Rex Preston & Miranda Sykes - final gigs

[Lord of the Badgers]

Brits will have heard of Miranda, if they know their folk, as she's part of Show Of Hands usually. But she also does this with Rex, who's a dab hand at the mandolin. OK, slightly vested interests as I own his previous F5, which is by no means a slouch in itself, it's just that I haven't been able to put in quite the same amount of practice

Anyway, I was lucky enough to go to one of their sell-out last gigs last night in Bristol UK; before they stop as a duo. Classy stuff, and to my fellow pickers across the pond I hope you do give this a bit of a listen.

This was the highlight last night - a mash up of two tunes - which exemplifies what they're about... enjoy...

[Reinhardt]

I thought you told me you were goin to bed early last night Rob!!!! Sounds like it was worth waitin up for!!

John

[Lord of the Badgers]

that was Friday John - in Chipping Norton. Nearby Saturday's Bristol gig was a sellout, but I got in on guestlist

[Tavy]

Great duo, saw them at Calstock arts a couple of years back, sorry to hear they're stopping touring together!

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Rob - Is that one of Phil Davidson's latest crop of mandolins ?. It sounds very nice,
Ivan

[Lord of the Badgers]

Yeah. He had a new one built by Phil, that's how I got his old one. As far as I know the only instruments I've seen him play for a long time are the zouk (which is a 90s PD one, which was built for him on a birthday) and my old F5, then this one. You can hear him playing mine on stuff prior to Watchmaker's Wife album (so anything over two years old really).

[Beanzy]

He's a very good teacher too. Able to spot and use different approaches that will work with different students.
As a player after many years of playing he completely re-analysed stripped down and remade his approach.
It's thanks to him I've avoided issues which already were brewing in my first few years of playing. One morning of tuition at the start of Sorefingers week and a lifetime of benefit. I've since revised my own approach, but the logical approach and insistence on efficiency and fitting the mandolin to the body rather than the other way around were core principles I benefit from to this day.

Musically he's excellent.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Aye, Eoin. He was saying that in one lesson he'll teach a player all he needs to know. I'm gonna do a lesson with him to learn some new ideas for zouk, but mando is definitely in the list too. You're right, mistakes made through self learning are important to unlearn. I was studying his right hand a lot last night. If I try what he does I snag constantly. That i must sort.

[Mike Anderson]

I know Rex Preston's work through one of my very favourite tune sets, "Marga's" on Brian Finnegan's "The Ravishing Genius of Bones". It's such a gorgeous emotive use of mandolin, kills me every time. This is brilliant too and bears further investigation, so thanks Rob! Still hoping to track down a copy of Rex with The Scoville Units some day too.

[Lord of the Badgers]

I can ask him if he's got any spare Mike? I don't think I've heard any myself! You should get a copy of the latest album. Has the above on it.

[Dagger Gordon]

That is very good.
I hadn't realised he was quite such a good player. All I've really heard is that Brian Finnegan Cd.
What is he going to do now, do you know?

[Lord of the Badgers]

Yeah I do, but he'll continue teaching which is most important
It is a shame they're not continuing - I really think they've hit their stride. Going out on a high musically I'd say

[jesserules]

Very nice! Thanks for the recommendation.

[Mike Anderson]

That would be brilliant, thanks a million for even suggesting it Rob! It would be a present for my wife who loves newgrass of all sorts, I think she found a video of them doing "Angeline the Baker." RSVP any old time through PMs.

Oh, and I'll definitely look into the new album with Rex and Miranda.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Well, Mike, he's not the most likely to answer messages (if you're reading this RP, I did send you a msg on FB!) but I'll do me best

[Mike Anderson]

Well, Mike, he's not the most likely to answer messages (if you're reading this RP, I did send you a msg on FB!) but I'll do me best

Hmm, I think you might have the wrong Mike Anderson - just checked my FB and no PMs! Maybe send one here?

[Lord of the Badgers]

Nah, not meant for you Mike... RP stands for Mr P himself! He's not a member AFAIK

[Beanzy]

If you drop Josh a line at GetReal he should be able to scour you up a CD from the dusty boxes.
http://getrealaudio.com

(He was their drummer)

[Mike Anderson]

Oh, duh..."if you're reading this RP" - got it now. See what happens when the caffeine drops too low?

Eoin, thanks for the hint, I'll definitely do that!!

cheers,
mike.

[Mike Anderson]

Well, look what I found! http://music.leonhunt.com/album/the-scoville-units

Nice way to start the weekend!