Sheffield Band Released on iTunes
- Dead Like Harry, the latest band to come out of Sheffield launches on iTunes -
Hot on the heels of Tiny Dancers, Richard Hawley and of course the Arctic Monkeys, Dead Like Harry seem to be riding the wave of young talent coming out of Yorkshire.
After playing to over 6000 people at the Sheffield Hallam FM Arena, followed by a couple of shows at the renowned Rock Garden in London, Dead Like Harry are appearing at The Cornbury Music Festival in July playing on the same bill as the legendary Paul Simon.
Working with producer Alan Smyth (Richard Hawley, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Reverend and the Makers) Dead Like Harry have just released their new EP 'When We Were 17'. This music will be available to download from iTunes from 2nd June.
With a blend of rock, blues, country and even folk influences, Dead Like Harry look to be the latest Sheffield band to find success through their increasingly high profile live performances.
-Press-
"Strong of melody, rich in lyrical content and bound together by top-notch musicianship, Dead Like Harry's fresh take on traditional influences such as the blues, rock and folk is a real treat to behold. Surely fame beckons for this Sheffield-based six piece". BBC Radio Sheffield
"Dead Like Harry are the Steel City's answer to Fleetwood Mac" Sandman Magazine
"Their musicianship and harmonies are a wonder to behold" www.whatsonsouth.com
"Sheffield country magic" Sheffield Scene Magazine
www.deadlikeharry.co.uk / www.myspace.com/deadlikeharrymusic
back to contents
North Devon Folk Festival
Talented folk by the sea
The second North Devon Folk Festival is back with Melanie, Bellowhead, Eddi Reader, Trans-Global Underground and more…
After the success of its first year the second North Devon Folk Festival is back from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th September with more great music and entertainment. Set in and around the stunning sea front location of the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe with North Devon’s dramatic coastline as a backdrop, this is a great excuse to escape the rat race and sample some superb folk music.
The line up this year includes Melanie, Bellowhead, Eddi Reader, Trans-Global Underground, Tarras, John Tams and Barry Coope, Devon Sproule Band, Last Night’s Fun, Bella Hardy Trio, Annabelle Chvostek, Martha Tilston, Steve Tilston and many more.
The music takes place across three stages, all under cover so there will be no need to bring your wet weather gear! As usual there will be a range of local real ales and ciders to try as well as festival food to tempt you and market stalls to browse around.
Headliner Melanie Safka is one of the most recognised and respected faces in the folk music world. Hailed by the New York Times as the female Bob Dylan, she is best known for her huge 1971 hit Brand New Key which was later re-written by the West Country’s own The Wurzels for their number one song The Combine Harvester.
Melanie’s popularity has not diminished over the years. On average she has released one album a year since 1969, and in 2007 she performed to a sell-out crowd at the Meltdown Festival in London, garnering rave reviews with The Independent stating, “Melanie has earned her place alongside Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Marianne Faithfull in the pantheon of iconic female singers”.
Bellowhead are an eleven piece band and the brainchild of folk duo Spiers and Boden. Formed in 2004 after John Spiers and Jon Boden came up with the idea of creating a big folk band while stuck in traffic on the M25, Bellowhead create riots of colourful sounds and are fast becoming the talk of the folk world. The band has won the Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards three times (2005, 2007 and 2008) and released their debut album Burlesque in 2006 to great critical acclaim.
Singer/songwriter Eddi Reader has come a long way since forming the pop group Fairground Attraction in the 1980s. With the band she recorded the number one single Perfect in 1988, and won two BRIT Awards for Best Single and Best Album in 1989. Eddi is now a successful solo artist and has worked with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra recording an album of material by celebrated poet Robert Burns, and released her eighth album last year.
Fresh from WOMAD Festival, Trans-Global Underground bring their special fusion of Western, Oriental and African music styles to the North Devon Folk Festival. Formed in the early 90s, the band has a fairly fluid line up and welcome many guest artists to perform with them. They have recorded nine albums and remain a very popular live act with gig goers.
Other acts performing over Saturday and Sunday are the highly regarded traditional band Tarras, the spine tingling harmonies of John Tams and Barry Coope, the magical guitarist Devon Sproule and her band, the blistering soulful tunes of Last Night’s Fun, fiddle-singer extraordinaire Bella Hardy Trio, Canadian multi-instrumentalist Annabelle Chvostek Trio, father and daughter Steve and Martha Tilston, good time performer Debby McClatchy, the vibrant and original Dragonsfly, the jigs and shanties of The Dambuskers, comedy musical trio The Singing Sous Chefs, home-grown talent Jenna, the imaginative fiddle and bluesy sound of Fiddlebix, and atmospheric songwriter Chris Millington.
Friday evening’s entertainment is completely free and will showcase well known North Devon songwriters, traditional musicians and new wave folk. Special guest will be Jez Lowe, the enchanting singer/songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award 2008 nominee. He will be joined by Tom & Barbara Brown, Al & Pam Cruse, Ian Hudson, and Martyn Babb.
The North Devon Folk Festival has teamed up with nearby accommodation providers Woolacombe Holiday Parcs and Hidden Valley Park to offer great savings over the Folk Festival weekend. With a choice of sea view holiday homes, luxury lodges, camping and caravan sites it couldn’t be easier to spend some time in beautiful North Devon while soaking up some great folk music by the sea before the autumn weather kicks in.
Tickets for the weekend are priced at £50 for adults, 12-16 year olds at £10, and under 12s free. Day tickets are also available.
For further information or to book tickets call the Box Office on 01271 32 42 42 or visit www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
back to contents
Canadian Trio Elliott BROOD Set To Release Stunning New Album, Mountain Meadows, A Career High On Six Shooter Records
Stalking shadows on the prairies with a compass and set of matches and whispering tales under darkening skies, obsessed with history or historically obsessed, either way, Elliott BROOD have a penchant for stories they just can’t shake.
With the release of their new record, Mountain Meadows, released on September 22nd on comes a new chapter. It marks the evolution of Elliott BROOD from a backwoods character into a timeless figure. Recorded in town halls, front rooms, back rooms and good old recording studios with BROOD stalwarts – Mark Sasso, Stephen Pitkin, and Casey Laforet - the album’s wandering melodies are driven by rusty guitars and aching vocals that waltz around charming piano lines while ukuleles and banjos sway to and fro between a chorus of horns. It’s sunnier the higher you climb the Mountain, but in the Meadows below lay darker themes each with their own lore.
Since their beginnings with their EP, Tin Type, home of the cult hit, O’ Alberta!, to their Juno-nominated, debut full length Ambassador, Elliott BROOD have earned the praise of connoisseurs and critics alike. They’ve won over legions of fans with their raw, energetic live shows and their atmospheric, richly crafted records, making a name for themselves worldwide. They’ve carried their tune through seven cross Canada marathons, including the headlining spot on the Exclaim! Magazine sponsored Wood, Wires & Whiskey tour and opening shows for Wilco, Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund and The Sadies. They’ve completed three European tours, playing Festivals throughout Europe, the UK and Scandinavia, including an opening spot in Paris with Broken Social Scene. The BROOD have toured through the USA with Do, Make, Say Think and they made their debut in Australia with the release of Ambassador on ABC Records in the spring of 2008. Alongside the Juno nomination, Ambassador earned The BROOD a Galaxy Rising Star award for Best New Artist 2006, landing them on Best of Lists from The Globe & Mail to CBC Radio 3, a four-star review from UNCUT, and kept them on the college radio charts for over 17 weeks.
Elliott BROOD will be playing a number of UK shows in October
www.elliottbrood.ca
back to contents
From Lantern-making to Fandango
This year, Oxfordshire's Towersey Village Festival is packed full with more workshops than ever before.
From Fandango and Harmony Singing to Lantern-making and Yoga, the Festival's wide and varied workshop programme offers activities for all ages and abilities. All that's really left to decide is which one to try first!
Towersey offers an enormous array of dance workshops including Breton, Scandinavian, Contra, Rapper, French Bourrees, Austrian, Fandango, Irish Step, Molly, Border Morris, North West Morris, Longsword and Appalachian. For those keen to flex their vocal chords there are workshops in Harmony Singing, Global Vocals and festival-goers can even learn how to Sing Like a Bloke! Music workshops range from Afro Brazilian Dance, Austrian and Hungarian music to American Traditional music and English Song as well as Concertina classes and the ever-popular Slow and Steady Music sessions. The Festival also offers Yoga sessions, lantern-making and circus skills workshops.
Towersey's Shooting Roots project offers young people aged 12-25 an opportunity to develop new skills, meet loads of other young people and experience the excitement of being involved at the grass roots of a folk festival. This year's workshops include the Funky World Band, the Ceilidh Project as well as Theatre, Craft, Dance and Song. The work of all the Shooting Roots participants will be presented in a dazzling Showcase on Monday evening.
There are also loads of great activities on offer for the younger ones at the Towersey Children's Festival, which is renowned for being one of the best on the scene. This year's programme includes Taiko drumming, song workshops, storytelling, craft workshops, parachute games, circus skills, dance classes, Mini Melodeons and a ceilidh workshop with Whapweasel. There will also be a magical family puppet show from Hand to Mouth Theatre Company called Head in the Clouds, the Grand Family Ceilidh and a chance to experience the hugely popular Family Bat Walk.
Towersey's workshop programme offers a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and get truly caught up and involved in the Festival atmosphere. More information and all the latest updates can be found on the Festival website at www.towerseyfestival.com
Towersey Artist Line-up : June 2008
Bellowhead * Show of Hands * Kathryn Tickell Band * Lunasa
Martin Simpson Trio * Salsa Celtica * Blowzabella * Chris Wood
The Poozies * Breabach * Roy Bailey * Jez Lowe * Whapweasel
Faustus * Ruth Notman * The Omega 3 * Mawkin:Causley * Stygiens Crucible * Leon Rosselson * Glorystrokes * Skavolution * Jody Kruskal * Hugh Lupton Lauren McCormick * Park Bench Social Club * The Woodpecker Band
The Gloworms * Last Orders * Benji Kirkpatrick * Jackie Oates * Axe Bahia Axe
Mick Ryan and Pete Harris * Steamchicken * Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller
English Contra Dance Band * Beckett Irish Dancers * Stephen Taberner * Asha
Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews * An Danserien Noz (Brittany) Jiggerypipery
Musicians of Regos Hungarian Folk Music Ensemble * Witchmen
Stone Monkey Sword Dancers * Chinewrde Morris * Pig Dyke Molly
Haddenham Hoofers * Jake Jones & Dan Eccles * Bampton Morris
Folk Group Klosterneuberg * Andrew Swaine * Gordon Potts * Pete Rees
Cat Kelly * Martyn Harvey * Tom Moore & Archie Churchill Moss
Bob & Gill Berry * Jason Maverick * Hand to Mouth Theatre * Larkin About
Circo Rum Ba Ba * Mike Jackson ?Wynndebagge * Towersey Morris Men
David Oliver * Gael Folk Music Academy * Kerry Fletcher and more…
back to contents
Who gives a folk?
Folk, the people's music, means many things to many people. Folk music often seems squeezed from above and below. Pop music, and the folk-fusions that follow in its wake, are seen by some purists as diluting the folk tradition. At the same time it seems that this 'people's culture' is scorned by the cultural establishment. In the last few years, however, a revival of English folk music has seen a plethora of new folk styles sprout up, from nu-folk to twisted folk, from Bat for Lashes to Tunng and even twindie, a new generation seems to be giving folk new meaning and an unexpected lease of life. Has folk finally left behind its parochial, twee image?
Politics seems to be an essential part of the revival. From the Levellers' Battle of the Beanfield to Clan Dyken's 'eco-folk', have 'new age' subcultures and green politics helped to recover folk's radical roots? Some hope a revived folk tradition might help create a more 'radical' English identity and heritage, an alternative to the flag-waving jingoism of Rule Britannia. Liberal peer Lord Redesdale wants to have 14,000 morris dancers at the 2012 Olympics. But is folk in danger of being co-opted and sanitised just as it seems to be reinvigorated? At the start of the 20th century progressive enthusiasts propagated the idea that folk music could reconnect 'the people' with their past, and with each other, and inspire a collective outlook. In the very different political context of the 21st century, is folk music fulfilling its potential, or is it just another brand?
Join the legendary singer Barb Jungr, the Daily Telegraph music critic Ivan Hewett, Time Out music editor Eddy Lawrence, together with the music journalist Neil Davenport, music scholar Cara Bleiman, folk artist, composer and lyricist Chris Wood and folk enthusiasts Don Eales and Abdul Rehman-Malik in discussion with the Institute of Ideas and Guardian arts blog's Shirley Dent to find out who really does give a folk. Plus Joe Discoll and Sean Taylor live and free in the Vibe Bar. Hang on to your harmonica and prepare to fight your corner in the first Time Out Battle Satellites 2008 in association with Vibe Live.
Vibe Live, 91-95 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL, 7 - 9pm 29 July 2008
Tickets £7.50/5.00 available online at www.battleofideas.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7269 9220
back to contents
Debut Album from Folk Dance Duo Folkus Pocus
‘Under No Illusion', the debut album of the folk dance duo Folkus Pocus, was launched at the Lichfield Folk Festival on 21 June 2008.
Published by the English Folk Dance & Song Society (EFDSS), the album features 17 tracks ranging from traditional tunes such as ‘Morpeth Rant' and ‘Pipe on the Hob' to tunes from Playford's 17th century dance collection including ‘Parson's Farewell', as well as American contra dance reels and some recently written tunes.
The CD booklet includes the descriptions of three previously unpublished dances, and all the tunes are played at dance speed.
The album will appeal to dancers, callers and musicians, particularly within the folk dance club scene, as well as folk dance festival enthusiasts.
Folkus Pocus are Caroline and Dan Hollingshurst, two young instrumentalists who met while studying music at university. Caroline's life-long love of folk dance music combines with Dan's improvised jazz and classical music background to create arrangements that are fresh, vibrant and eminently danceable!
Caroline's main instrument is the fiddle, but she also plays the flute and recorder on the CD, while Dan plays the piano. Read more about the duo at www.folkuspocus.com
The EFDSS is grateful to the Lichfield Folk Dance Festival and Lichfield Folk Dance Club for financial assistance with the production of this album.
‘Under No Illusion' by Folkus Pocus [EFDSSCD16] is published by the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Copies are available from the EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY. Tel: 0207 485 2206. www.efdss.org Price: £13.95 plus £2.00 p&p.
back to contents
Award-winning Folk group on UK Tour
The Anna Massie Band are set for another busy summer with a full UK tour taking them across England and Scotland and then heading off to the US to play a prestigious folk festival. It's no wonder they have been picking up awards since they formed in 2003.
This band is on the up, as their increasing array of nominations and awards proves: nominated for "Best Up and Coming Act" at the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards, Anna's nominations for the "Horizon" award at the 2005 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and "Best Instrumentalist" at the 2005 Scots Trad Music Awards, and "Best Folk Band" at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2006.
The Anna Massie Band is a young, dynamic trio finding a very warm welcome amongst Scotland's top bands. Featuring Anna Massie, who won Young Trad Musician of the Year in 2003, on fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo and flat-picking guitar, Jenn Butterworth on guitar and vocals and Mairearad Green on accordion and border pipes, the band has made a considerable impression on the international folk scene.
The Milwaukee Irish Festival is where the band is off to after the UK tour. Their engaging, energetic and enthralling music and song are sure to win them many fans over in America where they will be performing along side top names such as The Saw Doctors, Peatbog Faeries and Lau.
Be sure to catch them in July during their tour!
July Tour Dates
Thursday 3 CARNEGIE HALL, CLASHMORE
Friday 4 BYRE THEATRE, ST ANDREWS
Saturday 5 THE TOLBOOTH, STIRLING
Tuesday 8 ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE, ALNWICK
Wednesday 9 EASTGATE THEATRE, PEEBLES
Friday 11 LODGE ON THE LOCH, LOCH LOMOND
Saturday 12 LOCHINVER VILLAGE HALL, LOCHINVER
Wednesday 16 PITLOCHRY FESTIVAL THEATRE, PITLOCHRY
Thursday 17 EDEN COURT THEATRE, INVERNESS
Friday 18 COIGACH COMMUNITY HALL, ACHILTIBUIE
Saturday 19 FEIS AN EILEIN, ISLE OF SKYE
back to contents
Folk Stars Gather to Commemorate Vaughan Williams Anniversary
Luminaries of the folk world will gather at Cecil Sharp House in London, home of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, on Saturday 4th October to pay tribute to one of the most important figures in English music, Ralph Vaughan Williams.
RVW is a day-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the death of Ralph Vaughan Williams, featuring concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and appearances by folk legends including Shirley Collins and Eliza Carthy.
While Vaughan Williams' legacy as a composer is widely known, his contribution to preserving the nation's traditional music heritage is perhaps less celebrated outside of folk circles. He was responsible for collecting over 800 songs from traditional singers, and such tunes often found their way into his composed work. This collecting legacy was vital, as the songs collected by Vaughan Williams and his fellow composers formed the backbone of the English folk song revival.
The day's events will include two concerts: Vaughan Williams and Friends is an informal afternoon concert of songs collected by Vaughan Williams' contemporaries such as Percy Grainger and George Butterworth, which will be performed by Tim Van Eyken, Mary Humphreys and Anahata, Chris Coe and Katie Howson, Jim Causley, and Sam Lee and Lauren McCormick. Bushes and Briars is an evening concert featuring a soundscape journey through the song collecting of Vaughan Williams himself. There will be songs from Eliza Carthy, Jon Boden and Fay Hield, Lisa Knapp, Jim Causley and Jackie Oates, and Jim Moray. Shirley Collins will bring the story to life with narrative readings.
Between concerts there will be talks from Katie Howson, Shirley Collins and Mary Humphreys which explore Vaughan Williams' life and work, and exhibitions provided by the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust and the Philharmonia Orchestra.
The day starts at 12 noon, with the evening concert starting at 8pm. Tickets are £20 (concessions £15) for the full day, or £15 (concessions £13) for the evening concert only. All profits will benefit the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Tickets are available by phone on 020 7121 1100, on line at www.theplace.org.uk. Postal bookings should be sent to EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House.
back to contents
Eilen Jewell, The New Star Of Old-Time Country, Returns To UK In August
Following on from her hugely successful UK tour earlier this year where she recorded sessions for both Matk Lamarr and Bob Harris (BBC Radio 2), Boise Idaho born songstress Eilen Jewell returns to these shores in August. In the company of her fabulous band, Jewell will be performing at both The Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Maverick Festival alongside some club shows.
Jewell, whose unique brand of old-time country stylings mixed with R’n‘R and Rockabilly has left audiences drooling in her wake, released her excellent Letters From Sinners And Strangers to great reviews late last year. Jewell’s heart-achingly hushed style and intimate grasp of roots music’s wild graces are revealed in the CD’s provocative, melodic originals and timeless country and blues classics. Set to a swaying, irrepressible groove, the subdued emotion in her soft soprano feels like music straining beneath skin. Her band (drummer Jason Beek, Jerry Miller on electric and steel guitar, and Johnny Sciascia covering the low end on upright bass) evokes classic country, folk and swing without feeling nostalgic. Nothing about roots is retro in Eilen Jewell’s universe.
Later this year Signature Sounds/Continental will be releasing the self-tiled Sacred Shakers album. This is a record that features Jewell in tandem with her gospel band including Jason Beek, Daniel Fram, Daniel Kellar, and a host of Boston’s finest roots musicians.
UK Tour (Full Band)
Aug 22nd Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Aug 23rd Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Aug 24th Low Mill, North York Moors – The Band Room
Aug 25th Brighton – The Prince Albert
Aug 27th Cornwall – Penzance – The Acorn Arts Centre
Aug 28th Bristol – St Bonaventure’s
Aug 29th London – The Green Note
Aug 30th Woodbridge, Suffolk – Maverick Folk Festival
www.eilenjewell.com
back to contents
Chris Smither Announces DVD Release And UK Dates For October
Miami-born guitarist and songwriter Chris Smither is set to release a live DVD, One More Night, to coincide with a number of UK shows lined-up for October. Released on Signature Sounds on September 1st, the DVD features footage from two intimate shows Smither performed in Lyme, Connecticut in 2007, plus excerpts from a rare full-band show in 2006 from The Sommerville Theatre in Boston. Smither is joined in these performances by the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and producer David Goodrich. Also included is an in-depth interview with Smither in which he describes both his influences and technical procedures.
Smither will be playing a number of solo shows in the UK in October. A renowned live performer both in Europe and the US has led to him becoming almost a permanent fixture on the festival and acoustic scene since the early 70s.
Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for more than 40 years, Chris Smither is truly an American original. His music draws deeply from blues and American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers. A profound songwriter, a blistering guitarist and, as he puts it, a "one-man band to the bone," Chris melds the styles of his two major influences, Lightning' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt, into his own signature guitar sound. Critically acclaimed, Chris tours solo all over the globe, performing 150+ concerts a year. Perhaps known best for having written the songs "Love You Like a Man" and "I Feel the Same" (both recorded by Bonnie Raitt), Chris' music has also been covered by John Mayall, Emmylou Harris, and most recently, jazz great Diana Krall. Reviewers praise his dazzling guitar work, gravelly voice, and sophisticated songwriting.
UK Tour - Sept/Oct 2008
30th Huntingdon Hall, WORCESTER 01905 611427, 8PM, £12/10
1st South Street Arts, READING 0118 9606060, 8PM, £12
2nd The Garrick, LITCHFIELD 01543 412121, 7.30PM, £12
3rd Sundial Theatre, CIRENCESTER 01285 654228, 7.30PM, £10/12
4th Tremayne Hall, MYLOR 01326 374767, 8PM, £10
5th Plough Arts Centre, TORRINGTON 01805 624624, 7.30PM, £12/10
6th The Luminaire, LONDON 020 7372 7123, 7.30PM,£14
5th Plough Arts Centre, TORRINGTON 01805 624624, 7.30PM, £12/10
6th The Luminaire, LONDON 020 7372 7123, 8PM. £14
7th The Mill Arts Centre, BANBURY 012952 279002 (TBA)
9th Trades Club, HEBDEN BRIDGE 01422 845265, 8.30PM, £8/10
10th Little Theatre, NEWCASTLE 01912 605605, 8PM, £12
11th Brookfield Hall, BROOKFIELD 01505 706346, 8PM, £12
12th Tall Ship, GLASGOW 0870 220 1116, 7.30PM, £12
back to contents
'Moonshine, Murder, Mountains & Mudflats
- Songs & Tunes From The Leigh Folk Festival 2008'
- This is the first compilation CD to be produced as a fundraising project by the Leigh Folk Festival organisation.
- Entitled 'Moonshine, Murder, Mountains & Mudflats', the CD features a 20 track cross-section of the 70+ musical acts due to perform at the 2008 event.
- All the tracks have been generously donated to the project by the artists involved, with the title referring to some of the themes that emerge from this exceptional batch of songs.
- The selection reflects the wide range and diversity of the festival programme, ranging from traditional to contemporary sounds, taking in Americana, psychedelic folk, early music and much more besides.
- The acts featured include high profile names, such as Rachel Unthank & the Winterset, Mawkin, Kirsty McGee & Mat Martin, and Rachel Harrington, alongside less established and many local performers.
- The CD retails at the affordable price of £5, and will be available from early June via the festival websites, local outlets and from venues during the festival itself.
- Leigh-on-Sea and the 'Thames Delta' area has ever been a hotbed of artistic and musical creativity, and each summer the town plays host to what is probably the largest free folk festival in the UK, in a unique seaside setting.
- The last few years have seen a real resurgence of interest in the folk music and traditions of the British Isles, with a whole new generation recognising the richness and relevance of their cultural inheritance.
- The event, which this year runs from Thursday June 26 to Sunday June 29, attracts visitors from all across the country, while still firmly maintaining its connection to the local community.
- Uniquely for a folk festival on this scale, this is essentially a free, open event, giving an opportunity for all to see and hear some of the finest folk artists in the country. The same mix of music, camping, foodie stalls, and laid-back vibe as Glastonbury, without the startling ticket price!' - The Observer.
The Thames Delta Recording Co. MUD001CD
www.leighfolkfestival.co.uk
www.myspace.com/leighfolkfestival2008
back to contents
"A great festival band" - Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 2
"One of the great English bands" - Peter Gabriel
"Wonderful music" - Jools Holland
One of the finest folk duos ever to grace the scene"-Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
SHOW OF HANDS HELP TEWKESBURY
DRAW LINE UNDER DISASTER
England's award-winning, Albert Hall-playing acoustic roots duo Show of Hands are to help the Gloucestershire town of Tewkesbury move on from last year's devastating floods - when they take part in a special festival on Sunday, July 20.
On the first anniversary of the catastrophe, singer songwriter Steve Knightley and multi instrumental wizard Phil Beer (left in picture) will be part of the top notch musical line-up at the Over the Rainbowfestival - an event which aims to boost the local economy and get picturesque Tewkesbury well and truly back on the map.
The Devon duo - voted Best Live Act in BBC Radio 2's 2004 Folk Awards- have sold out the Royal Albert Hall three times now, most recently in Easter 2007 and have a massive following for their unique genre-hopping music, most of it written by Knightley. Both artists used to live in Gloucestershire.
Thousands of people were affected by last summer's floods and a recent report revealed that some 380 households are still effectively homeless in Tewkesbury - with people living in caravans, B & Bs, rented homes or staying with relatives.
The festival, which will take place in and around the 12th century Tewkesbury Abbey (left, during the floods), is being funded by local businesses and organisations and organised by the Vicar of Tewkesbury, Canon Paul Williams; Borough Mayor, Councillor Brian Calway, and a group of volunteers.
The event will start with a 10am service in Tewkesbury Abbey followed by a picnic in Vicar's Garden and a carnival. The outdoor concert - a free entry event - will also feature Tewkesbury's own chart-topping ska punk quintet Spunge and The Who tribute band, My Generation while the day is due to end with a spectacular fireworks display.
Show of Hands will perform at 30 UK festivals this summer, including Gloucestershire's Saul Canal Festival (cancelled last year due to the flooding), WOMAD at Malmesbury, Wiltshire and the Welsh Proms at Cardiff's St David's Hall.
At Tewkesbury, they will be accompanied by rising star Miranda Sykes (right) on double bass and much lauded vocals. They will be on stage between 4-5pm.
The band recently added two new festival dates to their schedule - headlining at Wadebridge Folk Festival in Cornwall on Friday, August 22 and the Mind, Body & Boogie music and dance festival at Bollington, near Macclesfield on Saturday, August 30, organized by the Mental Health Organisation, where they will perform in the outdoor festival marquee.
Tickets for the Wadebridge event, price £15 (children £9) are available on 01208-814638 http://www.wadebridgefolk.co.uk
Tickets for the Show of Hands gig at the 3-day Mind, Body and Boogie festival, price £20, are available on 07725 627835 http://www.myspace.com/mindbodyandboogie
The band's full summer festival and other dates can be found at www.showofhands.co.uk
To see a video of Show of Hands performing their latest popular single Roots - which includes live footage from the Trowbridge Festival in Wiltshire - go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5h4PFBuzvw
back to contents
New England’s Acclaimed ‘Modern Traditionalists’ Crooked Still Return With New Line-Up And New Album
The new five-member version of Crooked Still converged to mingle their creative processes at Allaire Studios in upstate New York, with producer Eric Merrill for Still Crooked, set for release in the UK on July 28th. Following a format much-praised on their last album, Shaken By A Low Sound, the album once again balances unknown traditional material with self-penned compositions, along with "Did You Sleep Well?" by fellow old-time musician Nathan Taylor, and a Mississippi John Hurt standard. The entire album was recorded "live" in one big room, with everyone playing together with Merrill capturing most songs in one or two takes. "I was outside in the hallway, because my voice is so quiet," O'Donovan says. "Recording live, you don't have an option to overdub; that always makes a better album."
Adding ‘new blood’ to the band in the shape of Brittany Haas (5 string fiddle) and Tristan Clarridge (cello), the band have taken an even more adventurous route, breathing their cosmic fire into old songs. "When Rushad left, we wanted to move in new directions," O'Donovan says. "Brittney adds another female presence to the band; I can hear my voice in her fiddling. Tristan has a refined cello tone, with a powerful, restrained energy. They bring a fresh outlook to the arrangements that keep the music exciting."
"We rehearsed for a few days before we recorded," Clarridge says. "We'd listen to a source recording, strip the songs to the bone and build an arrangement incorporating everyone's ideas. It's fun to see how many directions you can take a song." Everyone brought material for consideration.” "As we worked on the songs, we realized there was a lot of loss and mortality in the lyrics," banjo player Greg Liszt adds. . On 'Captain, Captain' a woman asks what happened to her lover and the Captain replies 'he dropped down dead in the gulf.' It's a 400-year-old line, but it gives you chills."
Still Crooked is an ensemble effort of inspired music making that moves the bands' impossible- to-pigeonhole style in new directions while honouring their folk roots. "It's hard to pin down our music," bass player Corey DiMario says. "We play improvised old time music, bluegrass, folk and our own songs within the broad context of a string band. Like a lot of today's bands, we have modern and traditional influences that confuse the boundaries. We want to keep blurring those lines to make something all our own."
www.crookedstill.com
back to contents
Summer Tour 2008
Rachel Hair : Scottish Harp
Joy Dunlop : Gaelic Song & Scottish step dance
Paul Tracey : Acoustic Guitar
Sparkling jigs and reels, rhythmic waulking songs, heart stopping slow airs and passionate love songs…join Scottish Harp player, Rachel Hair and Gaelic singer and Scottish step dancer, Joy Dunlop, for an evening of the finest Scottish Traditional Music and Song.
Both critically acclaimed in their own right, the concert will see them perform as soloists, together and with accompanist Paul Tracey on guitar, as part of their Summer Highlands and Islands Tour.
Rachel Hair
Described as "One of Scotland's brightest harpists" (The Scotsman), Ullapool born Scottish clàrsach player Rachel Hair is one of the most exciting and dynamic performers of her generation. Performing and touring regularly throughout the UK, Europe and further afield, her solo album "Hubcaps and Potholes was released in 2007 to rave reviews.
Joy Dunlop
A native of Connel, Argyll, Joy Dunlop is one of the country's most popular Gaelic singers, "Joy Dunlop has a voice that will enthrall ANYONE! Yes...she is THAT good!" (IRFT Celtic Radio).
A multi prize-winning singer and Scottish step dancer, she has performed extensively in the UK, Europe, Canada and New Zealand.
Tour Dates- Summer 2008
June
Thursday 19th BLAIRGOWRIE Town Hall 7.30pm tickets on the door
Friday 20th ULLAPOOL The Cèilidh Place 7.30pm tickets 01854 612103
Saturday 21st INVERNESS Bogbain Farm, Inshes, 8pm tickets 01463 772800
Tuesday 24th ISLE OF MULL An Tobar, Tobermory 8.30pm tickets 01688 302211
Wednesday 25th ISLE OF LISMORE Village Hall, 7.30pm tickets on the door
Thursday 26th GLENCOE Crafts & Things 7.30pm tickets on the door
Friday 27th ISLE OF HARRIS Harris Hotel, Tarbert, 8pm tickets on the doo
July
Thursday 3rd ISLE OF ISLAY, Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle, Bowmore, 7.30pm tickets on the door
Friday 4th LOCHGILPHEAD Parish Church, 7.30pm tickets on the door
Saturday 5th TAYNUILT Village Hall, 7.30pm tickets on the door
August
Tuesday 12th ISLE OF SKYE Portree Community Hall, 7.30pm tickets on the door
Wednesday 13th ISLE OF SKYE Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, 7.30pm tickets on the door
Thursday 14th ACHMORE Village Hall, 7.30pm tickets on the door
Friday 15th ISLE OF HARRIS Harris Hotel, Tarbert, 8pm tickets on the door
For more information visit:
www.rachelhair.com www.joydunlop.com
back to contents
Sidmouth Folk Week 1-8 August 2008
Volunteer stewards are still needed. Please look at web site for information and application form
http://www.sidmouthfolk.week.co.uk
Cheltenham Music Festival Highlights the influences of Folk-Song on Classical Music in 20th Century
Meurig Bowen has announced the programme for the 64th – and his first – Cheltenham Music Festival (Friday 4-Saturday 19 July).
The major theme of this year’s Festival is the 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’ death which prompts a broad-ranging investigation of classical music’s connection with folk-song in the 20th century. The various compositions of the folk-inclined RVW, Holst, Grainger, Britten, Bartok, Kodaly and Lutoslawski are all performed at the Festival by distinguished folk influenced artists such as the greatest ambassador to British folk music, Kathryne Tickell. Kathryn will also explore the possibilities of combining Indian and British folk traditions with percussionist Kuljit Bharma in collaboration with SPNM. The Manchester Camerata with Gordon Nikolitch bring together Vaughan Williams’ expansive masterpiece with folk tunes and the (Cheltenham raised) Holst’s St Paul’s Suite, as well as Bartok’s 1939 Divertimento which brilliantly combines modernist and folk-like influences.
Alongside their folksong arrangements for more conventional vocal or orchestral line-ups, Vaughan Williams, Holst and Grainger all created folk suites for the remarkable sonorities of military band and they have become central showpieces in the HM Royal Marines Band repertoire around the world.
Wells Cathedral School Chamber Choir, the jewel of the specialist music school will include two choral works by Maxwell Davies, as well as Britten, Kodaly, Peter Dickenson, Bardos and Vaughan Williams in their programme.
The Trio Medieval on 5th July will dazzle with the purity of their voices and immaculate blend combining with the simplicity and pathos of their country’s folksong. ‘Early Music’ and ‘Folk’ has never combined more beautifully.
The emphasis on Folk continues with virtuoso Venezuelan Band, Trabuco. Featuring folk instruments like the cuatro (four-string guitar) and the lute-like bandola, Trabuco brings together eight of the finest classical and traditional performers in Venezuela. Their astonishing repertoire focuses on Venezuelan ‘joropo’, derived over many centuries from styles as diverse as Spanish Baroque music, Arabic dances, flamenco, melaguenas and fandangos. This is music to make you smile and dance, to mesmerise and dazzle.
Highlights include:
- Paired concerts from the BBC Philharmonic, to include Holst’s The Planets, Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra and VW’s The Lark Ascending
- An opening-weekend early music triptych, featuring Trio Medieval, the Rolf Lislevand Ensemble and John Potter’s project with saxophonist John Surman
- Schubert’s three song cycles, performed consecutively on the Festival’s final three days by Mark Padmore, Allan Clayton, Florian Boesch, Paul Lewis and Roger Vignoles
- Arvo Pärt and Veljo Tormis sung by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
- Handel and Vivaldi from mezzo Sarah Connolly and La Serenissima
- A pianos and percussion extravaganza, combining Carmina Burana with Reich’s Sextet and Grainger’s The Warriors
- Premieres by Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark Anthony Turnage, Tansy Davies and Jo Duddell
The Messiaen centenary is marked with performances of the Quartet for the End of Time and Ex Expecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum – in the magnificent, lofty surroundings of Tewkesbury Abbey.
In a Festival whose performers range as widely as Romanian gypsy legends Taraf de Haidouks, Northumbrian pipist Kathryn Tickell and the Royal Marines Concert Band, the many mainstream artists appearing feature exciting, emerging talents alongside beloved, established names:
The published programme of the 2008 Cheltenham Music Festival will be available in early April, and public booking opens on 21 April.
back to contents
| Acoustic Bliss | Sublime Ballads | Enchanting Reels |
JSL Productions present a picnic concert of sublime contemporary folk music set amongst the wooded fields of Hatfield Park.
The line up features an award winning gathering of musicians whose contemporary style of folk will open up a whole new acoustic world to those who haven't visited the folk genre for a while. A revolution in acoustic music, inspired by traditional roots, has been quietly evolving. Folk By The Oak will reveal the incredible wealth of talent that makes these artists so unique and exciting.
Seth Lakeman:
The MERCURY PRIZE nominee and folk sensation Seth Lakeman, has done more than anyone to bring folk into the mainstream and is a truly magnetic live performer.
Cara Dillon:
Award winning Cara Dillon described in MOJO as having 'a stunningly beautiful voice' will team up with the extraordinary talent of rising 'nu-folk' star John Smith.
Martin Simpson:
A spell-binding master of his craft and winner of BBC RADIO 2 Best Album and Best Original Song Award 2008.
Julie Fowlis:
Hailed by Mark Radcliffe as ''enchanting and beguiling and as fascinating as songs by Kate Bush and Bjork" Julie is winner of BBC RADIO 2 Folk singer of the year 2008.
Ruth Notman:
A remarkable, pure and powerful voice. '…one of the most assured, varied and impressive debut albums of the year'. THE GUARDIAN. "A new voice in British Folk" The Independent - ALBUM OF THE WEEK"
Breabach:
"A young group performing with technical assurance and a feel for traditional idioms....Their raucous, driving attack is energised and exciting!" The Scotsman. These Scottish firebrands will have you up on your feet!
Matthew Ord:
An exciting newcomer on the UK roots music scene - an exceptional player and vocalist who will entertain you with his own brand of technically exquisite acoustic guitar at its best.
Bring a picnic or have one delivered, sit back and absorb yourself in wistful ballads or dance along to jigs and reels surrounded by ancient trees in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House. In addition to the musical programme there will be traditional fairgrounds side stalls, craft stalls, music stalls, recycled gifts and a selection of tasty produce on site. There will also be a selection of quality refreshments and bars on site.
JSL Productions look forward to inviting you to an afternoon and evening of some of the finest acoustic music you'll hear today.
Concert arena opens 1.30pm (Ticket holders can enjoy the rest of the park at Hatfield for free from 11.00am)
Concert commences 2.30pm
Concert finishes approximately 9.30pm
Ticket information:
Info and booking line: 01432 355 416 website: www.folkbytheoak.com
Adult: £26 (£33 on day of concert subject to availability), Child under 16 years: £14, Family Offer: (2 adults and 2 children) £72.
Group Offer: Advance groups of 10 or more qualify for a £2 reduction per ticket
Children under 5 years free.
Tickets also available from local Tourist Information Centres.
back to contents
Acclaimed Devon roots duo Show of Hands will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Welsh opera stars Bryn Terfel and Rebecca Evans and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra when they join the headliners at the 23rd Welsh Proms at Cardiff's St David's Hall this summer.
Singer songwriter Steve Knightley and multi instrumentalist Phil Beer will spearhead the first Folk Prom on Tuesday, July 22 - a melting pot of music with a Celtic influence.
They will be joined by two contrasting Cornish acts - the funky 3 Daft Monkeys - an institution on the festival circuit with their infectious acoustic jiggery - and the on-song shanty singers Fishermen's Friends (left) - - a crew of real fishermen, coastguards, lifeboatmen and others all living within a nautical mile of each other in Port Isaac and making their first foray into Wales.
Fishermen's Friends guested with Show of Hands at their sell out Royal Albert Hall gig last Easter and have appeared on Show of Hands recordings, providing a rousing chorus line for some of the band's best known songs like Roots and Cousin Jack.
One of the highlights on Cardiff's cultural calendar, the Proms event at St David's is bigger and better this year, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the National Concert Hall of Wales. The 2008 season (running July 3 through to the
Last Night of the Welsh Proms on July 26) will feature no less than seven magnificent home grown orchestras, also including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales whilst Terfel and Evans will star in a performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah. There will also be Gamelan, Organ and Children's Proms as part of the programme.
The Show of Hands gig will showcase some of the mighty musical talent to come out of the West Country. Based at Topsham, near Exeter, Knightley and Beer have sold out the Albert Hall three times and played almost every leading festival from Glastonbury and Cambridge to Scotland's Celtic Connections.
Nominated for both Best Duo and Best Live Act at the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - and previous winners of the latter - they continue to champion the West Country and regularly weave its people, places, legends and history into their inspirational, diverse and often anthemic songs.
Tickets for the Show of Hands gig, which starts at 8pm, are available on
029 2087 8444, price £16. More info at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
back to contents
Folk Magazine Celebrates Liverpool’s Capital of Culture Year
The new issue of English Dance & Song magazine is available today, published by the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
To celebrate Liverpool European Capital of Culture, the magazine has several features about music in the city. After an introduction, entitled ‘In My Liverpool Home’, the feature Songs of a Seaport looks at Liverpool’s maritime heritage, with a ‘new’ version of the well-known song The Leaving of Liverpool.
Jack Coutts writes about the International Shanty Festival, Shanties 08, which will accompany the start of the Tall Ships Race in July. The importance of Irish music in the city is explained by Chris Boland, chairman of the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the Irish traditional music association) and Clive Pownceby looks at the long-running Radio Merseyside Folkscene programme. There are also features on eighty years of morris dancing in Liverpool, and Mersey Morris Men’s Morris Ring meeting in July, and on the folk scene in Liverpool.
The cover feature is the Young Coppers, representing a new generation of singers from this famous family of Sussex folk singers. To coincide with the release of their debut CD, Passing Out, the ‘Singer, Song and Source’ feature looks at the Young Coppers (written by Vic Smith), the song Come All Bold Britons, and editor Derek Schofield looks back at singing amongst previous generations of the Copper family.
Gavin Atkin investigates a new tune book from East Anglia, Before the Night was Out, and accompanying the article, there are two versions of the tune Oh, Joe, the Boat is Going Over, from Oscar Woods and George Craske.
Caller Cat Kelly is interviewed by Joan Crump and contributes a new dance. There is a feature on Fay Hield’s project about singing communities.
In Sam Bennett – the Film Star, Elaine Bradtke describes an amazing film of the traditional Warwickshire fiddle player – a ‘talkie’ that pre-dates The Jazz Singer. The EFDSS is appealing for funds to help restore this unique film.
Ron Smedley draws on his experience as a dance teacher with the Royal Ballet School in the article Teaching Billy Elliot, to explain the use of folk, morris and rapper sword dance in the training of the young ballet dancers.
The EFDSS has a new Chief Executive, Katy Spicer, and this issue has a feature article about her.
There are eight pages of reviews, including CDs by Chris Wood, Ruth Notman, the songs of Lal Waterson and the amazingly titled ‘Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience’, a DVD review of Tony Palmer’s new documentary about Ralph Vaughan Williams, and a book review of the Ben Harker’s new Ewan MacColl biography.
English Dance & Song magazine also includes regular features such as Festive Round Up; Lives Remembered, News; The Spring Dancing Season (list of dance events); and EFDSS Matters.
The magazine’s website http://eds.efdss.org gives access to sound files of the Coppers’ Come All Bold Britons, as well as to illustrations of the front cover and details of back issues.
The list of folk festivals in 2008 published in the Winter issue has now been updated and is available on the EFDSS website, www.efdss.org Over 130 events throughout England and Wales.
English Dance & Song magazine has been published regularly since 1936, making it one of the world’s longest-established folk magazines. Published quarterly, in full colour, it is available to members of the EFDSS, or on separate subscription. Individual copies can be purchased at festivals and other events and also from the EFDSS. Since 2005, the editor has been Derek Schofield.
back to contents
BERT LLOYD CENTENARY EVENT ANNOUNCED
February 29th 2008 marks the centenary of the birth of A.L. (Bert) Lloyd, the renowned English singer, folklorist, journalist, and writer. To mark this anniversary, the English Folk Dance and Song Society will publish a biography, by Dave Arthur, entitled Bert: The Life and Work of A.L. Lloyd.
To launch the publication and to celebrate Bert Lloyd’s life and work, the English Folk Dance and Song Society will host a day of concerts at its London headquarters, Cecil Sharp House, on Saturday 15 November 2008.
Guests confirmed so far include folk luminaries Frankie Armstrong, Martin Carthy, Bob Davenport with Roger Digby, Will Duke, Dan Quinn and Alex West, Roy Harris, Louis Killen, Maddy Prior, Dave Swarbrick, Norma Waterson, Martyn Wyndham-Read with Iris Bishop and, from the current explosion of young singers and musicians, Lisa Knapp and Sam Lee.
Bert Lloyd (Albert Lancaster Lloyd, 29 February 1908 – 29 September 1982) was not only a world-famous scholar but also a spellbinding singer who inspired many of today’s leading folk performers, giving generously of his time and material. He continues to influence new generations of singers through his books and recordings.
Bert’s daughter Caroline Clayton and her husband Ted are pleased to support the occasion, all proceeds from which will be donated to the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.
back to contents

In what is hoped to be a series of special concerts as part of Croydon Folksong Club’s ongoing programme there will now be occasional events under the banner “Les Elvin & Pete Fyfe’s Big Night Out”.
The first of these will feature Show Of Hands award winning multi-instrumentalist and vocalist PH