Barry Dransfield, a notable figure in the English folk music revival movement, passed away at age 79. Working alongside his elder brother Robin beginning in 1969, Dransfield established himself as a skilled fiddle player and multi-instrumentalist proficient on guitar, cello, and dulcimer. The duo gained prominence on the folk-club circuit, with their debut album of traditional songs released in 1970 receiving Melody Maker’s folk album of the year award. A follow-up recording came in 1971.
The brothers’ rising trajectory included a recording contract with Warner Brothers and preparation of a best-of album for international release. However, Dransfield declined the opportunity and the duo disbanded. He subsequently recorded a solo album for Polydor Records in 1972 and appeared on two significant recordings of the period: Shirley Collins and the Albion Country Band’s No Roses in 1971, where he performed lead fiddle, and the morris dance compilation Morris On in 1972.
Dransfield was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and worked as a luthier in London during the early stages of his performing career. He and Robin reunited toward the end of the 1970s for two additional albums and periodic performances. Both eventually transitioned into string instrument repair and sales, with Dransfield operating from Hastings and his brother from Cornwall. In 1984, he appeared as The Blind Fiddler in the film The Bounty, and he contributed to various television, theatre, and film scores throughout his career.
Dransfield released three additional solo records featuring his own compositions, folk songs, and music-hall standards. He relocated to Brittany in 2007 with his partner Christine Goldschmidt, whom he met in 1979, and later settled in Barnstaple, North Devon, in 2016. He is survived by Christine and Robin.