Stuart John Wolstenholme was a founder-member of Barclay James Harvest, together with John Lees, Les Holroyd and Mel Pritchard, in 1967. He remained with BJH until 1979, when he became frustrated and unhappy at the direction their music was taking. He recorded a solo album, Mæstoso, in 1980, with guest musicians Steve Broomhead on guitar and Kim Turner on drums. With the addition of bassist Terry Grady, this trio formed a new band, also called Maestoso, and toured as support to Judie Tzuke and Saga. A projected second album, Black Box, was shelved and Woolly lost interest in the music business, preferring instead to farm, initially in Lancashire and later in west Wales. Tapes from the sessions for his second album were finally issued in 1994, along with the complete Mæstoso album, as Songs From The Black Box.
Woolly returned to the music business in 1998 with John Lees in Barclay James Harvest Through The Eyes Of John Lees. In between working with John, Woolly also reconvened the Maestoso band, with new bassist Craig Fletcher and drummer Kev Whitehead, and a new studio set, One Drop In A Dry World, followed in May 2004. A limited, warts and all live CD, Fiddling Meanly, with Kim Turner back in the drum seat, was released in February 2005. This is proving to be one of Woolly’s most creative periods, with another Mæstoso studio album, Grim, appearing in October 2005.
In 2006 Woolly not only toured with John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest, including the first full-scale UK tour by any members of Barclay James Harvest since 1992, but also found time to begin recording another new studio album with Mæstoso. The album, Caterwauling, was completed by the following spring, but held up in the transition of Eclectic Discs into their new identity as Esoteric Recordings as part of the Cherry Red group of labels, and was finally released on 19th November, 2007.
Woolly Wolstenholme's Maestoso's Friend Space (Top 8)
Many thanks for your friendship and THX 4 THE adding. I wishes to You always and a rockin' Year 2008!
Love and peace and all good things for the future,
I also play on 6 and 12-saitig guitar melodic ballads and blues. I am glad this you to me add has given. I will still load some songs with myself on the side to thanks and see you soon
To all my friends a glad Easter, always a lot of good session a lot of fun with the music and also a lot of health to You
always rock and Roll, always bluesing, always ballading + + +
Hi Woolly, thank you so much that you have "approve" my request! I listen since my teenage years to the music of Barclay James Harvest. I have your Maestoso record on Vinyl and I saw you on your last BJH-Tour here in Germany in Saarburg. I hope so that you will have some concerts again here in Germany? I'm looking forward too
Wishing you and for the Band all the best and many greetings to John Lees ;)
NEW SONG!! OVER THE IVY. I think you..ll like this song, is the first recording i make with a lot of guest musicians, so there..s an interesting mix of styles..
Steel guitar, Nylon Guitar, Lead vocals and programming by Nicolas Kempa. Vocal Harmony by Stacy Paul Rugely. Guitar solo by Enzo Coronel. Keys by Rafa Cocah. Acoustic fretless bass by Fernando Sarquis.
Enjoy, and comment please. Greetings and merry Xmas from Argentina. Nico.
Have been enjoying Caterwauling (Christmas present from the Wife) especially matilda yarrow, blossom hill, and i don't like you (as good a song as you've ever written). Only dissapointment is not including faith hope and charity, I really love that tune.
Good luck in 2008, gigs, gigs, gigs please, with Maestoso or John.
Finally received my copy of "Caterwauling". It sat on the shelf for a few days but now I have played it twice once after the other. Fabulous stuff from you and the band. Cheers, John
Woolly, the sounds of Sea of tranquility and Ra are in my waves... I've always loved the mood of your harmonies and melodies. Please, if you have time listen my instrumental tracks... Ciao
Appreciate your support of the older bands Woolly, very pleased to have found your myspace page and enjoyed the new music. Over 30 years has passed since those great BJH albums, your influence is still felt to this day. Best wishes Steve.
I wanted to say hello and to enjoy your music again. My friend, Last Knight (Jose) has been a big fan of your music and I can see why. Of course, our mutual connection with David gives me even more reason to stop by. David is a great artist and person and he speaks very highly of your talents and friendship.
Yesterday night I was listening to my copy of "Songs From The Black Box". I love your songs "Patriots" and "A Hymn In The Roof Of The World"... those are my favourites. All my family love your voice and work with Barclay James Harvest too. I only wanted to wish you a great summer.
