15 November 2013
As I wrote
here in February 2009, “you can’t beat a band that dances to its own tunes”.
That band was the amazing English folk big band, Bellowhead (who I have also
written about here in October 2006, July 2008 and October 2010). I am pleased
to report that they are still dancing and their infectious enthusiasm is still
whipping audiences into a frenzy. On Thursday night I was among a standing
audience of over 1000 people in the cavernous
Bedford Corn Exchange to see a stunning performance by Bellowhead. About
to celebrate their tenth anniversary, Bellowhead have always been a very slick
band, mixing inspired lunacy and chaos with strict rhythmic precision. Many of
the eleven members of the band play multiple instruments and all participate in
dance moves clearly derived from Morris traditions. The mix of musicians from
folk, jazz and classical background and the unusual instrumentation (including
fiddles, cello, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, helicon, bagpipes, melodeon
and concertina) make for a unique signature sound. Bellowhead rarely put a foot
wrong and seem to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Go and see them live if you
get the chance – they are truly brilliant.
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