Stuart Estell and his performing troupe of tame musical instruments
Influences
In no particular order: Nic Jones, William Kimber, Syd Barrett, Peter Bellamy, Al Stewart, John Kirkpatrick, Steeleye Span, Martin Carthy, Jean Ritchie, Ralph McTell, A L Lloyd, The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Tim Hart & Maddy Prior, Steeleye Span, Suzanne Vega, Alistair Anderson, Woodie Guthrie, Hank Williams, Del McCoury, Ralph Stanley, The Wedding Present, Morrissey, The Velvet Underground, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Jandek, Marc Almond, The Fall, Echo & The Bunnymen, Half Man Half Biscuit, Schubert, Mahler, Shostakovich, Wild Willi Beckett
Hailing from Birmingham in the West Midlands, singer and multi-instrumentalist Stuart Estell performs on more instruments than is healthy - mainly concertina and dulcimer, but nothing's off-limits really. Except woodwind. He doesn't get on with woodwind.
He plays a wide variety of folk material from the English and Appalachian traditions - the old tragic ballads, songs from the singing of the Copper Family and Jean Ritchie, plus his own songs, and a variety of covers which range from the more sensible (Johnny Cash, the Carter Family) to the more obscure (Pop Will Eat Itself) and the downright daft (George Formby's "When I'm Cleaning Windows", anyone?)
NEW ALBUM - MOTHER'S THINKING BATH - NOW AVAILABLE featuring 11 new original instrumental tracks in the English and Appalachian folk traditions.
"Mother's Thinking Bath" was recorded in Birmingham as a tribute to the late Wild Willi Beckett of the Psycho Surgeons and brims over with all sorts of instruments: anglo concertina, appalachian dulcimer, duet concertina, piano, harmonium, melodeon, guitars and whatever else happened to be to hand.
The album is chock full of dance rhythms, drones, and downright catchy tunes.
More importantly, profits from the first batch of CDs pressed will go to WATER AID in memory of Wild Willi Beckett.
That particular one seems to be a right favourite with the friends at the moment. I must get round to uploading that entire 'Proper 3' session one day - it's a right racket but it's entertaining.
Peter Friis Nieslen (electric bass) Born 1948 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Leading bass player of the international improvised music scene. Has performed and recorded with such greats as Peter Brotzmann, John Tchicai and Evan Parker.
This week sees the last ever gig at the MAC before its 18th month closure!!
Invention Convention, Friday 28th March, Hexagon Theatre, MAC, Birmingham. 7:30pm start, £6/4, Co promoted by Birmingham Jazz. Tom Arthurs (Trumpet) John Edwards (Bass) Tony Marsh (Drums) Mike Hurley (Piano)
FiZZLE, 1st April at The Lamp Tavern, Barford St, Birmingham. £5/3, 8:45pm. First Half: John Edwards (Double Bass) - Solo Set Adrian Northover (Sax) - Solo Set Second Half: John Edwards/Adrian Northover/Mike Hurley - Trio Set
Just to say I love your rendition of "Sam Hall" and am playing it on my April show on Dandelion radio, streaming from Tuesday and throughout the month at www. dandelionradio. com. Check the schedule on the website for times when the show's going out.
BECKETT TRIBUTE EVENT: 3rd Nov 2007 We are very pleased to announce that plans are well underway for a (massive and worthy) party-cum-tribute in honour of the late Willi Beckett. We very much hope to see you there. 3rd Nov 2007 Beehive, Bradford. 7.30til late
PSYCHO SURGEONS with Dave Savage, Fish Brothers, Nick Toczek, Little Brother, DJ Linda. Plus World premier of the short film One Last One AND includes 7inch single. Details below
Willi Beckett Tribute Party
KINGDOM COME: party, gig and reunion for Willi Beckett's friends and fans.
A few words from us...
Put simply, a celebration of a remarkable life is called for. This gig / party is for everybody who knew Wild Willi Beckett, followed the Psycho Surgeons (and chanted HORSE'S ARSE!) or simply enjoyed Willli's music, poetry, political tomfoolery and general good company. So it's about you lot coming together with us lot and raising the roof for The Doctor: the ultimate frontman, and inspiration to many. We are also celebrating what would have been his 60th birthday (or near enough). What could be better than that?
We couldn't throw a Beckett party without live music. So, as a one-off, the culprits formerly known as the Psycho Surgeons will play (hell yes!) – along with Dave Savage, the Fish Brothers, Nick Toczek, Little Brother, DJ Linda. Be warned – Naff Verse may enter into the proceedings. And we couldn't throw a Beckett party without access to decent beer, so we are holding this in the cellar bar of Bradford's best pub – the New Beehive.
Importantly (production schedules permitting), the gig will incorporate an absolutely unique 7inch single "Kingdom Come, Bring It O
yeah, I get that "what the hell is that thing" comment all the time, too... what's really fun is to let them try and play it! haha... thanks for the add
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