Rory McLeod solo, in concert

Rhythmic storyteller, multi-instrumentalist,
…telling unpalatable truths about broken hearts…social injustice…in songs, that are percussive, bold, lyrical, deeply personal …and have an unexpected edge to them, accompanied by spoons, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes

Best Live Act BBC Radio 2 Awards,
Texas Harmonica Champion. 1981
Rory Composed the theme music to Oscar winning Animation  'Creature Comforts.

RORY McLEOD
An ex-circus clown and fire eater.
is a one-man-soul-band, and poet.
He has a natural troubadour's talent for weaving magical, musical, storytelling spells accompanied by his own bizarre solo orchestra of distinctive instruments.
The spoons, finger-cymbals, bandorea, Djembe-drum, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes
accompany the
"rich, raw, deep and resonant" voice of this "singular and liberating performer."
"Expect the unexpected."
McLEOD
is a musical Gypsy, his eccentric melodies are infused with influences from Flamenco to Country blues, through to Celtic, East European and Calypso rhythms creating a style of music and songwriting that has been described as

"Intimate, revealing, political and powerful."

"When he sings his songs he will take you on a journey with him."
"Poetry and dance-stories with verve, sharpness, humour and warmth about people and for people."

"Great songs to dance to, infectious rhythms, flying harmonica!"


Rory has played harmonica and guitar with ANI DI FRANCO, MICHELLE SHOCKED, MICHAEL FRANTI, TOWNES VAN ZANDT, JOE STRUMMER , THE POISON GIRLS, BUTCH HANCOCK, with the West-African guitarist ALI FARKE-TOURE and TAJ MAHAL; and Madagascan group TARIKA. He's enjoyed creative collaborations with HASSAN ERRAJI, KATHRYN TICKEL and PAUL RODDEN- virtuosos, respectively, of the Moroccan Oud, the Northumbrian pipes and the Irish banjo.

WRITING and COMPOSTIONS
Rory has written songs and music for a BBC radio documentary - an oral history project about East London's 400 year old Spitalfields fruit and vegetable market.

Also written songs and music commissioned by 'SHIFTWORK', a Scottish dance and circus theatre based company devising a psycho-comedy theatre-show based on a traditional puppet
play called Punch and Judy.

Commissioned to composed the theme music/tune for tv animation series ’creature comforts’. 2003.

Has appeared on Channel 4. arts programme 'After Image'.
and Welsh T.V. 'Television Ballads'.

In 1996 Rory was the BBC's Pick of The Week for his "Invoking The Spirits", a recording of a personal musical journey through Zimbabwe, searching for the Mbira, (an African thumb Piano), playing and talking with African musicians for the BBC's Radio 4.

Rory was also commissioned to write songs and music for Scottish based, Tabularasa Dance Company, A dance-theatre piece for Children called ‘HUFF PUFF and AWAY’ about Wind and Breath. The songs and music appear with other songs on his CD 'Songs for Big Little People'.

DISCOGRAPHY
RORY HAS 11 ALBUMS ON TALKATIVE MUSIC AVAILABLE ONLINE at www.rorymcleod.com

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MAGGIE HOLLAND's
first professional musical work was as bass guitarist and eventually, singer in the blues/goodtime duo Hot Vultures with Ian A. Anderson. The Vultures toured in Britain, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, covering approximately 30,000 miles per year during 1973-79; Maggie was also the sole driver. The duo expanded into the English Country Blues Band in the late seventies, with Rod Stradling and Sue Harris (later Chris Coe).
During 2022 Maggie Holland recorded an album called The Dust of Rage, to be released in early 2023. It includes three original songs, but mostly a selection of (stunning) songs by other writers, i.e. Woody Guthrie, the Oysterband, Bruce Cockburn, Leon Rosselson, Chris Smither, Duffy Power, Bob Dylan, Steve Clark, Butch Hancock, Don West/Dave Arthur and Derroll Adams.
Maggie has recorded 7 solo albums.
https://www.maggieholland.scot