There are some wonderful performers coming to Woodworks! in 2007. Get the date in your diary now!

We first saw Joe Broughton around 1997 playing with the Albion Band. He was then, and continues to be a virtuosos fiddle player. He plays folk with attitude but can just as easily turn his had to jazz, blues, swing, gypsy – not to mention his own mind blowing compositions. We have seen him play with Kevin Dempsey, Feast of Fiddles and the incomparable Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, but in this line up, with brother Ben, Joe is relaxed and at home; these two know each other so well, and they have fun and banter amidst playing a wide range of self compositions and other people’s material.

Ben is a whiz on the guitar but never takes himself too seriously – you really need to see his take on Eric Clapton’s Layla – as interpreted by Alvin the chipmunk – to believe it!

Very entertaining.

www.benandjoebroughton.co.uk     www.myspace.com/joebroughtoncom

Colvin Quarmby have been one of our favourite bands since the first time we saw them – probably about 2002. The have played The ent. Shed about 3 times now and actually were our opening act when we first started in 2003. I have never seen them do anything other than a first rate gig.

Here’s some other people’s views:

CQ have brought a breath of fresh air to the festival scene. They are one of the most entertaining and professional acts in the UK, offering a diversity in musical styles and featuring 4 excellent musicians. CQ have that extra magic which separates them from the merely excellent – they are outstanding. Humour, warmth and dazzling performance make CQ a must see band.

Superb lyrics, beautiful vocals, clever accompaniments and brilliant between song banter which have audiences helpless with laughter.

What kind of music is it? Think folk/rock/pop/country/skiffle – but you would be wide of the mark. The nearest we’ve got to describing it is Folk “n” Roll!

www.colvinquarmby.co.uk

Life and Times and Redbornstoke Morris

Every region and area has its chroniclers of local history and in Bedfordshire we are fortunate to have Barry Goodman and Graeme Meek. These two are responsible for bringing Bedfordshire history to life by uncovering long forgotten local songs – and writing their own. Veterans of International Festivals such as Sidmouth, and familiar figures in the landscape of our county they play and sing and accompany the Morris in the May Day celebrations in Ampthill and can be seen outside (and occasionally inside) a wide range of local hostelries. They have also written a song especially for the Forest of Marston Vale – thus ensuring the centre’s immortality!

www.lifeandtimes.org.uk

www.myspace.com/broadsidesrevisited

www.redbornstoke.com

The CHURCHFITTERS at The ent. Shed January 26th 2007 Review

 I had read the promotion material and heard the CD – so knew enough to know that they would be good – but The Churchfitters exceeded my most optimistic expectations by about a mile.

One of those bands that has to be seen live to be fully appreciated, The Churchfitters

were one of my best “unseen” bookings for a long time. I liked their wide range of material, their on stage banter and sense of complete enjoyment of what they are doing. Their folk-rocky arrangement of a traditional song like My Johnny was a Shoemaker for example, had the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention.

Great harmonies from all the band, but Rosie Short’s voice is outstanding - somewhere between husky blues and plaintive femme folk and all stages in between. Instrumentals (lost count of the wide range of instruments!) with an upbeat Celtic feel, original compositions and re-arranged traditional songs with their own stamp make this band a must for festivals and gigs where you want to hit people between the eyes and make a great lasting impression. Very positive feedback from all our punters who had never heard of them and came on the off-chance. Talking about festivals – I booked them for our Bedfordshire Woodworks Festival before they left on the night – they were that good! Go and see them if you get the chance and look out for Boris’s homemade saucepan bass banjo!

Highly recommended musically, and really nice people too.

Michele Read FAB Nights Promotions

www.churchfitters.com

ANT HATCHER (african cherokee)

SHUNKAHA WANNAGIWIN (lakota)

Ant Hatcher (African cherokee) and Shunkaha Wannagiwin (Lakota) Native American music, dance, songs, flute and storytelling. Come and learn about the flute, listen to stories and songs from Shunkaha's and Ant's diverse tribal traditions; find out about Native American regalia, music and dance.

ANT HATCHER & SHUNKHAHA WANNAGIWIN have a deep love of the land and we are pleased to welcome them to Bedfordshire.

www.myspace.com/pandorasrockbox

Back for a third year, by very popular demand, Chris Puleston will bring his incredible energy to the Woodworks! stage. With drums, didgeridoos and percussion of all sorts, Chris will draw you into the performance allowing you the opportunity to play West African Djembes amongst other drums. This is a chance to see Bedfordshire's own percussion master at work and have a go yourself.

www.chrispuleston.org

The Old Dance School

We are excited to welcome The Old Dance School for a first visit to Woodworks this year. This Birmingham based 8-piece group brings youthful, vital energy to traditional music. As a ceilidh band with caller, they will bring fire to the feet of the Woodworks audience, with favorite set dances and the ability to break down into smaller combinations. Drawing members from Joe Broughton's outrageous Folk Orchestra Extravaganza, the Old Dance School features fiddle, whistle and accordian with guitar, bass and Cajon rhythm section to bring life to an exciting and varied repertoire.

www.theolddanceschool.com

info@theolddanceschool.com

Phone: Robin on 07813 782170