Mark Harrison Band

MARK HARRISON (National + 12-string guitars/vocals)

Charles Benfield (double bass/vocals)

Ben Welburn (drums/percussion)

There is no one in music quite like Mark Harrison. With his unique and acclaimed rhythm section, he is widely considered one of the most original and interesting artists around. His highly individual, all-original music has taken him and the band to some of the top venues and festivals in the UK, attracting acclaim wherever he goes. Recent appearances on BBC Radio 2, as guest on Cerys Matthews’s show and on the Pick Of The Week show, have further added to his growing reputation.

Described at BBC Radio 2 as ‘quirky’ and an artist who ‘makes you think afresh’, Mark is a totally original songwriter, a stunning guitarist, and a master storyteller. Mark’s live shows are well-known not only for the music but also for his introductions and explanations of the songs, delivered in a manner often described as ‘wry’ and ‘dry’.

Mark is a songster, and his songs cover all manner of non-standard subjects. With catchy tunes, lyrics than intrigue and engage, and striking rhythms, they make you smile, think and move. He takes elements of roots music, including folk, blues and gospel, to create something new that is very much his own genre. Each song is a snapshot of life or has a story to tell, like a 3-minute film or novel.

A thrilling, rhythmic, finger-picker and slide player, with a very distinctive style, Mark tours extensively. He has released six albums which have been unanimously acclaimed across a wide range of areas of the music world, receiving a very great deal of airplay and highly enthusiastic reviews in the UK, Europe and the US, the latest being the double album THE ROAD TO LIBERTY.

Here are a few of the things that have been said about Mark and his music:

He takes very real things that happen in life and makes you think afresh about them (Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2)

A bit different and kinda groovy too (Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2)

Totally and absolutely original (Mike Harding)

Fresh as morning sunshine and as sharp as a well-honed razor (Folkwords)

Website: http://www.markharrisonrootsmusic.com/

Music: http://www.markharrisonrootsmusic.com/music.php

Film of the band live at The Minack Theatre, Cornwall: https://youtu.be/V23abtYjaEw

Film of the single Toolmaker’s Blues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI5z6k32RN4