(b Southgate, 26 Jan 1945). English folk-rock guitarist. He began playing the bass guitar at the age of 16 and formed a series of amateur bands that played American rock classics at a youth club in Muswell Hill, North London. He was living in Fairport House, owned by the family of Simon Nicol, when one of his bands, the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra, evolved into Fairport Convention. An eponymous album (1967) was recorded with the vocalist Judy Dyble and consisted largely of cover versions, including songs by Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. The band changed direction with the arrival of the vocalist Sandy Denny, who brought with her a repertory of traditional songs. This was reflected on the album Unhalfbricking and the classic British folk-rock set Liege and Lief, (both Isl., 1969). Although Liege and Lief was in the top twenty album charts, Hutchings left the band and formed Steeleye Span who recorded Hark the Village Wake (RCA, 1970). He then left Steeleye Span to form the Albion band and concentrate on English music – though his repertory still included some of the American pop favourites of his youth. The retrospective album The Guv'nor Vol. 1 (HTD, 1994) included a track by the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra, while Twangin' ‘n’ A-Traddin' (HTD, 1994) included a selection of favourite rock and roll instrumentals, recorded with a band that included Richard Thompson.
ROBIN DENSELOW