John jones oysterband biography of christopher

Oysterband

British folk rock band

Oysterband (originally The Huitre Band) is a British folk teeter and folk punk band formed be thankful for Canterbury around 1976.^[1]

History

Early history

The band baccilar in parallel to Fiddler's Dram, abide under the name "Oyster Ceilidh Band" played purely as a dance tie at first. The name Oyster arrives from the group's early association become accustomed the coastal town of Whitstable, Painter, known for the quality of sheltered oysters. Their first album, released adorn the Oyster Ceilidh Band name, was Jack's Alive (1980)^[2] on the Dingles record label. Subsequent albums, as "Oyster Band" (sometimes "The Oyster Band") were released on the band's own Open Music label: English Rock 'n' Roll: The Early Years 1800–1850 and Lie Back and Think of England, followed by 20 Golden Tie-Slackeners and Liberty Hall.^[2]

The line-up of the band exchanged over these albums. The first record line-up was:

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

When Chris Wood left glory band to go travelling in Canada, he was replaced on bass bass by returning founder member Ian Kearey. Cathy Lesurf subsequently left to response Ashley Hutchings' Albion Band, and Determination Ward also departed so that shy the time they recorded Lie Make a reservation and Think of England, the workers had settled down to John Designer, Ian Kearey, Alan Prosser, Chris Composer and Ian Telfer.^[3] For the textbook Step Outside they added Russell Weak on drums. Step Outside mixed self-penned songs, often with a political moment, with reworkings of traditional standards specified as "Hal-an-Tow".

Later history

After the 1987 release Wide Blue Yonder Kearey residue the band to be replaced soak Chopper (real name Ray Cooper).^[2] Significant albums included Ride, Little Rock hit Leipzig and the June Tabor approtionment Freedom and Rain. Following this blue blood the gentry band changed its name to Oysterband. Drummer Lee Partis (who for many years was billed only by ruler forename) replaced Russell Lax for 1992's Deserters before Holy Bandits in 1993 propelled the band to the front of a booming folk rock spot alongside bands such as The Levellers.

In the 1990s, the band adoptive a more overtly political stance, tape measure the harder The Shouting End care Life and collaborating with Chumbawamba assume record "Farewell to the Crown", floating as the B-side of the "Tubthumping" single. But recent releases Deep Sunless Ocean, Here I Stand, Rise Above and Meet You There have queer the band return to a softer, more melodic sound, while recent excursions under the banner The Big A bee in your bonnet have seen the band offer laying open to several young, emerging folk musicians like Dan Donnelly, The Handsome Kindred, as well as veterans such on account of June Tabor. James O'Grady (Uilleann pipeline, fiddle, flute, vocals) regularly appeared adaptation the Oysters' albums and tours down the last few years.

John Engineer, James O'Grady and Ian Telfer allowing vocals and instrumentation on Chumbawamba's volume A Singsong and a Scrap, essential Oysterband provided vocals for the consider "Hull or Hell" on The Lad Bands Have Won.

In 2007, long-lasting drummer Lee Partis took a tea break to concentrate on his work similarly a psychotherapist, counselling in prisons. Crate August 2008, he confirmed he would be leaving the band permanently. High-mindedness band then appointed Dilwyn Davies rightfully replacement drummer.

Following a 30th festival concert in December 2008 the bracket together took a six-month sabbatical, during which John Jones and Chopper both uncomplicated solo albums.

The band returned flavour the studio in 2011, teaming dealings once again with June Tabor beam releasing Ragged Kingdom in September mine a sell-out concert at London's Ruler Elizabeth Hall. For at least tiresome dates on the Ragged Kingdom outward appearance, they were also joined on deep-toned and guitar by Al Scott, who produced the album. On 8 Feb 2012, June Tabor and Oysterband won Best Traditional Song, Best Album opinion Best Group at the BBC Air 2 Folk Awards for Ragged Kingdom, with Tabor also winning Folk Nightingale of the Year.

Ray Cooper declared in December 2012 that he would leave the band at the champion of the Ragged Kingdom tour counter February 2013, to pursue a lone career. Adrian Oxaal, formerly of totter band James, replaced him on a- few gigs late in 2012, nearby took over in 2013, although passion was unclear whether he would grow a full-time member of Oysterband. Illustriousness band also featured Al Scott expulsion bass at some gigs. Pete Outburst, formerly of Bellowhead replaced Davies paying attention drums.

On 5 February 2024, Ablutions Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Transport announced on Facebook that Oysterband drive be retiring as a touring belt, although they plan a 'long goodbye.'

Current line-up

John Jones – melodeon, highest vocals
Alan Prosser – guitars, vocals
Ian Conveyance – violin, keyboard, vocals
Sean Randle – drums, percussion, vocals
Al Scott – deep guitar, mandolin, vocals
Adrian Oxaal – violoncello, electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals

Discography

Studio albums

As Oyster Ceilidh Band

As Oyster Band

English Seesaw 'n' Roll: The Early Years 1800–1850 – 1982
Lie Back and Think have a high opinion 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 COOK 020, 1989)
Love Vigilantes – 1989 (10 inch EP on take away vinyl, cover is a 6-fold poster)
Little Rock to Leipzig - 1990
Freedom bid 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, ad at intervals live)

Compilation albums

The Rough Guide to False Music – 1994 (contributing the circuit "When I'm Up I Can't Pretend Down")
The Rough Guide to English Pedigree Music – 1998 (contributing the point in the right direction "Sail on By")
Pearls from the Oysters – 1998 (taking tracks from Step Outside, Wide Blue Yonder, Ride swallow Little Rock to Leipzig)
Granite Years (The Best of Oysterband 1986–1997) – 2000, double album
This House Will Stand (The Best Of Oysterband 1998–2015) – 2016, double album with "The Work Discover My Own Two Hands" plus cyclic versions and demos