The Joshua Burnell Band at Cecil Sharp House

Back in the early 70’s there was a thin line between Prog-Rock and Folk with groups like The Strawbs, Renaissance, Fairport and to some extent Genesis. It is therefore no surprise that Joshua Burnell wears his influences on his sleeve: whilst introducing “The Knife” inspired “PlaneTree & Tenpenny bit” he even admitted to it having a Genesis influnce. Mr Burnell has also been know to wear facemakeup ala Gabriel!

With his new bride, fellow vocalist, Fe (Frances) Sladen they look like they are from Middle-Earth rather than York. Here in London’s Cecil Sharp house to promote their latest release “The Road to Horn Fair”

The “House” is more a-kin to acoustic instruments, rather than rock ones – so it was pointed out there was a noise moniter to cut off the sound if they played too loud on their more up-beat number.

The Capella start of Henry VIII’s “Pastime with Good Company” segwayed (like the album) into the child ballad “Berkshire Tragedy” with excellent contributions form fiddle player Holly and lead (electric) guitarist Nathan.

A Steeleye Span cover and Renaissance’s “At the Harbour” (Fe Sladen does remind you of a young Annie Haslem) again pointed back to Burnell’s 70’s influence. The Folk side of his music evened out with “High Germany”, being that it was also Marin Carthy’s birthday. 

The couple sang their forthcoming single “Skylark & the Oak” (due at the end of the month) explaining it had taken 7 years to finally be released. Horn Fair and The Bowie version of “In the port of Amsterdam” again hitting the spot. The Two Magicians had the whole band tipping the metre toward the red – but without cutting out.

An excellent evening of good fusion music, like The Salts with their Shanty – rock mix playing at Wilton’s on Wednesday. I wonder if Joshua will be heading down South in November for the early Genesis influenced “Geese & The Ghost” ?

Review by Colin Doran from the Crowsnest
Berkshire