TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Hi Maart

Out of all the bands/projects you have been involved with over the years, what would you say was the most unusual?

And a similar question.

Which project/band would you most liked to have 'done that again' with?

I think the most unusual was a performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester of a piece by American composer, Christian Wolff, around 1974. The sheet music had no rhythms indicated or clef or key signatures, just a series of notes which the player could interpret however they wanted. I suppose the idea is that the music is completely different every time. There were about 20 musicians involved and I was playing fretless bass. I have no recollection of how I was recruited for it, but it was very enjoyable.

Otherwise I've played some strange music for English composer Nick Bicât, along with Danny Thompson, Peter Knight, Julie Fowlis and Angus Lyon, usually for film or TV soundtracks. One involved me playing a Turkish Cumbus, a 12string fretless banjo played with a bow. For another I had to buy an oud, an Arabic 12string fretless nylon string with a big bowl back. It took me a couple of weeks to learn how to hold it as we are the same shape...

As to "more please", I'd have to say that playing with The Family Mahone at Cropredy 2008(?) was one of the most enjoyable hours of my career. Such fun! Great songs, too. Playing with Robin Williamson back in 1978(79?) was a real buzz and of course doing my best Jimmy Page impression for the Robert Plant set at Cropredy 1993. I also really enjoyed both versions of WAZ! and I've always loved playing with Kieran Halpin.

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Best post of the year, so far!!
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