ARTIST INFO

FAKE THACKRAY (John Watterson)

The LOST Will and Testament of Jake Thackray by John Watterson

‘A hilarious and heartfelt celebration of the life and songs of one of this country’s finest and funniest wordsmiths. Highly entertaining whether you are discovering Jake for the first time, or an ardent fan.’

The late Jake Thackray is being increasingly acknowledged as one of the greatest English songwriters of the twentieth century, a unique talent, whose songs are full of poetry, wit, irreverence and humanity. His intelligent and hilarious lyrics, talent for storytelling, clever wordplay, occasional, artful use of vulgarity and surreal imagination delighted many viewers and outraged some. Since his death in 2002 there has been growing recognition of his genius and a resurgence of interest in his work. His admirers include Jarvis Cocker, Alex Turner, Don Black, Thea Gilmore, Cerys Matthews, Benjamin Clementine and Neil Gaiman.

John Watterson is the UK’s leading performer of Jake’s songs. As Fake Thackray he has toured with Fairport Convention and performed at Latitude, Cropredy and the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. He has also played for Jake’s family and appeared on Radio 4’s ‘Great Lives’. For the past three years John has been researching to write the first biography on Thackray, with the help of Jake’s family, friends and fellow performers. In the course of this research, John has uncovered 15 wonderful songs written by Jake but never released - some have lain forgotten in the BBC archives for decades, others found in Jake’s personal papers haven’t ever been heard. These songs, along with never-before told stories from the biography research plus several much-loved Jake classics, feature in John’s new show.

The Songs

The ‘lost songs’ span two decades of Jake’s writing. They take a wide variety of approaches: comic songs from Braden’s Week (The Ferry Boat, When Lucy Comes), topical ‘point numbers’ about items in the news (The Municipal Workers’ Strike and the startlingly direct and political God Bless America) and songs written as jokes for family and friends (e.g. the surreal Our Dog and Tortoise, two children’s songs such as only Jake could have written). You will also find here serious, mature masterpieces from later in Jake’s career, the songs of a true Yorkshire chansonnier, bearing the influence of his hero, the legendary French singer, Georges Brassens. The Bull is a brilliant, ballsy (literally!) attack on hierarchies, celebrity culture and pomposity. The Cenotaph and The Remembrance are astonishing and profound anti-war songs, and Side by Side, focusing on the tribal barriers people erect, could scarcely be more serious or relevant. Also included are what may be the last song Jake wrote (The Berm House – an eco-friendly love song), and a legendary, unfinished song (Kinnell), reconstructed from Jake’s manuscript.

‘We are so pleased that Dad’s work lives on through John’s brilliant performance’.

Sam Thackray

‘John Watterson’s joy in performing Jake’s wonderful songs is obvious. My dear friend Jake was a modest and shy man, but I think he would be quietly grinning in approval… a wonderful celebration of the life and work of a unique and sadly missed artist.’

Ralph McTell

‘Long may John continue to keep Jake’s memory alive so skilfully’

Sir Richard Stilgoe

‘Brilliant! We can’t have Jake back but this is the next best thing’ 

Mike Harding

‘Wonderful stuff.  If Jake was right, and there really is an afterlife, he'll undoubtedly be looking down and giving his gruff approval.’

Victor Lewis-Smith

BouZaTina

‘BouZaTina’ combine their love of iconic popular and traditional ballads with their passion for traditional Irish music. They have been described as performing ‘inventively interpreted songs from well-known names, interspersed with lively Celtic tunes - an unusual, but surprisingly comfortable mix!’

'BouZaTina' are multi-instrumentalists Val Marciandi and Keith Whiddon, showcasing Val’s beautiful voice accompanied by Keith’s unique bouzouki style. The name 'BouZaTina' is a combination of their main instruments: Bouzouki and Concertina.

Living in Bishop’s Castle in the South Shropshire Hills, as well as performing as a duo, Val and Keith form half of the traditional Irish band 'The Flying Toads' and play regularly at festivals and venues across Holland and Germany as part of the Dutch Celtic band ‘The Wild Geese’.

THE ECLECTICS

The Eclectics is a group of friends who love to sing together. They are called the Eclectics because they have such a wide repertoire. From African songs to Beatles hits to a song by Henry VIII - they will always surprise you.

Mostly singing a cappella (though occasionally using a guitar accompaniment) the Eclectics will entertain you with music from Gershwin to a medieval drinking song, from Cole Porter to sea shanties and bluegrass. Something for everyone!

The group was formed in February, 2014, through their common love of harmony singing and they meet fortnightly in each other's houses. They are as eclectic in their backgrounds as in their choice of songs, and include a psychiatric nurse, an arts officer, a computer programmer, a Land Registry executive, teachers, an ex-Butlins Red-Coat and two university professors.

They have performed in churches, church halls, community centres, residential homes, shopping centres and schools and pubs. As they perform without amplification, they prefer venues with good acoustics and a listening audience which we have at Valley Folk Club. Perfec!.

JACK DAWGS

“Howlin’ , good-time music!”

Three keen amateur musicians who have come together through the Gower Bluegrass ‘Picking Sessions’.

John Williams—Guitar, Mandolin & Vocals. He’s the trio’s Hon. Psychologist 

(A great professional bonus for any band!)

Roland Emmanuel—Guitar, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Vocals.                                             

Former member of ‘Roots & Galoots’, ‘The Grass Snakes’, ‘Mardi Jug Band’. 

(Founder of the annual Gower Bluegrass Festival & Picking Sessions’.)

Mike Shefford—Guitar, Mandolin & Vocals.   The canine connection, an expert in dog training and former National Champion. (His influence has a bearing on the band name!)

The trio are often joined by Terry Ryan on Bass.

They play an array of acoustic instruments through a variety genres. These include Bluegrass, Folk, Americana and a variety of contemporary songs. Overall the Jack Dawgs emphasis is on Versatility, Harmony and having a Good Time playing the music!