Rory McLeod, Rhythmic Soul-Singer Songwriter, Storytelling poet

RORY McLEOD

Rhythmic storyteller, multi-instrumentalist,

…telling unpalatable truths about broken hearts…social injustice…in songs, that are percussive, bold, lyrical, deeply personal …and have an unexpected edge to them, accompanied by spoons, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes.

An ex-circus clown and fire eater.

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."

Rory McLeod is a musical Gypsy, his eccentric melodies are infused with influences from Flamenco to Country 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!"

COLLABORATIONS

An ex-circus clown and fire eater in an Azteca Mexican Circus,Rory has played harmonica and guitar with ANI DI FRANCO, MICHELLE SHOCKED, MICHAEL FRANTI, TOWNES VAN ZANDT, JOE STRUMMER , THE POISON GIRLS, BUTCH HANCOCK, 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.

Website: www.rorymcleod.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rory.mcleod.73

Twitter: @rorytalkative

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=RO_xCvYGtxY&hl=en-

TOUR DATES

www.rorymcleod.com

INTERVIEWS.

http://www.rorymcleod.com/interviews/interviews.htm

SOUNDCLOUD.

Tasters

https://soundcloud.com/talkativemusic/sets/radio-air-play-to-publicise

https://soundcloud.com/talkativemusic/tracks

https://rorymcleod.bandcamp.com

LINK TO REVIEWS:

RORY McLEOD - REVIEWS.

"....informal, soul baring, colourful observations, cracking tunes, sharp narratives"

"a hugely endearing yet provocative album that synthesises McLeod’s long history disrespecting conformist styles and artificial genres."

"intriguing amalgam of moods concocted here- whenever Morgan puts lips to clarinet you think of Klezmer, every pluck of the Rojas harp takes it into Latino territory and McLeod’s songs acquire the robes of the chameleon."

"Plenty of glee here and no little spark either."

COLIN IRWIN.

"Rory McLeod just gets it. His songs are stories that are as old as the hills but refer to the experience of everyone in the room.

And he’s cool too, but not so cool that he can’t write a song about his grandmother….which is a song about my grandmother and probably everyone in the room’s grandmother too….universal, affectionate and…. a rare gift this…. completely unsentimental.

We worried that the stage at the Hippodrome wouldn't be big enough…and sometimes

the energy in the polemic and the music and the dancing filled the space to bursting.

But it was a shapeshifter of a gig and moments later a shared intimacy and another story wrapped the room in a warm bear hug.

We had that feeling at the end of the night that we’d met before, somewhere on another road.

Rory sometimes has the backing of Diego, Bob and Richard, fabulous musicians all.

The Familiar Strangers. Great name for a band.”

Paula Tod - The Hippodrome, Eyemouth. www.eyemouthhippodrome.org

"....made me want to throw away my inhibitions and take to the road: McLeod seemed a kind of Jack Kerouac armed with string instruments and harmonica."

"...the visual impact of the man could never be captured on audio disc."what glorious energy there – the energy to glow in the dark. "

"Bob Morgan positively dazzles on clarinet and saxophone."

"...you have the spark there to light your fire, this four piece combo will fill you with glee and ensure that the fire will not go out in a hurry."

DAI WOOSMAN

"Rory McLeod and the Familiar Strangers are indeed familiar and strange at the same time. Every element of their

appearance at Hebden Folk Roots was a joy - for organisers as well as audience."

Dave Boardman

Artistic Director Hebden Bridge Folk Roots

"The Familiar Strangers are big favourites at Purbeck

Valley Folk Festival.

Rory McLeod himself is an amazingly charismatic songwriter.

Add the band and there's an upbeat sound backing

Rory's robust songs about real people and real life.

Icing on the cake is when other performers see Rory

at the festival, he is called up on stage to join in on a number.

Magic!"

Paul Burke, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.

"....a unique intriguing fusion between confessional singer songwriter, world music influences, and jazzy swing, different from anything else around."

"a fresh unique alternative take on life that he highlights through his entertaining exuberant songs"

"'You Can't Just Let Nature Run Wild', a thoughtful song which I personally relate to as a trained Geographer and Ecologist."

BELVOIREMAN

"The Familiar Strangers really add meat to the bones of Rory's great material"

Jonti Willis Roots Music Club Doncaster.

To see these guys is to become an instant convert."

"The double bass provided a constant backbone"

Phil Laverton Rye Festival of Music and Arts Festival

"...a whole new light. Wonderful stuff!"

Lotte. Prince Albert. Stroud.

Rory McLeod is a

".... Rhythmic storyteller-Soul-Singing-Tap-dancing-Poet,Guitar-Picking,One-Man-Dance-Band"

Rory is a generous, hardworking, lyrical performer - whose mission is to carve new roads, to "keep memory alive", and to take his audience on a journey - emotionally, physically and musically on large and small stages, living rooms, tents, and streets.

Apart from performing his own songs Rory is also well known for taking part in workshops and round robin set-ups with other musicians- crossing many cultural and musical borders. Rory is always up for both participating and or leading improvised sessions.

As a community artist for some 30 years, musician, poet and storyteller Rory has toured and performed for community groups in all kinds of venues from village halls, schools, care homes, tents, art centres, community gardens, arts festivals, literature and poetry festivals, libraries and in the middle of fields.

As of January 30th 2017 He has become a new associate member of The National Rural Touring Forum and also a registered performing artist on the Night Out Scheme.

I have played in small rooms, kitchens, gardens, around campfires, on large main stages, for dancing, in tents, yurts, pub gardens, poetry festivals, Cabaret Comedy nights, Folk Venues, blues Clubs and storytelling festivals, circus rings to peoples of all ages, nationalities, languages. People have danced, sat and listened, I have played to very mixed audiences of all ages and abilities and am able to vary my repertoire accordingly.... I have sung in 'kids shows' though I don't consider myself a kid's performer as such....I've sung in care homes. I have sung in schools to immigrant children of multi cultural back grounds. I have found that rhythm attracts young adults, and I have song content that reflects some teenage experiences including my own. I'm happy to sing to parents with babies and small kids present.