Welcome to
Openhouse Studio
Folk Music Legacy
Created by Brian Jones, with daughter; Samantha, this website is a legacy project designed to bring ‘folk up to date.’
Explore the website, listen to the music, Explore folk music heritage UK and read the stories starting from the 60’s revival through to present day.
Welcome to
Openhouse Studio
Folk Music Legacy
Created by Brian Jones, with daughter; Samantha, this website is a legacy project designed to bring ‘folk up to date.’
Explore the website, listen to the music and read the stories starting from the 60’s revival through to present day.
OUR latestPODCAST
KEEP FOLK TALKING
Brian Jones with Brian Lupton
Join Brian Jones as he continues his conversation with Brian Lupton, singer, organiser and long-standing figure on the Wirral folk scene. In Part 2, Brian reflects on the folk clubs and venues that kept the music alive, the artists who passed through the region, and the community that grew around the scene. With memories of legendary performers, local venues and the dedication behind organising live music, the conversation celebrates the people and places that helped shape folk music on the Wirral.
KEEP FOLK TALKING
WITH Brian Lupton
Join Brian Jones as he continues his conversation with Brian Lupton, singer, organiser and long-standing figure on the Wirral folk scene. In Part 2, Brian reflects on the folk clubs and venues that kept the music alive, the artists who passed through the region, and the community that grew around the scene. With memories of legendary performers, local venues and the dedication behind organising live music, the conversation celebrates the people and places that helped shape folk music on the Wirral.
Brian Lupton is a Wallasey lad who grew up on Tudor Avenue, right beside the River Mersey. He was a latchkey kid in those days, when the back door of the house was never locked. Directly behind his home was “Leemo’s Field,” a real playground where children spent their time playing football, cricket, kick the can, and hide and seek. Nearby stood old air raid shelters, some of which were still accessible and added to the sense of adventure for local kids.
The Seacombe street where Brian lived ran down toward the shore of the Mersey. At that time it was a street with no parked cars – hardly anyone owned one – and the neighbourhood was quiet, with very few barking dogs. Instead, scraggy cats ruled the garden walls.
OUR song OF THE MONTH
Four years ago today, we said goodbye to our dear friend and wonderful singer songwriter, Ian Chesterman. I’m so grateful we spent all those Wednesday mornings together in the studio, capturing his songs – some of which still haven’t seen the light of day. This one is especially close to my heart. It’s “Travelling Full Circle” the title track of an album he never got to release.
It’s a reminder of the gentle, thoughtful way Ian moved through the world – and of how he’ll always travel with us, in the music he left behind. And that’s how we’ll remember him. Always.
Brian Jones
The Resident
He does what’s known within the trade as ‘The Kamikaze Spot’
He’s there to warm you buggers up and try to make you sing
But the highlight of the evening is when he breaks a string!
Folk don’t always listen they’re busy at the bar
Or chatting to each other and drowning his guitar
Sometimes he thinks he’s cracked it
When some open mouths he’ll see
But it’s only some old friends he’s brought
And they came in for free!
Why do we do it? I don’t know, we masochistic band
Maybe one day we’ll find that never, Neverland
Where an audience has ears and sings just like a choir
When you ask them to join in they raise their voices higher
Like some Eisteddfod winners far removed from any pub
Why then I’ll know I’ve really died and hosting Heaven’s Folk Club.
discover
OUR ARTISTS
BRIAN
JONES
Brian shares his stories from the early years, starting out during the folk revival of the 60’s
GORDON AND BRIAN (BROTHERS)
In 1965, Brian and his brother Gordon started singing together in local folk clubs. Pete McGovern christened them ‘The Lads’
ALIAS GLOVER & JONES
Alias Glover & Jones played Folk Clubs from the Midlands to the North West in the 1970’s. Read Tim’s story…
JONES & COMPANY
Original Jones and Company; Brian, Helen and Janet; the start of the Jones Family harmony singing dynasty
THE JONES FAMILY
The first generation of Jones Family Band started in the 80s with Helen, my wife, and Janet, her younger sister.
