Ashley Hutchings

shley Hutchings' remarkable contribution to the British Folk Revival has often been compressed into the shorthand: father of folk-rock, alchemist of electric morris, founder-member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and the many Albion Bands. However, this does not begin to detail the full extent of his achievements. Hutchings' enormous importance as band-leader, arranger, musician, and above all popularist of English-based folk music is centred upon his unique blend of tradition and innovation.

Ashley was born on 26th January 1945, and spent his early years in the Muswell Hill area of North London. His father, Leonard, was a pianist with his own dance band - Leonard Hutchings and His Embassy Five. The young Hutchings followed a passionate interest in all forms of popular music. During the early sixties he led a number of short-lived groups - the Still Waters, the Blue Reeds, Dr. K's Blues Band, Tim Turner's Narration and the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra. Skiffle, R'n'B and the singer-songwriters of North America provided the repertoire for the nascent Fairport Convention.

Fairport's remarkable progress through the London Underground scene of the mid-60s, to the milestone masterpiece of Liege and Lief is a story that has begun to take on the appearance of legend. The importance of Liege & Lief cannot be underestimated; proving that it was possible to develop modern rock from the indigenous tradition. Hutchings, in search of an ever more English sound, was soon to leave Fairport to found Steeleye Span. Whilst with Steeleye, he worked on a production of Keith Dewhurst's 'Corunna'. This began an association with the theatre and theatrical presentations that has continued through the numerous Albion Bands to the present day. Much of this work - including productions at the National Theatre, the Riverside Centre and on concert stages throughout Britain - has been under-represented on record.

Perhaps the hallmark of Ashley's musical quest during the last three decades has been his remarkable facility to unite musicians into the most formidable squads. He has repeatedly captained the most electrifying teams - ensembles of soloists capable of uniting diverse musical styles and presenting spectacular stage shows with dance and the spoken word.

Ashley Hutchings has long been acknowledged as a restless catalyst, the quiet architect responsible for assembling a string of great ensembles. Whilst he continues to perform and add to the enormous body of recorded work, this first volume in a series of retrospectives will finally allow the full extent and importance of his unparalleled contribution to be justly measured.

David Suff's liner notes from ‘The Guv'nor Vol 1’