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Folk pair celebrate their new CD
Tuesday, 9.30am - IF YOU ever doubted the old adage 'it's never too late', look no further than stalwart folk duo Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher.
Having sung and played their music quite contentedly around the folk clubs of Lincolnshire for a good quarter-century, the pair finally put together their debut CD back in 1996.
Now, a further 12 years down the line, Dave and Bill's fifth album has been released, and is sure to delight their ever-growing legion of fans.
That much-anticipated first CD – though only produced primarily as a personal memento of their music – launched the unassuming pair on an unlikely success story, taking their essentially Lincolnshire sound further and further afield, to clubs and folk festivals all over the country.
Dave, from Kirton Holme, and Bill, of Timberland, have also been involved with acclaimed Anglo-Australian and Anglo-American record and concert projects, sharing a stage with such folk luminaries as Shirley Collins and The Copper Family.
Their new album, Acorn To Oak, is reassuringly familiar, yet highlights another shift in their progression.
Though still performed very much in the traditional vein, for the first time there are no actual trad songs among the CD's 17 tracks.
As ever, the accompaniment – Bill's squeeze-boxes and Dave's whistle – is sparse and understated, keeping the focus on the duo's distinctive singing.
Dave leads the way superbly with his clear, clean vocal style, and when Bill's deeper, weathered tones join the choruses the result is compelling.
Along with some lesser-known but no less talented songwriters covered are other more familiar names – such as Iris DeMent's joyful Sweet Is The Melody and a celebratory The Miracle of Life by George Papavgeris – plus a touching Sing For Me by Dave himself.
Complete with the usual informative booklet, Acorn to Oak is another fine offering from the evergreen duo. Copies, priced at 11, can be obtained by calling Dave on 01205 290562.
For the best news, sport and leisure coverage in the area turn to the Boston Standard, out every Wednesday for just 42p.
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Weather for Boston, Lincolnshire
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
