Steamchicken are a cèilidh-swing and jazz roots band, based in Warwickshire, England, and formed in 1993 by Bill Pound, Andrew Sharpe and Ted Crum.[1] They have been described as "a band with attitude"[2] and as musically mixing together "folk and Cabaret era swing jazz with panache and style".[3] Their 2017 CD release Look Both Ways, in which they use a full brass section and a driving rhythm section,[4] has been acknowledged as demonstrating their "knowledge of both folk and jazz, polishing traditional gems into sparkling arrangements, and adding successful original compositions to create an eminently hummable album".[2]
Steamchicken | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Warwickshire, England, UK |
| Genres | cèilidh-swing and jazz roots |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Chicken Records |
| Past members | Katy Oliver – trumpet (until 2018); Ted Crum (died 2020) |
| Website | Steamchicken |
Band members
editAmy Kakoura | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Instrument | vocal |
| Website | Amy Kakoura |
- Amy Kakoura – vocals[5]
- Andrew Sharpe – piano
- Becky Eden-Green – alto saxophone, clarinet, bass[6]
- Joe Crum – percussion
- Tim Yates – bass
- Mandy Sutton – tenor saxophone
- Matt Crum – soprano saxophone, melodeon, synthesiser
Amy Kakoura also performs as a solo artist and as a duo with Andrew Sharpe. They have also written a musical together. Songs From a Ledge, in which Amy Kakoura played and sang one of the roles and Andrew Sharpe and Becky Eden-Green provided musical accompaniment, was performed in a production directed by Lana McIver at the Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham in 2014.[7]
Founding band member Ted Crum, who performed on harmonica, bass and melodeon, died in April 2020.
Discography
editSteamchicken
editAlbums
- Look Both Ways (10 February 2017), Chicken Records, STEAM16/3[4][8]
- 20 Years (27 July 2013)[1]
- Calling All Chickens (2009)
- Wingin' (2006),[9][10] SCCD01
- Never Mind the Dots (1999)[9]
Singles
- "Gypsy" (9 December 2016)
- "When I Get Low I Get High" (5 November 2016)
- "Violet Lane" (13 July 2018)
Amy Kakoura
editAlbums
- As guest vocalist on Richard Durrant's album A Quiet Word from the 13th Century (November 2015), The Burning Deck (TheBurningDeck001)
- As guest vocalist on Richard Durrant's album Christmas Guitars (21 October 2013), Longman Records Ltd (LONGMAN062CD)
EPs
- Half an Inch of Snow (December 2016)
References
edit- ^ a b Rawcliffe, Paul (2013). "Steamchicken – 20 Years". Bright Young Folk. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ a b Buckley, Martha (18 April 2017). "Steamchicken – Look Both Ways". Folk Radio UK. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ Higgins, Marc (2017). "Steamchicken – Look Both Ways (Chicken Records)". Northern Sky. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ a b Beeby, Dave (2017). "Steamchicken – Look Both Ways". The Living Tradition. No. 118. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ Anson, John (9 March 2017). "Amy Kakoura's happy to have truly found her voice with Steamchicken". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "Dream come true as local girl takes to Maidstone stage". Downs Mail. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ Whys, Glen (19 November 2014). "Songs From a Ledge – Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham". Musical Theatre Review. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ Zierke, Reinhard (8 March 2017). "Steamchicken – Look Both Ways". Mainly Norfolk – English Folk and Other Good Music. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ a b "Steamchicken". www.webfeet.org. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Harragan, Bob (2006). "Wingin'". The Living Tradition. No. 68. Retrieved 29 May 2017.