Ruth Angell - Vocals,Guitar,Violin,viola,casio key-board,percussion,effects,recorders
In the Wee Green Man Solo the band is SURGE. It's 'live' from the Jam House Birmingham '08
Influences
My musical influences (in no particular order): Nature, wind, sea, hills, sun, flowers, thunder, rain and snow. Also Bach, Ric Saunders, Bjork, Tracy Chapman, Joe Broughton, L'aura, June Tabor, Django Bates, Django Reinhardt, Nick Drake, Cara Dillon, Dr.L.Subramanium, Jo Hamilton, Jim Moray, Sid Peacock, Tom Waits, Stephane Grappelli, Yehudi Menuhin, The Be Good Tanya's, Capercaille, Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Jose Gonzales, Ani Difranco, Stevie Wonder, Chieftens, Alison Krauss, Hot Club of Cow Town, John Coltrane, Magic Malik, Doc Watson, Iain Ballamy, Bruce Springstein, Steve Read, Bill Frissell, Frank Zappa, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainright, Christine Tobin, Dolly Parton, Raymond Scott, Bob Marley, Chemical Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Taraf de Haidouks, Amelie (the movie and music), Quentin Tarantino, Steve Tromans, leonard Cohen, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Regina Spektor, Sandy Denny,MABON,Robert Plant, Bobby Mc Ferrin, Lunasa, Kenny Baker, J Scott Skinner, Pat Metheny,
Sounds Like
Hmm, not sure yet, still havn't figured out what I am yet......have you?
Ruth is a professional musician playing in multiple bands on the violin, guitar and singing vocals, she is also a writer. She learnt the violin from the age of 4 and has cultivated a love of music from all genres. She was introduced to Old Time fiddle tunes and Bluegrass music by Steve Read a family friend and since the age of about 11 has developed a love of folk music from all around the world.
Ruth always thought she had a voice but was never quite sue how to use it, she would sing in the bath and in the school choir, sometimes a little solo but always dreamt of bigger things. Her parents sent her to a proper singing teacher who told her she didn't have boobs big enough to be an opera singer, but she tried (briefly) and has learnt lots from her lessons. After many years of practice, non practice, loving and hating the violin she went to study in a conservatoire in Birmingham thinking that classical violin was the way to go, but struggling to stay sane in a miniature room for hours on her own trying to fit in to a box she wondered if she had done the right thing. She then met Joe Broughton (fiddler extrodinaire) and founder of the Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble who invited her to join the band giving her a much needed life line and a glimpse of what the future might hold. She then fell in love with Sid Peacock (Northern Irish, handsome maverick composer and thinker..) who showed her that you could play other types of music and improvise on the violin and it was just as valid. So head of composition Andrew Downes gave her the chance to do a degree in composition and welcomed her with an open mind. She got her degree, much to her parents delight!! and after a brief period of being homeless and skint was snapped up by Ashley Hutchings who has been mentor, employer and friend ever since.
Along side performing and being involved with various music projects, Ruth also teaches violin to mostly small people and tries to inspire everyone to have a go and find their inner musician.
Bands she is currently playing in are:
'Rainbow Chasers'- original accoustic music with Ashley Hutchings, Jo Hamilton and Joe Topping.
'SURGE'- 12 piece jazz ensemble run by Sid Peacock.
'MABON'- funky Welsh celtic band playing all original compositions by Jamie Smith on accordian. They will make you dance!!!
'The Morris On Band'- funky Morris for any occasion!
'The Larkrise Band'- a pleasant evening with Ashley hutchings and friends bringing to life the english country side through music and words.
Other people she is currently working with on various projects:
Elbow Jane- These guy's have just released their new album 'Three Side Island'. Strings by Ruth Angell. Check them out at www.elbowjane.com
'The Mother Of All Morris'- brand new album out in October 2007, you can buy it NOW!!
Judy Dunlop- album 'Painting Is Fun'
NEW LARKRISE ALBUM Larkrise Revisited. Buy it now, you'll love it ;)
Her (Ruth's) own material for her debut album. Watch this space, things may happen one day....
Ruth spends her time writing music and words,playing,performing and listening to music, knitting, drinking beer/whisky(only the quality stuff!), having baths, moaning when it's cold, planting things,watching the black bird in the garden gathering worms for his family, lounging around the charity shops, finding bargains, cycling, having cup's of tea or Pimms with friends, watching interesting movies, going out and having fun and collecting shells on the beach.
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..?
Hi Ruth, I see you are returning to the Sage, Gateshead with MABON. If I get to see you I'll definately come and have a chat this time as I was far too starstruck to approach you the last time. Hope you enjoyed Italy. All the best. Trev (of 'Few Broth')
Hi Ruth ...hope you are well. Come Chill out at Reggaebaby Lounge, 1st Thursday in every month. Catchup with friends and listen to your favourite West Midlands artistes old and new On rotation
Please join us for our DEBUT GIG on 12th June at The Cross, Moseley, Birmingham. From 8pm. Only £6 on the door with support from Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys.
Just to let you know I've launched a new website: www.StressFreePrint.co.uk. If you get a sec, please take a look around and let me know what you think. As always, give me a shout if you need any leaflets, flyers or posters to promote your gigs. Hope I can help you out sometime.
Take care and keep up the good work, Tom.
P.S. Cheers for your friendship. As a thank you, enter voucher code 'myspace' when ordering leaflet printing, flyer printing or poster printing and I'll knock 15 quid off the cost!
It was lovely to have a wee chat after the Lark Rise gig last night. We really enjoyed the show! Just looked at your dates and we'll definitely try and get to the Rainbow Chasers gig in New Milton. Cheers! Phil x
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
Happy New Year (a bit late I know... sorry!) Cheers for your friendship in 2008. All the best for 09. As always, let me know if I can help you out with any leaflets, flyers or posters to promote your gigs. If you place an order, just mention that you're one of my Myspace friends and I'll knock 15 quid off the cost. Hope I can help you out sometime. Take care, Tom. Check out my website to find out more about leaflet printing, flyer printing and poster printing.
Stopped by to wish you Happy New Year and spent too much time listening to your tracks! Perhaps we should put some songs into the mix with a voice like that! Cheers, Derek
