About this user
A very brief biography.
RORY McLEOD
is a one-man-soul-band, and poet.
He has a natural troubadour's talent for weaving magical, musical, storytelling spells accompanied by his own bizarre solo orchestra of distinctive instruments.
The spoons, finger-cymbals, bandorea, Djembe-drum, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes
accompany the "rich, raw, deep and resonant" voice of this "singular and liberating performer."
"Expect the unexpected."
McLEOD
is a musical Gypsy, his eccentric melodies are infused with influences from Flamenco to blues, through to Celtic, East European and Calypso rhythms creating a style of music and songwriting that has been described as
"Intimate, revealing, political and powerful."
"When he sings his songs he will take you on a journey with him."
"Poetry and dance-stories with verve, sharpness, humour and warmth about people and for people."
"Great songs to dance to, infectious rhythms, flying harmonica!"
An ex-circus clown and fire eater, Rory has played harmonica and guitar with MICHELLE SHOCKED, ANI DI FRANCO, MICHAEL FRANTI, BUTCH HANCOCK, TOWNES VAN ZANDT, with the West-African guitarist ALI FARKE-TOURE and TAJ MAHAL; and Madagascan group TARIKA. he's enjoyed creative collaborations with HASSAN ERRAJI, KATHRYN TICKEL and PAUL RODDEN- virtuosos, respectively, of the Moroccan Oud, the Northumbrian pipes and the Irish banjo.
Rory has written songs and music for a BBC radio documentary - an oral history project about East London's 400 year old Spitalfields fruit and vegetable market.
Also written songs and music commissioned by 'SHIFTWORK', a Scottish dance and circus theatre based company devising a psycho-comedy theatre-show based on a traditional puppet play called Punch and Judy. Also has been commissioned to write music for T.V. animation series 'Creature Comforts' 2003.
Has appeared on Channel 4. arts programme 'After Image'.
and Welsh T.V. 'Television Ballads'.
In 1996 Rory was the BBC's Pick of The Week for his "Invoking The Spirits", a recording of a personal musical journey through Zimbabwe, searching for the Mbira, (an African thumb Piano), playing and talking with African musicians for the BBC's Radio 4.
Rory was also commissioned to write songs and music for Scottish based, Tabularasa Dance Company, A dance-theatre piece for Children called 'HUFF PUFF and AWAY' about Wind and Breath.
BEST LIVE ACT: BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 2002
TEXAS HARMONICA CHAMPION 1981.
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL STREET BUSKER OF THE YEAR in 1985.
Rory has seven self produced albums on Talkative Music, all available online www.rorymcleod.com
ANGRY LOVE, Talkback001
KICKING THE SAWDUST (Double CD) Talkback002
FOOTSTEPS AND HEARTBEATS, Talkback003
TRAVELLING HOME. Talkback004
LULLABIES FOR BIG BABIES. Talkback005
MOUTH TO MOUTH (Double CD) Talk001
BRAVE FACES. Talk002
E mail: talkativemusic@dial.pipex.com
Rory on The Web. www.rorymcleod.com
TALKATIVE MUSIC.
BELGARTH, KIRBISTER, STROMNESS, ORKNEY, KW16 3HU, SCOTLAND UK.
