Critiqués
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Artists Recommendations
"I have worked with Brian hundreds of times and he has won the respect and admiration of every singer on the scene as well as every audience I have seen him play against. He has that rare ability (so little valued by critics and clever clogs) of turning a night into an event and making an ordinary gig an occasion. Brian puts 100% into everything he does."
Mike Harding
"To provide a social evening to satisfy all tastes – Male and Female, Young and Old – is never easy, unless of course you obtain the services of Brian Preston.
With over thirty years of entertaining behind him in all kinds of venues and to all types of audiences he has that “something” that you can’t buy, the knack of knowing exactly what an audience wants, and the enviable quality of being able to provide it.
Whether you sit back and admire his rich singing voice, marvel at the range of material at his disposal, chuckle at his individual sense of humour or just simply appreciate what a great all-round “Entertainer” he really is, you’ll be glad you made that call and "booked" him."
The Houghton Weavers
Folk Club Quotes
Brian has been associated with the club as resident, organiser and guest for thirty years.
Hugh O’Donnell
Preston Folk Club
Booking Brian Preston guarantees three things, talent, personality and a bum on every seat.
Graham Dixon
Folk Club Organiser & Concert Promoter
Brian is one of those folk entertainers who can take an audience in the palm of his hand, make them laugh, cry, sing and yell for more when it’s time to go home. A great voice, and a very able guitar combine with a repertoire of songs and stories covering traditional, humour and contemporary music. All linked in his own inimitable style.
Peter & Mary Shepherd
Loughborough Folk Club
An enormous personality, a great sense of humour, a fantastic performer.
Geoff Walt
Folk Club Organiser & Concert Promoter
Brian was in great form, good songs, well sung, lively and amusing stories. A sell out, a night to remember.
Blackburn Folk Club
Alan St. John
Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Above all it is the way Brian Preston communicates with and involves his audience that makes him so popular.
Review of Cumbrian Folk Clubs
Westmorland Gazette
A good solid performance from across the Pennines.
Folk at the Grove
Leeds, Yorkshire
Brian is more than just a folk singer. He’s a complete character, with stories, humour, and a spontaneity that defies description.
Brian’s material ranged from ancient to modern, his Fylde guitar held a metronomic bass line, ringing chords and rippling trebles throughout. His tunings were precise and altered between songs.
So, how can the evening be summarised. It was an excellent show, from a consummate professional. He made us laugh and think as well. A truly great artist, one we should cherish.
Don Moore
Gregson Lane Folk Club
Folk North West
Music Press Quotes
No one can describe Brian as a newcomer – the guy’s been involved in the scene since the early sixties.
Colin Irwin – Melody Maker
Brian Preston has the ability to read an audience, identify with it and react to it. He is a master of repartee, but above all he possesses one of the finest, truest voices the folk revival has produced. A serious musician with a great sense of fun, traditional music is his bedrock.
Ken Eccles – Sounds
There are a large number of singers I would not bother to turn out for on a wet evening, but if you want good honest singing, without pretension, and a few good laughs thrown in, then I’d make the effort to catch Brian in action.
Paul Adams – Folk Review
Brian once again gave a great performance at the ‘Deanwater’ Christmas concert. His encore turned into the best ‘jam session’ I’ve ever heard.
Vince Hogan – North West Folk Guide
This man is a natural, a great entertainer and comedian, full of confidence, an excellent singer and instrumentalist.
Eric Winter – New Musical Express
Brian has a clear powerful voice with a distinct sound of its own. His introductions are parodies of the story line that sound like a zap comic.
Karl Dalas – Acoustic News
For those of you who haven’t seen a Brian Preston performance, what you see is someone who has been a significant figure on the ‘Folk/Live Music Scene’ for as long as I can remember.
There is no padding whatsoever; you’ll see him move effortlessly through comedy routines and personal reminiscences, putting his own unique slant on current affairs. All of this is complimentary to the main ingredient, a powerful rich voice, singing a huge variety of songs, accompanied by a driving, percussive guitar technique.
So whether you go for the entertainment or a master class in performance, you will not be disappointed, I guarantee.
Harold Dearden – Music Critic – Skiffle Legend
Festival Quotes
Brian Preston’s association with Fylde goes right back to the first festival. On this glorious celebration of the thirtieth Fylde Folk Festival, Brian also celebrates thirty years as a professional folk musician. Brian Preston is rightly regarded as one of the most popular folk entertainers in Europe.
Fylde Folk Festival
Fleetwood, Lancashire
The combination of personality, vocal and instrumental ability and years of professional experience enable Brian to provide a performance to remember.Brian sings, plays guitar, whistle and bodhran, and has a unique line in chat.
Cleckheaton Folk Festival
Cleckheaton, Yorkshire
Brian Preston is a much respected folk music entertainer. As a member of ‘The Wayfarers’ he was resident at the original Accrington Stanley Folk Club in the1960’s.
The Lancashire Clog & Folk Festival
Accrington, Lancashire
Brian has a lovely blend and balance of vocals and instruments. He performs traditional and contemporary material. His humour and banter are a delight.
July Wakes Folk Festival
Brian puts absolutely 100% into everything he sings, whether it’s a traditional song or a barmy ballad.
Bromyard Folk Festival
Brian is indeed a very experienced, talented and well travelled performer. Enjoyment comes with a guarantee.
Great Days Festival
Clitheroe, Lancashire
Brian became involved in the folk scene in the early sixties, both as a singer and as a collector of traditional material. He is rated as one of the finest singers and entertainers in the country.
Whitby Folk Festival
Hailing from Lancashire. Brian performs a wide variety of traditional and contemporary songs, in the finest style.
Christchurch Folklore Festival
Radio, Television & Record Reviews
This guy is one of the most professional musicians I have ever worked with. Nothing is too much trouble; his singing and playing are impeccable.
John McCann – Sparton Records
Each track features Brian as lead vocalist. We believe this collection illustrates the versatility of a fine artist.
Alan Green – Folk Heritage Records
Brian’s contribution to this compilation album was completed without fuss, quickly and efficiently, in the most professional manner. The result is a fine track on a good album.
Frank O'Reilly – Windmill Records
Brian has made several albums in the past, but despite humour playing such a part in his act, this is the first time he has made a live album. All the atmosphere of one of his gigs is present on this record. It’s lively, amusing and contains more than a fair measure of good songs.
Paul Adams – Fellside Recordings
If the album I have lately acquired is anything to go by then there is no justice if this fine artist does not prosper and thrive. The vocals are excellent and the instrumentation very good.
Mary Hardy – The Irish Post
This album contains some excellent material. I would single out “Horn of the Hunter”. Preston has a fine voice and is a competent musician.
Eugine McEldowney – Irish Times
An enormous personality, a great sense of humour, an international recording artist. Why have we had to wait so long for a live album. This is the eighth album by Brian Preston, the best yet.
'Review' – Forces Weekly Echo
Brian broadcast on the station, Radio Blackburn as was, the day we opened. He played ‘live’ in the studio and appeared simultaneously on BBC television’s ‘Look North’ when Radio Lancashire as is, celebrated ten years on the air.
He has appeared ‘live’ and on tape many times, on a wide variety of programmes, from any number of locations since that first date to the present, and I am sure will continue to do so.
Frank Hughes – BBC Radio Lancashire
European & International Quotes
Brian Preston has worked all over the Middle and Far East for this agency, playing one; three and six month contracts in five star hotels. He has performed live on numerous occasions on radio and television in the countries he has worked. He has also given of his free time and talent to play concerts at a number of British Embassy fund raising events.
We have always had requests for return contracts, no complaints, only compliments. We wish him every success in the future.
Piero & Anita Massari
I.B.A. Promotions, Milano, Italy
Now a veteran of ten major European tours, Brian Preston will be over in Germany playing folk club & Mess gigs during March and April. If you can get a ticket for one of his shows I respectfully suggest you do so right away.
You will see one of the finest folk entertainers in Europe.
British Forces Leisure Guide
He is by far the most popular artist on the Movenpick Hotel circuit. Brian fulfilled then exceeded all our expectations.
Max Aus Der Au – Manager
Jollie Ville Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
Our guests very much appreciated his wide repertoire of music and repartee.The management have been most impressed by his polished performance, stage presence and professionalism during his three months engagement.
Thomas Kessler – Manager
Movenpick Hotel, Kuwait
I have never heard such a wide variety of material so well presented, sung and played. Every one agreed it was a night to remember. We got three great programmes from it.
British Forces Broadcasting Service
Koln, Germany
Brian Preston moves effortlessly through his huge repertoire of folk music and tops this off with his unique comedy. Brian is indeed an artiste of international stature.
Yeves De Boisgency – Manager
Hotel Meridien, Abu Dhabi
I went to three nights of the recent tour of forces folk clubs in Germany performed by Brian Preston. Brian justified all expectations, both with his expertise shown on guitar, and the range and flexibility of his singing.
Soldier – Magazine Of The British Army
Concert Reviews
Brian has a wealth of experience gained in the folk music revival. He has been a stalwart of the North West folk club scene.
Brewery Arts Centre
Kendal, Cumbria
When Accrington Folk Club first opened in the late sixties, Brian was one of the residents, as a member of “The Wayfarers”.
For many years now he has been one of the top solo folk entertainers in Europe. It is a great privilege to welcome him back to his roots.
Lancashire Legends Concerts
Accrington Stanley Football Club
A fantastic night of British Folk Music, by one of its most popular exponents.
Arts In The Park
Blackburn, Lancashire
On November 30th we present two musical entertainments performed by Brian Preston. The shows feature material used in recent BBC television programmes written and performed by Brian.
Greg Stephens
Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster
A superb evening of Folk Music and song for all the family.
The Marine Hall
Fleetwood, Lancashire
Brian returned to Preston’s Charter Theatre last night. As a performer he is very relaxed, a lovely singer, with an amusing turn of phrase.
Fiona Linning
Lancashire Evening Post
To wind up the weekend of music, raconteur and singer Brian Preston will perform.
Folkus
North West Arts
Lancashire
Brian Preston, who compared the show, sealed the success of the concert with the high standard that we have come to expect of him.
Barry Seddon
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
The highlight of the evening and much of the credit for the success of the concert must go to Brian Preston, who worked so hard to stage it, and who ensured its smooth running as informal compare.
Pat Seed Cancer Charity Concert
The Guild Hall, Preston
Venue Quotes
Brian Preston has performed live at Thornensians Rugby Club over twenty times in the last 30 years. Members and their guests love his excellent humour, razor-sharp wit and first class musical performance.
Some comments after Brian’s last performance on Burn’s night in January 2003 included: “Excellent, he’s so amusing” - “His singing and guitar work are fantastic” - “The way that he engages his audience is superb” - “As a Yorkshire man I must say that this Lancastrian is a great entertainer”.
Brian Willis
Thornensians Rugby Club, Nr Doncaster, Yorkshire
Great music! Brian fills the pub every time he’s on, great fun and a nice bloke.
Donald Carmichael
Red Dragon, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Brian Preston is immensely popular in folk clubs. He places great emphasis on involving the audience.
Ingol Golf Club, Preston, Lancashire
Don’t let the “Folk/Live Music” tag put you off. Brian Preston is the most complete all-round entertainer we have ever booked. He varies his material to suit the audience. His presentation, music, comedy, chat and personality are a sheer joy.
Dave Newcombe
Ainsdale Sports Club, Southport, Merseyside
Guaranteed to be a brilliant night. Full to the rafters.
Bob Duckworth
Coalclough Inn, Burnley, Lancashire
Thank you for appearing at the Mayor’s charity concert at the Little Theatre in Thornton; the audience were enthralled by your versatile songs and genuine humour. I can only describe you as a “living legend of the Lancashire folk scene”.
Terry Lee Lewis
Deputy Mayor – Borough Of Wyre
A great nights entertainment, no wonder Brian Preston is so popular. Songs we could sing along with, stories we could relate to and gags that made us roar with laughter. I have promised our members a return visit within the year.
Bill Reynonds
Lytham Cricket & Sports Club
Press Quotes
Brian has a rare and distinctive voice and a distinctive guitar style to go with it, not to mention a devilish sense of humour.
Don Frame
Manchester Evening News
Brian Preston has been entertaining audiences for over thirty years with a mixture of traditional and contemporary folk songs, interspersed with stories and jokes.
Phil Widdows
Lancashire Evening Post
When the gremlins got to the P.A. system everyone wondered if the concert would have to be abandoned. But the compare for the evening had other ideas. On stage strode Brian Preston, who appealed for calm and silence, then proceeded to entertain the audience of nigh on 1,500 with just his voice, acoustic guitar and wit. We sang, we laughed, we enjoyed ourselves. It was the best thirty minutes of the night.
Myra Hocking
The Guardian
Brian’s act contained lively and amusing stories and many good songs.
Paul Agnew
Blackburn Times
Brian Preston is an accomplished folk singer, raconteur and lop-sided commentator on contemporary life.
Sandra Roman
Lancashire Evening Telegraph
The Middle East, Europe or home in the northwest, Brian Preston performs folk music in his own inimitable way. With style, passion and professionalism.
William Clarke
Bolton Showtime Magazine
Brian Preston is a stalwart of the Lancashire folk music scene. He was there at the beginning and is still there at the top.
Burnley Express
Brian Preston has been around the folk/live music scene for a long time, he will be at the Guardian Royal Exchange this Friday, and you will see a true professional at work.
Robin Duke
Blackpool Evening Gazette
Brian has a beautiful singing voice and a fund of hilarious stories, a wonderful night.
John Preston
Lancashire Evening Post
It was a full house again at the Theatre in the Forrest, Grizedale. Brian Preston once again showed why he is such a popular folk entertainer, something for everyone.
Westmorland Gazette