Steve Turner – A Host of Furious Fancies

Steve Turner began his musical journey in the late 1960s on the Manchester folk scene. He was a member of the band Canny Fettle for seven years, during which they released two groundbreaking albums. After a brief hiatus from the folk scene, he made a significant return in 2004 and has since released several acclaimed albums, including “Whirligig of Time” (2008) and “Curious Times” (2023). His latest album, “A Host of Furious Fancies,” is set to be released in early 2026. 

Steve’s musical story started in the Manchester folk scene in the late 60s. His route to music was via the Beatles and then Dylan. Steve was playing a floor spot in 1971 where Canny Fettle were the main act and Bob Diehl, their fiddler, asked if he wanted to join the band. Steve was in the group for seven years during which time they made two albums, ‘Varry Canny’ and an LP of tunes from the Joshua Jackson collection – both groundbreaking albums for their time. After Canny Fettle, Steve spent three years dealing in folk instruments then went fully professional as a musician from 1980 until 1991. He made four solo albums, all with Fellside, setting the standard for a number of songs. After 13 years away from the folk scene, he made a welcome return in 2004 performing in folk clubs and festivals, and in 2008 producing his 5th album, the highly acclaimed Whirligig of Time which featured UK luminaries Martin Carthy, Nancy Kerr and Miranda Sykes. Since then, he has released further albums, Rim of the Wheel, Spirit of the Game and Late Cut. His 9th album Curious Times, featuring Martin Carthy, was released in 2023, with his latest album A Host of Furious Fancies, released early in 2026.

Steve is half Scots, his mother came from Clunie near Blairgowrie. Steve is from Manchester where his grandfather was a barber for the Manchester City players. A birth certificate lists Steve’s grandfather as ‘a journeyman hairdresser’. He was also a sailor who sang and played the concertina – playing and singing as long ago as the 1890s. Steve inherited his concertina. “The concertina lay in a box in the shed for over ten years. I popped in occasionally and opened the box but when I eventually took it out it came out of the box in two halves!”

Although Steve is generally modest with his talent, the Steve Turner this time around is more self-confident, although still understated. “All that I can do is what comes within my remit, but I would like people to be able to say – ‘If you want a concertina accompanist, Steve Turner is your man!’”

Steve thinks that this recording is his best work to date, which is saying something as he sets his own standards very high. As Series Director I have kept a very light hand on the production reins of these recordings and in every case I have been well rewarded by my trust in the artistry and taste of all of the singers presented within The Tradition Bearers. Although there is a common thread of tradition within the body of recordings, each singer brings their own distinctive interpretation to any song. I consider Steve to be one of a few in any generation who also takes an instrument to another level. There is depth in these songs and in these performances and I hope that they will bring you pleasure with each listening.

Pete Heywood – Series Director