FIELDWORK, the Nottingham acoustic roots band, return to York on Thursday after a hiatus of more than a decade to play the Black Swan Folk Club.

The new-look Fieldwork have been playing gigs around the East Midlands and beyond - even Brittany - since three of the original four members re-formed the band three years ago.

They have released two albums, The Rains Of Spring in 2001 and Make Me One With Everything last year, as well as a retrospective of their early years, From Humdrum To Tongue Drum. Irish musician Ronan O'Cualain has joined band founders Dave Walker, Patrick Gray and William Johnson to add a new dimension to Fieldwork's musical tapestry.

Club promoter Roland Walls is delighted at their renaissance. "During the late 1980s and early 1990s, their innovative approach to music won Fieldwork a cult status around the folk/roots scene. They played here three times during that period and were always well received, but young families and other commitments then led to a protracted lay-off.

"Their music is an imaginative blend of English, Irish and European - especially Eastern European - influences. Traditional ballads rub shoulders with a variety of instrumental styles and some fine original songs, often historically inspired, by Dave Walker."

Fieldwork complement guitar, fiddle, mandolin and melodeon with the more unusual sound of the harmonium and a battery of percussion instruments, such as tongue-drum, mbira and gopichand. "These lend an exotic touch to the music both visually and sonically," says Roland.

On Thursday, doors open at 8pm at the Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green. Admission is £5, concessions £4.

Updated: 09:08 Friday, February 13, 2004