Son of Victoria Elliott, Principal Soprano with The
Sadlers Wells Opera from mid 50s to 60s. He "studied" (very
loose terminology) piano from the age of 11 until he was chucked out of
a local Chapel for playing boogie woogie 9 months later.
In 1965 was asked to form The Circle with Ramfis Trujillo on guitar and
Kaveh Golaston on bass. Learnt to play drums damn quickly for 1st
recording at Pye, under Circle Records, six months later. Other bands
around this time included: RSV, People Like Us, William Guppy's Blues
Band, & The Peter White Arrangement. He went on to drum for The
Austin Hippy Blues Band (Glastonbury), notable members included Harry
Williamson & Rick McPhail. Played Glastonbury (Town Hall!!!) with
champion Jack Dupree in late "sixties.
The 1st Blues Consortium was formed in Ealing around 1968 with Dan
Tester & Brian Allen on guitars, George Mariniak on bass, Malcolm
Mellersh on vocals and David on drums. Around this time he started to
play about on guitar & piano, more of a note here and a note next
week, but the start of the path to the present day Blues Consortium.
From 1968 to 1973 he played drums for various Blues, Jazz, Prog Rock and
Show Bands until giving it all up in '74 and "settling
down"!!!! (big mistake, don't do it). He moved to Peterborough in
'76, wrote a bit, in fact wrote a lot but all put on ice. David
unsettled down and remarried in '94 to Miranda, love, support, masses of
encouragement and "someone to throw her knickers at" lead to
the willingness and enthusiasm to learn bass guitar (new instrument),
for Montage a local Heavy Metal covers band. 3 hours a day, 7 days a
week for 3 months to 1st gig. Stayed with them for 18 months before
being unceremoniously dumped by "The Management". The track
"How They Turn" was penned in honour the event, which went on
to be a regular part of the Tamer set listing.
After Montage, David teamed up with Chris Howard, Neil Johns (Blues
Consortium), Edward Holland, to form The Lion Tamers, later shortened to
Tamer on bass & Keyboards. This was a covers/originals band, who
released through Circle Records the single CD "Hey Gondalay".
Currently plays bass guitar for The Mary Hinge Experience &
occasional drums for the Willingham Jazz All Stars.
Since April 2004 David has been the regular drummer for King Rollo as
part of his "Upfoot Blues Band" alongside Jon on bass. The
most memorable gigs were as part of a mini tour to support the
reformation of the legendary Country Joe Band which included 4/5ths of
the original Fish. Other highlights include depping on Bass at 3 days
notice for Cumbrian based Texas Blues Band "The Cahonies" in
Aug 2004. Much thanks to Ade & Kevin for their patience.
Musical Influences:
-
Drums:
- Aynsley Dunbar
- Ginger Baker
- Bev Bevan
- Joe Morello
- Mick Fleetwood.
Keyboards:
- Jacques Loussier
- John Mayall
- Christine Perfect
- Roy Ayers
- Jools Holland
-
Bass:
-
Guitars:
- Peter Green
- Kim Simmonds
- JJ Cale
- Pat Metheny
-
Vocals:
- Peter Green
- John Mayall
- Chris Youlden
- JJ Cale
Musical Ambitions:
To keep playing "live", have a good time and
play The Jools Holland Show one day.
Favourite Position:
Pint in left hand, right hand on the black 'n' whites
with leg(s) in the air.
EPs
- The Circle - Instant Party - Circle Records/Pye - 1966
Singles
- RSV - Don't Think of Me - Pye 1967
- David Astell - Blues For The World - Circle Records - 1999
- Tamer - Hey Gondalay - Circle Records - 1999
Albums
- Montage - The Class of '98 - Circle Records - 1999
- Alex Orange - Ethereal and Beyond - Circle Records - 2000
- Various Artists - Covers and Origs - Circle Records - 2001
- David Astell - No Boundaries II - Circle Records - 2002
- Dr.A's Blues Consortium - Blues Consortium "Live" -
Circle Records - 2002
- Dr.A's Blues Consortium - 18 Months On And Still Barking - Circle
Records - 2003
- Dr.A's Blues Consortium - Live at Blues and Jazz by The Green -
Circle Records - 2003
(Available in selected HMV & Virgin Stores UK Wide, I
WISH!; ed)
