Barely Works
This eclectic folk group was assembled in 1988 by former Boothill Foot-Tappers singer and banjoist Chris Thompson (b. 19 March 1957, Ashford, Middlesex, England), together with Richard Avison (b. 9 July 1958, Rothbury, Northumberland, England; trombone/vocals—ex-Happy End and Dead Can Dance), Sarah Allen (b. 22 July 1964, Tiverton, Devon, England; accordion/tin whistle/flutes—ex-Happy End and Di's New Outfit), Alison Jones (b. 6 April 1965, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales; violin/vocals—ex-Di's New Outfit), Keith Moore (tuba—also a member of poet John Hegley's Popticians), Mat Fox (b. 8 November 1956; hammer dulcimer/percussion/vocals) and former Redskinsdrummer Paul Hookham, later replaced in 1990 by Tim Walmsley (b. 29 March 1956, Paddington, London, England—also ex-Happy End). This strange mixture of personalities signed to the radical world-music label, Cooking Vinyl and emerged from the UK folk club circuit in the late '80s and early '90s. Their performances boasted an broad range of traditional (Byker Hill) and original material, mostly from Thompson and Allen as well as tackling the works of such artists as Captain Beefheart (Tropical Hot Dog Nite). The Barely Works have managed to break away from the constrictive pigeon-hole of an English Folk Group and crossed over to the rock-club circuit where their virtuosity has proven them more than capable of moving a rock audience. Mat Fox left the group in early 1992 and Keith Moore was replaced by Alice Kinloch. In 1993 the group disbanded.