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Duncan McFarlane
'Duncan has an obvious feel for the tradition and a deep-rooted belief that it has a place in the current folk scene, aspects which he puts across with lively showmanship. 'His own songs show a canny grasp of, and response to, the tradition, while his intrinsic seriousness of intent and approach is often laced with a healthy irreverence that happens to be hugely entertaining'. (Living Tradition)
‘Another real treat for festival audiences was the witty and charismatic Duncan McFarlane. This talented guitar and vocalist had a lively stage presence and whether regaling us with a story, singing a Traditional or one of his own cleverly written songs, Duncan was a true delight.’
(Review of Duncan at Costa Del Folk)
Duncan McFarlane & Anne Brivonese
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Duncan & Anne sing & play classy, eminently listenable songs, both traditional and contemporary. Expect a strong rhythmic impetus that's infectious in the extreme.
A punchy guitarist in the 'English folk' style paired alongside a highly talented fiddler, they offer sets split roughly equally between the Tradition and his own compositions, with the occasional well-known contemporary song thrown in the mix.
They have an obvious feel for the tradition and a deep-rooted belief that it has a place in the current folk scene, aspects which they put across with lively showmanship.
Duncan’s own songs show a canny grasp of, and response to, the tradition, while his intrinsic seriousness of intent and approach is often laced with a healthy irreverence that happens to be hugely entertaining. (The Living Tradition)
The Duncan McFarlane Band...
'It’s nice to find a folk-rock band that understands both folk AND rock and knows how to draw on one without diluting the other'
'Robust folk-rock - reels, jigs and stout songs, well-executed and infectiously lively'
'Essentially solid, energetic English electric folk, full of pumping riffs and loads of energy'
'The world can always use more good English folk-rock and this is loud, fast music based on the rhythms of English country dance music, with sharp-edged electric guitar leads, electric fiddle and gutsy, gritty singing' (fRoots, Yorkshire Evening Post, Dirty Linen (USA) and Shreds & Patches)
‘Absolutely great; The Duncan McFarlane Band CD
‘All Rogues & Villains’ is chock full of great stuff, really powerful playing and singing.’
(Mike Harding, BBC Radio Two, Folk & Roots Show)
Duncan McFarlane...
’You know when you get those very special moments when things (planets, sunshine, beer, people, the craic) all seem to come together and conspire to be totally brilliant and magical? Well yesterday afternoon, sitting outside the Green Dragon at the Hardraw Gathering, Duncan McFarlane made such magic. A great acoustic set in the good old Yorkshire sunshine - small children, dogs and beer drinking folkies all entranced. A moment to treasure, stored up there in the head locker now, to take out and smile over on long winter nights. What a great songwriter! His version of ‘A Beggin I Will Go’, with modern day references to beggars with mongrels on our city streets, is a great example of the "folk process". The audience loved it. He writes some great stuff that guy and I love his lively versions of traditional folk songs’. (Mike Harding)
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