“WALLS OF HOPE”

The John Richards Band

John has managed to remain largely anonymous on the British folk scene for the last fifteen years but his songs have seeped steadily into the tradition during that time.

Robin Dransfield was the first performer to cover one of John’s songs over thirty years ago. Since then Honour & Praise, The Deserter, Shine On, Roaring Water Bay, Did you like the Battle Sir? How do you sleep at night? The Unknown Soldier and The Moth have all been covered and are in the repertoire of Fairport, Show of Hands, Paul Downes, Bill Caddick and a long list of other folk and roots performers.

John spent most of the last 15 years fronting and writing for roots rock band Desperate Men but has finally returned to his roots and with a great new band has produced “Walls of Hope” a stunning new CD which includes ten new songs from John and contributions from band members. The Band include John’s daughter Emma Nijs on vocals and whistles, Allie Fellows on accordion and piano, Chris Drinan on flute, whistles and banjo and Jim Sutton on double bass and piano.

In addition to the band the CD boasts Phil Beer and Martin Bell on fiddle and Steve Turner on National Steel Guitar. The producer is Mick Dolan who has produced John’s work since the eighties and has Mick Jagger, Bono, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Show of Hands, Johnny Coppin and Mike Silver in his long list of production credits.

We believe that songs from “Walls of Hope” will, like John’s previous songs, be covered by singers around the globe and will add to his already substantial reputation as ‘one of our finest singer songwriters’ (Folk on Tap) who is ‘a master of his craft’ (Taplas)

With the new line up of the John Richards Band audiences will at last be able to see and hear the songs from the writer himself, the way he wants them to be heard.

“Walls of Hope” will be available via the website or at the bands gigs.