Traditional Music for Weddings

Yesterday afternoon, I played as the Mandola Minstrel for a wedding reception at the Oxford Belfry. I was booked to play for two hours after the ceremony while photos were being taken and the guests were drinking in the bar. I've recorded traditional accompaniment to play along to. These sounds come out of a wicker basket at my feet. It's great fun - just like playing 2 hours of traditional tunes at a pub session (well nearly!)

The tunes are early tunes like Kemp's Jig, La Morrisque, The Unquiet Grave, Bear Dance, Horses Bransle; quite a few Playford tunes such as Drive the Cold Winter Away, Grimstock, Newcastle, Argeers, Childgrove, Nonesuch, Parson's Farwell and a few Morris tunes like William and Mary, Constant Billy, Mrs Casey. I also include Oxford/Oxfordshire tunes like Old Tom of Oxford, Molly Oxford, Princess Royal and Old Mother Oxford.

It's a good feeling to play these tunes to an audience that wouldn't normally listen to this type of music.

I was even asked by the bride and groom to have my photograph taken with them!