SKYLARK “One of Britain’s Leading Contra Dance Bands”
Visitors	Where is SKYLARK playing? White Horse Contra Contra Dance UK Music Samples Band Profiles
Skylark on stage at the Bulverton Marquee, Sidmouth Festival, August 2006. Skylark working with Jim Morrison and in Bath. July 2006. Skylark playing at Eastbourne Festival in 2006 Batheaston Contra Dance July 2006 “I've been playing Skylark almost non-stop since it (the CD) arrived a few days ago. Wonderful energy, nice variety, all eminently danceable. (And since I also call English country dance as well as contras and squares, it's a treat to hear your lush version of De'il Take the Warr, a dance I call frequently.)” David Millstone Lebanon, New Hampshire USA	SKYLARK CD RELEASE. Click on the "Add to basket button" to buy this product. Price £10.00. Read a Review Watch a Video Read what other people say. The long-awaited CD from Skylark is finally here. Whether you’re looking for superb music to dance to or simply want to get your feet tapping at home, you’ll find something here to move you. There are slinky sets to lull you into the “dance trance” and vibrant rhythms to snap you back out of it again. The favourites of the band’s fans are all there, with sublime harmonies in Miss Claire Moir and La Maison de Glace, haunting atmospherics in Robin’s Bodhran, driving rhythms in Jig Mania and Tuba City Truck Stop, and finishing with the sheer exuberance of Uncle Bob’s Boogie and Don’t Do That Again. The band has also brought in other genres with the inclusion of a Regency piece - De’il Tak the Warr and the blues-based Blue Jig and Skylark Blues, If this CD doesn’t get you leaping around the dance floor (or the kitchen), nothing will! Overseas review from Kentucky! “…..for making such a good CD. The tunes are just wonderful and they won’t leave my head. I keep waking up with them playing in endless loops, I hum them doing laundry, I catch myself whistling them in meetings (oops). It’s a real triumph for the dance world, but driving me crazy just at the moment. Congrats to Skylark. A+!” Kent Gilbert, Berea Kentucky, USA						Reviews: ........is a now soaring - bringing the modern sound of Contra Dance to the UK. The musicians are - Dave Brown (Fiddle), Elaine Meechan (Keyboards), Kathryn Meechan (flute), Dave Hunter or Patience Scott-Brown (Guitar) and Mark Brown (Bass). "The bright new sound of Skylark starts the week with their crisp, new arrangements, performed with excellence and great enthusiasm." (Sidmouth Festival programme August 2006) “Quite probably the best Contra Dance Band in England!” (Quoted at the Leeds Contra – September 2006). Festival organisers, clubs, Contra Dance Organisers please contact Dave Brown and book the band now. - "incredible energy, superb musicianship and incredible dancebility." John Meechan. "Dave Brown's Band now re-incarnated as Skylark were superb. I don’t know what made them choose that name, but the music certainly soars like a bird. It is so easy to dance to........... The music throbs and pulses...." Colin Osborne (2005) Having Fun with Hats! “I've just listened to the whole of the Skylark CD again and I want to tell you again how terrific it is. There's so much life and vitality, and the final tune is so much fun. Afterwards I listened to Mozart's Piano Concertos number 20 in D minor and 21 in C major which were also terrific, but I couldn't email him to tell him so!” Colin Hume, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Dave Brown: has played in many bands over the years including, Wild Thyme, Contradition, The Dave Brown Band, Grumbling Old Men and Square Root. In Skylark Dave is able to use all his skills of arrangement and composition to help the band create its live and exciting sound. Click Here to see Dave’s Website				Elaine Meechan: has played accordion mostly in her other musical incarnations, notably with Glorishears Band. Elaine has worked as a musician with Folk Camps an has a wide experience of Folk Music and dance. In Skylark she provides the rhythmic harmonic structure for the rhythm section of the band.
Mark Brown: has grown up with Folk Dance music. He plays Bass in Skylark (and Bass in his own “Garage” band). Mark provides a solid rhythmic foundation to the rhythm texture. Look out for a Bongos solo on the new CD. Mark is training to be a photographer – check out his work at www.markbrownphotography.co.uk		Kathryn Meechan: has also grown up with Folk Dance music. She works as a peripatetic music teacher in Manchester. Kathryn mainly plays the Flute in Skylark but can often be seen playing the Alto Sax and even, occasionally, the Piccolo.			Dave Hunter bought his first guitar at the age of 13 – best thirty bob he ever spent. He's played in various folk groups and bands ever since, and brings more than his fair share to Skylark’s combined 150 years of experience! Dave plays rhythm guitar in Skylark and has helped to create the tight rhythmic sound of the band as well as the modern harmonic progressions.
Music Samples from Skylark Rehearsals and CD Tracks
Reels: Caribou Reel Tuba City Truck Stop Don’t do that Again!			Jigs: Darla’s Jig The Blue Jig.			Waltzes / English / Playford Style: Miss Claire Moir (Waltz) De’il Tak the Warr