In Her Own Words...
Music has always been
important to me. At home, it’s the best therapy
in the world. Out and about, it has led me to
meet some of the most inspiring people and most
valued and lasting friends it is my privilege to
know.
Whoever first described the violin as the
devil’s instrument was not joking. The first ten
years are the worst. I developed a love-hate
relationship with the instrument and after many
hours practising in my bedroom finally emerged
with a distinction at grade 8 as I left school.
A minor miracle!!
The exam results are good to boast about but the
real reward for all the graft was the
exhilaration of performing with other people at
school, university and while living and working
in France and Germany. I was also a member of
the Salomon orchestra and London Choral Society
with performances at some of the country’s top
venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the
Albert Hall.
Then, in my mid-twenties I discovered folk
music. I’ll never forget a trip with loads of
morris dancing teams on the Bluebell railway in
Sussex, there was a fabulous music session going
on which spilt over to the pub and then to
someone’s house. I didn’t know any of the tunes
but everyone said, don’t worry about that, just
busk it! It was like a breath of fresh air after
the discipline of classical music. I still play
in a barn dance band with one of the musicians I
met on that day on the Bluebell railway.
Much later, a friend of ours, Duncan Moss, asked
me if I wanted to audition to join Shave the
Monkey. That was the beginning of a fantastic
few years, playing at venues up and down the
country and further afield at festivals from
Belgium and Holland to Skagen in north Denmark
and sharing the stage with some of Europe’s top
folk acts.
The musical journey continues. Alongside the
devil’s instrument, I have taken up electric
cello and celtic harp – the instrument of
angels. Unlike the violin, you only have to
touch the harp and this gorgeous sound comes
out. Fantastic.
I’d been hoping to meet up with musicians from
the part of Kent where I have lived for the past
12 years. And now Ted Can’t Hear Ya has come
along. What a great bunch of people, so much
energy and enthusiasm, playing a mix of trad,
contemporary and original English music LOUD and
having a great time.
I have a feeling 2008 is going to be a good
year…
(More by Fran,
here...)
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