England's folk music scene was enlivened in the 1970s by acoustic guitarist Robin Dransfield and his younger brother, Barry Dransfield, on fiddle. Initially playing together in a semi-professional bluegrass/old-timey band, the Crimple Mountain Boys, in the mid-'60s, Robin Dransfield was persuaded by his younger sibling, Barry, to leave a teaching position and devote his full attention to music in 1969. As a duo, Robin & Barry Dransfield built their early following at the Harrogate Folk Club, where they shared the stage with such influential folk artists as Martin Carthy, Ewan MacColl, and the Watersons. Continuing to evolve as a band, the Dransfields moved to an acoustic/electric sound with the addition of vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Charlie Smith and drummer Brian Harrison. Two years of non-stop work peaked with the release of two legendary duo/band albums, "Rout of the Blues" and "Lord of All I Behold". Retreating from the concert stage, Robin Dransfield found employment as a roadie for Dave & Toni Arthur. Later, Robin & Barry Dransfield re-united to record an acoustic duo album, "Popular to Contrary Belief", in 1977. They soon resumed their solo careers. Robin's debut solo album, Tidewave, followed three years later.
