Band, GB
Folk and World
The Houghton Weavers are an English folk music band formed in 1975 in Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, England. The current band members are David Littler (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, banjo-ukulele, bouzouki, piano accordion and vocals), Steve Millington (bass guitar, keyboards, acoustic guitar, piano accordion and vocals) and Tony Berry (lead vocalist). David Littler and Tony Berry are both founder members of the band, whilst Steve Millington joined in 1996. Previous members were Norman Prince (1975 to 1999, acoustic guitar, banjo, 12 string guitar, bass guitar and vocals), John Oliver (1975 to 1976 vocals), Denis Littler (1976 to 1984 bass guitar and vocals) and Jeff Hill (1984 to 1996 and 1999 to 2007 bass Guitar, acoustic guitar, 12 string guitar, electric guitar and vocals) Whilst never officially a member of the band, Alan Fawkes was a frequent guest--"he couldn't stand the drop in pay" (dates unknown: woodwind instruments) They sing mainly English folk music, much of it in Lancashire dialect, and demonstrate an eclectic range of song subjects including "The Blackpool Belle", "Uncle Joe’s Mintballs" and "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" (a biographical song about the painter L. S. Lowry). They are best known for their BBC TV show Sit Thi Deawn (Lancashire dialect for "have a seat", referring to the hospitality of Lancashire people). The programme ran for six series or seven years and was a mixture of easy listening music and comedy for a local audience. The group also starred in six of their own series for BBC Radio 2.
Steve Millington org, key, p | |
Alan Fawkes fl, cl, ss | |
Jeff Hill voc, eg GB | |
Norman Prince voc, g, acg GB | |
Tony Berry voc GB | |
David Littler voc, bj, man *1949 GB |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Keep Folk Smiling | The Houghton Weavers | 2009 | Album |
Blackpool Belle | The Houghton Weavers | 2009 | Single |
Come Landlord...: Collection Vol.3 | The Houghton Weavers | 2001 | Compil. |
Blackpool Belles: Collection Vol.2 | The Houghton Weavers | 2000 | Compil. |
The Keeper | The Houghton Weavers | 1992 | Album |
The Lion Of Vienna / The Blackpool Belle | The Houghton Weavers with Bolton Wanderers F.C. | 1988 | Single |
It's Good To See You | The Houghton Weavers | 1986 | Album |
Keep Folk Smiling | The Houghton Weavers | 1985 | Album |
What's Xmas Without A Brass Band / I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen | The Houghton Weavers | 1984 | Single |
In The Rare Old Times | The Houghton Weavers | 1983 | Album |
We Want Work! | The Houghton Weavers | 1981 | Single |
Alive And Kicking | The Houghton Weavers | 1981 | Album |
The Martians Have Landed In Wigan | The Houghton Weavers | 1980 | Single |
Up Your Way | The Houghton Weavers | 1980 | Album |
The Martians Have Landed In Wigan | The Houghton Weavers | 1980 | Single |
In Concert | The Houghton Weavers | 1979 | Album |
Clatter O' Clogs | The Houghton Weavers | 1979 | Compil. |
Sit Thi Deawn | The Houghton Weavers | 1978 | Album |
Gone Are The Days | The Houghton Weavers | 1977 | Album |
Howfen Wakes | The Houghton Weavers | 1976 | Album |
Where Do You Go From Here? | The Houghton Weavers | Single | |
When Granny Sang Me Songs | The Houghton Weavers | Album |