Yorkie Bartram, Neil Brookes and Tony Weatherall
Chris 'Yorkie' Bartram has long been recognised by other performers as one of the finest singers “not” on the folk-club scene, being far happier in an informal session than on a concert stage. He played in Vaudeville and American music bands for very many years and only sang English songs amongst friends. Through this he became known to just a few discerning people and praised by lovers of traditional song - for example, over 25 years ago, Tom Wilson described him as "the finest undiscovered singer in the country" - but, due to his phobic avoidance of solo work, he has never come to the wider public's attention. Similarly, Neil Brookes and Tony Weatherall are very well-known in more esoteric settings (such as Cajun music) and have been playing English music together for some time, but you are much more likely to hear them also in sessions rather than more formal settings.
Now they have joined forces with Yorkie and, as a trio, they have agreed to do a limited number of festival and folk-club concerts. So here is a chance to hear three superb musicians with a profound love and long experience of traditional music, singing and playing an uncommon - and uncommonly good - selection of English songs and dance tunes.
Now they have joined forces with Yorkie and, as a trio, they have agreed to do a limited number of festival and folk-club concerts. So here is a chance to hear three superb musicians with a profound love and long experience of traditional music, singing and playing an uncommon - and uncommonly good - selection of English songs and dance tunes.
Email: tonyweatherall@btinternet.com Telephone: 01630 652034
(This is also the contact info for
Bartram, Brookes & Weatherall CD - New Midsummer's Day (link to 101 Records website with sample track)
This album brings together the musical skills of Chris ‘Yorkie’ Bartram (songs, percussion) Neil Brookes (fiddle) and Tony Weatherall (melodeon). Neil and Tony had recorded their earlier instrumental CD The Whitchurch Hornpipe, which featured 19th century dance tunes from the North Shropshire manuscripts of the Hughes family and John Clews, and were keen to continue to revive more material from this wonderful collection. Some of these tunes are now finding their way into the repertoire of English musicians from other parts of the country and the title track is now used by a team of Molly dancers from East Anglia for one of their dances!
Chris had also made a very fine CD (Yorkie: Traditional Songs from England) of unaccompanied songs from his unique repertoire of traditional material. It was therefore a natural step to join forces and produce an album that combined these separate talents in an entertaining, highly infectious mix of songs and tunes.
On this album Neil and Tony have unearthed more great dance tunes, rare hornpipes and stirring quicksteps used by militia groups from the region. Chris sings his own versions of both well-known and rarely heard songs, some of which are accompanied by Neil and Tony, and he augments the tunes with his distinctive percussion sound. The aim is to give a flavour of Shropshire’s heritage in a style that is refreshing, informal and full of humour, portraying the best of the traditional music that has been performed in pubs and dance halls for many years. The concept of this collection has given rise to a formidable band that is equally at home on the concert stage, in folk clubs, pub sessions, in leading workshops and in playing for dancing.
Chris had also made a very fine CD (Yorkie: Traditional Songs from England) of unaccompanied songs from his unique repertoire of traditional material. It was therefore a natural step to join forces and produce an album that combined these separate talents in an entertaining, highly infectious mix of songs and tunes.
On this album Neil and Tony have unearthed more great dance tunes, rare hornpipes and stirring quicksteps used by militia groups from the region. Chris sings his own versions of both well-known and rarely heard songs, some of which are accompanied by Neil and Tony, and he augments the tunes with his distinctive percussion sound. The aim is to give a flavour of Shropshire’s heritage in a style that is refreshing, informal and full of humour, portraying the best of the traditional music that has been performed in pubs and dance halls for many years. The concept of this collection has given rise to a formidable band that is equally at home on the concert stage, in folk clubs, pub sessions, in leading workshops and in playing for dancing.
Here are some quotes from reviews (you can read the whole review by clicking on the author's name). I'm not sure if the publication dates are correct.
Rod Stradling (Musical Traditions Online Magazine) (link takes you to the MusTrad website Reviews Index - review includes sound samples).
I really must say how much pleasure it gives me that records like this are being made in the 21st century . . . this truly splendid CD.
We start and end with tunes, and I can do no better than to quote Greg Stephens . . . 'the music is a joy ... the approach I would characterise as coming from a very civilized pub session, where the music has been quietly lurking for a long, long time.'
Of Chris's singing, another quote, from my review of his 2005 Yorkie CD: 'It's a mark of his seriousness that he considers exactly what and how he sings more than almost any other singer I know . . . This is done quite naturally and instinctively, and the process is not in any way academic - but the fact that he takes the trouble to do it says a lot about his ability to hold an audience's attention so effectively.'
(Chris's version of Adieu Adieu) . . . I don't think I've ever heard a better version of this lovely song
Neil Brookes . . . plays fiddle - exceptionally well. I've had the pleasure of playing alongside him in numerous sessions over the past few years, and he's one of the finest (and most listenable-to) fiddlers I know. Tony Weatherall is an equally good melodeon player . . .
Every piece they play is a pure delight . . .
------------------------------------------------
John Bentham (EDS: English Dance & Song Magazine, EFDSS)
( . . . ) My initial re-action . . . was to ask where they had recorded this live session, for such is the feel of New Midsummer’s Day. The drive and energy of the two quicksteps on track one draw you into the company of Messrs. Bartram, Brookes and Weatherall, and fine companions they are . . .
Chris (Yorkie) Bartram is a much respected singer who, with his fine interpretations of unusual versions of songs, challenges you to listen. ( . . .) It surely won’t be long before you will be hearing his version of ‘Adieu Adieu’ being sung around the clubs and festivals.
Some readers may remember a very well received CD called The Whitchurch Hornpipe by Neil and Tony which was released three years ago. Well, there is more here from the same source – lots of Shropshire tunes from the Richard Hughes collection to be enjoyed, giving a true feel of the heritage of this part of the world. ( . . .)
A thoroughly enjoyable CD . . .
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Mary Humphreys (Mardles Magazine)
This CD has everything I love about English music. . . . two of the best English musicians on fiddle and melodeons . . . with some interesting percussion supplied by Chris . . . Chris's singing is very stylish and compelling whether unaccompanied or with the wonderfully-crafted accompaniments by Neil and Tony. Anyone who has played in English sessions with Neil will know his fiddle style - rock-solid tempi, honed on the experience of playing for hundreds of ceilidhs. Here is superb lift. I defy you not to tap your feet. Tony is one of the best one-row Hohner exponents I have seen and heard. Effortless and relaxed. He is just as good on two-rows, and his accompaniments are magic - understated until you concentrate on the musicianship and realise how closely he is listening to the singer as he plays. ( . . . )
Chris's unaccompanied version of A Blacksmith Courted Me is probably my favourite song on the whole CD, and, in passing, probably my all-time favourite rendition of the song . . .
Adieu, Adieu . . . Forget every other version you have heard . . . With its superb accompaniment it becomes something else. Awesome!
This CD is the one I have enjoyed reviewing the most this year . . .
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Vic Smith (Sussex Folk Diary)
With their previous album, The Whitchurch Hornpipe, Neil Brookes and Tony Weatherall showed that they are absolute masters of playing English dance tunes . . .
However, this album is going to have an even wider appeal because now they have linked up with the delightful singer Chris Bartram . . . Chris has that very pleasing, engaging way of singing that makes every song that he sings a delight . . ..
The well programmed mix of songs and tunes is an utter delight; if there is going to be a better album of English dance songs in 2011, it will have to be amazingly good.
-------------------------------------
SOME QUOTES FROM REVIEWS OF OUR EARLIER CDs:
I really must say how much pleasure it gives me that records like this are being made in the 21st century . . . this truly splendid CD.
We start and end with tunes, and I can do no better than to quote Greg Stephens . . . 'the music is a joy ... the approach I would characterise as coming from a very civilized pub session, where the music has been quietly lurking for a long, long time.'
Of Chris's singing, another quote, from my review of his 2005 Yorkie CD: 'It's a mark of his seriousness that he considers exactly what and how he sings more than almost any other singer I know . . . This is done quite naturally and instinctively, and the process is not in any way academic - but the fact that he takes the trouble to do it says a lot about his ability to hold an audience's attention so effectively.'
(Chris's version of Adieu Adieu) . . . I don't think I've ever heard a better version of this lovely song
Neil Brookes . . . plays fiddle - exceptionally well. I've had the pleasure of playing alongside him in numerous sessions over the past few years, and he's one of the finest (and most listenable-to) fiddlers I know. Tony Weatherall is an equally good melodeon player . . .
Every piece they play is a pure delight . . .
------------------------------------------------
John Bentham (EDS: English Dance & Song Magazine, EFDSS)
( . . . ) My initial re-action . . . was to ask where they had recorded this live session, for such is the feel of New Midsummer’s Day. The drive and energy of the two quicksteps on track one draw you into the company of Messrs. Bartram, Brookes and Weatherall, and fine companions they are . . .
Chris (Yorkie) Bartram is a much respected singer who, with his fine interpretations of unusual versions of songs, challenges you to listen. ( . . .) It surely won’t be long before you will be hearing his version of ‘Adieu Adieu’ being sung around the clubs and festivals.
Some readers may remember a very well received CD called The Whitchurch Hornpipe by Neil and Tony which was released three years ago. Well, there is more here from the same source – lots of Shropshire tunes from the Richard Hughes collection to be enjoyed, giving a true feel of the heritage of this part of the world. ( . . .)
A thoroughly enjoyable CD . . .
----------------------------------------------
Mary Humphreys (Mardles Magazine)
This CD has everything I love about English music. . . . two of the best English musicians on fiddle and melodeons . . . with some interesting percussion supplied by Chris . . . Chris's singing is very stylish and compelling whether unaccompanied or with the wonderfully-crafted accompaniments by Neil and Tony. Anyone who has played in English sessions with Neil will know his fiddle style - rock-solid tempi, honed on the experience of playing for hundreds of ceilidhs. Here is superb lift. I defy you not to tap your feet. Tony is one of the best one-row Hohner exponents I have seen and heard. Effortless and relaxed. He is just as good on two-rows, and his accompaniments are magic - understated until you concentrate on the musicianship and realise how closely he is listening to the singer as he plays. ( . . . )
Chris's unaccompanied version of A Blacksmith Courted Me is probably my favourite song on the whole CD, and, in passing, probably my all-time favourite rendition of the song . . .
Adieu, Adieu . . . Forget every other version you have heard . . . With its superb accompaniment it becomes something else. Awesome!
This CD is the one I have enjoyed reviewing the most this year . . .
-------------------------------------------
Vic Smith (Sussex Folk Diary)
With their previous album, The Whitchurch Hornpipe, Neil Brookes and Tony Weatherall showed that they are absolute masters of playing English dance tunes . . .
However, this album is going to have an even wider appeal because now they have linked up with the delightful singer Chris Bartram . . . Chris has that very pleasing, engaging way of singing that makes every song that he sings a delight . . ..
The well programmed mix of songs and tunes is an utter delight; if there is going to be a better album of English dance songs in 2011, it will have to be amazingly good.
-------------------------------------
SOME QUOTES FROM REVIEWS OF OUR EARLIER CDs:
Chris Bartram: Yorkie: Traditional Songs From England (link to Coughing Dog Music website with sample tracks)
There can't be more than a handful of people in the country who can sing the old songs in a way which is utterly convincing - Chris is one of them . . . No song exemplifies his skills and talent more readily than the version of Lord Bateman found here . . . a wonderful short ballad, with a tune with about four different major melodic variations - all of which are to die for . . .
Rod Stradling: Musical Traditions Online Magazine (link takes you to Reviews Index. Click on "Area Indexes" [top right], "United Kingdom" then "Chris Bartram")
Living Tradition magazine has recently used the term 'tradition bearers' to refer to singers who are genuinely carrying on a tradition. Singers such as Will Noble and John Cocking clearly fit into that model. Chris Bartram is another . . .
Derek Schofield: EDS (English Dance and Song) Magazine
Rod Stradling: Musical Traditions Online Magazine (link takes you to Reviews Index. Click on "Area Indexes" [top right], "United Kingdom" then "Chris Bartram")
Living Tradition magazine has recently used the term 'tradition bearers' to refer to singers who are genuinely carrying on a tradition. Singers such as Will Noble and John Cocking clearly fit into that model. Chris Bartram is another . . .
Derek Schofield: EDS (English Dance and Song) Magazine
Neil Brookes and Tony Weatherall: The Whitchurch Hornpipe (link to Wildgoose Records website with sample tracks)
Neil on fiddle and Tony on melodeon have produced as interesting and exciting performances of English dance tunes as you are likely to hear anywhere. In fact, the whole album could be held up as a model of the way that English dance music should be played - plain functional music that also makes exciting listening when played with this zest . . .
Vic Smith: fRoots: Folk Roots Magazine
On The Whitchurch Hornpipe Neil Brookes plays fiddle, octave fiddle and wooden flute. Tony Weatherall plays melodeon. Both Neil and Tony are renowned musicians, their performing and arranging of this traditional material shows that they fully deserve this renown . . .
Danny Saunders:The Living Tradition Magazine
Vic Smith: fRoots: Folk Roots Magazine
On The Whitchurch Hornpipe Neil Brookes plays fiddle, octave fiddle and wooden flute. Tony Weatherall plays melodeon. Both Neil and Tony are renowned musicians, their performing and arranging of this traditional material shows that they fully deserve this renown . . .
Danny Saunders:The Living Tradition Magazine