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Hilary James “One of Britain’s finest voices”
BBC Radio 4
Simon Mayor “Britain’s leading hot-fingered mandolin virtuoso”
Cosmopolitan
Richard Collins Three time UK banjo champion playing Nashville to the Royal Shakespeare Company
Gerald Garcia The first western guitarist to tour China (in a duo with John Williams) |
Britain's
first modern mandolin quartet with mandolins of all shapes and sizes,
and the superb voice and mandobass(!) of Hilary James.
Their
infectious fun and off-beat humour influence everything they play, from
lively reels to traditional airs, hot swing and ragtime, plus the
occasional Chinese or Brazilian tune.
"A
selection of music from classical to Irish and American traditional
music in a superbly accomplished style that is true mandolin, plus the
delightfully pure voice of Hilary James."
Traditional Music Maker
In
the 1930's mandolin orchestras were all the rage - every
self-respecting town had one. Today the mandolin is undergoing a
revival in folk and indie bands as well as in classical circles, with
Captain Correlli's Mandolin adding to the interest.
In
the USA it ranks alongside pizza and Frank Sinatra as one of Italy's
greatest exports, while back in Europe, despite Hitler's attempt to ban
it (he considered the tiny instrument a threat to Third Reich!!!) there
are now 476 German mandolin orchestras.
The
UK has been a bit slow on the uptake, but years of confinement to back
bedrooms, where legions of enthusiasts have been hiding away, are at an
end.
“Mandolinquents experience was sheer joy”
Guildford International Festival Guildford Advertiser
“Laugh-a-minute informality and virtuosity”
Crucible Theatre Sheffield Telegraph
“They mesmerised a capacity audience with superb musicianship and a zany sense of fun”
Hereford Concert Society Hereford Times
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Daily Telegraph - 30th June 2007
Review of the new live album Dance of the Comedians:
"If the test for any live album is whether it makes you wish you had been present, this sails through with distinction."
Read the full review... |
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View Simon Mayor & Hilary James
View The Working Party
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Mandolinquents 
