Here's a biography and some quotes for
publicity use by promoters
(A note to normal human beings; don't believe any of this)
Downloads:-
Mrs Ackroyd Band bio
Flyer
Poster
High res colour photo
The Mrs Ackroyd Band
A suitable piece for programme inserts:-
Les Barker's strange imagination soars to
musical heights on the stunning voices of Alison Younger and Hilary Spencer and
the wizard keyboard arrangements of Chris Harvey, accompanied by a collection of
hats, fruit and inflatable pigs.
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A longer piece:-
THE MRS ACKROYD BAND
The band, currently comprising Alison Younger,
Hilary Spencer, Chris Harvey and Les Barker perform Les Barker's (mostly) comic
songs. Alison is renowned for her fine voice, as well as her skill on the
bombarde, a small Breton instrument of torture. Hilary, a temporary escapee from
Artisan, has a truly gargantuan voice, more powerful than anything in the world
except for Alison's bombarde. Chris Harvey is the musical brains behind the
band's insanity. Les Barker is totally unmusical and completely insane in a
quiet sort of way. Together, they'll give you an evening you'll never be able to
forget. No matter now hard you try.
ALISON YOUNGER
Alison has sung with many famous names on the British
folk scene and has been a member of three very diverse bands. Bryony,an all
female group, was formed in 1980.They led the way for future women’s bands,
arranging, playing and singing mainly traditional music,and making a strong mark
on the male dominated scene of the time.First Principles was the next band to
form in 1987;consisting of two female vocalists and a ‘token’!! male
keyboard player.The emphasis of this group was on the blend and harmonisation of
the voices and the keyboard.
Singing is Alison’s first love, and in particular the singing of Scottish
traditional songs, some of which she learned as a child being brought up in the
small Perthshire town of Comrie, from her grandmother. Her other love is to make
people laugh, for which there is plenty of opportunity in the material of Les
Barker. Her first solo album, 'Blythe & Bonny' was released in 2001.
CHRIS HARVEY
Chris Harvey began life in the folk world in 1970
as accordianist to Garstang Morris, then became keyboard player/accordianist
with Strawhead, who recently celebrated 30 years as a force on the English folk
scene having made 16 albums to date and having performed at every major English
folk festival. In 1987 he became the token male member of First Principles, amd
in 1988 joined the Mrs Ackroyd Band, being the main source of musical
inspiration, excelling with realisations of classical scores, bringing Ravel,
Beethoven and Rossini into the folk world. In 1993, Chris released a solo album
of accordian music, 'Feeling the Squeeze', having long been a producer of albums
for other British musicians.
HILARY SPENCER
Hilary Spencer is perhaps best-known as the Voice
of award-winning British acappella trio Artisan. She is also one of the most
versatile singers on the scene today,whether solo, singing with guitarist Grant
Baynham or as a member of the awesome Mrs Ackroyd Band . Life is rich . .
.Hilary isn't.
"I have crossed deserts and mountains and I can still
hear her" - Les Barker.
LES BARKER
Les has been a major figure on the folk scene for at least the last ten minutes.
He writes all the
words, except where the band have changed them because they don't fit. He's not
very good at music. Mr Barker has a particularly powerful stage absence and is
noted for his style and elegance. Together the band presents a performance the
like of which you have never seen before.....unless you’ve seen it before.
Les, Alison & Hilary share a toilet roll. Chris always brings his own.
