Roll a Penny contemporary folk band

"Rollapenny play inventive, imaginative and effective arrangements; they can certainly do subtle, but they're not averse to the odd bit of 'rocking-out'...they do it with power and conviction."

Kathryn Tickell

"Thumbs Up: Roll a Penny, Swingin' Hinnies (RaP Records CD001)
These talented youngsters from the northeast achieve variety and power within basic fiddle/trumpet (guitar) - mandolin/bouzouki - piano line-up ,playing attractively quirky tune sets and songs with buckets of spirit and attack. They have a dynamic and imaginative approach with lots of good ideas."

fRoots Magazine, June 2005

"Heartfelt songs and lively instrumentals from a group with an eclectic approach to the tradition.”

Alistair Anderson

Already I hear readers' cries of "Oh no, not another brat-pack of self-evidently mega-talented youngsters from the north-east!" - but Roll A Penny aren't merely following in the illustrious footsteps of 422, Ola etc etc. They're prominently endorsed by none other than Kathryn Tickell, and rightly so - for this, their debut CD, shows more than early promise as they're already well on the way to becoming recognised with recent showcase slots, eg at The Sage Gateshead and the Black Swan in York (at one of that folk club's prestigious Young Performers' Nights, naturally!).

Roll A Penny achieve an amazing degree of variety and power within a seemingly basic fiddle/trumpet-mandolin/bouzouki-piano lineup; their playing is notable for its spirit and attack yet they don't appear to feel the need to compete with the speed merchants to make an impact. For instance, there's a dynamism in Katie's piano playing that allows the rhythm and melody aspects to coexist credibly (no junior-school plonkery here!), while Roger's fluid bouzouki and mandolin work proves the perfect mid-range foil between Andrew's fiddle and Katie's piano. Swingin' Hinnies contains among its ten tracks just four tune-sets; these are mostly trad-arr as far as repertoire goes, yet taken pretty quirkily all-told with a distinct knack for refreshingly innovative twists and turns in their ongoing presentation. Additionally, a reel also gets interpolated into Buy Broom Bezzums to good effect. As regards the six songs here, well no less than three are composed by Katie herself - and very fetching pieces these are too; I particularly liked the way Katie's songs take an adult, and quite pensive, view of a traditional situation or concept when bringing it into the contemporary world. Vocals are shared between Katie and Andrew. The only arrangement that didn't entirely convince me was Black Is The Colour, which is taken at somewhat too rushing a tempo. Summing up, RaP are unusually imaginative for such a young outfit (and I don't mean to sound at all patronising when I write that), and they have lots of good ideas; I await their second CD with great interest.

David Kidman www.netrhythms.com Summer 05

NOT often you get to hear a blast from the Northumbrian pipes as you're tucking into your veggie moussaka. But vegetarian restaurant The Waiting Room, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, hosted a performance by folk three-piece Roll A Penny at the weekend.

As well as the bagpipes, the three band members showed us their skills on the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, piano, bouzouki and, of course, the plain old human voice. The trio, who all hail from the North-East, are among the first batch of graduates from Newcastle University's newly-created degree in folk music - the only one of its kind in the country.

Roll A Penny are eclectic, taking in as many different musical styles as they have instruments, and despite the cosy setting, they don't flinch from showing us the full range of their considerable talents - moving effortlessly from Irish, Scottish and Northumbrian folk music to traditional deep south bluegrass and on to the blues. Most of the singing is done by Katie Doherty, who has a fantastically pure and powerful voice - made all the more affecting when she's singing a cappella. Andrew Cadie - the pipe-meister - is also a wizard on the fiddle and Roger Purves plays the mandolin and bouzouki with amazing poise and dexterity.

Paul Willis - www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk - Middlesborough Evening Gazette; Published: 26/07/2005

...The other local, folk band to play Brampton were Roll a Penny. ... They are a fun band, which bring to the surface the desire to jig. Traditional with a new twist, they will certainly be recognised in the folk scene. Again, they are very talented musicians.

Joanna Routledge - www.cybermoor.org - Alston Cybermoor

"Since you handed me the disc, Katie, I have enjoyed it many times. I have aired it to several other people without disclosing your current level of recognition, almost everyone has been knocked out by the power & sensitivity of the sounds.

Clare is considered within our group as having particular taste in quality music & we often share experiences. Last night our families were together & your sounds served as a magical backdrop to our evening. Clare is now your biggest Brummie fan. I am number two. Please keep the website updated."

from the PRATT DYNASTY

A summer afternoon in Garrigill saw Rollapenny crank-up the energy with a superb set of well-crafted tunes and songs. Rollapenny shook-off the post-prandial torpor of a nevertheless appreciative audience, and rewarded them with a storm of some intensity, playing as a unit from the very beginning to the final crescendo with drive and commitment.

notes from the fluff of Hillbilly's trouser pocket