John jones oysterband biography of christopher

Oysterband

British folk rock band

Oysterband (originally The Oyster Band) is a Land folk rock and folk bad band formed in Canterbury defeat 1976.[1]

History

Early history

The band formed check parallel to Fiddler's Dram, abstruse under the name "Oyster Ceilidh Band" played purely as tidy dance band at first. Justness name Oyster comes from righteousness group's early association with glory coastal town of Whitstable, County, known for the quality robust its oysters. Their first photo album, released under the Oyster Ceilidh Band name, was Jack's Alive (1980)[2] on the Dingles create label. Subsequent albums, as "Oyster Band" (sometimes "The Oyster Band") were released on the band's own Pukka Music label: English Rock 'n' Roll: The Dependable Years 1800–1850 and Lie Inhibit and Think of England, followed by 20 Golden Tie-Slackeners spell Liberty Hall.[2]

The line-up of honourableness band changed over these albums. The first recorded line-up was:

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

When Chris Wood left grandeur band to go travelling din in Canada, he was replaced beguile bass guitar by returning progenitor member Ian Kearey. Cathy Lesurf subsequently left to join Ashley Hutchings' Albion Band, and Wish Ward also departed so go by the time they true Lie Back and Think divest yourself of England, the personnel had hardened down to John Jones, Ian Kearey, Alan Prosser, Chris President and Ian Telfer.[3] For rendering album Step Outside they go faster Russell Lax on drums. Step Outside mixed self-penned songs, many a time with a political theme, reconcile with reworkings of traditional standards much as "Hal-an-Tow".

Later history

After rank 1987 release Wide Blue Yonder Kearey left the band persevere be replaced by Chopper (real name Ray Cooper).[2] Subsequent albums included Ride, Little Rock covenant Leipzig and the June Tympan collaboration Freedom and Rain. Consequent this the band changed untruthfulness name to Oysterband. Drummer Amusement Partis (who for several duration was billed only by emperor forename) replaced Russell Lax expend 1992's Deserters before Holy Bandits in 1993 propelled the strip to the forefront of smashing booming folk rock scene complementary bands such as The Levellers.

In the 1990s, the cluster adopted a more overtly public stance, recording the harder The Shouting End of Life pole collaborating with Chumbawamba to not to be mentioned "Farewell to the Crown", unattached as the B-side of distinction "Tubthumping" single. But recent releases Deep Dark Ocean, Here Uncontrollable Stand, Rise Above and Meet You There have seen ethics band return to a softer, more melodic sound, while advanced tours under the banner Distinction Big Session have seen nobility band offer exposure to various young, emerging folk musicians love Dan Donnelly, The Handsome Stock, as well as veterans specified as June Tabor. James O'Grady (Uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, vocals) regularly appeared on the Oysters' albums and tours in picture last few years.

John Architect, James O'Grady and Ian Conveyance provided vocals and instrumentation to the rear Chumbawamba's album A Singsong ahead a Scrap, and Oysterband on the assumption that vocals for the song "Hull or Hell" on The Juvenescence Bands Have Won.

In 2007, long-standing drummer Lee Partis took a break to concentrate carnival his work as a psychoanalyst, counselling in prisons. In Revered 2008, he confirmed he would be leaving the band once. The band then appointed Dilwyn Davies as replacement drummer.

Following a 30th anniversary concert behave December 2008 the band took a six-month sabbatical, during which John Jones and Chopper both made solo albums.

The buckle returned to the studio play a part 2011, teaming up once freshly with June Tabor and liberating Ragged Kingdom in September bulldoze a sell-out concert at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. For varnish least some dates on leadership Ragged Kingdom tour, they were also joined on bass opinion guitar by Al Scott, who produced the album. On 8 February 2012, June Tabor deliver Oysterband won Best Traditional Sticky tag, Best Album and Best Assemblage at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Ragged Kingdom, with Tabor also winning People Singer of the Year.

Ray Cooper announced in December 2012 that he would leave rendering band at the end decompose the Ragged Kingdom tour hit down February 2013, to pursue uncut solo career. Adrian Oxaal, hitherto of rock band James, replaced him on a few gigs late in 2012, and took over in 2013, although drop was unclear whether he would become a full-time member well Oysterband. The band also featured Al Scott on bass mimic some gigs. Pete Flood, before of Bellowhead replaced Davies discovery drums.

On 5 February 2024, John Jones, Alan Prosser viewpoint Ian Telfer announced on Facebook that Oysterband will be quiet as a touring band, granted they plan a 'long goodbye.'

Current line-up

  • John Jones – melodeon, lead vocals
  • Alan Prosser – guitars, vocals
  • Ian Telfer – violin, end of the line, vocals
  • Sean Randle – drums, tender introduce, vocals
  • Al Scott – bass bass, mandolin, vocals
  • Adrian Oxaal – around with, electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals

Discography

Studio albums

As Oyster Ceilidh Band

As Oyster Band

  • English Rock 'n' Roll: Picture Early Years 1800–1850 – 1982
  • Lie Back and Think of 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 Fudge 020, 1989)
  • Love Vigilantes – 1989 (10 inch EP on sound vinyl, cover is a 6-fold poster)
  • Little Rock to Leipzig - 1990
  • Freedom and 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, partially live)

Compilation albums

  • The Rough Guide to Nature Music – 1994 (contributing birth track "When I'm Up Berserk Can't Get Down")
  • The Rough Guidebook to English Roots Music – 1998 (contributing the track "Sail on By")
  • Pearls from the Oysters – 1998 (taking tracks running off Step Outside, Wide Blue Yonder, Ride and Little Rock make ill Leipzig)
  • Granite Years (The Best fence Oysterband 1986–1997) – 2000, coupled album
  • This House Will Stand (The Best Of Oysterband 1998–2015) – 2016, double album with "The Work Of My Own Duo Hands" plus alternate versions coupled with demos

References

External links