Exciting Unique Ceilidh Experience from The Cock & Bull Band
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all about the cock & bull band
The Cock & Bull Band are at the forefront of exciting and adventurous ceilidh experiences. They effortlessly fuse traditional instruments with cutting edge music technology. Original tunes and reworked traditional tunes are given a unique groove which is perfect for dancing and great to listen to. High energy mandola is complemented by keyboard, drum loops and samples whilst the tune is played on sax, flute, clarinet or recorder in a variety of arrangements that respect ceilidh tradition but add a hint of jazz with a contemporary feel.
Dances are chosen by the caller and the band have tunes for every style of dance from jigs, reels and polkas to schottisches and bourees as well as some more unusual and lesser known specialities, such as the Horses Brawl.
What The Cock & Bull Band can do for you
The Cock and Bull Band are truly unique, demonstrating a mastery of musical arrangements that delight the ear whilst igniting the inner dancing spirit. Dancers have always loved their quirky and ‘off-piste’ approach to ceilidh music. Tunes might be played on clarinet, flute, recorder, keyboard, a range of saxophones or any combination of the aforementioned. These many and varied instrumental permutations are fused with the inventive and energetic mandola of Paul Martin, who effortlessly bounces between underpinning the rhythmic powerhouse and exciting lead guitar-like phrases, like some demented Jack rabbit. Vanda Sainsbury on woodwind and Lynn Swain on flute, feature inspired harmony and counterpoint in every tune, along with sections of soloing, where the melody line is set aside for some nifty and often jazzy improvisation, that sees the musical style sashay off into the realms of jazz, rock or even funk! Pete Lockwood’s ‘trademark electronics’ have become an integral feature of The Cock and Bull ‘sound’ and their driving ceilidh rhythms effortlessly blend traditional instruments with synthesiser, loops and percussion samples. Pete has always shown an empathy with ceilidh-folk music, subtly infusing his brand of ’technology’ without losing the essence of the original genre. Throughout their long and eventful career The Cock and Bull Band have never shied away from following their own, sometimes unfashionable path and in doing so have remained innovative, never failing to surprise. Members have come and gone, but the band and its individual and unusual combination of instruments continue to forge ahead along their own highly distinctive route.
So yet another chapter in Stony Stratford’s Cock and Bull story continues to unfold…. Paul Martin on mandocello and Pete Lockwood on keyboards, sax and percussion are complemented by flautist Lynn Swain and her soaring melodic lines and Vanda Sainsbury whose dynamic clarinet playing, nifty array of recorders and forays on keyboard, complete the tale. Vanda also play soprano saxophone which, when combined with Pete’s steamy jazz tinged tenor sax, sees a welcome return of the classic Cock and Bull dual sax feature.
Ceilidh dancing and The Cock & Bull band
Dancing to and listening to The Cock & Bull Band's music
The Cock & Bull Band are at the forefront of exciting and adventurous ceilidh experiences. They effortlessly fuse traditional instruments with cutting edge music technology. Original tunes and reworked traditional tunes are given a unique groove which is perfect for dancing and great to listen to. High energy mandola is complemented by keyboard, drum loops and samples whilst the tune is played on sax, flute, clarinet or recorder in a variety of arrangements that respect ceilidh tradition but add a hint jazz with a contemporary feel.
Dances are chosen by the caller and the band have tunes for every style of dance from jigs, reels and polkas to schottisches and bourees as well as some more unusual and lesser known specialities, such as the Horses Brawl.
Choosing a caller
The Cock & Bull Band work with many different callers. If you have a particular caller in mind then we will endeavour to book them if they are available. We can choose a caller on your behalf. We also play some ceilidhs where our flute player Lynn calls the dances, prompting the dancers once the tune has started in addition to her regular flute duties.
A band history...a chronological cock & bull story
The early days 1979 to 1991
The Cock and Bull Band were formed in 1979 from the ashes of Hemlock. Members were Brad Bradstock, Bob Shakeshaft, Jean-Pierre Rasle and Dave Whetstone. John Maxwell replaced Bob and shortly after Paul Martin joined, replacing Brad. The band then recorded their debut album All Buttoned Up on Topic Records in 1981 and began their ascent on the folk festival and ceilidh world. Maxwell, Rasle and Whetstone, then put Cock and Bull on hold for a spell in The Albion Band before returning to record and release their second Topic album, Eyes Closed and Rocking in 1985. The following year both Dave Whetstone and then John Maxwell left the band to be replaced by Pete Lockwood, whose sax and keyboards gave the band a completely different sound and style. Steeleye Span’s Nigel Pegrum produced the band’s third album Concrete Routes and Sacred Cows at his Milton Keynes Pace studio. This album received many favourable reviews and saw the band much in demand on the festival and ceilidh circuit and was followed in 1991 by their first CD release, a compilation entitled A Cock and Bull Story. . Developments in music technology allowed the band to use programmed drum patterns and basslines as part of their live performances in a way that would become popular with many folk fusion artists a decade or so later
The band evolves 1992 to 2020
In 1992 Vanda Sainsbury joined on clarinet, sax, recorders and keyboard adding an even greater dimension to Cock and Bull’s already extensive palette. This line-up, which until the current line up, was considered by some to be the most creative and adventurous period of the band. This decade saw the release of Below The Belt in 1993 Pumped Up and Loaded in 1996 and Encore Du Vingt in 1999 on Mrs Casey Records. In 2000 Vanda left to study at Oxford University and was replaced by Steve Cobham on electric guitar. This line-up lasted longer than any other but released no album, apart from a 20th anniversary CD reissue of Concrete Routes in 2009. In 2010 firstly Steve and then Jean-Pierre both left the band and moved to France. In 2011 Vanda rejoined Paul and Pete and the ‘re-invented’ new trio have begun to gig again. Within a short time the trio were joined by Lynn Swain on flute and recorders and and the band re-interpreted their extensive repertoire with this new line up. The band are now firmly re-established on the festival and ceilidh circuit and celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2019 with the release of two CDs. A Cock & Bull Story 2 is a compilation of tunes from the band’s current live favourites and includes previously unreleased and live versions of classic tunes. Keyboard and sax player Pete recorded and released the CD Cock & Bull Re-imagined with his brother Dave (who produced and played on the three nineties albums). Pete’s CD takes classic Cock & Bull Band tunes and created new arrangements that are radically different to the originals. The band lives on and look forward to gigging again in safer times. A Cock and Bull Story indeed!
CD and vinyl releases and availability
Recent CD Releases & Re-releases.
Message us for details of how to purchase our CDs and vinyl and we'll get back to you with how to make it happen.
Concrete Routes And Sacred Cows
£10.00
Download or listen on Bandcamp.
https://thecockbullbanduk.bandcamp.com/album/concrete-routes-sacred-cows
With their name shortened to just Cock & Bull, the three piece line up recorded this album in just a week at Nigel Pegrum's Milton Keynes studio. Receiving considerable acclaim, the album was a significant departure from their early sound. Re-issue in 2009 for its 30th anniversary it will be available from 2022. The original vinyl copies are still available from our site.
A Cock & Bull Story Vol 2
£10.00
Download or listen on Bandcamp.
https://petelockwoodmk.bandcamp.com/album/a-cock-bull-story-volume-2
A compilation of current band favourites includes some previously unreleased demo material and live versions of classic band tunes. This is a limited edition CD and will not be re-pressed when all copies are sold. This CD is available direct from the band site or from Bandcamp where you can download it plus artwork etc or order a physical copy.
A Cock & Bull Story 1
£10.00
Download or listen on Bandcamp.
https://thecockbullbanduk.bandcamp.com/album/a-cock-bull-story-vol-1
A compilation of the best of the early albums including a previously unreleased version and three new tracks. Unavailable for some time and now a limited number of an "up-dated" issue of this CD been produced in 2019..Message the site or email petelockwood01@gmail.com or call +44 7810437431 for further information on how to acquire your own copy.
The Nineties CDs
The three nineties CDs recorded for Mrs Casey Records.
Below The Belt
£10.00
Download or listen on Bandcamp.
https://thecockbullbanduk.bandcamp.com/album/below-the-belt
The first CD to feature Vanda recorded and released in 1993 and re-mastered and re-issued in 2013 as a 30th anniversary. Recorded at the re-located Pace Studio in Milton Keynes and the first of three CDs to be produced by Sound on Sound's Dave Lockwood.
Pumped Up And Loaded
£12.00
Download or listen on Bandcamp.
https://thecockbullbanduk.bandcamp.com/album/pumped-up-loaded
The 1996 CD release recorded at Intimate Studios in Wapping. Originally released on Mrs Casey Records on CD & Cassette formats the title refers to Jean-Pierre's bellows on his pipes and Pete's use of a floppy disk player which replayed all the digital information when the band played alongside programmed audio tracks.
Encore Du Vingt
£12.00
Download or listen on Bandcamp.
https://thecockbullbanduk.bandcamp.com/album/encore-du-vingt
The album recorded at The Enid's Northampton studio The Lodge, to celebrate the band's twenty year anniversary. Our second CD on Mrs Casey Records featuring nineteen tunes rather than the expected twenty. Planned as a celebration of our decades playing for ceilidhs.
OTHER CDS RELEASED BY BAND MEMBERS.
Music From The Tempest.
Anna's Wedding. A CD by Paul Martin with Chris Jewell.
Anna's Wedding. A CD by Paul Martin with Chris Jewell.
In 2009 Pete Lockwood wrote the music to accompany a production of Shakespeare's Tempest which was performed by Performing Arts Students from MK College. This was finally released as a CD in 2019.
https://petelockwoodmk.bandcamp.com/album/music-from-the-tempest-2
Anna's Wedding. A CD by Paul Martin with Chris Jewell.
Anna's Wedding. A CD by Paul Martin with Chris Jewell.
Anna's Wedding. A CD by Paul Martin with Chris Jewell.
A beautiful selection of traditional and original tunes written by Paul Martin and Chris Jewell, in celebration of Anna Shakeshaft's Wedding.
Nifty Thrifty by Asha.
Anna's Wedding. A CD by Paul Martin with Chris Jewell.
Nifty Thrifty by Asha.
Both Lynn and Pete also play in Asha. Their third CD entitled Nifty Thrifty is also a reference to a Cock & Bull tune. The CD is still available and can be downloaded from Bandcamp.
Into The Light by Asha.
Into The Light by Asha.
Nifty Thrifty by Asha.
Asha's second CD was the first to feature future Cock & Bull flautist Lynn Swain. The CD is available and can also be downloaded from Bandcamp.
Close Enough by Asha.
Into The Light by Asha.
Close Enough by Asha.
Close Enough was the debut CD by Asha featuring Cock & Bull's Pete Lockwood. Physical CDs are still available and the album can be downloaded from Bandcamp.
Togmor.
Into The Light by Asha.
Close Enough by Asha.
Pete joined Togmor as their drummer, flute player and backing vocalist in 2013. This is their third CD release but Pete's first with the band, who will be at Towersey Festival in 2021.
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