John Kirkpatrick: Tunes from the Trenches

Veteran squeezebox maestro John Kirkpatrick opens up a kit bag of songs from the two World Wars. There's a fair smattering of the popular hits of the day, designed to raise a smile and provide a moment’s respite. Threaded through these selections, John gives an airing to some of the songs sung on the Front Line.

Through music and words, John demonstrates the directness, wit, humour, and, occasionally, rather fruity language which enabled the human spirit to endure the hardships and horrors on every side. This is a heart-warming show, with poignant moments in amongst the jolly choruses, celebrating the comradeship and determination that allowed previous generations to Keep Smiling Through. 

John is one of folk's greatest traditional music exponents. A solo performer since the 1970s, he has also enjoyed spells in Steeleye Span, The Albion Band, Roy Bailey's Band of Hope, The Sultans of Squeeze, and Brass Monkey. An enthusiastic Morris dancer, John has also contributed music, song, and dance to theatre, radio, television and film.

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