Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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JONES, Nic

(b Nicholas Paul Jones, 9 Jan. '47, Orpington, Kent) Folk revival singer, guitarist and fiddler; one of the most accomplished instrumentalists and interpreters. Influenced by Chet Atkins, Martin Carthy, Bert Jansch and Davey Graham among others, his playing sounded superficially like Carthy's: Jones's style is similarly percussive if rather more restrained and ornamented. Member of group Halliad, before embarking on a solo career. Also recorded extensively as a session musician on folk releases. Debut solo album Ballads And Songs on Trailer '70 incl. ballads such as 'The Outlandish Knight', 'Sir Patrick Spens' and 'Little Musgrave'; Nic Jones '71 contained a further version of 'The Outlandish Knight' and revealed a highly ornamented style, later superseded by a more economic approach. Worked with the Silly Sisters, as duo Maddy Prior and June Tabor were named on their '76 album and tour; went on to accompany Tabor on her Ashes And Diamonds on Topic '77. The Noah's Ark Trap also on Trailer '77 and From The Devil To A Stranger on Highway '78 demonstrated his ever growing mastery of interpretation. Member of short-lived, occasional folk band, Bandoggs, with Pete and Chris Coe and Tony Rose; released one LP, Bandoggs on Transatlantic '78. It was, however, the release of Penguin Eggs on Topic '80 (reissued '91), his finest hour, which incontrovertibly elevated him to the ranks of the finest musicians in the genre; voted Melody Maker Folk Album of '80, it is always described as essential. His interpretations of Harry Roberts's 'The Humpback Whale' (often mistaken for a traditional song at the time of the LP's release) and Paul Metser's 'Farewell To The Gold' were highlights in a brilliantly faceted gem of a work. With his star in the ascendant, he was critically injured in a car crash on 26 Feb. '82. He went back to relearning his instruments but had not fully recovered a decade later. Though he guested on Gerry Hallom's Old Australian Ways '88, he still had trouble with his right arm and was reported to be rethinking his commitment to music.