The Alchemist of Electric Morris (Ashley Hutchings. A Guide)

The Alchemist of Electric Morris

Ashley Hutchings (born January 26, 1945) is a folk musician. Hutchings was born in Southgate, London but moved to Muswell Hill while still a child. His father, Leonard, was a pianist with his own dance band - Leonard Hutchings and His Embassy Five He formed several groups, including "Dr K's Blues Band" in 1964. When he met guitarist Simon Nicol, they rehearsed on the floor above Nicol's father's medical practice. The house was called "Fairport" and lent its name to the group they formed together.Hutchings has quite possibly founded more groups than any other bass-player. The most famous are Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span (formed after he left Fairport in 1970) and the ever-changing Albion Bands (formed after leaving Steeleye in 1971)and the Etchingham Steam Band. He has made several thematic albums with session musicians gathered from across the traditional and folk-rock spectrum, with himself credited as the producer.

A series of albums called The Guv'nor collect rare recordings from several Hutchings-related groups. In 2004 Hutchings retired the Albion band and in 2005 he returned as part of a quartet, called Rainbow Chasers.

Ashley Hutchings' remarkable and incredible contribution to the British Folk Revival has often been compressed into the shorthand, that goes something like this: Father of Folk-Rock, Alchemist of Electric Morris,The Guv'nor, founder-member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, the many Albion Bands, The Ashley Hutchings All-Stars, The Ashley Hutchings Big Beat Combo,The Ashley Hutchings Dance Band, and his many solo albums, though even these have many members of the various bands associated with Ashley. This, however, does not even begin to detail the full scope of his accomplishments. Ashleys' enormous importance and contribution, as band-leader, arranger, musician, and above all popularist of English-based folk music is centred upon his own particular blend of tradition and innovation.

During the early sixties he led a number of short-lived groups - the Still Waters, the Blue Reeds, Dr. K's Blues Band, Tim Turner's Narration and the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra. Skiffle, R'n'B and the singer-songwriters of North America provided the repertoire for the early bands that eventually became Fairport Convention, or as rumour had it, very nearly, Electric Rhutabaga.......

2008 continues to see AH touring both with Rainbow Chasers and The Lark Rise Band plus his seasonal aggragate The Albion Christmas Band, there's certainly no sign of him slowing down.

(partly sourced from Wikipedia)

In The Beginning

April 1967 - June 1967
Shaun Frater
Ashley Hutchings
Simon Nicol
Richard Thompson
(this lineup also played as Tim Turner's Narration during this period of time)

June 1967 - July 1967
Ashley Hutchings
Martin Lamble
Simon Nicol
Richard Thompson

July 1967 - November 1967
Judy Dyble
Ashley Hutchings
Martin Lamble
Simon Nicol
Richard Thompson