The Polly Bolton Band
Past, Present and Future

'Want something to waft away on? Forget dope, forget Sanatogen, tune into
Bolton, Shepherd and Dunachie.'
Simon Jones, First Hearing


For many people, the tag of 'folk music' conjures up an image of a middle-aged fellow standing in a Lancashire pub with his finger in his ear, wailing about a dog named Hambel who died tragically. Not so, for folk music has moved on considerably from this corny stereotype, developing through the work of groups like The Polly Bolton Band into an exciting, surprising and inspirational hybrid of styles that many of today's bands would do well to learn from.



After nearly 8 years of musical collaboration the Polly Bolton (P.B., Steve Dunachie and John Shepherd ) have decided to call it a day. They still get together for occasional gigs and have plans to collaborate in the future on one-off projects such as an album of early church music or poetical settings. Both Steve and John are busy with full time teaching jobs and Polly with her small country estate and an increasing menagerie of animals!

The last recording by the band was LOVELIEST OF TREES, settings of A.E.Housman's A SHROPSHIRE LAD. The settings were written by Steve and John interspersed by readings from the acclaimed actor, Nigel Hawthorne. The album received much acclaim and was one of the most popular albums the bands produced. "We decided to end on a high and get involved in other things. We have had an enjoyable and creative collaboration and Steve and John remain two of my favourite musicians" says Polly.

SO WHERE NOW FOR POLL.?
Polly has many musical plans I the pipeline. Here are a few; 1. A new recording with jazz player Paul Dunmall. "Paul and I go way back as friends and co-musicians. Last year we released an album of mostly improvised material called VIEW ACROSS THE BAY. The album is slowly being distributed on the roots circuit. Falling as it does between jazz and folk, distribution through normal channels has been difficult. I really loved making the album and feel more confident about using my voice as an instrument with Paul's inspired playing on a variety of wind instruments."

2. Recording with Kev Dempsey (ex Whipper Snapper )
Kev and I have known each other for about 27 years and for most of that time have talked about making an album together! "At last, we two middle aged tired musos have decided to do a no hassle, no deadline recording project. There will be some traditional material, some new, some techno - folk - rock. We hope to have guests such as Dave Swabrick and the amazing Bulgarian singer, Kalinka Vulcheva-Jenkins. We're due to start in February '98."

3. Voice workshops.
For the last 4 years Polly has been becoming increasingly involved in teaching singing. "I have always felt that the audience - performer thing in our culture only gives certain people permission to sing. Singing is a wonderfully liberating and healthy activity which should be available to all." Polly likes to work with people who feel they can't sing or are blocked in some way. "The key to my workshops is enjoyment and relaxed breathing. The right note does not exist and people are not judged on whether they are in tune. I use both improvisation and learning of songs. I use a lot of simple chants, some learnt, some written and use humour." Polly hopes to increase the number of workshops she does in her area of The Borders between England and Wales and further afield, including helping to facilitate an acapella singing group in Ludlow, Shropshire

4. Recording with Jennifer Cutting.
Jennifer Cutting has long been a fan of Polly's singing and last year the talented American composer / arranger came to stay with Polly and recorded a single called the CHILD OF LOSS. Cutting and Bolton will be collaborating again when Cutting starts her project of recording traditional ballads using various artists. "I enjoy working with Jennefer... She's a perfectionist in the studio, like me and a extremely sensitive and musical person. I look forward to working with her again."

MORE ABOUT POLLY
Apart from the above, Polly still runs a small garden nursery, grows organic veg and is a mum. She is also a part-time youth worker in Ludlow. "I like to feel grounded. Singing and music is vitally important to me but so is feeding the budgie and reading bed time stories. I'd go berserk if music was my main occupation. So much of being a musician is tied up with whether people approve of you , like you, think you're good, talented ect. To produce a meal of home grown veg or see healthy animals grazing I the field are as important to me as validation musically. It is great when you sing to an audience who are enjoying your performance but you cannot rely on that feed back for your own mental well-being."

VOICES THAT HAVE CHANGED MY LIFE

Early Joni Mitchell albums, everything from CLOUDS to LADIES OF THE CANYON

Hearing Kalinka Vulcheva sing in my kitchen

Irish singer Noirin Ni Riain

Songs of the Baka pygmies

Bjork's new album HOMOGENIC

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder

and many more!

About The Polly Bolton Band. Includes the history of each of the members, stretching back as far as Polly's Dando Shaft days and coming bang up to date.
The definitive discography. A complete list of Polly's recordings from the early days with cult collectables Dando Shaft to the still-available Polly Bolton Band's recent recordings. Get 'em while they're hot!
How to order. Possibly the last chance to obtain the few remaining copies of the superb 'Songs From A Cold Open Field' and 'Woodbine and Ivy'.
More about Polly. You've heard that haunting voice, but what about the woman behind it?
Oak Barn Workshop Centre Since Spring 1999, Polly has been running her own workshop centre, deep in the heart of the Shropshire Hills. The centre has a variety of weekend and one day courses on subjects such as healing, gardening, local history , permaculture and singing. Polly's singing workshops include harmony singing and Celtic singing and those for the "really scared" who have been told they really can't sing. Polly also runs a community choir based at the centre called Larks.Bulgarian singer,Kalinka Vulcheva regularly runs workshops at Oak Barn and in August Sue Harris and Polly run a Singing Camp.For more details of the courses and photos of the centre link to http://www.oak-barn.co.uk/

Site maintained by Bold Venture Software Ltd. All songs and lyrics copyright of Polly Bolton unless otherwise stated. Email Polly on info@oak-barn.co.uk. Enjoy.