Swan Arcade
Encyclopedia
Swan Arcade were a British folk music
vocal
group formed in 1970. "A leading light of the British folk revival" they sang a wide variety of songs, including blues, pop and rock and roll, as well as traditional folk music, mostly performed a cappella
. Swan Arcade also performed with The Watersons
as the Boggle Hole Chorale, and The Watersons and Martin Carthy
as Blue Murder
. They finally disbanded in 1988, but
one of their members, Jim Boyes, still performs as part of Coope Boyes and Simpson
.
in 1970 by Dave Brady (b Dave Christopher Bradley, 12 August 1943 at Ilkley
, Yorkshire) his wife, Heather Brady (née Johnston b Heather Margaret Johnston, 13 June 1943 at Dagenham
) and bass vocalist Jim Boyes (b 14 November 1945 at Bridlington
, Yorkshire)
Despite having lost an arm in a motorcycle accident, Dave Brady also played concertina
, by holding it between his knees, and also played synthesiser and bass. Heather Brady played dulcimer and cello, whilst Boyes occasionally played guitar. The trio were well-matched vocalists, and the band became known for its close harmony, "a cappella" singing, and the use of a wide variety of influences, including blues, pop and rock and roll. They performed songs such as "Paperback Writer
" and "Lola
" as well as traditional folk music and both old and new protest songs such as "The Battle of Sowerby Bridge", "Shipbuilding
" and "Coal Not Dole" which they performed at several benefit concerts during the UK miners' strike (1984–1985)
. Dave Brady was known for his wild eyes, shaggy beard and aggressive style, often shouting "Sing, yer buggers, SING" at the audience, so that "the staider confines of the English Folk Dance and Song Society
recoiled at the raucousness of it all". The band took its name from Swan Arcade, Bradford
a Victorian shopping arcade which had controversially been demolished.
Their first album Swan Arcade was issued in 1973, but sold poorly despite good reviews. Boyes left and was replaced by Royston Wood from The Young Tradition
and this line up recorded the band’s first Peel Session on 13 February 1973.
In turn, Wood was replaced by Brian Miller (ex Laggan and Great Fife Road Show), and the second Peel Session was recorded on 25 March 1974. The line up was then expanded to include bassist Kevin Hingston, guitarist Jack French and drummer Chris Taylor but Miller left to forma a duo with Charlie Stone, before their final Peel Session on 23 September 1974. The group reverted to a trio, again with Boyes, but despite extensive coverage by John Peel
, their second album, Matchless was not released until 1976. Their music was particularly popular in continental Europe, where they regularly toured, and Matchless stayed in the Belgian Folk Chart for three years. All three band members sang on We are like the Ocean by Barry Melton
before Swan Arcade split in 1978.
Richard and Linda Thompson and then formed a band called Ragman’s Trumpet. They became political activists, campaigning for the Labour Party
, and against nuclear power, despite running a hotel in Seascale
adjacent to the Sellafield
nuclear power station. Swan Arcade still played occasional reunion concerts, particularly in Europe, until 1983 when they officially reformed and released Together Forever, again to good reviews and poor sales. They continued to play folk festivals and in 1986 appeared with The Watersons
as the Boggle Hole Chorale. In 1987 they played with The Watersons and Martin Carthy
as Blue Murder
and this "supergroup" appeared at festivals throughout Britain and in Belgium in 1987 and 1988. No studio recordings were made by this line up of Blue Murder, but a live demo was recorded and one live track appears on The Carthy Chronicles (Free Reed FRQCD-60).
Swan Arcade released their sixth and final album Full Circle in 1990, and
the band dissolved - for good this time - later the same year.
, for whom he was transport manager. Dave Brady died of emphysema
in London on 29 May 2006.
Heather Brady became a Labour Councillor and Mayor of Carlisle, Cumbria.
Boyes later appeared on albums by Lal Waterson
and Oliver Knight, Bill Jones, Ashley Hutchings
and Bob Davenport. He released his own album Out of the Blue in 1996; and since 1993 has been part of Coope Boyes and Simpson
with whom he has also appeared with Blue Murder and Chumbawamba
.
Kevin Hingston died from cancer in March 2011.
Compilations
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
vocal
Vocal music
Vocal music is a genre of music performed by one or more singers, with or without instrumental accompaniment, in which singing provides the main focus of the piece. Music which employs singing but does not feature it prominently is generally considered instrumental music Vocal music is a genre of...
group formed in 1970. "A leading light of the British folk revival" they sang a wide variety of songs, including blues, pop and rock and roll, as well as traditional folk music, mostly performed a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
. Swan Arcade also performed with The Watersons
The Watersons
The Watersons were an English folk group from Hull, Yorkshire. They performed mainly traditional songs with little or no accompaniment. Their distinctive sound came from their closely woven harmonies.-Career:...
as the Boggle Hole Chorale, and The Watersons and Martin Carthy
Martin Carthy
Martin Carthy MBE is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and later artists such as Richard Thompson since he emerged as a young musician in the early days...
as Blue Murder
Blue Murder (folk)
Blue Murder is an occasional English folk "supergroup", consisting at various times of various members of Swan Arcade, Coope Boyes and Simpson, Waterson:Carthy and The Watersons....
. They finally disbanded in 1988, but
one of their members, Jim Boyes, still performs as part of Coope Boyes and Simpson
Coope Boyes and Simpson
Coope, Boyes and Simpson are an English vocal folk trio, formed around 1990. Their sound is rich and often has unusual vocal harmonies.The group comprises singers Barry Coope, Jim Boyes and Lester Simpson, and almost all of their music is sung entirely a capella, although they have occasionally...
.
Formation
The group was formed in YorkshireYorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
in 1970 by Dave Brady (b Dave Christopher Bradley, 12 August 1943 at Ilkley
Ilkley
Ilkley is a spa town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, in the north of England. Ilkley civil parish includes the adjacent village of Ben Rhydding and is a ward within the metropolitan borough of Bradford. Approximately north of Bradford, the town lies mainly on the south bank of the River Wharfe...
, Yorkshire) his wife, Heather Brady (née Johnston b Heather Margaret Johnston, 13 June 1943 at Dagenham
Dagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
) and bass vocalist Jim Boyes (b 14 November 1945 at Bridlington
Bridlington
Bridlington is a seaside resort, minor sea fishing port and civil parish on the Holderness Coast of the North Sea, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It has a static population of over 33,000, which rises considerably during the tourist season...
, Yorkshire)
Despite having lost an arm in a motorcycle accident, Dave Brady also played concertina
Concertina
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
, by holding it between his knees, and also played synthesiser and bass. Heather Brady played dulcimer and cello, whilst Boyes occasionally played guitar. The trio were well-matched vocalists, and the band became known for its close harmony, "a cappella" singing, and the use of a wide variety of influences, including blues, pop and rock and roll. They performed songs such as "Paperback Writer
Paperback Writer
"Paperback Writer" is a 1966 song recorded and released by The Beatles. Written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney, the song was released as the A-side of their eleventh single...
" and "Lola
Lola (song)
"Lola" is a song written by Ray Davies and performed by The Kinks which details a romantic encounter between a young man and a transvestite he meets in a club in Soho, London....
" as well as traditional folk music and both old and new protest songs such as "The Battle of Sowerby Bridge", "Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding (song)
"Shipbuilding" is a song written by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer . Written during the Falklands War of 1982, Costello's lyrics discuss the contradiction of the war bringing back prosperity to traditional shipbuilding areas of Merseyside , North East England and Belfast to build new ships to...
" and "Coal Not Dole" which they performed at several benefit concerts during the UK miners' strike (1984–1985)
UK miners' strike (1984–1985)
The UK miners' strike was a major industrial action affecting the British coal industry. It was a defining moment in British industrial relations, and its defeat significantly weakened the British trades union movement...
. Dave Brady was known for his wild eyes, shaggy beard and aggressive style, often shouting "Sing, yer buggers, SING" at the audience, so that "the staider confines of the English Folk Dance and Song Society
English Folk Dance and Song Society
The English Folk Dance and Song Society was formed in 1932 when two organisations merged: the Folk-Song Society and the English Folk Dance Society. The EFDSS, a member-based organisation, was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee in 1935 and became a Registered Charity The English Folk...
recoiled at the raucousness of it all". The band took its name from Swan Arcade, Bradford
Swan Arcade, Bradford
The Swan Arcade was a four-storey building located between Market Street and Broadway, Bradford, UK and stood opposite the Wool Exchange. The Bradford Beck ran beneath.- Architecture and history :...
a Victorian shopping arcade which had controversially been demolished.
Their first album Swan Arcade was issued in 1973, but sold poorly despite good reviews. Boyes left and was replaced by Royston Wood from The Young Tradition
The Young Tradition
The Young Tradition were a British folk group of the 1960s, formed by Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood and Heather Wood. They recorded three albums of mainly traditional British folk music, sung in arrangements for their three unaccompanied voices.-Biography:...
and this line up recorded the band’s first Peel Session on 13 February 1973.
In turn, Wood was replaced by Brian Miller (ex Laggan and Great Fife Road Show), and the second Peel Session was recorded on 25 March 1974. The line up was then expanded to include bassist Kevin Hingston, guitarist Jack French and drummer Chris Taylor but Miller left to forma a duo with Charlie Stone, before their final Peel Session on 23 September 1974. The group reverted to a trio, again with Boyes, but despite extensive coverage by John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
, their second album, Matchless was not released until 1976. Their music was particularly popular in continental Europe, where they regularly toured, and Matchless stayed in the Belgian Folk Chart for three years. All three band members sang on We are like the Ocean by Barry Melton
Barry Melton
Barry "The Fish" Melton was the co-founder and original lead guitarist of Country Joe and The Fish. Barry appears on all the Country Joe and The Fish recordings and he also wrote some of the songs that the band recorded...
before Swan Arcade split in 1978.
Reformation
Later In 1978, the Bradys sang on First Light byRichard and Linda Thompson and then formed a band called Ragman’s Trumpet. They became political activists, campaigning for the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
, and against nuclear power, despite running a hotel in Seascale
Seascale
Seascale is a village and civil parish on the Irish Sea coast of Cumbria in north-west England.-History:The place-name indicates that it was inhabited by Norse settlers, probably before 1000 AD. It is derived from skali, meaning in Norse a wooden hut or shelter...
adjacent to the Sellafield
Sellafield
Sellafield is a nuclear reprocessing site, close to the village of Seascale on the coast of the Irish Sea in Cumbria, England. The site is served by Sellafield railway station. Sellafield is an off-shoot from the original nuclear reactor site at Windscale which is currently undergoing...
nuclear power station. Swan Arcade still played occasional reunion concerts, particularly in Europe, until 1983 when they officially reformed and released Together Forever, again to good reviews and poor sales. They continued to play folk festivals and in 1986 appeared with The Watersons
The Watersons
The Watersons were an English folk group from Hull, Yorkshire. They performed mainly traditional songs with little or no accompaniment. Their distinctive sound came from their closely woven harmonies.-Career:...
as the Boggle Hole Chorale. In 1987 they played with The Watersons and Martin Carthy
Martin Carthy
Martin Carthy MBE is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and later artists such as Richard Thompson since he emerged as a young musician in the early days...
as Blue Murder
Blue Murder (folk)
Blue Murder is an occasional English folk "supergroup", consisting at various times of various members of Swan Arcade, Coope Boyes and Simpson, Waterson:Carthy and The Watersons....
and this "supergroup" appeared at festivals throughout Britain and in Belgium in 1987 and 1988. No studio recordings were made by this line up of Blue Murder, but a live demo was recorded and one live track appears on The Carthy Chronicles (Free Reed FRQCD-60).
Swan Arcade released their sixth and final album Full Circle in 1990, and
the band dissolved - for good this time - later the same year.
Subsequent careers
The Bradys did not perform at later Blue Murder concerts, although Dave Brady later sang with Mr. McFall's Chamber, an offshoot of the Scottish Chamber OrchestraScottish Chamber Orchestra
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is Scotland's national chamber orchestra, based in Edinburgh. One of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. The SCO appears...
, for whom he was transport manager. Dave Brady died of emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
in London on 29 May 2006.
Heather Brady became a Labour Councillor and Mayor of Carlisle, Cumbria.
Boyes later appeared on albums by Lal Waterson
Lal Waterson
Lal Waterson was an English folksinger and songwriter. She sang with, among others, The Watersons, The Waterdaughters and Blue Murder. She was born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire and died suddenly in Robin Hood's Bay, of cancer diagnosed only ten days before...
and Oliver Knight, Bill Jones, Ashley Hutchings
Ashley Hutchings
Ashley Stephen Hutchings is an English bassist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, band leader, writer and record producer. He was a founder member of three of the most noteworthy English folk-rock bands in the history of the genre; Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and The Albion Band...
and Bob Davenport. He released his own album Out of the Blue in 1996; and since 1993 has been part of Coope Boyes and Simpson
Coope Boyes and Simpson
Coope, Boyes and Simpson are an English vocal folk trio, formed around 1990. Their sound is rich and often has unusual vocal harmonies.The group comprises singers Barry Coope, Jim Boyes and Lester Simpson, and almost all of their music is sung entirely a capella, although they have occasionally...
with whom he has also appeared with Blue Murder and Chumbawamba
Chumbawamba
Chumbawamba is a British musical group who have, over a career spanning nearly three decades, played punk rock, pop-influenced music, world music, and folk music...
.
Kevin Hingston died from cancer in March 2011.
Discography
- Swan Arcade (1973)
- Matchless (1976)
- Together Forever (1983)
- Diving for Pearls (1987)
- Nothing Blue (1988, cassette only)
- Full Circle (1990)
Compilations
- Round Again (2001) Compilation of Together Forever and Diving for Pearls