, in, NYC.
Brilliant to bump into you at Waterloo, hope the journey home went well? Loved the new album, as beautiful as always. I reckon you would go down quite well here in Frome, several places have quite folky/acoustic nights. Lots of love, Caryne x PS Play in Frome and we could put you up for the night too!!
I don't believe it, you are playing in London on May 14th and I am in London that night but already have tickets to see the New York Dolls at the 100 Club that night!! Do you know Marc Almond is also playing in London that night too!! (It's a burlesque show though so I didn't fancy it!!) Hope it all goes well? Caryne
PS Larmer Tree Festival will be great, sadly cannot afford the tickets, but the venue is sublime.
Hi Paul, Unfortunately, Luxembourg is much too far... But who knows, maybe one of these days, I'll have the pleasure to come and listen to your songs live, on your isle, since in the months to come,I'll often be in this area! Enjoy your trip on the continent, and I hope your tour will be successful; you deserve it!
Dear beard, Last saturday, I was on a ferry to Poole, when I saw your isle on my right,the sun was shining,and I thought you're very lucky to live there!
Any chance you might be travelling to the USA this summer...? This year’s NYC Musical Saw Festival is scheduled for July 18, 2009, 2pm. It sure would be great if you could participate!
Hi Paul! When are we going to hear the island's national athem on here? and the song about the shoes? They are among my faves! loved em when you performed them at Acoustic Originals, all that time ago! : ) Hope you're keeping well. xxx
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