Listen to MP3s of Free Reed Band:
Miss
McLeod's/Spootiskerry/Gravel Walks
a set of lively reels: two Scottish and one Irish
a set of lively reels: two Scottish and one Irish
Patsy
Geary's/Road to
Lisdoonvarna/
Going to the Well for Water
a set of Irish jigs.
Going to the Well for Water
a set of Irish jigs.
Westmorland
A lovely Northern air from John Playford's
"The Complete Dancing Master"
A lovely Northern air from John Playford's
"The Complete Dancing Master"
Chinese
Breakdown/Rakes of Mallow/Winster Gallop
A set of reels, the first, American, then Irish and English. We often finish with these for a Circassian Circle.
A set of reels, the first, American, then Irish and English. We often finish with these for a Circassian Circle.
Metsakukkia
"Forest Flowers". A nice waltz from Finland.
"Forest Flowers". A nice waltz from Finland.
Tarantella
A jig from Italy, for the dance of the same name. Recorded live, Christmas 2009
A jig from Italy, for the dance of the same name. Recorded live, Christmas 2009
Villafiord/St
Anne's Reel
Another lively reel set from Shetland/Scotland
Another lively reel set from Shetland/Scotland
Sauter
Lapins
Jumping Rabbits". Jig set from France
Jumping Rabbits". Jig set from France
The
Spiral Dance Set
Fairy Dance/Devil Amang the Tailors/
Mason's Apron/Pinch of Snuff.
A favourite set of reels to finish on.
Fairy Dance/Devil Amang the Tailors/
Mason's Apron/Pinch of Snuff.
A favourite set of reels to finish on.
We are regularly booked for weddings, civil partnerships,
birthdays, social events, community groups, school PTAs, fund-raisers, conferences, anniversaries, family celebrations
and other special occasions.
The band features:
CHARLES ELY accordion
ANDY HORNBY mandolin, banjo, whistles, Scottish small pipes
TONY COOKE guitar, occasional songs.
Andy, Charles, and Tony, are widely regarded as some of
the finest folk musicians in the area. They all have wide and
various musical interests which can be heard in their
arrangements.
Apart from great music, a vital part of any ceilidh is a great
dance caller. The band works with various callers, depending
on the location or type of event. All our callers are very
experienced at explaining and guiding people through the
various dances and choosing the right dances for the event.
Forthcoming events:
Free Reed Band recently celebrated its
30th anniversary!
The Music
Most of the band’s music comes from across the British Isles, but don’t be surprised in the middle of a Ceilidh to hear tunes from Finland, the USA, France or even the Carribbean!. They will play music from anywhere, as long as it is good to dance and often feature dance tunes that members have hunted out from old manuscripts, particularly from the North West of England. Additionally, they play some of their own composed tunes.
The Dances
The band plays for traditional dances. These range from the delightfully simple to the ridiculously complicated, but fear not, the band and caller always ensure that the dances are well suited to the audience. As with the music, most of the dances hail from the British Isles, but Danish, Italian or French dances may also feature.
Ceilidh
The word “ceilidh” is a Celtic word meaning “gathering”, and the gathering would have included singing, dancing, music, eating, drinking, storytelling etc. In many places now, however, the word has come to mean a traditional social dance otherwise known as a barn dance. An average ceilidh would last about 4 hours, for example: 8pm-midnight,
Everyone can have a go – the music and dances are enjoyed by young and old alike. Unlike a disco, the music is not too loud, and it’s live, played by expert players! Breaks between dances allow you to chat or have a quiet drink and catch your breath. All the dance steps are clearly explained by a patient, tolerant and friendly individual – the Dance Caller - and, to be honest, we don’t mind if you get it wrong, as long as you are having fun and enjoying the music and the company!