A rousing start to the season

Sarah Stead • Published 17 Jan 2010 15:00 0 Comments

ELIZABETHAN pop. Difficult to imagine? Not if you've ever heard Faustus.

Made up of three of the most pivotal players in the English roots revival of the past decade, Faustus is a trio of travelling minstrels whose vocal harmonies and sense of fun make them one of the most respected folk outfits around.

Saul Rose, best known for his work with Waterson Carthy and the Kings of Calicutt, sings and plays melodeon - an instrument which, for the uninitiated, is somewhat like an accordion.

He is joined by Paul Sartin and Benji Kirkpatrick, both members of the mighty Bellowhead. Sartin brings fiddle, oboe, vocal, gladrags and inimitable jazz MCing to the group, while Kirkpatrick is a self-styled 'fretboard wizard'.

This may all seem a tad overwhelming, but musically it is fantastic.

Their music is at times atmospheric and at times knee-slapping, but would never sound out of place in Blackadder.

The word being bandied around is 'modeival', and it fits nicely.

The music is impressive and there's a lineup to match - but Faustus will be bringing an even more special lineup along for their gig at the Nettlebed Folk Club tomorrow (Monday).

Mike Sanderson of the folk club said: "Benji Kirkpatrick originally said he couldn't do the gig, because he's been playing a lot with Seth Lakeman and didn't think he'd be able to make it. So they got James Fagan in, but then Benji said he could do it anyway.

"Then the percussionist from Bellowhead, Pete Flood, decided he wouldn't mind throwing his lot in too!

"It'll be quite a special gig, and it's a great start to the season.

"We thought last year was going to be a tough year because of the recession but people keep coming out to see good quality gigs. The folk club turns 35 in July this year - we must be doing something right!"

Faustus play at 8pm Monday at Nettlebed Village Club, High Street, Nettlebed, near Henley-on-Thames, RG9 5DD.

Call 01628 636620 or see www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 14 Jan 10

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