‘One of folk’s great odd couples – The Feast’ (The Independent On Sunday)
There is simply no way that two men in faded denim jeans should be this entertaining!’ (Downend Folk Club)
‘They can do things with a squeeze-box and an oboe that can break your heart.’ (Independent on Sunday)
Those attending Paul & Paul’s sell-out annual Christmas tour can look forward to a mix of seasonal songs and tunes, plus classical music, pop, music-hall and traditional folk. Topped off with audience participation and lashings of wry humour. Paul Sartin (oboe, violin and vocals) and Paul Hutchinson (accordion) together have entertained audiences across the UK, Australia, Seychelles and the USA with their eclectic and eccentric mix of tunes, songs and chat that sends audiences home with a smile.
Paul Hutchinson and Paul Sartin play like no-one else you’ve ever heard. Their music is breathtaking and wickedly inventive and the between-tunes interchange as intelligent and hilarious as the music. But don’t let me give you the impression they’re a lightweight comedy act: they finish the set with a haunting piece of oboe and accordion magic which has the audience spellbound.’ (BBC Radio 2 Mike Harding Show online)
Recent broadcasts include appearances on the Claire Balding Show (BBC Radio 2), In Tune (BBC Radio 3), and the Chris Evans Show (BBC Radio 2). Belshazzar’s Feast have released a series of critically acclaimed albums across their long career, the latest being ‘The Whiting’s On The Wall’ (2014);
‘One of the most intimate and entertaining live albums I’ve heard’. (Songlines)
‘Their intricately arranged instrumentals are a roomful of strangers introducing themselves at a party and getting along fine. You don’t know what’s coming up next and you enjoy the danger… lords of misrule’. (Living Tradition)
As a singer, oboist, violinist, composer and arranger, Paul Sartin performs and records extensively with trio Faustus, and previously with multi-BBC Radio 2 Award-winning big band Bellowhead. Consultant and Director of the Andover Museum Loft Singers, he is also author of ‘Community Choirs Collection – Folk’ published by Faber Music and Musical Director of ‘The Transports’ (Guardian *****5 star review). Paul is a BASCA-nominated composer whose commissions include works for the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford, Streetwise Opera, Aldeburgh Music, and the BBC Radio 4 series ‘Playing the Skyline’.
Paul Hutchinson is the resident accordion tutor for the English Folk Dance & Song Society, Halsway Manor – the National Centre for Folk Arts, Benslow Music and Marlborough College. Paul’s keen interest in English 17th and 18th century dance music has been recognised in Europe, America and Australia and Faber & Faber has just published his book Sixty Country Dances for the years 1786 and 1800. Paul is currently recording a selection of music from this publication for release in November. His duo Pagoda Project, is presently recording another album, their first featuring many of his own compositions received 5 star awards from Songlines and fRoots.
‘Amidst the jesting and hilarity, they sit as fine an example of traditional English folk music as you’re likely to hear.’ (Mike Ainscoe, Bright Young Folk)
21 December | The Pound, Corsham | poundarts.org.uk