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{{Short description|British singer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2010}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2010}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Barbara Gaskin
| name = Barbara Gaskin
|image = spirogyra3.jpg
| image = spirogyra3.jpg
|caption = Barbara Gaskin at Kent University, singing with the band Spirogyra
| caption = Barbara Gaskin at Kent University, singing with the band Spirogyra
⚫
| birth_name =
|background = solo_singer
⚫
| birth_place = Hatfield, Hertfordshire
⚫
|birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|6|5|df=y}}
⚫
| birth_place =Hatfield, Hertfordshire
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|6|5|df=y}}
| origin = [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire]], England
⚫
| occupation = Singer
|origin = [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire]], England
⚫
| genre = [[Pop rock]], [[Folk music|folk]], [[synth-pop]]
⚫
|occupation = Singer
⚫
| instrument =
⚫
|genre = [[Pop rock]], [[Folk music|folk]], [[synthpop]]
⚫
| years_active = 1969–present
⚫
|instrument =
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Dave Stewart (musician, born 1950)|Dave Stewart]], [[Spirogyra (band)|Spirogyra]], [[Hatfield and the North]]
⚫
|years_active = 1969–present
⚫
| label = Broken Records
⚫
|associated_acts = [[Dave Stewart (keyboardist)|Dave Stewart]], [[Spirogyra (band)|Spirogyra]], [[Hatfield and the North]]
⚫
| website = [http://davebarb.com/ Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin website]
⚫
|label = Broken Records
⚫
|website = [http://davebarb.com/ Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin website]
}}
}}
'''Barbara Gaskin''' (born 5 June 1950) is a [[Great Britain|British]] [[singing|singer]] formerly associated with the UK [[Canterbury scene]].
'''Barbara Gaskin''' (born 5 June 1950) is an English [[singing|singer]] formerly associated with the UK [[Canterbury scene]].


Gaskin was lead vocalist in British [[folk music|folk-prog]] [[musical band|band]] [[Spirogyra (band)|Spirogyra]] (1969–1974). From 1973 to 1976 she sang backing vocals with [[Dave Stewart (keyboardist)|Dave Stewart]]'s band [[Hatfield and the North]], as one third of 'The Northettes'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/633/|title=Julian Cope presents Head Heritage {{!}} Unsung {{!}} Reviews {{!}} Hatfield and the North - The Rotters' Club|website=Julian Cope presents Head Heritage|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> (with Ann Rosenthal and Amanda Parsons, both since retired from music). In 1981 she and Stewart formed a duo and in September of that year, they had a [[Chart-topper|number one]] single in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] with a [[cover version]] of the [[song]] "[[It's My Party (Lesley Gore song)|It's My Party]]". Subsequent singles "Busy Doing Nothing" (1983), and "[[The Loco-Motion|The Locomotion]]" (1986) also entered the [[UK Singles Chart]], without reaching the heights of their debut release. Seven albums followed, released on the duo's own Broken Records label. Gaskin and Stewart continue to work together and occasionally play live concerts with Andy Reynolds (guitar, 1990-2009), Beren Matthews (guitar, 2018 onwards) and drummer Gavin Harrison (Tokyo 2001 and London 2018 concerts). Gaskin has also sung with [[Egg (band)|Egg]] (''[[The Civil Surface]]''), [[National Health]], [[Peter Blegvad]] (''The Naked Shakespeare''), [[Phil Miller]], [[Nigel Planer]] (''[[Neil's Heavy Concept Album]]'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/neils-heavy-concept-album-mw0000847135|title=Neil's Heavy Concept Album - Neil, Nigel Planer {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref>, [[Jane Wiedlin]] (''[[Tangled (album)|Tangled]]''), Rick Biddulph and [[Mont Campbell]] (''Music from a Round Tower'').
Gaskin was lead vocalist in British [[folk music|folk-prog]] [[Band (rock and pop)|band]] [[Spirogyra (band)|Spirogyra]] (1969–1974). From 1973 to 1976, she sang backing vocals with [[Dave Stewart (musician, born 1950)|Dave Stewart]]'s band [[Hatfield and the North]], as one-third of the Northettes<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/633/|title=Julian Cope presents Head Heritage {{!}} Unsung {{!}} Reviews {{!}} Hatfield and the North – The Rotters' Club|website=Julian Cope presents Head Heritage|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> (with Ann Rosenthal and Amanda Parsons, both since retired from music). In 1981, she and Stewart formed a duo, and later in October of that year, they had a [[Chart-topper|number one]] single in the UK with a [[cover version|cover]] of the Lesley Gore song "[[It's My Party (Lesley Gore song)|It's My Party]]". Subsequent singles "Busy Doing Nothing" (1983) and "[[The Loco-Motion|The Locomotion]]" (1986) also entered the [[UK Singles Chart]], without reaching the heights of their debut release. Seven albums followed, released on the duo's own Broken Records label. Gaskin and Stewart continue to work together and occasionally play live concerts with Andy Reynolds (guitar, 1990–2009), Beren Matthews (guitar, 2018 onwards) and drummer Gavin Harrison (Tokyo 2001 and London 2018 concerts). Gaskin has also sung with [[Egg (band)|Egg]] (''[[The Civil Surface]]''), [[National Health]], [[Peter Blegvad]] (''The Naked Shakespeare''), [[Phil Miller]], [[Nigel Planer]] (''[[Neil's Heavy Concept Album]]''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/neils-heavy-concept-album-mw0000847135|title=Neil's Heavy Concept Album – Neil, Nigel Planer {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> [[Jane Wiedlin]] (''[[Tangled (Jane Wiedlin album)|Tangled]]''), Rick Biddulph and [[Mont Campbell]] (''Music from a Round Tower'').


==History==
==History==
Barbara Gaskin was born and grew up in [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire]], England. She had formal training in piano and cello from the age of 10. In her early teens she taught herself very basic acoustic guitar (Lesson 1: The strings face outwards) and performed in local folk clubs.
Barbara Gaskin was born and grew up in [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire]], England. She had formal training in piano and cello from the age of 10.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} In her early teens she taught herself very basic acoustic guitar (Lesson 1: The strings face outwards) and performed in local folk clubs.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


In 1969 she moved from Hatfield to Canterbury to study for a degree in Philosophy and Literature at [[University of Kent|University of Kent at Canterbury]], but immediately became involved in the Canterbury music scene, joining folk rock group Spirogyra as vocalist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spirogyra-mn0000013735|title=Spirogyra {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> Spirogyra quickly procured a recording contract and subsequently made 3 albums, namely:- 'St Radigunds' [[B & C Records]] (CAS 1042), 'Old Boot Wine' Pegasus Records (PEG 13), and 'Bells, Boots, & Shambles' Polydor (2310 246), while gigging extensively on the UK college circuit, as well as completing numerous successful tours of Europe. During the same period, Gaskin met guitarist [[Steve Hillage]] (also a student at Kent University) and via Hillage, the members of Canterbury band Caravan, and Hillage's old friend and musical colleague Dave Stewart. Gaskin guested both live and on record with Stewart's band 'Hatfield & The North'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/uriel-and-egg-the-road-to-hatfield-and-beyond-by-john-kelman.php|title=Uriel / Arzachel / Egg: Uriel and Egg: The Road to Hatfield and Beyond|last=Kelman|first=John|date=6 April 2008|website=All About Jazz|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Rocking the classics : English progressive rock and the counterculture|last=1961-|first=Macan, Edward|date=1997|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195098889|location=New York|oclc=33947509}}</ref>, and was a member of the 'Ottawa Music Company', brainchild of Dave Stewart and `Henry Cow' drummer Chris Cutler. The intricate, largely instrumental music of bands such as Egg, Hatfield & The North and Henry Cow, and by contrast, the more spontaneous, lyrically driven approach of Spirogyra, were both powerful formative musical influences on Gaskin during the six years she lived in Canterbury.
In 1969, she moved from Hatfield to Canterbury to study for a degree in Philosophy and Literature at [[University of Kent|University of Kent at Canterbury]], but immediately became involved in the Canterbury music scene, joining folk rock group Spirogyra as vocalist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spirogyra-mn0000013735|title=Spirogyra {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> Spirogyra quickly procured a recording contract and subsequently made 3 albums, namely:- 'St Radigunds' [[B & C Records]] (CAS 1042), 'Old Boot Wine' Pegasus Records (PEG 13), and 'Bells, Boots, & Shambles' Polydor (2310 246), while gigging extensively on the UK college circuit, as well as completing numerous successful tours of Europe. During the same period, Gaskin met guitarist [[Steve Hillage]] (also a student at Kent University) and via Hillage, the members of Canterbury band [[Caravan (band)|Caravan]], and Hillage's old friend and musical colleague Dave Stewart. Gaskin guested both live and on record with Stewart's band 'Hatfield & The North',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/uriel-and-egg-the-road-to-hatfield-and-beyond-by-john-kelman.php|title=Uriel / Arzachel / Egg: Uriel and Egg: The Road to Hatfield and Beyond|last=Kelman|first=John|date=6 April 2008|website=All About Jazz|language=en|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819173340/https://www.allaboutjazz.com/uriel-and-egg-the-road-to-hatfield-and-beyond-by-john-kelman.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Rocking the classics : English progressive rock and the counterculture|last=Macan|first=Edward|date=1997|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195098889|location=New York|oclc=33947509|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/rockingclassicse0000maca}}</ref> and was a member of the 'Ottawa Music Company', brainchild of Dave Stewart and 'Henry Cow' drummer Chris Cutler. The intricate, largely instrumental music of bands such as Egg, Hatfield & The North and Henry Cow, and by contrast, the more spontaneous, lyrically driven approach of Spirogyra, were both powerful formative musical influences on Gaskin during the six years she lived in Canterbury.


When Spirogyra split up, Gaskin left England to travel in Asia for nearly three years, following her interest in Eastern philosophy and culture while earning money by teaching English. She continued to sing - in Japan, professionally - and while living in Java and Bali became very interested in [[gamelan]] music. She also lived in India for a total of 18 months.
When Spirogyra split up, Gaskin left England to travel in Asia for nearly three years, following her interest in Eastern philosophy and culture while earning money by teaching English.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} She continued to sing – in Japan, professionally – and while living in Java and Bali became very interested in [[gamelan]] music. She also lived in India for a total of 18 months.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


On returning to England, Gaskin was invited by drummer Germaine Dolan to play keyboards and sing in the all female band Red Roll On. Based in Canterbury, the band played in clubs and art colleges in the London area. But Gaskin also renewed her musical association with Dave Stewart by contributing vocals to his compositions on Bill Bruford's "Gradually Going Tornado" album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/bill-bruford-the-bruford-tapes-and-gradually-going-tornado-by-john-kelman.php|title=Bill Bruford: The Bruford Tapes & Gradually Going Tornado|last=Kelman|first=John|date=15 October 2015|website=All About Jazz|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> In 1981 Gaskin and Stewart joined forces and recorded the hit single "[[It's My Party (Lesley Gore song)|It's My Party]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/barbara-gaskin-mn0000146526/biography|title=Barbara Gaskin {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> The collaboration has continued to this day with a series of singles and albums on their own Broken Records label and [[Rykodisc]] Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wn.com/dave_stewart_barbara_gaskin_interview_(1988)|title=Dave Stewart Barbara Gaskin Interview 1988|website=World News|language=en|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/busy-doing-nothing/1564|title=Busy Doing Nothing? (SOS May 86)|last=Etheridge|first=Dave|date=|website=www.muzines.co.uk|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref>
On returning to England, Gaskin was invited by drummer Germaine Dolan to play keyboards and sing in the all female band Red Roll On. Based in Canterbury, the band played in clubs and art colleges in the London area. But Gaskin also renewed her musical association with Dave Stewart by contributing vocals to his compositions on Bill Bruford's "Gradually Going Tornado" album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/bill-bruford-the-bruford-tapes-and-gradually-going-tornado-by-john-kelman.php|title=Bill Bruford: The Bruford Tapes & Gradually Going Tornado|last=Kelman|first=John|date=15 October 2015|website=All About Jazz|language=en|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> In 1981 Gaskin and Stewart joined forces and recorded the hit single "[[It's My Party (Lesley Gore song)|It's My Party]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/barbara-gaskin-mn0000146526/biography|title=Barbara Gaskin {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref> The collaboration has continued to this day with a series of singles and albums on their own Broken Records label and [[Rykodisc]] Records. After 40 years together in 2021 Gaskin and Stewart were finally married.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wn.com/dave_stewart_barbara_gaskin_interview_(1988)|title=Dave Stewart Barbara Gaskin Interview 1988|website=World News|language=en|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/busy-doing-nothing/1564|title=Busy Doing Nothing? (SOS May 86)|last=Etheridge|first=Dave|website=muzines.co.uk|access-date=2017-08-19}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 38: Line 38:
* ''Bells, Boots and Shambles'' (B&C, 1973)
* ''Bells, Boots and Shambles'' (B&C, 1973)
* ''Burn The Bridges'' (Repertoire, 2000)
* ''Burn The Bridges'' (Repertoire, 2000)

===With [[Hatfield and the North]]===
===With [[Hatfield and the North]]===
* ''[[Hatfield and the North (album)|Hatfield and the North]]'' (Virgin, 1973)
* ''[[Hatfield and the North (album)|Hatfield and the North]]'' (Virgin, 1973)
Line 44: Line 45:
* ''[[Hatwise Choice: Archive Recordings 1973–1975, Volume 1|Hatwise Choice]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Hatwise Choice: Archive Recordings 1973–1975, Volume 1|Hatwise Choice]]'' (2005)
* ''Hattitude'' (2006)
* ''Hattitude'' (2006)

===With [[Egg (band)|Egg]]===
===With [[Egg (band)|Egg]]===
* ''[[The Civil Surface]]'' (Virgin, 1974)
* ''[[The Civil Surface]]'' (Virgin, 1974)
* ''The Metronomical Society'' (2007)
* ''The Metronomical Society'' (2007)

===With [[National Health]]===
===With [[National Health]]===
* ''[[National Health (album)|National Health]]'' (1977)
* ''[[National Health (album)|National Health]]'' (1977)
Line 54: Line 57:
* ''Missing Pieces'' (1994)
* ''Missing Pieces'' (1994)
* ''Playtime'' (2001)
* ''Playtime'' (2001)

===With [[Bill Bruford]]===
===With [[Bill Bruford]]===
* ''[[Gradually Going Tornado]]'' (Polydor, 1980)
* ''[[Gradually Going Tornado]]'' (Polydor, 1980)

===With [[Peter Blegvad]]===
===With [[Peter Blegvad]]===
* ''The Naked Shakespeare'' (Virgin, 1983)
* ''The Naked Shakespeare'' (Virgin, 1983)

===With [[Nigel Planer]]===
===With [[Nigel Planer]]===
* ''[[Neil's Heavy Concept Album]]'' (1984)
* ''[[Neil's Heavy Concept Album]]'' (1984)

===With [[Phil Miller]]===
===With [[Phil Miller]]===
* ''Cutting Both Ways'' (Cuneiform, 1989)
* ''Cutting Both Ways'' (Cuneiform, 1989)


===With [[Jane Wiedlin]]===
===With [[Jane Wiedlin]]===
* ''[[Tangled (album)|Tangled]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Tangled (Jane Wiedlin album)|Tangled]]'' (1990)


===With Rick Biddulph===
===With Rick Biddulph===
* ''Second Nature'' (Voiceprint, 1994)
* ''Second Nature'' (Voiceprint, 1994)

===With Dirk [[Mont Campbell]]===
===With Dirk [[Mont Campbell]]===
* ''Music from a Round Tower'' (Resurgence, 1996)
* ''Music from a Round Tower'' (Resurgence, 1996)
* ''Music from a Walled Garden'' (MFA, 2009)
* ''Music from a Walled Garden'' (MFA, 2009)

===Singles / EPs with Dave Stewart===
===Singles / EPs with Dave Stewart===
* "[[It's My Party (Lesley Gore song)#Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin version|It's My Party]]" (Broken, 1981)<ref>{{cite news
* "[[It's My Party (Lesley Gore song)#Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin version|It's My Party]]" (Broken, 1981)<ref>{{cite news
|author = JON KELLY AND NICK WEBSTER
|author = JON KELLY AND NICK WEBSTER
|title = 1,000 NO1S SMASH HITS; YOUR MUST-READ FOUR-PAGE GUIDE TO EVERY BRITISH CHART-TOPPER
|title = 1,000 NO1S SMASH HITS; YOUR MUST-READ FOUR-PAGE GUIDE TO EVERY BRITISH CHART-TOPPER
|quote =
|publisher = The Mirror
|publisher = The Mirror
|date = 17 January 2005
|date = 17 January 2005
|url =
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
* "Johnny Rocco" (Broken, 1982)
* "Johnny Rocco" (Broken, 1982)
Line 84: Line 91:
* "Busy Doing Nothing" (Broken, 1983)
* "Busy Doing Nothing" (Broken, 1983)
* "Leipzig" (Broken, 1983)
* "Leipzig" (Broken, 1983)
* "I'm In a Different World" (Broken, 1984)
* "I'm in a Different World" (Broken, 1984)
* "[[The Loco-Motion#Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin version|The Locomotion]]" (Broken, 1986)
* "[[The Loco-Motion#Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin version|The Locomotion]]" (Broken, 1986)
* "Walking the Dog" (Line (Germany) 1992)
* "[[Walking the Dog]]" (Line (Germany) 1992)
* ''Hour Moon'' (EP) (Broken, 2009)
* ''Hour Moon'' (EP) (Broken, 2009)


===Albums with Dave Stewart===
===Albums with Dave Stewart===
* ''Up From The Dark'' (compilation), Rykodisc (USA) RCD 10011 (1986)
* ''Up from the Dark'' (compilation), Rykodisc (USA) RCD 10011 (1986)
* ''Broken Records - The Singles'', MIDI Records (Japan) (1987)
* ''Broken Records – The Singles'', MIDI Records (Japan) (1987)
* ''As Far As Dreams Can Go'', MIDI Records (Japan) (1988)
* ''As Far as Dreams Can Go'', MIDI Records (Japan) (1988)
* ''The Big Idea'', Rykodisc RCD 20172 / MIDI Records (1989)
* ''The Big Idea'', Rykodisc RCD 20172 / MIDI Records (1989)
* ''Spin'', Rykodisc RCD 20213 / MIDI Records (1991)
* ''Spin'', Rykodisc RCD 20213 / MIDI Records (1991)
Line 99: Line 106:
* ''The TLG Collection'', Broken Records BRCDLP-06 (October 2009)
* ''The TLG Collection'', Broken Records BRCDLP-06 (October 2009)
* ''Broken Records – The Singles (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-01 (November 2010)
* ''Broken Records – The Singles (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-01 (November 2010)
* ''As Far As Dreams Can Go (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-02 (November 2010)
* ''As Far as Dreams Can Go (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-02 (November 2010)
* ''The Big Idea (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-03 (December 2011)
* ''The Big Idea (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-03 (December 2011)
* ''Spin (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-04 (December 2011)
* ''Spin (Special Edition)'', Broken Records BRCDLP-04 (December 2011)
Line 115: Line 122:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaskin, Barbara}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaskin, Barbara}}
[[Category:Canterbury scene]]
[[Category:Canterbury scene]]
[[Category:English female singers]]
[[Category:English women singers]]
[[Category:People from Hatfield, Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:People from Hatfield, Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
Line 121: Line 128:
[[Category:Musicians from Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Musicians from Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Hatfield and the North members]]
[[Category:Hatfield and the North members]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Kent]]

Latest revision as of 17:40, 19 April 2024

Barbara Gaskin
Barbara Gaskin at Kent University, singing with the band Spirogyra
Barbara Gaskin at Kent University, singing with the band Spirogyra
Background information
Born (1950-06-05) 5 June 1950 (age 74)
Hatfield, Hertfordshire
OriginHatfield, Hertfordshire, England
GenresPop rock, folk, synth-pop
OccupationSinger
Years active1969–present
LabelsBroken Records
WebsiteDave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin website

Barbara Gaskin (born 5 June 1950) is an English singer formerly associated with the UK Canterbury scene.

Gaskin was lead vocalist in British folk-prog band Spirogyra (1969–1974). From 1973 to 1976, she sang backing vocals with Dave Stewart's band Hatfield and the North, as one-third of the Northettes[1] (with Ann Rosenthal and Amanda Parsons, both since retired from music). In 1981, she and Stewart formed a duo, and later in October of that year, they had a number one single in the UK with a cover of the Lesley Gore song "It's My Party". Subsequent singles "Busy Doing Nothing" (1983) and "The Locomotion" (1986) also entered the UK Singles Chart, without reaching the heights of their debut release. Seven albums followed, released on the duo's own Broken Records label. Gaskin and Stewart continue to work together and occasionally play live concerts with Andy Reynolds (guitar, 1990–2009), Beren Matthews (guitar, 2018 onwards) and drummer Gavin Harrison (Tokyo 2001 and London 2018 concerts). Gaskin has also sung with Egg (The Civil Surface), National Health, Peter Blegvad (The Naked Shakespeare), Phil Miller, Nigel Planer (Neil's Heavy Concept Album),[2] Jane Wiedlin (Tangled), Rick Biddulph and Mont Campbell (Music from a Round Tower).

History

[edit]

Barbara Gaskin was born and grew up in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. She had formal training in piano and cello from the age of 10.[citation needed] In her early teens she taught herself very basic acoustic guitar (Lesson 1: The strings face outwards) and performed in local folk clubs.[citation needed]

In 1969, she moved from Hatfield to Canterbury to study for a degree in Philosophy and Literature at University of Kent at Canterbury, but immediately became involved in the Canterbury music scene, joining folk rock group Spirogyra as vocalist.[3] Spirogyra quickly procured a recording contract and subsequently made 3 albums, namely:- 'St Radigunds' B & C Records (CAS 1042), 'Old Boot Wine' Pegasus Records (PEG 13), and 'Bells, Boots, & Shambles' Polydor (2310 246), while gigging extensively on the UK college circuit, as well as completing numerous successful tours of Europe. During the same period, Gaskin met guitarist Steve Hillage (also a student at Kent University) and via Hillage, the members of Canterbury band Caravan, and Hillage's old friend and musical colleague Dave Stewart. Gaskin guested both live and on record with Stewart's band 'Hatfield & The North',[4][5] and was a member of the 'Ottawa Music Company', brainchild of Dave Stewart and 'Henry Cow' drummer Chris Cutler. The intricate, largely instrumental music of bands such as Egg, Hatfield & The North and Henry Cow, and by contrast, the more spontaneous, lyrically driven approach of Spirogyra, were both powerful formative musical influences on Gaskin during the six years she lived in Canterbury.

When Spirogyra split up, Gaskin left England to travel in Asia for nearly three years, following her interest in Eastern philosophy and culture while earning money by teaching English.[citation needed] She continued to sing – in Japan, professionally – and while living in Java and Bali became very interested in gamelan music. She also lived in India for a total of 18 months.[citation needed]

On returning to England, Gaskin was invited by drummer Germaine Dolan to play keyboards and sing in the all female band Red Roll On. Based in Canterbury, the band played in clubs and art colleges in the London area. But Gaskin also renewed her musical association with Dave Stewart by contributing vocals to his compositions on Bill Bruford's "Gradually Going Tornado" album.[6] In 1981 Gaskin and Stewart joined forces and recorded the hit single "It's My Party".[7] The collaboration has continued to this day with a series of singles and albums on their own Broken Records label and Rykodisc Records. After 40 years together in 2021 Gaskin and Stewart were finally married.[8][9]

Discography

[edit]

With Spirogyra

[edit]
  • St. Radigunds (B&C, 1971)
  • Old Boot Wine (B&C, 1972)
  • Bells, Boots and Shambles (B&C, 1973)
  • Burn The Bridges (Repertoire, 2000)

With Hatfield and the North

[edit]

With Egg

[edit]

With National Health

[edit]

With Bill Bruford

[edit]

With Peter Blegvad

[edit]
  • The Naked Shakespeare (Virgin, 1983)

With Nigel Planer

[edit]

With Phil Miller

[edit]
  • Cutting Both Ways (Cuneiform, 1989)

With Jane Wiedlin

[edit]

With Rick Biddulph

[edit]
  • Second Nature (Voiceprint, 1994)

With Dirk Mont Campbell

[edit]
  • Music from a Round Tower (Resurgence, 1996)
  • Music from a Walled Garden (MFA, 2009)

Singles / EPs with Dave Stewart

[edit]
  • "It's My Party" (Broken, 1981)[10]
  • "Johnny Rocco" (Broken, 1982)
  • "Siamese Cat Song" (Broken, 1983)
  • "Busy Doing Nothing" (Broken, 1983)
  • "Leipzig" (Broken, 1983)
  • "I'm in a Different World" (Broken, 1984)
  • "The Locomotion" (Broken, 1986)
  • "Walking the Dog" (Line (Germany) 1992)
  • Hour Moon (EP) (Broken, 2009)

Albums with Dave Stewart

[edit]
  • Up from the Dark (compilation), Rykodisc (USA) RCD 10011 (1986)
  • Broken Records – The Singles, MIDI Records (Japan) (1987)
  • As Far as Dreams Can Go, MIDI Records (Japan) (1988)
  • The Big Idea, Rykodisc RCD 20172 / MIDI Records (1989)
  • Spin, Rykodisc RCD 20213 / MIDI Records (1991)
  • Selected Tracks (compilation), Musidisc (France) / Disky (Holland) (1993)
  • Green and Blue, Broken Records BRCDLP-05 (March 2009)
  • The TLG Collection, Broken Records BRCDLP-06 (October 2009)
  • Broken Records – The Singles (Special Edition), Broken Records BRCDLP-01 (November 2010)
  • As Far as Dreams Can Go (Special Edition), Broken Records BRCDLP-02 (November 2010)
  • The Big Idea (Special Edition), Broken Records BRCDLP-03 (December 2011)
  • Spin (Special Edition), Broken Records BRCDLP-04 (December 2011)
  • Star Clocks, Broken Records BRCDLP-07 (September 2018)

References

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  1. ^ "Julian Cope presents Head Heritage | Unsung | Reviews | Hatfield and the North – The Rotters' Club". Julian Cope presents Head Heritage. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Neil's Heavy Concept Album – Neil, Nigel Planer | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Spirogyra | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  4. ^ Kelman, John (6 April 2008). "Uriel / Arzachel / Egg: Uriel and Egg: The Road to Hatfield and Beyond". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  5. ^ Macan, Edward (1997). Rocking the classics : English progressive rock and the counterculture. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195098889. OCLC 33947509.
  6. ^ Kelman, John (15 October 2015). "Bill Bruford: The Bruford Tapes & Gradually Going Tornado". All About Jazz. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Barbara Gaskin | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Dave Stewart Barbara Gaskin Interview 1988". World News. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  9. ^ Etheridge, Dave. "Busy Doing Nothing? (SOS May 86)". muzines.co.uk. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  10. ^ JON KELLY AND NICK WEBSTER (17 January 2005). "1,000 NO1S SMASH HITS; YOUR MUST-READ FOUR-PAGE GUIDE TO EVERY BRITISH CHART-TOPPER". The Mirror.
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