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Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston

Watchmaker’s Wife tour comes to Winchelsea

To celebrate the release of their album The Watchmaker’s Wife, Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston will be touring the UK throughout 2016 and are playing at the Church of St Thomas The Martyr in Winchelsea on Friday 29 April. HOT has received the following glowing account of the duo.

The brand new album from Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston – The Watchmaker’s Wife (released on 18 February this year) although not a parable of their personal lives, is most certainly a reflective, powerful and moving collection of tales of love and loss. Some traditional and delivered in a way that maintains the dignity of the old songs; some original and with very modern arrangements; some are covers; all with a vibrant, immediate and edgy feel. The pair didn’t set out to create an album with love and loss as a theme, but in the thick of it all, when they just sat back and let out what came naturally, that’s what they got.

The striking combination of the flame-headed double bass player and virtuoso mandolin player create music that fRoots magazine sums up perfectly: “A musical partnership made in heaven. Scintillating, sensitive and brilliant.” The duo has a unique connection, which is a pleasure to watch when they share the stage together.

Well-known for the last 11 years as a central component of Show of Hands, Miranda has an exquisite and spine-tingling voice, whilst Rex, with his exuberant and flamboyant playing style, has built a reputation as one of the finest mandolin players in the UK. The rare fusion of double bass and mandolin makes for one of the most exciting and powerful pairings on the acoustic roots scene.

In the space of just a few years, Miranda and Rex have emerged to become one of the most sought-after duos on the English folk/roots scene.

Pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with just a double bass and mandolin” Acoustic magazine

“The playing is sublime and the pair gel well” Daily Telegraph

“Sheer musical chemistry, Miranda is a superb singer and Rex has found a singing voice of his own”. fRoots

“A winning combination of vocals, mandolin and bass, this album is a treat from start to finish” Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland

“From the first few notes you know that this is something special.” Folking.com

“A really fine album” Johnny Coppin, BBC Radio Gloucestershire

“Miranda’s a fantastic bass player but this really brings her great voice out into the foreground.” Mike Harding

The Watchmaker’s Wife tour, Friday 29 April, Church of St. Thomas The Martyr, Winchelsea, East Sussex, 7pm. £11 + booking fee. Tel 01797 224446.  Tickets available here.

For more information, news and the latest tour dates, please visit www.sykespreston.com.

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Posted 12:43 Friday, Apr 22, 2016 In: Music & Sound

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