Rick Kemp
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Rick Kemp (born November 15, 1941 in Dorset) is an English bass player, songwriter, vocalist and music producer, best known for his work with the pioneering folk-rock band Steeleye Span.
Projects
Kemp has been a member of Steeleye Span for twenty years in total - between 1972 and 1986, and then from 2000 to the present day.
In the 1960s he shot to prominence through his work with singer-songwriter Michael Chapman and had a reputation within the music industry as a very strong rock and blues session bassist, before his transition into folk-rock.
In 1971, Kemp played with King Crimson, shortly before the band recorded their album 'Islands'. However, he turned down the opportunity to join them on a full-time basis, and reportedly departed the band after just two weeks!
Rick has played bass on a number of Maddy Prior recordings, and was a member the Maddy Prior Band in the 1980s. The 1990 album 'Happy Families' was officially credited to 'Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp'.
Rick also played on albums by former Steeleye Span member Tim Hart in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1979, Kemp co-founded the record label Plant Life with Steeleye Span drummer Nigel Pegrum. The label was discontinued in 1984.
He has released three solo albums: Escape (1996), Spies (1998), and Codes (2004). The lineup for his solo albums generally consists of a traditional Blues three-piece, with Rick working alongside a guitarist and drummer.
Since 1997, Rick has been the producer for ceilidh dance band Whapweasel. More recently he has played guitar (as opposed to bass) with them.
Musical style
Rick's fearless, melodic bass playing is admired greatly among bassists who know of his work. He is unafraid to step outside the folk-rock genre to incoporate slap techniques and the use of a fretless bass in his work.
Although Rick usually plays a standard four string instrument, his playing frequently utilises the uppermost range of the instrument, stylistically similar to players of extended range basses. He currently plays instruments produced by Overwater.
His musical arrangements often feature busy basslines, and 'big' riffs, often with the bass doubling the lead guitar line in places. Another hallmark is the use of irregular length phrases within a conventional time signature, resulting in strong downbeats in unexpected places for musical effect.
Rick is a keen hobbyist historian, and much of his songwriting for Steeleye Span is inspired by historical events - the song 'Take My Heart' about the death of Robert the Bruce, for example. More recently his lyrics have included strong Pagan influences.
On his solo albums, his lyrics are often philosophical, dealing with the subtleties and frailties of human existence and humankind's search for meaning.
Personal life
He is the husband of Steeleye Span lead vocalist Maddy Prior and father of singer-songwriter Rose Kemp.
He was, or is, a member of the Carlisle Pagan Society.
Kemp has hinted that he may retire from regular touring in the near future, and was reported to be leaving Steeleye Span in 2004, but remains a member during their 2006 tour, and is contributing heavily to their forthcoming studio album.
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