Artisan: June 24th 2005
Artisan have been on the scene for twenty years or so, and are as popular as ever. Take this opportunity to see them again fo what is sure to be a lively night of entertainment and excellent singing.
Taken from Artisan’s website
Artisan are Hilary Spencer, Jacey Bedford and Brian Bedford. They
are three friends who decided to sing together for fun way back in 1984
in deepest darkest Yorkshire. It was pure luck,
says Jacey,
Our voices blended so well, right from the start, that we had lots
of encouragement from friends and that prompted us to work really hard.
Within a couple of years we were being invited to festivals and events
all over Britain. By 1988 we were getting so much work that we either
had to give up singing or give up the day-jobs. Finally in 1989 we
became full-time vocal harmonists.
Since they hit the road they’ve taken their own brand of harmony and humour round Britain, Europe, Canada, the USA, Australia and Hong Kong.
They’ve played venues both large and small, from folk clubs in upstairs pub rooms to open-air festivals with audiences of thousands. Artisan's special talent is making friends with an audience.
Dear Brian, Jacey and Hilary,
Just finished a good listen to Our Back Yard, and wanted to tell you
while the memory’s fresh that it's a super album. Good writing,
production, performances--did I forget anything? Anyway, well done that
mob!
Tom Paxton
Artisan aren’t a hard act to follow. All I have to do now is get up here on stage and burst into flames. --Valdy, Canada.
Fiery, fast and effective.
--The Guardian, UK.Urgent and uninhibited three part harmony - joyful and vigorous. The Daily Telegraph, UK.
Like the music, the banter is very skilful - some of it is clearly premeditated, the rest of it is spontaneous tomfoolery. They are unashamedly entertainers. --Alan Murray, Folk Roots, UK.
Must see. --The Scotsman, (Edinburgh) UK.
The harmony work is sharp and unfussy, the words are worth listening to, the tunes are good and the group convey a real energy and enthusiasm in their singing. Nick Beale, Folk Roots, UK.
The songs are, as much of Artisan’s material, humorous but with a deeper meaning lurking below the surface. You’ll have your fun but you'll come away with a deeper meaning of the issues being sung about. And, as always, the harmonies of Jacey Bedford, Brian Bedford and Hilary Spencer are as wonderfully tuneful and rhythmic as any to be found on the folk scene today. --Dirty Linen, USA