Ben Sands
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Ben Sands

Newry, United Kingdom | Established. Jan 01, 1990 | SELF | AFM

Newry, United Kingdom | SELF | AFM
Established on Jan, 1990
Solo Folk Singer/Songwriter

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"BEN SANDS, “Better Already” – Spring 1050"

The Irish produce great singing families. Ben Sands comes from a proud lineage that includes Tommy and Colum. While the Clancys sang together most of the time, the Sands focus more on their solo careers. Ben holds his own with this recording; an enjoyable journey through 11 originals, including a couple of instrumentals. The essence of the songs here is optimistic with a sunny outlook. He invitingly opens with “Among friends Again” and closes with “Hugs”. In between are songs affirming life even when spirits flag. The accompaniment is richly Irish, with Sands accompanying himself on mandolin and guitar, and assisted by some fine accompanists on mandolin, Dobro, accordion, keyboards, fiddle, whistle, uilleann pipes, bodhran, double bass and some very light drums and percussion. Most songs have just two or three instruments perfectly complementing Sands’ appealing voice. The musicians supply an instrumentally laughing backdrop for the humourous tongue-in-cheek “Fair Exchange” about a farmer who trades places with a tinker. Perhaps the title “Better Already” is an understatement. This CD is best from the start, making you want to sit down, put your feet up and listen to some charming music.

Rich Warren
- REVIEW FROM “SING-OUT”, Summer 2004, vol. 48 #2


Discography

Troubadour, Dec 2015 (Spring Records)

"Live" in Berlin (Self) 2013
Take My Love With You, CD, 2010 (Spring Records)
Better Already, CD, 2003 (Spring Records)
Roots and Branches, CD, 1998 (Spring Records)
Take Your Time, CD, 1993 (Spring Records)

.... and more than 20 albums with "The Sands Family"

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Bio

BIOGRAPHY

Ben Sands lives in County Down, Ireland, close to the mountains and the sea and not far from the small farm where he and his six siblings grew up in the 1950s and 1960s.
He sings songs - mostly his own. He writes songs - about life and love and the ways of the world. Some are whimsical, some are sad and some are very humorous indeed. In between, he tells stories of his formative years and his adventures on The Road ... and some of these stories are true!
He plays quite a few instruments - guitar, banjo, mandolin, whistles, keyboards, and fiddle - he has even been known to wrestle a tune from the uilleann pipes.

In recent years, Ben has been primarily a Solo Artist, performing mostly in Ireland, UK and Europe, but with occasional trips across The Atlantic.

Whenever possible, he joins sister, Anne and brothers Tommy and Colum as members of the illustrious and much-loved band, The Sands Family  http://www.sandsfamilyfolk.com

Ben's "live" shows are legendary : he performs consistently with the same natural ease, whether playing to a large theatre audience or at an intimate House concert.

Meanwhile his songs and musical compositions are also travelling widely, finding their way into the repertoires of many artists, near and far. 

To date, Ben has released six solo albums, including "Better Already" (featuring the oft-recorded "Hug" song) and the highly acclaimed “Take My Love WIth You” : its title track was written for and sung to his daughter Kellie on her wedding day.

Ben's most recent album of self-penned songs, "Troubadour" was released in December, 2015, followed by a collection of Children's Songs in English and German, in 2017, called "If You're Happy ... " 

Homepage: www.bensands.com
E-mail: ben@bensands.com


Band Members