Davenports' unique regional tradition

Tomorrow night's guests at the Bothy Folk Club are Paul and Liz Davenport. Although involved in the folk scene since the 1960s, Paul and Liz both have singing connections from long before their involvement in the folk revival. Song has been a large part of their growing up in their hometown of Hull in East Yorkshire.

Paul & Liz’s singing reflects the tradition in East Yorkshire of unison singing as exemplified by the Staithes and the Filey fisherman’s choirs, and the early output by such luminaries as the Watersons. The technique is well documented but rarely heard, not merely singing the same tune but duplicating the tonal register to give what one critic describes as ‘eerie resonances and harmonics’. In retaining this style they seek to preserve this regional tradition in the face of the overwhelming use of harmony heard uniformly across the country today.

You can see them at the Park Golf Club tomorrow (Sunday) night; it's on Park Road West, Southport, PR9 0JS from 8.00 p.m.  The venue sells Thwaites real ale.