BLACKTHORN BAND
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 photos © Toby Amies |
Blackthorn perform their melodic brand of Irish, Scottish and English traditional music at festivals, folk clubs, weddings and private functions all around Southern England. All the band are multi instrumentalists, and a provide a varied and traditional feel to the music. Founder members Fergus and Mannie McClelland have been performing traditional music for many years, and also play in ceildh band ThingumaJig. Philippe Barnes - a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards joined in 2001, Alex Percy - previously a member of young folk band Beltaine, stars of several major festivals, joined in 2003 and the line up is completed by the return from the USA of Sarah Mooney. Far From Home - Blackthorn’s debut album, and a collaboration with whistle maker Phil Hardy was released in March 2004. The River That Runs Below - The second album is released on August 4th 2008 |
 | Fergus (Pete) McClelland - Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo. Fergus has been playing traditional music together with his wife Mannie for over 30 years. He is involved in the organisation of three folk festivals. "Ciaran Curran's (bouzouki) style and Pete McClelland's differ greatly - and yet both players are absolutely spot-on." - Aidan Cossey, paythereckoning.com |
 | Mannie McClelland - Anglo Concertina, Bodhran, Dance Caller. During the week she now works as an educational psychologist, and also leads her “Music with Mannie” children's music workshops at folk festivals. She is also a member of ThingumaJig. |
 | Alex Percy - Fiddle, Guitar, Bass, Melodeon. Alex made his name with Beltaine performing with them at several major UK festivals, he is a founder member of young folk rock outfit Rocas and has performed with them at Sidmouth, Trowbridge, Larmer Tree and other festivals. |
 | Sarah Mooney - Flute, Low Whistle, Guitar, Bass. Sarah’s traditional styles of flute and guitar playing have developed through leading regular sessions in Buffalo, USA and Brighton. She is also a founder member of Rocas, and the daughter of Mannie and Fergus. |
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Philippe Barnes - Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar. Philippe has been seen on TV on the Des and Mel show on ITV1, was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards 1999 and has appeared at the Barbican and WOMAD with Candela, a nine piece flamenco group. Recently qualified with a MA in trad music from Limerick university, he has already made waves in the music world with his unique flute work. "I've heard nobody else who can make the Boehm flute sound like the true traditional thing, who can mould tone to fit the tune so nicely... the sheer musicality is exceptionally impressive..." - John Brophy, Irish Music. |
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| As we were: At the Lamb Inn 1996 | Posing 1999: Colin, Triona, Mannie, Fergus | 2007: Fergus, Sarah, Philippe, Alex, Mannie |
| 1995 to 1999: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Fran Stocker : Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
1999 to 2000: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Triona Joyce : Whistle & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
2000 to 2001: Colin Joyce : Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Melodeon Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute & Bodhran Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar |
2001 to 2003: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle & Bodhran Sarah McClelland : Guitar, Flute, Bodhran & Uilleann Pipes Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar & Mandolin |
2003 to 2005 Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Melodeon, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Mandolin & Bodhran |
2005 to ...: Philippe Barnes : Flute, Guitar, Whistle Alex Percy : Guitar & Fiddle Sarah Mooney : Guitar, Flute, Whistle Fergus McClelland : Vocals, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo & Fiddle Mannie McClelland : Anglo Concertina, Guitar, Bodhran |