Belshazzar's Feast (band)
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Paul Sartin, Paul Hutchinson |
| Defunct | 2022 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Folk music performances, albums |
| Website | www |
Belshazzar's Feast was a British folk music duo comprising vocalist, oboist, and fiddler Paul Sartin alongside piano accordion player Paul Hutchinson, recognized for blending sharp musicianship with elements of slapstick comedy.
Origins
Sartin and Hutchinson first crossed paths in the mid-1990s while performing with the folk-rock ensemble Life Of Reilly, a group known for its satirical take on the Newbury bypass project. Following several shows, they departed to establish their own duo.[1] Initially dedicating themselves to ceilidhs and community dances, they partnered with caller Andrew Shaw on ventures focusing on the works of 18th-century composer Nathaniel Kynaston. This collaboration produced two albums: Mr Kynaston’s Famous Dance volume 1 (2000) and volume 2 (2002), as well as John Playford’s Secret Ball (2001).[2]
Between 1996 and 1997, they played central roles in the Breeze Band, which supported Scottish vocalist Ian Bruce. During this period, they issued two recordings and toured extensively across the UK and Germany.[3]
Under the name Belshazzar's Feast, their initial albums One Too Many (1996) and Drop The Reed (1998) presented a unique concert repertoire characterized by irreverent twists that distinguished them from conventional social dance groups.[4] The title piece of One Too Many was composed by musician Ian F Ball.[5] Their touring schedule included performances in the United States and Belgium, primarily at social dance events.[6]
Additionally, the duo formed ceilidh ensembles such as Belshazzar's Dance Band (including Mark Powell) and briefly Bazza's Dog, a hybrid group merging Belshazzar's Feast, Hoover the Dog, and Mark Powell.[7]
Career
Following a break, Belshazzar's Feast returned in 2008 with the release of Food of Love.
Their debut winter-themed album, Frost Bites (2009), garnered a nomination for Best Duo at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. They followed this with another seasonal release, Stocking Fillers, in 2012.
In 2011, they unveiled Find The Lady, an album combining concert pieces with elements of spoken comedy.
Typically, Belshazzar's Feast conducted tours twice annually—during spring and the lead-up to Christmas—and partnered with the charity Superact to bring music into unconventional settings such as hospitals and care homes. They also supported Bellowhead on their United Kingdom tour in 2009.
Celebrating two decades together, they issued a live recording titled The Whiting's on the Wall in 2014. This album featured distinct tracks separating between-song banter and showcased cover artwork by Simon Drew.
Paul Sartin passed away unexpectedly on September 14, 2022, at the age of 51.
Humour
Their performances incorporated three distinct styles of humour. Between songs, they engaged in wordplay involving puns connected to song titles or lyrics. Physical comedy manifested through playful use of instruments, expressive facial gestures, body movements, or by inviting audience participation on stage. Furthermore, their musical arrangements included humorous surprises by weaving familiar melodies such as the Postman Pat theme or the Christmas carol "Silent Night" into their sets.
Associated acts
Apart from Life of Reilly, both Sartin and Hutchinson have contributed to numerous other projects. Sartin was involved with Dr Faustus, Bellowhead, and Faustus, alongside his pursuits as a composer, arranger, and conductor. Hutchinson has performed with Pagoda Project, Hoover The Dog, and the Playford Liberation Front. He also serves as a composer, arranger, and workshop facilitator at institutions including Marlborough College, Cecil Sharp House, Dartington, and Benslow Music Centre.
Selected discography
1996: One Too Many (Terra Nova TERRCD022)
1998: Drop The Reed (WildGoose WGS293CD)
2000: Mr Kynaston's Famous Dance (vol 1) (WildGoose WGS298CD)
2001: John Playford's Secret Ball (WildGoose WGS304CD)
2002: Mr Kynaston's Famous Dance (vol 2) (WildGoose WGS314CD)
2008: The Food of Love (WildGoose 353CD)
2009: Frost Bites (WildGoose 366 CD)
2011: Find The Lady (Unearthed TPLP1080CD)
2012: Stocking Fillers (Unearthed B008YBADAO)
2014: The Whiting's on the Wall (Unearthed B00ISKT5NM)