The original Stone Angel, formed in 1974 from the remains of Midwinter,
consisted of regulars from the old Great Yarmouth Folk Club.
Playing clubs and concerts throughout East Anglia, the band released their own
LP the following year before moves to University, etc, reduced them to an acoustic
trio, eventually becoming The Village Band
The Stone Angel name was used again briefly in the mid-eighties, but it was in
1994 that interest in the band was rekindled with the re-release of their original
album on CD. Reviewed as "One of the most remarkable examples of acid folk..." (?!?)
this has led, amongst other things, to a somewhat bizarre fan following in places like
Japan and Korea.
The current Stone Angel line-up consists of Dave Felmingham on keyboards and backing
vocals, Andrew Smith on electric guitars and backing vocals and Michael Wakelin on bass,
together with original members Ken and Joan Saul who handle most of the lead vocals while
playing an array of instruments including Dulcimer, Cittern, Flute and Crumhorn. They have
also recently been joined by oboist Richard Danby.
Their material is made up largely of local traditional folk songs plus some of their own
compositions.
Formed chiefly to record their new CD East of the Sun, other commitments mean that
live performances are likely to be relatively rare occurrances.
To contact Stone Angel, please ring Andrew Smith on Great Yarmouth (01692) 678554 (UK)
or write to Stone Angel
PO Box 154, Filby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3GZ, UK
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Richard Danby - Oboe, Cor Anglais |
He of the lofty solo and purist intonation - Ritchie, always last to leave a
Stone Angel shindig but still upright and sporting that impeccable diction.
Get in tune, Danby has just dusted down his tonsils!
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Andrew Smith - Electric Guitars, Backing Vocals |
Potentially loud dept of the Angel - armed with big black boxes and guitars with
pickups (Yukkkk!)
This could worry the meister a bit, but it's all under control
and at the back.
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Joan Saul - Lead Vocals, Flute, Recorder, Crumhorn |
Pass over them newbys my dear and keep the meister under control. She's a mean
flute puffer and a fine performer of the lung and larynx.
The others jump for joy
when it's time for a band tuck-in - she of the fine salad and organic genes
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Dave Felmingham - Keyboards, Backing Vocals |
Ming-ham to his friends and part of the electrical bit of the band. Clever with
the chords and a keen absorber of the real ale, driver of the Stone Angel drum
machine although the meister wouldn't actually admit to using it!
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Ken Saul - Lead Vocals, Guitars and everything |
Ken is the master of ceremonies and the keeper of the Stone Angel flame having
formed the band during the time of the black plague. Always on the lookout for a local
ditty and player of all things obscure. A supreme aficionado on all things fluttery - is
he man or moth? Bloke or bat? The Kenmeister: Listen to his next song for an answer.
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Michael Wakelin - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals |
The voice is deep and the bass is deeper. This lad has trodden the highways and hills
of this land..nay the whole world with his BBC producers hat on. Yes, he works for Auntie
Beeb and to prove it has been featured in the Radio Times.. cuts no cred, of course with
boss Saul when the bottom end of the Angel needs a kicking!
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East of the Sun CD Cover artwork (Front and back)
Ken and guitar
The band en masse
