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James Lascelles' Talking Spirits

This musical labour of love started many moons ago when myself and John McKenzie (now sadly deceased), bass player and member of my first band Global Village Trucking Company, decided to write some tunes together partly based on my overflowing collection of instruments plus our shared love of worldwide sounds and jamming together. We recorded on John's laptop initially and traveled to Paris to record Didier Malherbe, once of Gong, on his wonderful duduk and sax. I also wrote a tune for Andaunion, a brilliant traditional group from Mongolia utilizing overtone or Hoomei singing and Morinhuur, a bowed instrument akin in tone and sonic range to a cello.

We also recorded at my long-time musical compadre, drummer and colleague Richard Bailey’s studio in Chelsea. Richard and I were part of The Breakfast Band and it took no persuasion to invite fellow Breakfast Band members Kuma Harada, Tony Maronie and Winston Delandro to perform on the Hands album. Mikey Bailey is now our bass player. Together we have supported, enhanced and collaborated with Frank Zappa, L Shankar, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Joan Armatrading, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Joss Stone, Mick Taylor, Bob Marley, Shusha, Incognito, Paul Buckmaster, Anette Peacock, Cymande, the Bauls of Bengal among others.

Dedicated to John McKenzie and Kuma Harada (RIP) and Global Tribal Harmony.

Collaborations are very much to the fore and we're planning some recordings with the Bauls of Bengal, where I spent a month in India with fellow Talking Spirit Tim Herniman (sax/violin) rehearsing and perfoming with the Bauls; there are other characters on the horizon; watch this space!

Meet The Band

James Lascelles

James Lascelles

Keys / Dulcimer / Melodica / Assorted Percussion
Richard Bailey

Richard Bailey

Drums
Tim Herniman

Tim Herniman

Sax / Violin
Team Member

Michael Bailey

Bass

Gigs

2025

August

9th - Leeds world music festival, TBC


July

18-27 (TBC) - Gig at Gent street festival


June

6th - Performance in Devon
5th - more recording in Devon
4th - workshop and performance at Hayne Barn, Devon
3rd - Recording with Bauls in Devon


May

22 - Performance in-house for Red Carpet Productions
19-21 - Recording at Red Carpet Productions
18 - Performance at local festival in Majorca


March

13/14 - Performance at festivals outside Kolkata
8/9th - Performances in Kolkata
2-16 - in Kolkata, India, collaborating and performing with the Bauls of Bengal.


Hands LP
Pre-recording Global Tribal Music radio show
Can take that melodica anywhere!
Live with Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
Onstage with Debojyoti Mishra in Kolkata
Richard and Michael Bailey
James on his beloved Steinway
Michael and James
Always love a drum!
Tim Herniman
Melodica in the Kolkata crowd
James, used to be a drummer
Bauls live collaboration at Netaji Bhawan, Kolkata
James, MD extraordinaire
James and Nigerian talking drum
James DJ
James in the Leeds Roundhay world music festival crowd
James' Steinway shrunk and changed colour
James and Tim with Bauls and musicians from Kolkata
James, need more arms

Videos