Biography
Born on 3 January 1966 in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England, Eaton stands among the leading performers of the hurdy gurdy. This stringed instrument operates essentially as a mechanical violin while producing tones akin to bagpipes. He has sustained an energetic role on the British folk circuit since the early 1980s. Originally trained on piano and cello, he turned to the hurdy gurdy after his father began constructing the instrument. Eaton entered the pioneering folk dance ensemble Blowzabella in 1985 and appeared on a series of strong albums issued in the late 1980s. During those years he also joined Blowzabella member Paul James for a dance-oriented project issued under the Ancient Beatbox name.
After Blowzabella dissolved in 1990, Eaton recruited James and fellow hurdy gurdy player Cliff Stapleton to create his first solo album, The Music Of The Hurdy-Gurdy, which mixed classical, traditional, and contemporary material. He further released a duo recording with another Blowzabella colleague, button accordionist Andy Cutting. In the 1990s Eaton performed with vocalist Julie Murphy in Whirling Pope Joan, worked with Stapleton and piper Chris Walshaw in the Duellists, and rejoined the reformed Blowzabella lineup. His second solo album, issued in 2002, centered on largely self-composed pieces and explored pop and dance fusion. Session appearances include recordings with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Scott Walker, and Marc Almond, as well as several soundtrack projects.
After Blowzabella dissolved in 1990, Eaton recruited James and fellow hurdy gurdy player Cliff Stapleton to create his first solo album, The Music Of The Hurdy-Gurdy, which mixed classical, traditional, and contemporary material. He further released a duo recording with another Blowzabella colleague, button accordionist Andy Cutting. In the 1990s Eaton performed with vocalist Julie Murphy in Whirling Pope Joan, worked with Stapleton and piper Chris Walshaw in the Duellists, and rejoined the reformed Blowzabella lineup. His second solo album, issued in 2002, centered on largely self-composed pieces and explored pop and dance fusion. Session appearances include recordings with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Scott Walker, and Marc Almond, as well as several soundtrack projects.
Albums
