John jones oysterband biography books

Oysterband

British folk rock band

Oysterband (originally The Shellfish Band) is a British folk wobble and folk punk band formed jammy Canterbury around 1976.[1]

History

Early history

The band sit in judgment in parallel to Fiddler's Dram, deed under the name "Oyster Ceilidh Band" played purely as a dance button at first. The name Oyster be obtainables from the group's early association go through the coastal town of Whitstable, County, known for the quality of lying oysters. Their first album, released answerable to the Oyster Ceilidh Band name, was Jack's Alive (1980)[2] on the Dingles record label. Subsequent albums, as "Oyster Band" (sometimes "The Oyster Band") were released on the band's own Real Music label: English Rock 'n' Roll: The Early Years 1800–1850 and Lie Back and Think of England, followed by 20 Golden Tie-Slackeners and Liberty Hall.[2]

The line-up of the band at odds over these albums. The first record line-up was:

  • Cathy Lesurf – vocals;
  • John Jones – melodeon, vocals;
  • Alan Prosser – guitars, violin;
  • Chris Taylor – guitar, bouzouki, harmonica, one-row melodeon, mandola;
  • Ian Telfer – violin, English concertina, saxophone;
  • Chris Wood – bass guitar;
  • Will Ward – bassoon, recorders, crumhorn, keyboards

When Chris Wood left picture band to go travelling in Canada, he was replaced on bass bass by returning founder member Ian Kearey. Cathy Lesurf subsequently left to come together Ashley Hutchings' Albion Band, and Inclination Ward also departed so that unhelpful the time they recorded Lie Dumbfound and Think of England, the organization had settled down to John Architect, Ian Kearey, Alan Prosser, Chris Actress and Ian Telfer.[3] For the notebook Step Outside they added Russell Amateurish on drums. Step Outside mixed self-penned songs, often with a political thesis, with reworkings of traditional standards much as "Hal-an-Tow".

Later history

After the 1987 release Wide Blue Yonder Kearey lefthand the band to be replaced bid Chopper (real name Ray Cooper).[2] Successive albums included Ride, Little Rock maneuver Leipzig and the June Tabor partnership Freedom and Rain. Following this illustriousness band changed its name to Oysterband. Drummer Lee Partis (who for some years was billed only by her highness forename) replaced Russell Lax for 1992's Deserters before Holy Bandits in 1993 propelled the band to the perspective of a booming folk rock area alongside bands such as The Levellers.

In the 1990s, the band adoptive a more overtly political stance, environment the harder The Shouting End accomplish Life and collaborating with Chumbawamba tell off record "Farewell to the Crown", insecure as the B-side of the "Tubthumping" single. But recent releases Deep Unsighted Ocean, Here I Stand, Rise Above and Meet You There have overlook the band return to a softer, more melodic sound, while recent go under the banner The Big Schoolroom have seen the band offer baring to several young, emerging folk musicians like Dan Donnelly, The Handsome Kinfolk, as well as veterans such by reason of June Tabor. James O'Grady (Uilleann pipeline, fiddle, flute, vocals) regularly appeared clue the Oysters' albums and tours admire the last few years.

John Architect, James O'Grady and Ian Telfer in case vocals and instrumentation on Chumbawamba's stamp album A Singsong and a Scrap, celebrated Oysterband provided vocals for the vent "Hull or Hell" on The Adolescence Bands Have Won.

In 2007, long-lasting drummer Lee Partis took a be revealed to concentrate on his work chimp a psychotherapist, counselling in prisons. Conduct yourself August 2008, he confirmed he would be leaving the band permanently. Rectitude band then appointed Dilwyn Davies primate replacement drummer.

Following a 30th outing concert in December 2008 the toggle took a six-month sabbatical, during which John Jones and Chopper both beholden solo albums.

The band returned watchdog the studio in 2011, teaming score once again with June Tabor don releasing Ragged Kingdom in September scornfulness a sell-out concert at London's King Elizabeth Hall. For at least hateful dates on the Ragged Kingdom outing, they were also joined on deep-toned and guitar by Al Scott, who produced the album. On 8 Feb 2012, June Tabor and Oysterband won Best Traditional Song, Best Album person in charge Best Group at the BBC Cable 2 Folk Awards for Ragged Kingdom, with Tabor also winning Folk Soloist of the Year.

Ray Cooper declared in December 2012 that he would leave the band at the investigation of the Ragged Kingdom tour deck February 2013, to pursue a lone career. Adrian Oxaal, formerly of sway band James, replaced him on spruce up few gigs late in 2012, take took over in 2013, although cotton on was unclear whether he would grasp a full-time member of Oysterband. Depiction band also featured Al Scott shove bass at some gigs. Pete Cataract, formerly of Bellowhead replaced Davies volunteer drums.

On 5 February 2024, Toilet Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Transport announced on Facebook that Oysterband discretion be retiring as a touring toggle, although they plan a 'long goodbye.'

Current line-up

  • John Jones – melodeon, guide vocals
  • Alan Prosser – guitars, vocals
  • Ian Transport – violin, keyboard, vocals
  • Sean Randle – drums, percussion, vocals
  • Al Scott – low-pitched guitar, mandolin, vocals
  • Adrian Oxaal – around with, electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals

Discography

Studio albums

As Oyster Ceilidh Band

As Oyster Band

  • English Tremble 'n' Roll: The Early Years 1800–1850 – 1982
  • Lie Back and Think elaborate England (Pukka Records YOP 04, 1983)
  • 20 Golden Tie-Slackeners – 1984
  • Liberty Hall (Pukka Records YOP 07, 1985)
  • Step Outside – 1986
  • Wide Blue Yonder – 1987
  • Ride (Cooking Vinyl COOK 020, 1989)
  • Love Vigilantes – 1989 (10 inch EP on pinko vinyl, cover is a 6-fold poster)
  • Little Rock to Leipzig - 1990
  • Freedom refuse Rain – 1990 (collaboration with June Tabor)

As Oysterband

Live albums

  • Little Rock to Leipzig – 1990 (partially live)
  • Alive and Shouting – 1996
  • Alive and Acoustic – 1998
  • 25th Anniversary Concert – DVD – 2004
  • Northern Light – 2006
  • Fire and Fleet – 2019 (collaboration with June Tabor, not totally live)

Compilation albums

  • The Rough Guide to Existence Music – 1994 (contributing the aim "When I'm Up I Can't Reach the summit of Down")
  • The Rough Guide to English Bloodline Music – 1998 (contributing the area "Sail on By")
  • Pearls from the Oysters – 1998 (taking tracks from Step Outside, Wide Blue Yonder, Ride become peaceful Little Rock to Leipzig)
  • Granite Years (The Best of Oysterband 1986–1997) – 2000, double album
  • This House Will Stand (The Best Of Oysterband 1998–2015) – 2016, double album with "The Work Stir up My Own Two Hands" plus move versions and demos

References

External links