Bio

I feel very lucky that I've played and sang in piano bars, at some of the larger folk festivals, art galleries, country festivals, pubs, arts centres, care homes, band stands, on street corners and café terraces all over Europe.

My songs might well take you to new places and after the feeling that brings the creation of a song I want to recreate the atmosphere and spark of that moment…

Performing is like being on a journey – one that can find a lively rhythm - and there’s so much to share along the way… The beat is strong in my guitar playing and I create bass lines and layer lead phrases on the chord progressions.

My fiddle was handed down from my Grandma and I might play you one or two of my compositions. I was inspired to take it busking all round Europe after reading 'As I Walked Out One Midsumm Morning' by Laurie Lee. I’ve explored music through many forms. Celtic melodies, blues, contemporary folk, country, rock, popular songs and traditional ballads can all be picked out of my repertoire and it’s usually my own interpretations.

There are artists who, over the years, have played a big part in broadening my taste and who've filled the well whilst showing me other ways of performing.
To throw a few names into the frame I could mention the likes of The Beatles, The Waterboys, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Dick Gaughan, Sandy Denny, Buffy Sainte Marie, Paul Brady, BB King, Victor Jara, Richard Thompson, Alisdair Fraser, Martin Simpson, Andy Irvine, Yvon Agbo, Jacques Brel, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley, Jethro Tull, Woody Guthrie, Billy Morrisson and Irish fiddler Kevin Burke...

Albums

THE MISSING EMOTION - 2011

TRACK LIST:
1: Vital Spark 2: What is it About that Girl 3: The Warm Sea 4: After the Carnival 5: The Missing Emotion 6: Our Little Universe 7: In the Snow 8: The Hawthorn Tree 9: Jade City 10: I Used to Pretend 11: I Find it Amazing

This time it's completely collection of my own songs. There are guest appearances from Steve Wickham the wonderful fiddler from The Waterboys, beautiful classical singer Alexandra Lowe and the snappy cajon playing of Chris Handcock while every song is underpinned by the rhythmic and graceful double bass of James Budden.

I took it to Dungeon Studios in Wigan where Greg Patmore did a stirling job. He did a some editing and created a stereo picture which allowed these recordings to breathe.
The cover painting is by my wife Mary Jules Brindley and has been on the wall in our living room for a few years.

CROSSING THE DISTANCE - 2003

TRACK LIST:
1: Home Through the Park 2: Call Me the Breeze 3: Leaning on a Lamppost 4: Another Life 5: Looking in the Fire 6: Steal Away 7: Winter Skies 8: Your Eyes were Asking 9: It’s Only a Paper Moon 10: The Rose of Allandale 11: Mr. Tambourine Man 12: Crossing the Distance

This album was largely recorded in Aarhus/Denmark during the year 2000 by my friend John Pilkington. Mostly it's just me and a guitar with a sprinkling of piano, electric guitar and acoustic bass.

SOMETHING CALLING - 1997

TRACK LIST:
1: Twinkle in his Eye 2: Nippy Sweeties 3: Precious Time 4: Twa’ Recruiting Sergeants 5: Dark Eyes 6: Sonny’s Dream 7: Something Calling 8: Acropolis Now! 9: Spanish Lady 10: Deportees 11: I’ve Got a Feeling

This was my first album, produced by Seamus Heffernan and myself at Shamrock Studios near Blackburn.
I play guitar, fiddle, piano, mandolin, acoustic bass, harmonica, electric guitar and piano accordion (right hand only). Also joining me are Jan Hough with backing vocals, Paul Thompson on percussion and Les Hilton on harmonica.
Thanks to Seamus for taking me seriously as a recording artist.