THE Unravelling Wilburys return to Frome to play at the Cheese and Grain on Friday 17th March.
Organisers said, “The supergroup the Traveling Wilburys never did tour. Despite this, their two albums, recorded in the late ‘80s, by the stellar line up of Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, added to the lasting legacy of these rock icons.
“Claiming to be the original Wilbury brothers, The Unravelling Wilburys spin the dubious yarn of having had their act stolen by their illustrious counterparts and present a chance to hear the music live. Touring all over the UK, the concert draws from the best ‘Wilbury’ tracks and many of the greatest hits produced by each member of the supergroup.
“While audiences from the Orkneys to Penzance may have been taken in by the phoney Nashville accents and country and western attire, the Frome public may not so easily be fooled, because some of the band have notable local connections.
“John Freeman and Martin Dimery for example, first met as teachers at Frome College, tried their hand at comedy, and then brought humour to their roles as Paul and John in the well-known Beatles tribute Sgt Pepper’s Only Dart Board Band. Drummer Colin Chalk has a long career on the West Country music scene and hails from Trowbridge. Andy Bramston, a native of Australia who now lives in the nearby village of Chantry, plays keyboards, whilst virtuoso guitarist Mitch Keen comes from ‘darkest’ Swindon, referred to by the boys as ‘the real Wild West’.
“The combination of comedy and a great catalogue of songs has proved popular all over the UK. In the summer, the band played nine shows in as many days on a tour of Scotland and the north, appearing in top venues like the The Tivoli Theatre at Aberdeen and the Perth Theatre. Recently they returned from a short tour of club venues in the north of England to great acclaim.”
John Freeman said, “It’s always good to play in Frome where the audiences are in on the joke. We’ve added some different songs to the set since we last played at the Cheese and Grain, so it’ll be interesting to see the reaction.”
For Martin Dimery the Cheese and Grain is very much home soil as he spent 12 years there as programme manager and recently retired as director of the Frome Festival. He said, “It’s great to be able to spend more time performing now, and leaving the organisation to others.”
Tickets for the Unravelling Wilburys are available from the Cheese and Grain in person or online, https://www.cheeseandgrain.com/
