All the latest summer news from Topic Records

The life and work of the very wonderful Shirley Collins is celebrated on her 80th birthday on Sunday 5th July in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre in London.   Shirley is a towering figure in the music world, her influence stretching far and wide, and some of the brightest stars in the realm of contemporary folk music and beyond will congregate to pay tribute to a woman who is, arguably, the greatest living exponent of the folk tradition. “When I sing, I feel past generations standing behind me… those farm labourers and their wives who kept the songs going for us. The songs are social history and their beauty and power undeniable.” This very special event will be compered by Stewart Lee and, with a band led by John Kirkpatrick, will feature performances by Sam Lee, Olivia Chaney, Lisa Knapp, Alasdair Roberts, Graham Coxon and Trembling Bells. The evening will also see the first-ever live performance of the whole of Shirley’s classic album No Roses. Further details can be found here: southbankcentre.co.uk   Available on the day will be a strictly-limited beautiful souvenir programme which will include a 7-inch vinyl record with four recently-discovered recordings believed to be the earliest Shirley made, in 1957. Perfect for the festival season (and record collectors), we now have for sale a black tote bag with the classic Topic accordion player logo on one side and a 1967 Topic flyer design on the other. Continuing our monthly choice of music at a very special price, July’s selections are volumes 13 to 16 of the original Voice of the People set and 4 more great Fledg’ling titles:   another 4 volumes of the Voice of the People:     TSCD663  They ordered their pints of beer & bottles of sherry TSCD664   Troubles they are but few TSCD665   As me and my love sat courting TSCD666    You lazy lot of bone-shakers    and a July bundle of 4 more great Fledg’ling titles:      FLED 3014  HOME SERVICE ~ The Mysteries FLED 3029  SHIRLEY COLLINS ~ False True Lovers FLED 3058  HELEN WATSON ~ Blue Slipper FLED 3084  JOHN KIRKPATRICK ~ God Speed The Plough SIMPSON∙CUTTING∙KERR news Tune in to hear Martin, Andy and Nancy when they visit Mark Radcliffe at the BBC Radio 2 studios for The Folk Show on Wednesday 15th July. After a very busy tour schedule over the last few weeks, SimpsonŸ∙Cutting∙Kerr appear together again at two festivals over the summer, Cambridge Folk Festival on Sunday 2nd August and Towersey Festival on Sunday 30th August. They then resume the Murmurs Tour on Friday September 18th at The Grand in Clitheroe, the first of eight more concerts Check www.martinsimpson/gigs for more details.