The Bagas ‘brand’ has been around since around 2003/4 when Samba Kernow joined forces with musicians Delia & Dave Brotherton, Merv Davey and Duncan Gee to perform a Samba Celtica evening in St Ives Guildhall as part of St Ives September Festival. The evening combined cross-over Celtic/Cornish music with Brazilian samba grooves along with Nos Lowen dancing. A short extract from the successful evening was reprised for the Lowender Peran Festival 2004 where there is footage of a section of Samba Kernow with Merv Davey and other pipers from Kernow Pipes & Drums along with Breton dancers resplendent in their traditional costume dancing along. A wonderful collaborative effort which showed how music styles can blend.
Bagas Porthia – St Ives Band – was formed in March 2006 after a meeting of like-minded musicians at a St Piran’s Day procession and the band quietly built up a strong following with their unique take on Cornish and Celtic music. Traditional and contemporary tunes and songs combine with rich Celtic instrumentation to produce a mellow yet energetic sound. Bagas Porthia eventually went on to become a successful 6-piece band comprising Delia & Dave Brotherton, Merv Davey, Duncan Gee, Pip Wright and Pez Nye. They performed at events and celebrations all over Cornwall including festivals, concerts, weddings, nos lowen, ceilidhs, processions and many other events where Cornish music was an essential ingredient and included the St Ives September Festival 2009 sell out Bellowhead gig whose response to Bagas Porthia in the support slot was fantastic. At the time of the Bellowhead gig Merv Davey was a member of the band playing Cornish and Highland pipes, bouzouki and harp.
Our supporting dancers who led the demonstration Cornish dances and the “come all ye” nos lowen steps were led by Barbara Calver and Christine Laurence-Jackson and quickly became known as “The Baguettes”, a name which always raised a smile and one that was inspired by Mabon’s “Mabonettes”.
CD – A CORNISH LIFE
Cornwall – not just beaches, cream teas and surfers where dreams can be played out, but a real, living, breathing centre of creative energy. This is “A Cornish Life” – the dream of many and the title of Bagas Porthia’s CD, launched at a celebratory Nos Lowen dance night in February 2010.
More than just a selection of well-known and well-loved tunes, the tracks on the CD draw on the band’s experiences of modern life in Cornwall with its heady combination of tradition and community rubbing shoulders with modernism and a consumer driven future. There are references to mythical figures, incomers, the demise of tin mining and the teamwork of the seine fishermen about to land a good catch, written in the Cornish language Kernewek.
“A Cornish Life” was recorded live in February 2010 at Trevurvas Barn by Carl Rayner and was produced by Dave Brotherton. The CD captures the atmosphere of the band as heard and enjoyed by many audiences throughout Cornwall.
Band members on this recording are
Dave Brotherton Mandocello, bouzouki, mandolin, vocals
Delia Brotherton Melodeon, recorder, vocals
Duncan Gee Accordion, vocals on Towl Ros
Pez Nye Percussion, vocals on Towl Ros
Pip Wright Fiddle, vocals
With thanks for help and permissions to Roger Bryant, Barbara Calver, Hilary Coleman, Merv Davey, Richard Dobson, Chris Jackson and Jim Pengelly. The cover photo is by Duncan Gee.
Also, our grateful thanks to all our followers for their wonderful support.
Tracks
Down In Old St Ives
Richard Dobson/Susie Monick
Based on an old Cajun song with additional French & English verses by Dee this lively song is a repertoire staple which always gets even the most reluctant feet tapping!
Off To California/Jim Stacey/Jack In The Box
Trad/Hilary Coleman/Dave Brotherton
An instrumental collection with a traditional Irish hornpipe, followed by Hilary Coleman’s tribute to Jim Stacey and rounded off with a lively dance tune written by Dave.
The Streams Of Lovely Nancy/Out On The Ocean
Trad words, music Dave Brotherton/Trad
Bottrell’s words set to a new tune “Rozteag” begins with a reflective section on mandocello and fiddle lending a gentle, flowing feel to this mythical song, followed by our version of a well-known Irish tune.
A Cornish Life
Words & music Delia Brotherton
Many people can only dream about living in Cornwall and it’s easy to imagine a life by the sea complete with all the trappings of city life. The reality, depending on your point of view, is either a shock or complete joy!
Cornish Waltzes
Can Jack/Mowes Yseldyryow/Darras An Skyber – Trad
We first heard this trio of beautiful tunes about 6 years ago and they’re regularly included in our wedding and nos lowen sets.
Towl Ros
Words & music Delia Brotherton
The Cornish language Kernewek is enjoying quite a revival and the best way to remember it is to use it! Dee wrote this song – which means “Cast Net” – as part of her first year language studies.
Cornish Lads
Roger Bryant, arranged Dave Brotherton
Known throughout Cornwall and beyond, this song, written by Roger for unaccompanied voice, has become an anthem to the memory of tin mining. Our version adds instrumental and vocal harmony while still keeping true to its original sentiments.
Fer Lyskeris/St Keverne Feast – Trad
Two well-loved Cornish tunes often played for dance. Our wicked sense of humour ensures a wry smile from our dancers at the unexpected “stutter break” which closes St Keverne Feast.