Album Notes

The second release by Beggars' Circus features some great tune sets and dramatically affecting vocal pieces. The record was featured in Dirty Linen and has received favorable reviews. Tune sets typically build in intensity
and feature some first rate musicianship. Interesting and informative liner notes.


Beggars' Circus performs the traditional music of Scotland Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Galacia. Known for seamless arrangements, high energy stage shows and a dark sense of humor, this band favors obscure selections in their repertoire which spans some 800 years of musical tradition.

The band is made up of multi-instrumentalists Michelle Lawrence-Walker on flute, pennywhistle, concertina, hammered dulcimer and vocals and Tim Summers on Guitar, bouzouki, pennywhistle, flute, bagpipes and vocals along with fine fiddler and vocalist Mary Beth Coffey.

Beggars' Circus' song choices are mostly of the less than cheerful variety. Commenting on the hardships of the human (and less than human) condition they are at time performed with grim humorous irony, often in earnest consideration of the subject matter.

The band's tune sets inspire dancing and impress the listener with some very fine insrumental work. Well known tunes are interspersed with more unusual numbers and arranged to keep things moving along at a slick pace.

Beggars' Circus have received air play in the Virginia, DC and North Carolina areas and have been featured a number of times on WBRA TV in Roanoke, VA on that station's live music showcase. They were recently interviewed on WVTF's Studio Virginia program.