Paul Downes

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Paul Downes
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Background = solo_singer
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Instrument = Guitar, Mandolin
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Genre = Folk
Occupation = Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Producer
Years_active = 1968—present
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Associated_acts = Phil Beer, [Joyce Gang, Arizona Smoke Revue
URL = [http://www.pauldownes.co.uk www.pauldownes.co.uk]
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Devon born Paul Downes is an English folk guitarist, singer and composer. Eight albums with bands, three highly acclaimed solo albums and over one hundred and fifty session credits have still left time for Paul to tour every concert venue, theatre and festival in Britain, plus many tours in the USA and Europe. Cabaret in the West Indies and newsreading on US radio are but two other strings to his guitar.http://daz.com/artists/Paul%20Downes.html]

Paul spent his youth playing classical guitar, rugby, soccer, cricket, the field and looking at maps. [http://pauldownes.co.uk Paul Downes - Official Home Site ] ] He played a solo recital in Westminster Abbey at the age of sixteen and subsequently took up folk music. From the age of 12, Paul's best friend was Steve Knightley; then at 16, they met Phil Beer. However, despite these drawbacks, Paul was reasonably well-balanced until, after giving up a promising academic career, he went on the road as a professional muso as half of the folk duo Downes and Beer..

The pair met Bill Zorn, who had just left the Kingston Trio, and formed the Arizona Smok Revue [ [http://www.kingstontrio.com/html/bill_zorn.htm The Kingston Trio... Bill Zorn ] ] . When Zorn retruned to the states, Paul toured with Pete Seeger before being asked to sit in on a Joyce Gang gig (their first). The Joyce Gang [ [http://www.joycwgange.co.uk] ] are an Anglo/Irish roots band with who Paul has record 5 albums.

Paul still plays with the Joyce Gang and as a solo artist, as well as occasion reunions with Phil Beer and Arizona Smoke Revue.

He is a supporter of Exeter Rugby club.

Discography

Downes and Beer

* Life Ain't Worth Living (1973)
* Dance Without Music (1976)
* Live in Concept (1980)

Arizona Smoke Revue

* Arizona Smoke Revue
* A Thunder in the Horizon
* The Blackwater Boys

Joyce Gang

* Joyce Gang
* Sober for a Week
* Deadhead can't dance
* In yer face - Live
* No True Road

olo

* Still Life
* Life Goes on
* Directly
* Overdue
* Life restored (reissue of Still Life and Life Goes on)

References