Eileen Leahy finds out why the duo – who also co-founded folk legends Bellowhead – got back together after an eight year break and what they have in store for their audience.
After an eight-year separation, talented musicians Spiers & Boden have dusted off their instruments and once again joined forces to bring fans of their particular brand of folk music another serving of sonic bliss.
Appearing this coming Saturday night at Trinity Theatre, John Spiers (who plays melodeon, concertina and bandoneon) and Jon Boden (who plays the fiddle) will deliver what’s being described by The Scotsman as a ‘an impassioned’ set.
Its critic says: “Boden’s impassioned singing brings fresh life to little-heard songs, along with the perfectly balanced pairing of his fiddle with Spiers’ melodeon.”
The two first found fame over 20 years ago as co-founders of folk fusion legends Bellowhead who boasted around 11 musicians at the height of their fame and went on to have a string of hit albums thanks to their unique blend of folk, punk, rock, jazz and classical styles.
They included Hedonism, Broadside and Burlesque and saw the band win numerous industry gongs during their time together including a clutch of prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
In 2016 the band split but Spiers & Boden continued to play as a duo releasing albums including The Works and Vagabond.
In 2014 however they decided to take time out in order to pursue solo projects but they’ve now reformed, releasing a new 13 track album in September 2021 for their loyal audiences to enjoy.
Entitled Fallow Ground, Jon Boden claims it came about after the duo started looking for ‘traditional songs with a joyous edge.’
“The songs and tunes of Fallow Ground are overwhelmingly traditional – the typical mix of boisterous melodies and thought-provoking ballads,” he explains.
The title Fallow Ground is not only a reference to the duo’s choice to put Spiers & Boden to one side for a time, but also, to the huge impact that the pandemic has had on live music.
“The decision to return with an album in 2021 was made pre-pandemic and as a result ended up being recorded between lockdowns,” continues John.
“The result was an album bursting with ideas as well as a new-found confidence to let the material speak for itself.”
On the new Spiers & Boden album you’ll find tracks such as Bailey Hill, Giant’s Waltz and The Fog and the songs are described as ‘overwhelmingly traditional – a clever mix of rambunctious melodies and contemplative ballads.’
In addition to some new material Fallow Ground also boasts the classic Spiers & Boden mixture of Morris tunes and pieces brought back to the 21st century from dusty manuscripts and reworked into what critics also describe as ‘remarkable tunes’.
Described by The Guardian as ‘the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene’, Spiers & Boden kicked off their new tour at the beginning of June travelling all over the country to venues in Sunderland, London and Leicester.
They play Trinity on June 18 ahead of more dates in Tewkesbury, Milton Keynes and Caerleon at the end of the month.
Speaking about their show the pair told us that Jon will be offering audience members a free harmony singing workshop beforehnad.
“It’s available to anyone coming to see us who has a ticket for the gig and no singing experience is necessary! The workshop is based on ‘colour-chord’, a harmony singing system developed by Jon.
The Observer describes the Spiers & Boden sound as ‘exquisitely played’ and deems them ‘the dons’ so why not go along on Saturday night to see for yourself?
