Wraggle Taggle
Wraggle Taggle can tailor a band to your particular needs - anything from a duo to a six-piece, amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller. They play Irish, Scottish, American and English songs and tunes and are both sensitive to the occasion and responsive to the mood of the audience.
Wraggle Taggle are the best. The reason is simple; superb talent from the vibrant North London traditional music scene. Mick Bailey, bandleader and founder of Wraggle Taggle carefully selected the band members for outstanding talent on their individual instruments and as a bunch of good friends. All the musicians have been performing, touring and recording for many years and two are award-winning performers.
Musical influences include The Chieftains, Planxty, The Bothy Band, Altan, Ally Bain, Boys of the Lough, Jimmy Shand, The Pogues, Van Morrison, The Dubliners, Christy Moore and the many talented musical friends they have met over the years.
They go out as anything from a duo to a six-piece, amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller. A suitably talented deputy will be substituted if any of the main band members aren't available.
Clients include:
Mick Jagger: Granada Hotels: University of London: Royal College of Music: Church of Scotland, Belgravia: Tate Gallery of Modern Art: Royal Artillery: British Airways: Victoria & Albert Museum: Gleneagles Hotel: O'Neills Irish Theme Pubs: The Hurlingham Club: Porchester Hall: & many many weddings!
Quotes:
'Just a quick note to say thank you to you and the other members, for providing such an excellent performance at our Wedding... All of our guests commented on how nice it was to hear you playing. We also loved it, and was exactly what we wanted. Thanks very much'
Tony and Sarah Mayo 6th July 2008
'Thanks for a great evening. You were wonderful. We knew that the quality of the band was likely to be high as the samples were good but I have got to say your caller was fantastic as well. Will certainly recommend you to anyone. Cheers'
Christine Noon 15th June 2008
'Mick, We just wanted to say a big thank you for playing at our wedding. It was fantastic to see you had so many of our friends and family up dancing with smiles on their faces!..'
Melissa and Gareth Urwin 11th May 2008
'Hi Mick, Just wanted to thank you and the other band members for a great day. It all went really well and Wraggle Taggle were definitely part of making that happen. Thank you.
Natalie Starbuck 22nd Jan 2008
THE BAND
Mick Bailey: Guitar, Vocals
Born in Yorkshire, Mick trained as a classical pianist and taught himself the guitar. He was always interested in folk music and helped run Knebworth Folk Club in Hertfordshire when he was just a teenager. He was turned on to Irish music during the seventies 'revival' by groundbreaking bands such as Planxty, The Bothy Band, and The Chieftans. Mick has worked in a variety of musical areas, composing and arranging for theatre as well as jazz, rock and folk groups. Previous projects include 'The Tollpuddle Players', 'Take Two', 'Yellow Bell'and 'Northern Celts'.
Mick O'Connor: Tenor Banjo, Mandolin
'The Dubliners' banjo player, Barry McKenna, inspired Mick to learn the Banjo in 1967. He learned tunes from the great London Irish musicians, including John Bowe, Bobby Casey, Tommy McCarthy, and Roger Sherlock, and is particularly influenced by Clare, Galway and Kerry styles of playing. Mick won the all-Ireland tenor banjo championship in 1971 and two all-Ireland ceili band medals in 1986 and 1987 as a member of 'Thatch Ceili Band'. He toured the USA & Ireland in 1975 and the UK in 1976 with Jo Burke, Paddy Glakin on a tour organised by "Comhaltas Ceoltori Eirean" the Irish Traditional Music Association.
Mick has played in countless concerts and ceilidh's over the years, and toured in the U.S.A, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Ireland and elsewhere. He has recorded with some of the greats of Irish music including Tommy Makem, Kevin Burke, Brendon Shine, Donal Lunny and Noel Murphy. In 1992 Mick backed Elvis Costello on stage and he performed with Ronnie Drew of 'The Dubliners' in 1998.
Barbara Hackett: Accordion
came from a musical family and started playing with ceilidh bands at the age of 9. Her father was a prominent member of the Irish Traditional Music Association 'Comhaltas Ceoltori Eirean' and Barbara became secretary of the Luton Harp branch. She studied and played with Brenbon Mulkere and played in traditional bands from the age of 14, including John Whelan's 'The Liffey Banks'. Barbara won the all-Ireland accordion championship in 1974, She joined Wraggle Taggle in 1998.
Nick Male: Caller, Bodhran
has been on the folk scene for over 20 years and is Wraggle Taggle caller-in-chief. Nick's approach is to make the evening a fun one. He has a really warm and humorous personality. With his unique combination of jokes and patter he involves everyone and develops a great rapport with the audience. Nick is a former primary school teacher, so if there are children at your function he's your man! A French and German speaker, Nick has called for dances in both languages. He may be an ex-teacher but he's not strict! All Nick's dances can be picked up very quickly. Then the emphasis is on having a laugh and a good time. You'll also see Nick playing the Bodhran (Irish drum). Open air, or in doors, with or without PA for all ages and every type of function, Nick has done it. Now he's working with Wraggle Taggle, it's a winning combination for your event! Nick joined Wraggle Taggle in 1999.
Wraggle Taggle Sample tracks
Click links below to download
Irish Reel MP3
(438 KB Stereo at 96kbps)
Jig MP3
(346 KB Stereo at 96kbps)
Scottish Reel MP3
(370 KB Stereo at 96kbps)Back to index | Contact Fantasia Music