Philip Pickett - The Alchemist

The Alchemist

Pickett introduced theatrical elements into his concerts, including foyer performances of juggling and fire-eating. In 1976 he joined the Albion Band, a folk-rock band led by Ashley Hutchings. They played a mixture of traditional folk music and medieval tunes on a wide range of instruments - curtals, shawms, recorders, crumhorns, bagpipes, rackets, chalumeaux and synthesiser. Also in the group was John Sothcott from the early music group St George's Canzona, playing vielle, citole and crumhorn. Philip was on all four singles by the group. In 1988 he released his only solo album, appropriately called The Alchemist. It included a few of his own compositions in a mock-medieval style.