Humph Bennett - vocals, acoustic 6 string guitar, soprano and concert ukuleles, mandolin and some props etc.!!...............................................................................
John Blake - vocals, acoustic 6 string and 12 string guitar, soprano and baritone ukuleles, mandolin and props.
Influences
Everly Brothers, Lennon & McCartney, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Leon Redbone, Jimmy Rogers, Inkspots, Flanagan & Allen, even Laurel & Hardy ...............................................................................
Review by Jim Tigwell, Nova Scotia Folk Club, Bristol - 31st January 2005............. "A Real Performance, including songs by the Everly Brothers, cowboy songs and Laurel & Hardy songs, all done in their wonderfully individual way and in perfectly matched harmony"
Sounds Like
We want to sound like "The Willbees". We are not loud or "flash" - and try to make people relax and smile a whole lot more. Someone labelled us "Harmony & Nonsense" don't know who it was, it might have been us? -------------------------------
When we do other people's songs we make a point of not copying them but try to develop our own ideas into them, to put our own stamp on them.
We are a harmony duo, performing regularly around the Bristol, Gloucestershire and Somerset folk/roots scene, we have even been known to reach as far as the likes of Wiltshire when there is a following wind.
We are both singers and acoustic guitarists, although the debate on the latter will cause a lot of "falling about with laughter". We have recently developed an interest in playing ukuleles, would you believe in four different sizes, which has added a new and surprisingly popular feature to the act. Well, they are easier to play and fortunately for us everybody loves the sound. We firmly believe in the comment from the great LWIII that "If everybody in the world was given a Ukulele at birth ------------ There would be World Peace" ------------------------------------------------
Our repertoire does not fall into one particular category. We include folk, country, ballads, light comedy and some really silly stuff, and just about any other style, selecting our songs chiefly on the basis of strong harmony.
As well as many local gigs and some live radio work we played the main stage at Priddy Folk Fayre 2006, providing what the organisers described as the "alternative" set.
We find these days that nearly everybody needs a break from hardcore folk so we get drafted into all sorts of festivals, charity events, village days, society events etc. In fact we like nothing better than to be dragged along to play at special garden parties or birthdays where we can cause a bit of mayhem with our silly brand of old nonsense, allowing a few fun loving audience members or musicians to join in and make sure it's something we will all remember. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Our main base club is The Nova Scotia Folk Club in Bristol -- www.novascotiafolkclub.co.uk -- on a Monday evening 8.30-11.00pm. Also Beeses bar & tea garden on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, April to September.
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2007 - Events included gigs at local folk clubs e.g. Crosskeys at Fishponds, St. James Wine Vaults in Bath, St. Bonaventures and several at the Nova Scotia. Notable events at Park St. Masonic Hall, a friend's wedding, Withywood Church Centre Concert, Glastonbury Abbey Abbot's Kitchen, Pensford Evergreens, beer festivals, special birthday parties and anniversaries. Another chance to do Priddy Folk festival and the start of Beeses Club down on the banks of the river Avon, along with countless "open stage" events around the area.------------------------------------ 2008 was even better and 2009 so far even better again!!!! adding "Session Vocalists" to the list of things we get into by adding harmony lines to recordings by Mike Scott, Nicky Johns, Barry Walsh and Issy & David Emeney so far------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
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..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
We realise how this is quite obviously automated and you will probably consider it as spam and ignore it.. but if you are feeling the need for a some fresh new music please visit our page and give our new EP a listen. We've worked really hard on it and had some excellent feedback so far and would love to hear what you guys think.
"Exciting, Striding and assured. It has an energy reminiscant of everything that was good about the Klaxons debut album.." - BBC Radio Bristol.
"The overall sound echoes that of Bloc Party but with great conviction and sophistication. Go see them live if you can." - iTunes review.
It's also available to buy through our website and itunes if you really do like it.
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 and Henry Priestman.
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Hi The Willbees We wanna thank you for your very important support in those sad days.
This thanx are in our name, in the name of Enrico's wife Paola and in the name of his sons.
Enrico Micheletti's ashes are flyin' throughout the universe and we hope his soul is finally arrived at a beautiful destination.
What about his music and the music we had recorded toghether?
We finally decide to get it out. We wanna remeber Enrico in this way. In the first quarter of 2009 we will publish all our and Enrico Micheletti' s materials on Itunes and many other stores on the web.
We'll send you a message when it's all ready.
God bless you!!! Have a wonderful 2009!!!
KEEP THE BLUES ALIVEEEE!!!!!!!
Ciao The Willbees ti volevamo ringraziare per le tue parole e per il tuo sostegno in periodo così difficile per noi.
Questi ringraziamenti non sono formali, sono veramente sinceri a nome nostro, della moglie di Enrico Paola e a nome dei suoi figli.
Le ceneri di Enrico Micheletti sono disperse nel mar Tirreno e stanno viaggiando nell' universo. Noi speriamo che anche la sua anima abbia raggiunto finalmente il miglior approdo possibile.
Cosa fare del suo materiale in nostro possesso e del materiale che abbiamo registrato insieme?
Dopo aver pensato a lungo sul da farsi abbiamo deciso di pubblicarlo. Lo pubblicheremo su Itunes ed altri siti così tutti potranno trovarlo se lo cercano. Glielo dobbiamo. Glielo deve chi lo ha conosciuto.
Cercheremo di pubblicare tutto ciò che è in nostro possesso nei primi mesi del 2009.
Appena sarà tutto pronto ti faremo sapere.
Felice Anno Nuovo. Dio ti benedica ancora, grazie. Suonate il blues più che
