Two new titles in The Voice of the People series from Topic Records

It was mighty! It was great altogether!   On 18th March 2016 Topic will proudly release the latest volumes in the widely-acclaimed ongoing series of traditional music from these islands, The Voice of the People;  nearly 200 tracks of the most vital, dynamic music made by Irish immigrants in London over the last six decades make up two 3CD sets: TSCD679T "It was mighty!"  There wasn't a corner of what was to become Greater London in the 1950s where there wasn't some Irish music to be heard, if you knew where to find it. This special collection of recordings presents and explores the fine examples of the music-making of those immigrants from rural Ireland who settled in London in the first couple of decades after the War. TSCD680T "It was great altogether!"  This compilation explores the traditional Irish music which has continued to secure a place for itself in London throughout the last fifty years; demonstrating both the "old" music, completely untouched by the goings-on in Irish popular music, and the traditional music from the current scene led by second and third generation musicians.    This year’s Record Store Day celebrations take place on Saturday 16th April. On the day, Topic will be releasing an exclusive 7” vinyl single by Martin Simpson and some of his musical friends. A double A-side, the single features Martin with Andy Cutting and Tom A. Wright on a brilliant version of Booker T. and the MGs’ ‘Green Onions’, and, on the other side, with Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr on the classic ballad ‘Willie Taylor’.   Fledg’ling Records will also be taking part, with an exclusive reissue of a rare Shirley Collins 7” EP that originally came out on the Collector label in 1964, ‘English Songs volume 2’, in a replica flipback sleeve plus a new inner sleeve with rare photographs. February special offers This month we have four titles from Topic’s highly regarded World Series on offer at the very special price of only £6 each:     TSCD 918  PAPUA NEW GUINEA ~ Healing, Feasting & Magical Ritual TSCD 922  THE TEMPLE MUSIC OF KERALA IN SOUTH INDIA TSCD 923  GUMBOOT GUITAR ~ Zulu Street Guitar Music from South Africa TSCD 925  THE KING’S MUSICIANS ~ Royalist Music of Buganda-Uganda Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party have a fabulous new album Old Adam due in February. Fay’s two albums for Topic are available this month for only £6 each: TSCD 573  FAY HIELD ~ Looking Glass TSCD586  FAY HIELD & THE HURRICANE PARTY ~ Orfeo Shirley Collins on Fledg’ling Records  After splendid 80th birthday celebrations during 2015 and an upcoming book from the Secret Queen of England, our good friends at Fledg’ling Records are offering six of Shirley Collins’ beautiful albums for just £5 each. The perfect chance to fill gaps in your record library or introduce a friend to the delights of Shirley's singing:           FLED 3019  SHIRLEY & DOLLY COLLINS ~ For As Many As Will FLED 3023  SHIRLEY COLLINS ~ Adieu To Old England FLED 3028  SHIRLEY COLLINS ~ The Power of the True Love Knot FLED 3029  SHIRLEY COLLINS ~ False True Lovers FLED 3057  SHIRLEY & DOLLY COLLINS ~ Snapshots FLED 3080  SHIRLEY COLLINS ~ Sweet England    Tour News Martin Carthy & John Kirkpatrick Two of folk music’s greatest practitioners head out on tour together in February. Starting at the Marlowe Theatre on 12th February, the tour runs through until 28th February, finishing at Peterborough’s Key Theatre. Details of all tour dates can be found by clicking the following link: John KIrkpatrick & Martin Carthy February 2016 tour Martin Simpson Martin continues his busy schedule of touring, with solo gigs and those with SimpsonŸCuttingŸKerr booked through to September. Details from his website by clicking here: Martin Simpson tour dates   Best wishes from Topic