Geoff Lakeman - After All These Years (2017)

Patriarch of a West Country musical powerhouse, Father of Folk Dynasty, Geoff Lakeman, who is also father of the hugely talented Seth, Sean and Sam Lakeman and father-in-law to folk stars Kathryn Roberts and Cara Dillon. So it's no surprise to find all his musical family, plus a galaxy of other folk world luminaries - including the legendary Nic Jones - guesting on the aptly-named "After All These Years".

Newlyn-born Geoff, patron of the Cornwall Folk Festival, has lived on Dartmoor for more than 40 years and been described as a "stalwart of West Country folk and father of a folk dynasty." A leading exponent of the rare Crane duet concertina his musical repertoire ranges from self-written and West Country songs to English, Irish and Scottish folk material and music as diverse as Jimmie Rodgers, The Louvin Brothers, Richard Thompson, Randy Newman and Buddy Miller. He's also one of the few concertina players to perform Tin Pan Alley jazz on an authentic 1920s instrument.

Keeping it in the family - special guests on debut album include the Lakeman brothers, Cara Dillon & Kathryn Roberts and notable neighbour Nic Jones.

His mellow tenor voice and fluent concertina steers every track on this engaging album but the assembled cast include Sean (who also produced) on guitar, Seth on violin and viola and Sam on piano. Kathryn - married to Sean - and Cara (wife of Sam) add their much extolled vocals. Folk legend Nic Jones, a village neighbour of Geoff and Joy, has a rare singing outing. The record is augmented by fellow Dartmoor singer Jim Causley (vocals and accordion), rising Cornwall-based star Sam Kelly (The Changing Room/Sam Kelly Trio/The Lost Boys) on guitar and vocals and Jamie Francis on banjo; Ben Nicholls (Seth Lakeman Band/The Full English/Kings of the South Seas) on bass, harmonium and jaw harp; Dan Crimp on whistle (MadDog McCrea) and acclaimed cellist Gill Redmond.

2017 sees the release of Geoff's debut album 'After All These Years'. With a stellar line up of musical family and friends it showcases his talents perfectly and illustrates the high regard and affection in which he is held.