day 83 - John Spiers

Day 83 of it could go horribly wrong guitar accompanying sessions Firstly a big thanks to Tad Sargent for yesterday’s fun whistle piece! With it being a very hot one today, I’m delighted to say that I have the brilliant John Spiers on melodeon today and as box players go he has certainly been regarded as hot property on the folk scene for many many years so far and also to come, I first saw John play as a duo with Jon boden at Bromyard in 2002 and I recall very clearly they did a cover of baby one more time by Britney Spears which then lead into the classic reel in G which was 3 round 3, At that moment I was very keen to see them play again and I then saw them the following year at Celtic connections and the following year the pair of them came up with an amazing concept to recruit brilliant musicians to form one of the biggest and best live acts to grace the festivals stages of the U.K. in the last 10 to 15 years, Bellowhead! Featuring tallents of Paul Sartin Benji Kirkpatrick Pete flood Sam sweeney rachel mcshane and a tremendous trio of brilliant brass players! A few years ago bellowhead ended on a real high and all of the musicians remain to be busy - well at least before lockdown! In the meantime John forms a couple of brilliant duos with recent guest Jackie Oates and also with Peter Knights Gigspanner (Peter Knight) who are very much hot property - no pun on weather intended. I hope to see John again soon as I remember a very good debate About premiership match of the day during his solo gig where Sam Mabbett and I were supporting him in oxford. All the best John and thanks so much for this lovely waltz! Stay safe 🙂 Love dan and the boys xxx

Added 2 Sept 2026