Corncrow

Corncrow is a folk duo from Liskeard, made up of Kim Guy and Steve Hunt. Their work centres mainly on traditional songs and tunes, approached with a style that draws on English, Cornish and wider acoustic folk traditions.

Style and repertoire

The duo’s sound combines elements of Cornish social harmony singing and processional calendar customs with Breton fest noz, English traditional ballads, morris dance and American old-time folk. They perform on a range of acoustic instruments, including guitar, bouzouki, recorder, crowdy crawn and dulcimer. Descriptions of their playing note the clarity of the guitar and bouzouki interplay.

Recordings and collaborations

Their release Sweet Nightingale contains seven tracks and reflects their musical influences and experience. On the recording, Jackie Oates appears on viola and Jason Steel appears on banjo. The duo’s influences include artists and groups such as Anne Briggs, Bert Jansch, Dave and Toni Arthur, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, June Tabor, Lal Waterson, Mandy Morton, Martin Carthy, Robin and Barry Dransfield, Robin Williamson, Sandy Denny, Shelagh McDonald, Shirley Collins, Simon Nicol, Tim Hall, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior, as well as Black Sabbath, Bucca, Fairport Convention, Flibbertigibbet, Heart, Led Zeppelin, Morris On, Mellow Candle, The Owl Service, Pentangle, Planxty, Spriguns, Steeleye Span, Tir Na Nog, Trees and The Wicker Man.

Activity and appearances

Corncrow appears on three UK folk compilation albums and has a notable list of festival and club appearances. The duo is also the resident act at Liskeard’s Barley Folk venue.