Publisher's Synopsis
Originally published in 2013, but fully updated to include 2017's "Another Day" CD, this is the first complete musical biography of one of the UK's most respected and talented singer-songwriters.
Fire and Wine is the story of Steve Ashley, the artist Mojo magazine described as "the Inspector Morse of the folk world - a gentle romantic with a flair for mystery"; and whose debut album Stroll On holds a permanent place among the greatest folk-rock records ever made.
Steve's own recollections are joined by a small army of friends and colleagues, including Dave Pegg, Shirley Collins, Linda Thompson, Chris Leslie, Colin Irwin, Bruce Rowland, Maartin Allcock, Austin John Marshall and many others.
Packed with rare photographs, Fire and Wine is an indispensable addition to the folk and traditional library.
Reviews for the first edition (2013): 'Steve Ashley, English, musician, gentleman, activist and all round good guy, an extraordinary life.' - fROOTS; 'Anyone interested in English folk-rock will find this book absolutely essential, since many of the major participants played significant roles in Steve Ashley's career.' - Sing Out!; 'The book will send many back to the man's music' - Record Collector; '...given the catalogue of career mishaps, setbacks and bad luck which makes Fire and Wine less a folk rock biography than a kind of modern saint's life. Thompson outlines in painful detail how this pilgrim of Englishness (but a man as far from UKIP as one could possibly imagine) keeps going despite everything that fate throws at him...Steve Ashley is a worthy recipient of this Armchair Guide.' - Caught in The Act; 'This is not a guide that encourages passive reading: you'll be out of that armchair and heading for your CD rack, LP box or on-line ordering facility. ... 'its a labour of love, replete in detail, honesty, appreciation and generosity towards the reader' - Living Tradition; 'It's a fine book and a fitting tribute to a great singer-songwriter. Essential reading in the same way as Steve Ashley's albums remain essential listening.' - Tykes News.
