Barry Watson - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I'm a folk musician, recording engineer, and Head of Music Technology at a leading Sixth Form College in Cambridge. I am also a Fellow of the Institute of Educational Assessors and a member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and Sonic Arts Network.
Currently on sabbatical, I was recently working as an Audio Associate at the Banff Centre in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Canada.
A few years back I was a winner of the St Albans New Roots competition and secured coveted main stage spots at both Ely and Walton Folk Festivals. I've been lucky enough to be on the same bill as big names such as Martin Carthy, Wood & Cutting, Alistair Hulett, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Brass Monkey, Bill Caddick and Tony Hall.
I currently play in a duo with former BBC Folk Award semi-finalist Nell McLeod (who plays just about everything).
The mp3's on this page are a mixture of my own music and material I've recorded for other artists... mostly recorded using either Pro Tools or Cubase SX/Reason. Jennings/Perchaud session recorded at The Banff Centre using Pyramix.
**NEW** Nell McLeod and Barry LIVE at the Stortford Festival 2006

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 4/14/2006
Band Members: I play Accordion, whistles, flute, guitars, piano, melodeon
'Yearns For' - all instruments and production.
'The Floor - Star Sickness' written and performed by The Floor . Co-engineered and mixed by Graham Lessard and Barry.
'Trailer - Tomorrow' written by Phil Burns, performed & recorded by Trailer . Mixed/mastered by Barry at The Banff Centre.
Chris Jennings & Pierre Perchaud session recorded in Rolston Recital Hall, Banff Centre. Co-engineered and mixed by Barry & Graham Lessard.
Influences: Folk/acoustic.... Nic Jones; June Tabor; Wood & Cutting; Peter Bellamy; Martin Carthy; Anne Briggs; Karine Polwart; The Waifs; Kelly Joe Phelps; Martha Tilston; Steve Tilston; Spiers & Boden; Dana Robinson; Andy Irvine; Kate Rusby; Joni Mitchell; Kristina Olson; early Fairport Convention & Steeleye Span
World....... Oi Va Voi; Ojos De Brujo; Youssou N'Dour; Khaled; Tanariwen; Le Vent Du Nord; Nitin Sawhney
On the heavier side... Styx (the rockier/more recent output!); Skunk Anansie; Black Label Society; Foo Fighters; Metallica; Iron Maiden; Jethro Tull; Led Zeppelin
Other things.... Nelly Furtado; Film music of Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith; Tower of Power; Funk keyboard playing of BernieS; Alicia Keys
Record Label: parkwood_music
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Ely, Stainsby, Spanfest and the move...

Well the time seems to be floating by me pretty quickly I must say. Less than 4 weeks of freedom remain...In early July I was lucky enough to be a guest of Cambridge folk-rockers Hedgepig during the E...
Posted by Barry Watson on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:07:00 PST

Rough n' ready video clips added

I've just added some video clips shot at the Stortford Festival in Sping 2006 featuring accordion, fiddle and melodeon.More up-to-date and refined audio material to follow from Nell and myself very so...
Posted by Barry Watson on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 06:13:00 PST

Sri Lanka

On arriving in Sri Lanka I spent a few days in Negombo (just north of the airport) seeing the sights - temples, fish market, spice gardens etc.On the third day I headed down on the crowded train to th...
Posted by Barry Watson on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:11:00 PST

Back in ol' Blighty

I've been home for little over a week now but have managed to get out to play at three music sessions, a fun night out in Colchester and a gig in deepest Suffolk! I've also managed to procure a Castag...
Posted by Barry Watson on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:15:00 PST

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Well last week I was quite literally Living in the Past, after crossing the international date line on route to Rarotonga. Although very cloudy almost the whole time I took in some nice walks, swimmin...
Posted by Barry Watson on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:08:00 PST

More NZ Photos!!

Queenstown from above Dunedin station Birthday party for two Famous church on Lake Tekapo The Way to Kaikoura in the Spaceship! Camping at Aussie Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound Cook Strait from the ferry...
Posted by Barry Watson on Sun, 27 May 2007 07:42:00 PST

Kaikoura, Queen Charlotte Sound, Taupo, Auckland via Spaceship!

The day before I was due to leave Christchurch I popped into the Stray Travel office to enquire about an express bus up to Auckland from Wellington... and they offered me a free Spaceship on relocatio...
Posted by Barry Watson on Fri, 25 May 2007 08:51:00 PST

Queenstown, Dunedin, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch

I had a nice time in Queenstown strolling around the Frankton Trail by day and enjoying a few drinks in the evenings! Once again I took the gondola up the mountain for some stunning views and acted as...
Posted by Barry Watson on Fri, 25 May 2007 08:38:00 PST

Abel Tasman, Monteiths, Franz, Wanaka

Since I last posted I went on a sublime cruise walk from Torrent Bay to Marahau in Abel Tasman National Park, enjoyed revelry at the Monteiths Brewery in Greymouth, and had brief stays in Franz Josef ...
Posted by Barry Watson on Sat, 12 May 2007 11:49:00 PST

Auckland to Picton

After saying farewell to Matt in Auckland, I've just spent a fun, cruisey week driving down the North Island with Gemma (delightful Derbyshire lass I met last time around). Really enjoyed Nationa...
Posted by Barry Watson on Mon, 07 May 2007 02:22:00 PST