Greetings, Boldwood fans! Those of you who have been to recent workshops, and indeed those who haven't, may be interested in a blog run by one of the band, which has an ever-expanding collection of English and French folk tunes. Included are all the tunes from the workshops we ran at Broadstairs and Towersey: follow this link.

Didn't we have a luverly time..? Indeed we did! Shrewsbury Folk Festival is great. We played for a thoroughly delightful ceilidh on the Sunday lunchtime. Thanks to all the enthusiastic dancers, to Will Hall, our booked caller, who battled with severe laryngitis and made it through by gargling Jameson's offstage, and especially to Mr Baz Parkes of All Blacked Up http://www.allblackedup.co.uk/, who leapt into action whenever Will's walk-through instructions threatened to turn into a gravelly voiceover from a Hollywood trailer.
The highlights of the festival, for us, had to be the New Rope String Band http://www.newropestringband.co.uk/gigs.html, with their unique blend of musicianship and street theatre, and the mighty Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain.http://www.ukuleleorchestra.com/main/home.aspx, whose "Theme from Shaft" is definitely going to our Desert Island.

Last Saturday's Radio 4 Saturday Play, Dr Johnson's Dictionary of Crime, used two of our album tracks, Bold Britain and The Seven Stars.
Listen again at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/saturday_play.shtml

Improve your carbon footprint - download "Feet, Don't Fail Me Now" from
http://www.tradtunes.com/newsandfeatured.php

That's right pop-pickers, "Feet, Don't Fail Me Now" has STORMED into the UK World Music Charts at number 2,814! Folktastic!

CD review - Folk and Roots/ Folking.com

This is a lovely recording and one that should be required listening if you want to brighten your day. Boldwood consist of Becky Price (Piano Accordion), Tim Perkins (Bouzouki/Guitar), Kate Moran, Richard Heacock and Daniel Wolverson who each utilise Fiddle and Viola. The string section provides a real sense of rhythm fronted by the accordion and I can guarantee that through the exuberance in the band's performance this CD will bring a smile to the sternest critic…even Victor Meldrew. The minor key melodies such as "Lucas Forever/The Princess" prove ideal for the more dramatic flourishes whilst all of the tunes featured are extremely danceable. On the other hand, if you're looking for something a little more melancholy then check out the final track "Hunsdon House" which had me wishing it would never end – simply beautiful! Due to the diligent research by Becky (without whom many of these magnificent melodies would not have been given an airing) the English folk scene owes a debt of gratitude which I hope will see the band justifiably rewarded. 

PETE FYFE

CD Review in "English Dance and Song" December 2007

Feet, Don't Fail Me Now - Boldwood

Boldwood's stated mission is to 'rescue forgotten dance anthems from dusty manuscripts and put them back to work on the dance floor,' a worthy idea inspired by accordionist Becky Price's visit to the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library in our very own Cecil Sharp House! This debut CD includes some of the tunes she found there, together with others from such excellent sources as Playford's English Dancing Master, the Sussex Tune Book, John Offord's John of the Greeny Cheshire Way, John Clare's manuscript and that of Alawon John Thomas, a Welsh fiddler's tunebook from 1752.

Th band, complete with Becky's accordion and 'fiddlers three' - Kate Moran, Richard Heacock and Daniel Wolverson - rips through some great tune sets, all well arranged and played with great verve and energy. A good proportion of the material is unfamiliar to me, and the Welsh tunes are especially fine. The combination of fiddles is immensely exciting, and each player is able to double up on viola to give extra depth to an already rich, sometimes symphonic, sound.

Tim Perkins' bouzouki/guitar (he is also a trained violinist) works well in the vital role of accompanying and coaxing the best out of the melodies. Percussion appears to be mostly limited to fairly heavy foot tapping, which seems to be most appropriate, given the exuberance that bursts from the recording. Particularly impressive tunes are "Barbara Allen", Clare's "Savage Hornpipe" (played in the original B flat), a challenging triple time "Clarke's Hornpipe" and a lush version of "Hunsdon House". In summary, the tunes, musicianship and arrangements are brilliant, and the recording captures the essence of the band well. Whether you are a tune hunter, an English music fan or simply want to dance madly around your kitchen, this CD is life enhancing. Highly recommended.

Neil Brookes

no footage of the band yet, just a load of arty stuff...

Yes, it's finally here! To order your copy, visit our site at www.boldwood.co.uk and follow the link to Hobgoblin Records shop.