Powerful New Folk – 20 Years On
Who are they? Broom Bezzums are the Accrington Stanley of English folk! Those who know, know them as one of the most original, inspiring and entertaining acts on the folk scene over the last 20 years. Formed in south-west Germany in 2005 by English immigrants Mark Bloomer and Andrew Cadie, the duo were instantly snapped up by Steeplejack Records and set off on an intense touring schedule in Germany, with regular forays to the UK, plus stops in Ireland and many other places from Bucharest to Ibiza. Profound original songs have become the duo’s trademark, with Mark’s “Cold Winds Blow” making it in to the German Radio Charts and Andrew’s “Keep Hauling” being first taken on by Show of Hands and subsequently making it in to the hit film and stage production, Fishermans’ Friends. The Cornish shantymen are still singing the song to this day!
In time for their 20th Year, Broom Bezzums have released their long-awaited 6th studio album, Standing Strong, which won them their second German Record Critics Award. Previous albums have strongly featured collaborations with singer, Katie Doherty, as well as Kan’s Ian Stephenson and Northumbrian pipes and piano wizzkid Andy May. Standing Strong, however, returns to a deliberate focus on their core, multiinstrumental duo line-up of double-vocals, fiddle, bouzouki, guitars, resonator slide, Northumbrian pipes, percussion and acoustic loops.
The new songs are about unity, solidarity, love and hope, in troubled times. Mark originally hails from the Black Country and was briefly the drummer in indie chart-toppers, Babylon Zoo. Andrew grew up surrounded by fiddles and pipes in Northumberland. The two met whilst already resident in Germany, both having arrived there as travelling buskers.
Two decades in, Broom Bezzums return to that what made them so extraordinary in the first place – that just two people on stage with two voices and some acoustic instruments can generate so much sound, energy and soul.
“Broom Bezzums don’t just play their music – they live it” – SN, Switzerland
“Blissful (!) …this CD should really see them heralded as one of Britain’s leading folk acts … even though they’re actually based in Germany!” – Folking.com
“A real class act!” – Steve Knightley (Show of Hands)
“They perform with soulful passion and create a full, rich sound” – fRoots
“Broom Bezzums bring a bracing vigour which reflects the brio of their live performances. They are well-travelled singers and multi-instrumentalists…their reputation has spread through hard touring in Britain and Germany” – Living Tradition
“ They’ve got it – instinctively.” – Andy Kershaw
“These guys seem to have everything going for them – a stack of impressive and stylish original songs and tunes, superb multiinstrumental skills, two contrasted but complementary vocal styles, and an instinctive feel for tradition. Broom Bezzums are a class act, whose animated, committed performance style has won them many admirers (and awards).” – David Kidman, FRoots