Village folk going back to our roots in Bridport (From Dorset Echo)

Village folk going back to our roots in Bridport

9:39am Monday 15th June 2009 in

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A MUSICAL phenomenon that has taken the UK by storm returns to Bridport next week.

The Imagined Village, a project initiated by local musician Simon Emmerson, takes traditional English Roots music and gives it a 21st century multi-cultural slant.

The band was launched at Bridport Arts Centre two years ago to a rapturous reception and since then, has received widespread acclaim and been feted on television and folk festivals, most notably at Cambridge last year when they took to the stage after Canadian musician kd lang.

They also won the Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Traditional Track in 2008 with their rousing performance of Cold Hailey Rainy Night.

With a stable line up that includes Chris Wood, who won this year’s BBC folk singer and folk song of the year awards, plus Martin and Eliza Carthy, The Imagined Village has brought traditional English music back to the people it was originally written for.

Simon said: “There is a blind spot when it comes to English Roots music. A world music DJ will know more about the music of Cuba or Africa than about the music of home. That was the starting point.

“I think a lot of that is down to our post-colonial guilt and the fact that people didn’t want to celebrate because England has a murky past. But that’s ridiculous because every culture has its dark days.

“Then there was the thing about the St George’s flag being linked to the Far Right, but Billy Bragg wanted to reclaim it and be proud of it.”

Now, the main players are backed by a 10-piece band consisting of the best of the British folk and electronica scene.

The Imagined Village is at Bridport Arts Centre on Wednesday and Thursday, June 24 and 25 at 8pm.

Tickets cost £15 plus concessions from the box office on 01308 424204 or online at bridport-arts.com.