By the time John Spiers & Jon Boden had hung up their highly regarded hats as the Spiers & Boden duo in 2014 they had earned a place in the hearts of the folk audience that few could rival.
Described by The Guardian as ‘the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene’, Spiers & Boden first rocketed onto the music scene in 2001, quickly winning a clutch of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and went on to become one of the best loved duos on the English folk scene and beyond. John and Jon were also founding members of the pioneering and hugely successful folk big band Bellowhead, whose stellar career increasingly came to dominate their time. But now, after exploring solo projects, the duo is back with a brand new 13 track album ‘Fallow Ground’ plus festival appearances and a 23 date UK tour (including the Spiers & Boden Festival at Cecil Sharp House, London on 9th October).
The title ‘Fallow Ground’ is not only a reference to the duo’s choice to put Spiers & Boden to one side for a time, but also, to the huge impact that the pandemic has had on live music. The decision to return with an album in 2021 was made pre-pandemic and as a result ended up being recorded between lockdowns. It’s an album bursting with ideas as well as a new-found confidence to let the material speak for itself.
The songs and tunes selected for ‘Fallow Ground’ are overwhelmingly traditional – a clever mix of rambunctious melodies and contemplative ballads – and are the classic Spiers & Boden mixture of morris tunes, pieces brought back to the 21st century from dusty manuscripts and, of course, a rare ability to conjure their own remarkable tunes.
A particular favourite of John Spiers is Funney Eye found in the 19th century manuscript of fiddler William Henry Giles of Bampton, Oxfordshire (of Bampton Morris fame). The tune was incomplete, so Spiers says he ‘used his intuition’ to finish it off.
Bluey Brink comes from the repertoire of Peter Bellamy and is the duo’s first foray into the world of Australian folk song. Butter and Cheese and All is also from Peter Bellamy, although this version is Sam Larner’s and is also known as “The Greasy Cook”, “The Cook’s Choice” or more intriguingly “Cupboard Love.” The title track, also known as “As I Stood under My Love’s Window” or more prosaically “The Cock,” is an unusual traditional love song in that it’s neither boasting of “conquest” nor is it lamenting betrayal or abandonment – everyone enjoyed themselves! There are also original tracks, such as Bailey Hill / Wittenham Clumps – the first tune written by Jon, the second by John, both about hills which mean something to them; Giant’s Waltz / The Ironing Board Hornpipe inspired by the Giant’s Causeway and The Fog (written by John).
‘I guess we were looking for songs during lockdown with a sense of fun and light relief. I realise that there are zero songs about death on this album, which is probably a first and may get us expelled from the English Folk Dance & Song Society. Yes, traditional songs with a joyous edge’. Jon Boden.
Spiers and Boden’s Fallow Ground is released by Hudson Records on 17th September 2021 with a performance at Gate To Southwell Festival on 5th September and then touring from 28th September- 26th October 2021.
Spiers & Boden – Comeback Tour – Sept/Oct 2021
September
Tues 28th St. David’s Hall, Cardiff
Wed 29th Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan
Thu 30th Redgrave Theatre, Bristol
October
Fri 1st The Regal, Tenbury Wells
Sat 2nd Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
Sun 3rd Exeter Phoenix
Mon 4th Cheese & Grain, Frome
Tue 5th Komedia, Brighton
Wed 6th Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Fri 8th Revelation, Ashford
Sat 9th FULL DAY The Spiers & Boden Festival at Cecil Sharp House, London
Sun 10th Chipping Norton Theatre
Mon 11th Nettlebed Village Club, Nr Henley on Thames
Tue 12th The Corn Hall, Diss
Sat 16th Hartlepool Folk Festival
Mon 18th Colchester Arts Centre
Tue 19th Cambridge Junction
Wed 20th Pocklington Arts Centre
Thu 21st Manchester Folk Festival
Fri 22nd The Live Room, Saltaire
Sun 24th The Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall *matinee and evening shows
Mon 25th Rheolwr Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda, Bangor
Tues 26th Aberystwyth Arts Centre
For further information visit www.spiersandboden.com
For Gate to Southwell Festival information visit https://www.gtsf.uk/