Belshazzar’s Feast prove that traditional folk can be fun, too
BELSHAZZAR’S Feast start with traditional English music, add a touch of class, throw in a bit of pop and music hall, and top it off wry humour for a unique live experience that has made them one of the most popular duos in folk music.
Now in their 20-somethingth year together, Paul Sartin and Paul Hutchinson bring a wealth of talent to the stage.
Paul Sartin was a member of the BBC Radio 2 muti-award-winning big band Bellowhead, and is currently in trio Faustus.
Consultant and Director of the Andover Museum Loft Singers, he is author of ‘Community Choirs Collection – Folk,’ published by Faber Music, Musical Director of ‘The Transports’ and a BASCA-nominated composer whose recent commissions have included works for the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, Streetwise Opera and the BBC Radio 4 series ‘Playing the Skyline’.
Paul Hutchinson’s love of fusion music originates from his days in the renowned Celtic jazzers, Hoover the Dog.
Pagoda Project, with jazz clarinetist Karen Wimhurst, is the next exciting chapter in his musical journey, providing a vehicle for his own compositions.
Their debut album received a five-star review in Songlines and glowing tributes from, amongst others, FRoots.
Paul has a keen interest in and knowledge of 17th and 18th century dance music which has resulted in tours to Europe and America.
Belshazzar’s Feast received a coveted nomi- nation for the Best Duo Award at the 2010 BBC Folk Awards and are regulars at folk festivals across the summer, with gigs including a popular annual Christmas tour of seasonal songs and tunes.
They have released a series of criticallyacclaimed albums across their career, the latest being The Whiting’s On The Wall (2014/ Unearthed), a live album recorded over the course of two concerts.
“Amidst the jesting and hilarity, they sit as fine an example of traditional English folk music as you’re likely to hear,” said Mike Ainscoe, of Bright Young Folk
Belshazzar’s Feast comes to The Atkinson on Thursday, December 7.
For more information and tickets go to: www. theatkinson.co.uk or call 01704 533 333.