Ken Campbell has re formed the Ideal Band bringing together three of Scotland's most respected and experienced musicians, touring professionally, with a new album on the Fellside label due for release.
In the 1980's The Ideal Band was one of Scotland's most highly- respected folk bands, performing in festivals, concerts and clubs throughout the UK and beyond, together with their acclaimed album "A Measure of Freedom", following in the footsteps of Glasgow's "Bob Smith's Ideal Band" of the 1930's.
The new line up creates a unique blend of Ken Campbell's essentially Scottish songs together with the very best of musicianship.
KEN CAMPBELL ~ Vocals/Guitar/Northumbrian Pipes
SEYLAN BAXTER ~ Cello/electric cello/vocals
GAVIN PATERSON ~ Keyboards/piano/vocals
KEN CAMPBELLA Scottish Singer and songwriter who's pedigree has been well established over 25 years, with four albums to date, together with Festivals, Concerts, TV and Radio throughout UK, Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. Starting with Glasgow band "Molendinar", then as a duo with Chris Miller recording their much commended album "Pipers Maggott" with Topic Records of London, he then expanded that duo with Alasdair Robertson to become front man of the highly successful original "The Ideal Band" following in the footsteps of Glasgow's "Bob Smith's Ideal Band" of the 1930's. He subsequently toured as a duo with Cauld Wind Piper Hamish Moore with whom he still collaborates, and then as a highly respected solo artist with two further acclaimed solo albums, "Going Solo" for Fellside and "Hand Pict" for Watercolour, whilst also working with Wendy Weatherby, cellist/singer/composer, Stevie Lawrence [Rallion / Red Hot Chilli Pipers / Iron Horse] and Blair Cowan [Lloyd Cole and the Commotions].
SEYLAN BAXTEROne of Scotland's best known traditional cellists and singer, she performs regularly with Alaskan harper Cheyenne Brown, with whom she released the critically acclaimed album 2:forty in 2007, and also with singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist Ruaridh Pringle as Tattie Jam. She has collaborated with foremost artists, including Margaret Bennett, and Ewan MacPherson, has toured internationally and recorded/performed with award winning Spanish band Acetre. Seylan is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she studied Scots cello and song, and where she is now a tutor. She also teaches at Alasdair Fraser's fiddle school on the Isle of Skye, the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, and is the co-founder of the Scottish Harp and Cello Festival
GAVIN PATERSONPianist, keyboards, and multi instrumentalist. One of Scotland's most experienced, accomplished and professional all round musicians and musical directors, Over 25 years experience within every genre from folk/roots/rock/world music right through the entire musical spectrum. Founding member of "21 RED" Scotland's most highly regarded and established function band since 1985. Musical director of twelve piece "Dexy's Bootleg Runners", and founder and musical director for six piece "Whappit Ben" blending songs from the UK and USA folk/trad repertoire with material from other fields. Currently also working with Greentrax artist Mary Kathleen Burke.
KEN CAMPBELL HAS A NEW ALBUM DUE FOR RELEASE 2009"My songs are all old and new friends, about people, places, history, relationships, that all intertwine with my home country and outwards, embracing all the wonderfully fascinating and outrageous people, places and situations where music has taken me. Please take them and sing them"
Ken Campbell"A welcome showcase of Ken Campbell's extraordinary varied talents and strong yet sensitive singing. A great knack in collecting gems from old sources, and a canny ear for current songs from Scotland". FOLK ROOTS.
"An unexpected gem has emerged. A refreshing open inventive approach to traditional music. Campbell handles the vocals with passion and authority". MELODY MAKER.
"Ken Campbell is a relatively rare species on the folk scene. He digs around for new Scots songs in all their captivating charms and handles them particularly well in his agreeable Scots singing style". THE SCOTSMAN.
"His origins, preferences and skills are in no doubt and reflect without contrivance the Scottish essence in his music. His warm clear cut vocal delivery has a quality that makes you feel that his material has {to use the outstanding Aberdeenshire singer Lizzie Higgins words} "no been tampered wi". RAY FISHER.
"Whatever the song Ken Campbell's relaxed and thoroughly natural singing does justice to them all. If I keep getting records as good as this I'll never be able to tear myself away from the stereo". TAPLAS.
"Highlight of St Chartier Festival France, without a doubt an incredible performance. The audience went absolutely crazy until they got three encores and even then they wanted more". BROADSHEET.
Visit me at www.kencampbellscotland.co.uk
Four previous albums
-- "KEN CAMPBELL HAND PICT" [Silkcd001] --
--"GOING SOLO" [Fellside FE063] --
-- "MEASURE OF FREEDOM" [Lismore LIFL7003] --
--"THE PIPERS MAGGOT" [Topic 12TS423] --