Doors 7.30pm, £7 in advance / £9 on the door. Under 16's £1 (when brought in conjunction with an adult ticket). Standing.
Although it seems almost
impossible, it is true.
The Cock and Bull Band are celebrating their fortieth
year….yes fortieth year of playing ceilidhs, concerts, and festivals. Since
their early melodeon days, through the bagpipe years to the current funky line
up they have always demonstrated a truly unique mastery of musical arrangements
that delight the ear whilst igniting the inner dancing spirit.
Dancers have
always loved their quirky and off-piste approach to ceilidh music. Tunes
might be led by clarinet, flute, recorder, keyboard, saxophone or various
combinations. These many and varied instrumental permutations are fused with
the inventive and energetic mandola of Paul Martin, who effortlessly bounces
between underpinning the rhythmic powerhouse and exciting lead guitar-like
phrases. Vanda Sainsbury on woodwind and Lynn Swain on flute, feature inspired
harmony and counterpoint in every tune, along with sections of soloing, where
the melody line is set aside for some nifty and often jazzy improvisation, that
sees the musical style sashay off into the realms of jazz or rock. Pete
Lockwood’s ‘trademark electronics’ have become an integral feature of The Cock
and Bull ‘sound’ and their driving ceilidh rhythms effortlessly blend
traditional instruments with synthesizer, loops and percussion samples. Pete
has always shown an empathy with ceilidh-folk music, subtly infusing his brand
of ’technology’ without losing the essence of the original genre.
Throughout
their long and eventful career The Cock and Bull Band have never shied away
from following their own, sometimes unfashionable path and in doing so have
remained innovative, never failing to surprise. Members have come and gone, but
the band and its individual and unusual combination of instruments continue to
forge ahead along their own highly distinctive route. So yet another chapter in
Stony Stratford’s Cock and Bull story continues to unfold…. Paul Martin on
mandocello and Pete Lockwood on keyboards, sax and percussion are joined by
flautist Lynn Swain and her soaring melodic lines. Completing the line up is
Vanda Sainsbury who often exchanges her dynamic recorder and clarinet playing
for a turn on Pete’s keyboard. She also
play soprano saxophone which, when combined with Pete’s steamy jazz tinged
tenor sax, sees a welcome return of the classic Cock and Bull dual sax feature.'
Support
Stony Steppers first
formed in 1997 and have now developed into a strong, enthusiastic dance
side. Step clog dancing involves fast
and intricate percussive steps, wearing clogs with wooden soles and
leather uppers. This traditional form of dancing dates back many years,
and was particularly popular in the 19th century in the industrialised
North of England and in the Music Halls and Variety Theatres.