BROOKS WILLIAMS & AARON CATLOW
BIOGRAPHY
Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow bring soaring Trans-Atlantic melodies and bluesy-folk brilliance to the time-honoured guitar and fiddle tradition. These two are masters of their respective instruments.
This inspired pairing has been gathering praise from the likes of Songlines, Folk Radio UK, and Penny Black Music, among others, and delighting audiences from festivals like Ely, Middlewich, Raunds and venues like Stoller Hall and The Atkinson, who stated their concert was “one of the best nights ever.”
A chance meeting on tour in The Netherlands led to the two collaborating on two recordings in as many years. The magic is evident from the start.
Ghost Owl is first in 2021. A collection of guitar & fiddle duets written for, and inspired by, the barn owl, Ghost Owl is shortlisted Instrumental Album Of The Year by Fatea. "The sound," says Songlines, recalls the style of “Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick….Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.”
Ready For The Times follows in 2022 and showcases the depth and breath of their musical vocabulary. With two voices, an acoustic guitar and a fiddle, these two show just how versatile they can be. From Ola Belle Reed’s I’ve Endured to a Hot Club-styled reading of If You Want The Rainbow, from the Piedmont classic CC&O Blues to full-tilt bluegrass on Love Too Soon, “this album,” says Penny Black Music, “is a joy to listen to.”
Aaron Catlow is a master violinist and half of the Bristol-based duo Hawes And Catlow, with guitarist-singer Kit Hawes. He is also the fiddler in UK festival favourite Sheelanagig. Catlow's other credits including playing with Grammy Award-nominated Yola, Mad Dog Mcrea and Afro Celt Sound System.
Cambridge UK-based, Georgia US-born, Brooks Williams has a long-standing solo career in both North America and the UK and is also known for his adventurous collaborations with the likes of Dan Walsh, Sloan Wainwright, Boo Hewerdine and Rab Noakes, among others. He is named one of WUMB-FM Boston's Top 100 All-Time Artists. Fatea refers to him as “one of those select few 'how on earth does he do it?!' artists."
The music of Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow, says Folk Radio UK, is "a thing of beauty."
CONCERT & ALBUM REVIEWS
“If it looks easy to accomplish something complex and difficult, then you are in the presence of excellence” - Folk London
“Refreshingly engaging, this [Ready For The Times] is a cracker!” - Living Tradition
“Fantastic collection of songs with great arrangements and inspired choices [Ready For The Times]…” - Penny Black Music
“A testament to both their individual musical talents and the chemistry they spark in each other as a duo…” - Folk Radio UK
“Williams & Catlow are a talented musical duo who amaze the listener with their musical dexterity and enjoyable selection of songs…” - Ready To Rock
“I’d recommend you study the pizzicato blues fiddle on ‘Jackson Greyhound,’ a song about the segregation of public transportation in the 1960s.” - Irish Music
“The audience loved every minute and afterwards begged them to return to the stage.... ” - Big Wheel Blues, Isle Of Man
"One of the best nights ever. Great songs, great fun and wonderful musicianship. Do not hesitate. Go and see Brooks and Aaron while you can. You will have the best time. - Grateful Fred's, The Atkinson, Southport
"An outstanding performance of sublime quality, entertaining and beautifully paced. Two musicians at the top of their game." - The RAFA Club, Cleethorpes