Bluegrass With A Smile

 

When former BBN editor, Richard Thompson, contacted me requesting that I write a feature on the Britannia Bluegrass Band, I jumped at the opportunity, as I have always liked being in their company, I have found them to have a respect for bluegrass music together with a wonderful fun-loving attitude.

 

I must admit to being just a bit biased, in that when, around four years ago, I announced that I was starting a bluegrass music venue, the Britannia Bluegrass Band rang me up immediately to ask if they could help by offering their services free to help get it off the ground. On several occasions over the following months, they drove the 80 mile round trip from Liverpool to Stockport to perform for us - soon becoming very popular with the venue audience.

Because of their professional attitude, musicianship and cheeky scouse humour, they also became a fixture for our Christmas party shows - which, of course, were paid gigs, because by then, thanks to their support, we were attracting a growing audience.

 

Now it was my turn, for the purpose of writing this article, to make the round trip to Liverpool to meet this warm-hearted, mutual admiration society. They've been together for around sixteen years and so, whilst talking with them it soon became apparent that they can rib each other unmercifully without fear of offence being taken. There is an underlying affection signalling that it's all in good part - the remarks are so laced with wit that everyone, including the butt of the remark, laughs in appreciation.

 

I sat, on this August evening with, band members, Ted Costello, Barry Flynn, Pete Mackie and Pat Lindon, around a picnic table, outside the Tap House pub, which is part of the gigantic Caine's brewery - a magnificent piece of red brick architecture in the centre of Liverpool, not far from the Albert Dock. Ted Costello said it was, 'bloody freezin" but the rest of us (wearing jackets) said it was fine...so we started in to the job in hand.

 

How did you come together? I asked.

"There was an informal bluegrass session at the Albert pub in Westhead run by Bernard Davis and Joe Rooney" said Barry and Ted, almost in unison. "We met there and the band grew out of that," continued Ted. "Barry and I had finished playing with the Hank Walters" Dusty Road Ramblers Country Band and Barry invited me to the Westhead session. We wanted more discipline in our playing than the session could offer and so we created a band with fellow sessioners Pete and Pat.

"If two of you had been in a country band and Liverpool is such a country music stronghold", I asked. "How is it you didn't start a country band?"

"Been there," said Ted.

"Done that," said Barry, with the precise timing of an experienced double act.

"How did you come to bluegrass?" I asked, banjo and Dobro player, Pat.

"Through old-time music. I was with the Flat Country String Band."

"And you?" I asked Pete. "From the folk scene."

Old-time, folk, country? I thought. They certainly have all the bases covered when it comes to the origins of bluegrass music - you can't hope for a firmer foundation than that.

 

Their early influences seemed just as varied. Lead singer, mandolin, fiddle and guitar player Ted's being Jimmy Rogers, Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, the Barrier Brothers and that album of common influence, Banjo In The Hills. Vocalist, guitar and banjo player, Barry's were: the New Lost City Ramblers, Doc Watson, the Louvin Brothers, Merle Travis, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash - he also mentioned a sneaking regard for Thelonius Monk and Charlie Mingus. Bass, and one time guitar player, Pete confessed to being an early rock 'n' roller and so included Chuck Berry along with Doc Watson, the Nashville Bluegrass Band and the Johnson Mountain Boys, whilst Banjo and Dobro player, Pat, cited, with telling singularity, 'Earl Scruggs' as his influence.

 

"What made you want to play together?" I queried. "Chemistry," said Pete, "We just got on."

"Has your choice in music changed since you've been playing together?"

"Yes," said ex country musician Ted, with a cheeky twinkle, "I'm now playing some bluegrass music. And," he followed up more seriously, "I have the opportunity to play fiddle and mandolin."

"The things I play have changed" said Barry, without further expansion. I had visions of him secretly playing modern jazz and groaning whilst at the keyboard, like Thelonius Monk.

"I have developed a greater appreciation of country music than before", said Pete.

We then digressed on the country music repertoire within bluegrass and all agreed that when Bill Monroe created bluegrass music, it was actually a part of country music and, that - since the inception of second generation bluegrass, through the likes of the Country Gentlemen - as long as the rhythm fitted the off-beat chop of the mandolin and the three finger style roll of 5-string banjo, repertoire could come from any source.

"In fact", said Ted, "one of our most popular songs, 'Walk Through This World With Me', comes from country singer, George Jones", (which, of course, was recorded by the bluegrass outfit, the Country Gentlemen).

"The closeness of the country and bluegrass repertoires," said ex old-time musician, Pat, "has been, a challenge...but very interesting."

By now, we, (the jacketed contingent), were beginning to agree with Ted that it was indeed, "Bloody freezin" and so we repaired to the warmth of the pub interior.

 

With pints of good real ale in front of us, we continued: "What has been your most interesting gig?" I asked. "Israel!" They all exclaimed.

If I remember correctly, that trip has been comprehensively reported in this publication by Pete Mackie. But, for those new to BBN, the Britannia Bluegrass Band had a chance meeting at the Conwy Bluegrass Festival with a couple of visiting Israelis -Menachem and Yehudit Vinegrad, who invited them to play at their folk festival on the shores of Lake Kinnerat (Galilee). They stayed at the Tzora kibbutz and played the Tzora folk club before moving to the Nof Ginosar hotel on the beautiful shores of Lake Galilee and performing at the Jacob's Ladder Folk Festival. They were also given a conducted tour of Jerusalem by a qualified archaeologist. Some gig huh? I'm green with envy.

 

"How do you choose what you're going to play?" I asked.

"We're a democratic band but we don't tolerate any objections," quipped Pete. "We all introduce songs," said Ted, "but if we decide to persevere and the song sticks then it's in. Like, for instance, 'The Photograph' by the Chapmans. At first it looked as if it wouldn't work but now it's coming together."

"Do you have any plans for the future development of the band?" I asked.

Pat piped up, "Yes, to get more bookings." Which (pointing to my note pad) he followed with, "And put in brackets (paid)...Oh! and a new set of strings."

"Tell 'em" said Ted, "if they don't start booking us soon, we'll make another CD."

"Mmm, bluegrass blackmail", I thought...there's a first.

"Do you have any other interests, other than bluegrass?" I asked.

"Making musical instruments, DIY - electrics, plumbing - making reproduction furniture and building computers", said Ted.

"Watercolour painting and listening to music", said Barry.

I then remembered that it was Barry who painted the illustrations for their CD sleeves - But was quickly informed by Pete that it was he (Pete) who added the footprints in the snow to the illustration. "Are there no limits to the talents of this band?" I asked myself.

"I like watching cricket," said Pete, "I used to play at one time. I'm also a Middlesbrough fan and build computers."

"I collect and repair clocks and watches," said Pat.

 

"You are on your summer break from your weekly bluegrass picking session at the moment, when does it resume?"

"September the fifteenth at the Ship Inn, Haskayne off the A567 - between Maghull and Ormskirk." Came the reply.

Anyone wanting further information can contact Pete Mackie, whose details are in BBN.

 

Although I know that the Britannia Bluegrass Band is far too modest to blatantly promote its merchandise here, they do have a couple of excellent CDs, also available from Pete. So, if you want to curl up on your sofa with this joy-bringing bunch on your CD player, you'll find them as warm as your hearth - unlike the exterior of the Tap House pub, which was?... Yes, you guessed, "bloody freezin',"

 

Tom Travis

Bluegrass With A Smile

 

When former BBN editor, Richard Thompson, contacted me requesting that I write a feature on the Britannia Bluegrass Band, I jumped at the opportunity, as I have always liked being in their company, I have found them to have a respect for bluegrass music together with a wonderful fun-loving attitude.

 

I must admit to being just a bit biased, in that when, around four years ago, I announced that I was starting a bluegrass music venue, the Britannia Bluegrass Band rang me up immediately to ask if they could help by offering their services free to help get it off the ground. On several occasions over the following months, they drove the 80 mile round trip from Liverpool to Stockport to perform for us - soon becoming very popular with the venue audience.

Because of their professional attitude, musicianship and cheeky scouse humour, they also became a fixture for our Christmas party shows - which, of course, were paid gigs, because by then, thanks to their support, we were attracting a growing audience.

 

Now it was my turn, for the purpose of writing this article, to make the round trip to Liverpool to meet this warm-hearted, mutual admiration society. They've been together for around sixteen years and so, whilst talking with them it soon became apparent that they can rib each other unmercifully without fear of offence being taken. There is an underlying affection signalling that it's all in good part - the remarks are so laced with wit that everyone, including the butt of the remark, laughs in appreciation.

 

I sat, on this August evening with, band members, Ted Costello, Barry Flynn, Pete Mackie and Pat Lindon, around a picnic table, outside the Tap House pub, which is part of the gigantic Caine's brewery - a magnificent piece of red brick architecture in the centre of Liverpool, not far from the Albert Dock. Ted Costello said it was, 'bloody freezin" but the rest of us (wearing jackets) said it was fine...so we started in to the job in hand.

 

How did you come together? I asked.

"There was an informal bluegrass session at the Albert pub in Westhead run by Bernard Davis and Joe Rooney" said Barry and Ted, almost in unison. "We met there and the band grew out of that," continued Ted. "Barry and I had finished playing with the Hank Walters" Dusty Road Ramblers Country Band and Barry invited me to the Westhead session. We wanted more discipline in our playing than the session could offer and so we created a band with fellow sessioners Pete and Pat.

"If two of you had been in a country band and Liverpool is such a country music stronghold", I asked. "How is it you didn't start a country band?"

"Been there," said Ted.

"Done that," said Barry, with the precise timing of an experienced double act.

"How did you come to bluegrass?" I asked, banjo and Dobro player, Pat.

"Through old-time music. I was with the Flat Country String Band."

"And you?" I asked Pete. "From the folk scene."

Old-time, folk, country? I thought. They certainly have all the bases covered when it comes to the origins of bluegrass music - you can't hope for a firmer foundation than that.

 

Their early influences seemed just as varied. Lead singer, mandolin, fiddle and guitar player Ted's being Jimmy Rogers, Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, the Barrier Brothers and that album of common influence, Banjo In The Hills. Vocalist, guitar and banjo player, Barry's were: the New Lost City Ramblers, Doc Watson, the Louvin Brothers, Merle Travis, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash - he also mentioned a sneaking regard for Thelonius Monk and Charlie Mingus. Bass, and one time guitar player, Pete confessed to being an early rock 'n' roller and so included Chuck Berry along with Doc Watson, the Nashville Bluegrass Band and the Johnson Mountain Boys, whilst Banjo and Dobro player, Pat, cited, with telling singularity, 'Earl Scruggs' as his influence.

 

"What made you want to play together?" I queried. "Chemistry," said Pete, "We just got on."

"Has your choice in music changed since you've been playing together?"

"Yes," said ex country musician Ted, with a cheeky twinkle, "I'm now playing some bluegrass music. And," he followed up more seriously, "I have the opportunity to play fiddle and mandolin."

"The things I play have changed" said Barry, without further expansion. I had visions of him secretly playing modern jazz and groaning whilst at the keyboard, like Thelonius Monk.

"I have developed a greater appreciation of country music than before", said Pete.

We then digressed on the country music repertoire within bluegrass and all agreed that when Bill Monroe created bluegrass music, it was actually a part of country music and, that - since the inception of second generation bluegrass, through the likes of the Country Gentlemen - as long as the rhythm fitted the off-beat chop of the mandolin and the three finger style roll of 5-string banjo, repertoire could come from any source.

"In fact", said Ted, "one of our most popular songs, 'Walk Through This World With Me', comes from country singer, George Jones", (which, of course, was recorded by the bluegrass outfit, the Country Gentlemen).

"The closeness of the country and bluegrass repertoires," said ex old-time musician, Pat, "has been, a challenge...but very interesting."

By now, we, (the jacketed contingent), were beginning to agree with Ted that it was indeed, "Bloody freezin" and so we repaired to the warmth of the pub interior.

 

With pints of good real ale in front of us, we continued: "What has been your most interesting gig?" I asked. "Israel!" They all exclaimed.

If I remember correctly, that trip has been comprehensively reported in this publication by Pete Mackie. But, for those new to BBN, the Britannia Bluegrass Band had a chance meeting at the Conwy Bluegrass Festival with a couple of visiting Israelis -Menachem and Yehudit Vinegrad, who invited them to play at their folk festival on the shores of Lake Kinnerat (Galilee). They stayed at the Tzora kibbutz and played the Tzora folk club before moving to the Nof Ginosar hotel on the beautiful shores of Lake Galilee and performing at the Jacob's Ladder Folk Festival. They were also given a conducted tour of Jerusalem by a qualified archaeologist. Some gig huh? I'm green with envy.

 

"How do you choose what you're going to play?" I asked.

"We're a democratic band but we don't tolerate any objections," quipped Pete. "We all introduce songs," said Ted, "but if we decide to persevere and the song sticks then it's in. Like, for instance, 'The Photograph' by the Chapmans. At first it looked as if it wouldn't work but now it's coming together."

"Do you have any plans for the future development of the band?" I asked.

Pat piped up, "Yes, to get more bookings." Which (pointing to my note pad) he followed with, "And put in brackets (paid)...Oh! and a new set of strings."

"Tell 'em" said Ted, "if they don't start booking us soon, we'll make another CD."

"Mmm, bluegrass blackmail", I thought...there's a first.

"Do you have any other interests, other than bluegrass?" I asked.

"Making musical instruments, DIY - electrics, plumbing - making reproduction furniture and building computers", said Ted.

"Watercolour painting and listening to music", said Barry.

I then remembered that it was Barry who painted the illustrations for their CD sleeves - But was quickly informed by Pete that it was he (Pete) who added the footprints in the snow to the illustration. "Are there no limits to the talents of this band?" I asked myself.

"I like watching cricket," said Pete, "I used to play at one time. I'm also a Middlesbrough fan and build computers."

"I collect and repair clocks and watches," said Pat.

 

"You are on your summer break from your weekly bluegrass picking session at the moment, when does it resume?"

"September the fifteenth at the Ship Inn, Haskayne off the A567 - between Maghull and Ormskirk." Came the reply.

Anyone wanting further information can contact Pete Mackie, whose details are in BBN.

 

Although I know that the Britannia Bluegrass Band is far too modest to blatantly promote its merchandise here, they do have a couple of excellent CDs, also available from Pete. So, if you want to curl up on your sofa with this joy-bringing bunch on your CD player, you'll find them as warm as your hearth - unlike the exterior of the Tap House pub, which was?... Yes, you guessed, "bloody freezin',"

 

Tom Travis