MEET DavE Arthur
My story
I was born in Cheshire and educated at St Olave’s Grammar School, London. Dropped out at 15 and moved to Soho, worked in bookshops, cafes, clubs and as pavement artist and busker with Clive Palmer, who went on to co-found the Incredible String Band.
In 1960s met my future wife, Toni, and moved to Oxford to manage a university bookshop. We became involved in the local folk club scene, and in the late '60s, I decided to take time out from academic bookselling and go on the road as a folk duo.
Played clubs, concerts and festivals the length and breadth of the British Isles and America. Recorded albums for Transatlantic, Topic, Decca, BBC and Leader records with fiddle players - Kevin Burke, Barry Dransfield and Nic Jones.
Through '70s and '80s worked as writer, researcher and presenter for BBC radio and television and several commercial stations - including Playschool, Playaway, Middle English, Seeing and Doing. I wrote and presented programmes and series for Radio 4 on folkloric themes.
Became involved in musical theatre, and MD'd numerous solo and collaborative stage productions.
Some recent diversions
- In 2003 awarded the Gold Badge of the English Folk Dance and Song Society for Services to Folk Music.
- In 2016, I played in my old friend Shirley Collins’ award winning folk album, Lodestar, and as part of the Lodestar Band. Toured most of the major concert venues in Great Britain, culminating in 2018 in a concert at London's Roundhouse, where Rattle On the Stovepipe were the support band. Played in Shirley’s Lodestar Band on her two subsequent award-winning album: Hearts’ Ease (2020), Archangel Hill (2023).
- Released 2019 album Someone to Love You(Wildgoose Records).
- Played in 2022 poetry collection Memento Mori , Chapel Press.
- 2024 album On the Run with Eddie Armer, and Dan Stewart as the bluesy Long Runners band (Wildgoose Records).