Improvised experimental/free folk music from Sheffield, UK.
featuring James Green (of Big Eyes) on Cello, Autoharp, Organs, Xylophone, Guitar, Banjo and Pipes, Fred Bellis (of Hot Snack / Acolytes Action Squad) on Drums, Percussion, Piano and Singing, David Jaycock (of Big Eyes / Bingo Jesus) on Acoustic Guitars, Pipes and Electric Guitars, Lindsay Aitkenhead (of East-Handed / Tashbain) on Viola, Bowed Cymbal, Pipes and Thumb Piano, Andres Sotorrio (of Bingo Jesus) on Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Jaw-Harp and Harmonica, and J 'Chrome' Smith (of Evil Me / Truckstop Women) on Electric Guitar and Pipes. Matt Howden (Seiben/solo) also guests on Violin on the 'Gadzooks!' album.
Releases
2005 'Gadzooks!' cd-album EWR2 - 12 tracks
limited to 250 copies, each with a hand-printed lino-cut sleeve
available from the EWR website via Paypal/mail order
Also 2 tracks featured on the Early Winter Music Vol..1 compilation, released with 'I'd Rather Be Fat Than Be Confused' ZINE..7 (available by sending an email to idratherbefatthanbeconfused@orange.net)
The Broken Blackbird Ensemble's Friend Space (Top 7)
a story for you and your lovely music (old Zambian tale)
When gray Ringdove calls the other monotone birds together and asks, "Who of all is the most beautiful?" they all reply, "Blackbird."
Because they haven't got a spot of black on their bodies, the colorful birds of Africa envy Blackbird. They dance in the sky and sing songs all about how his feathers can gleam all colors in the sun.
Blackbird agrees to paint black markings on them (with the blackening brew in his medicine gourd). First he adds a ‘necklace of midnight’ to Ringdove, then markings of black to every feathered creature large and small
but he warns Ringdove that it's not the color black that will make them beautiful.
"Color on the outside is not what's on the inside..
whatever I do, I'll be me and you'll be you"
