Tom Gilfellon: 26th November 2004
A former High Level Ranter on the loose in Yorkshire. Tom doesn’t often play folk clubs these days so this is a rare opportunity to see him and to hear him sing and play North Eastern songs and tongue-twisters.
Tom Gilfellon tells us that he began his career in folksinging, singing folksongs and ballads, when he was only a youngster at the tender age of 14. Between 1961 and 1964 Tom was a resident at the Wayfarer’s Club in Manchester, where he sang and played alongside Harry Boardman and Terry Whelan.
He then began touring round the country singing folksongs and ballads in a professional capacity.
Tom Gilfellon then teamed up with Johnny Handle (on Accordian), Alistair Anderson (English Concertina), Colin Ross (Northumberland Small-pipes), and the late Foster Charlton (who died tragically in a road accident), to form the now famous High Level Ranters.
These days Tom plays alongside Ali Bain and is a member of the Champion String Band, and also performs at some solo gigs.
Reviews
We think Tom is a real character with a fine voice. He has a very individual style, and I don?t think you will leave the club without having enjoyed a feast of folksong, and a few chuckles.
Ed and Sam
We invite any other reviews by email on the Contact page.
Recordings
In various High Level Ranters discs
Contributor to the famous recording, ‘The Industrial Muse’, produced by Bert Lloyd.