About Steve
Steve Knightley's background provides all the ingredients for an itinerant West Country Celtic storyteller:
'I was born in Southhampton. My great-grandfather was a dockmaster and both my grandfathers worked in the docks. One of my grandmothers was Irish, the other Scottish. When I was five the family moved to Devon. I started playing the guitar and mandolin at fourteen and was soon performing in folk clubs and bars in and around Exeter'.
Knightley was first attracted to acoustic music after listening to early Baez and Dylan records. He began performing while still at school, eventually leaving to study politics and history in Coventry. Downes and Beer began using Steve's songs in their live shows and regularly stayed with him when they were in the midlands. Steve completed a postgraduate certificate in education at Sussex University and moved to London, where for six years he was involved in the mainstream music scene. He moved back to Dorset in the mid eighties and began supply teaching at a local school. It was here that he gave guitar lessons to Polly (PJ) Harvey. Steve worked with Phil from 1987 when Phil was still in the Albion Band, and later, in Show of Hands, Steve's own material was used more and more. He is a prolific and talented songwriter with an astounding voice ('...vast and windswept...' Q Magazine).
As featured on: BBC Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday
BBC 6’s Tom Robinson Show
BBC Scotland; BBC Ulster, BBC Wales, BBC West Midlands, BBC Southern Counties, BBC Lancashire , BBC Nottinghamshire, BBC Gloucestershire, BBC Shropshire and BBC Devon
"There's a reason why Knightley has been called, ''one of England's greatest singer-songwriters'' and you'll find evidence enough of his obvious abilities in these nakedly honest songs of hurt and hope” – BBC Music
“An astonishing masterpiece – shows his fearsome power as a songwriter ” – Electric Ghost
“Some of this ace songwriter’s best writing” – Folk & Roots.co.uk
“Some damn fine songs” – Spiral Earth
“Compelling and evocative, meriting comparison with his best works”– Colin Irwin, Properganda
“ A stripped back affair that further underlies Knightley’s position as one of the country’s finest songwriters in any field – not just roots” – Leamington Observer
“This bold retracing of his first major solo project is a real triumph. Face in the Frame is a truly heartbreaking highlight ; Caught in the Rain is spellbinding while sassy trumpet brings a curiously sensual feel to the acute fragility of Broken"– Netrhythms
“The vocal performances are powerful and the playing exemplary” – Rock ‘n’ Reel
“Real gems from the man who gave England back its musical soul” – Frank Hennessy, BBC Wales
SHOW OF HANDS UK TOUR: April 15-May 17, 2009
Steve’s first solo album in eight years, with a more stripped down, acoustic feel. New original songs and a rework of ‘Crooked Man’. Co-produced by Steve and Mark Tucker at the Presshouse Studio in Colyton.
Show Of Hands Album 'Arrogance Ignorance & Greed; is this weeks album of the week on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 4th November 2009. Live on air; on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. Probably the most eclectic mix of music currently on air. The full play list is now up on my blog.
Show Of Hands tracks 'Arrogance Ignorance & Greed; The Keys Of Canterbury; & The Napoli' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 4th November 2009. Live on air; on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. Probably the most eclectic mix of music currently on air. The full play list is now up on my blog.
Ciao,Steve Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
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Steve Knightley track 'Transported' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 19th August 2009. Live on air on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. The full play list is now up on my blog.
Steve Knughtley track 'Track Of Words' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 15th July 2009. Live on air on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. The full play list is now up on my blog.
Hi Seve I found your other projects story on the Tom Robinson web site. it's a good thing you did there. felt inspired by at just at a time I was thinking it's time to pack this lark up Pete
Thoroughly enjoying the revisit of Track of Words. Love to know how you found the project, going back to songs you wrote so long ago now that you've grown and changed too. But it is an excellent album, thanks.
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