Topic Records "Set dances, hornpipes, jigs and reels…"

The latest news and special offers from Topic Records. "Set dances, hornpipes, jigs and reels…"    During March, Topic Records celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with two fabulous new releases of Irish music in London, plus special offers from a back-catalogue rich in the music of Ireland. Topic is very proud to have presented over many years a wealth of diverse music from the Emerald Isle, and to still be involved in an important ongoing tradition. Topic’s latest releases in the widely-acclaimed series of traditional music from these islands, The Voice of the People, presents, over two 3CD sets, nearly 200 tracks of the most vital, dynamic music made by Irish immigrants in London over the last six decades:   TSCD679T "It was mighty!"  In the early 1950s, some of the most talented young traditional musicians from rural Ireland found themselves in London, working on building sites and in heavy construction, away from home, but among hundreds of people like them. Music was played in pubs and dance halls and, for a decade or two, almost every night of the week, Camden Town, Fulham and neighbouring boroughs were buzzing. Many of the early pioneers of this music, great artists by any reckoning, are represented here, captured at the peak of their powers. TSCD680T "It was great altogether!" Irish traditional music was well-established in pubs and dance halls and at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann meetings in Greater London by the mid-1960s, the groundwork having been done by a generation of young musicians from rural Ireland. Often direct descendants, the latest generation of musicians set equally high standards and have determined to keep the original reasons for playing and keep the old styles alive. March special offers This month we have four titles from Topic’s splendid selection of Irish music on CD, edited by Reg Hall, at the very special price of only £6 each:     TSCD 602   IRISH DANCE MUSIC TSCD 604   PAST MASTERS OF IRISH DANCE MUSIC TSCD 605   PAST MASTERS OF IRISH FIDDLE MUSIC TSCD 606   ROUND THE HOUSE AND MIND THE DRESSER The Voice of the People series has included some superb examples of traditional Irish music, and we are offering two of these volumes at a very special price throughout the month of March:   TSCD 674   SARAH MAKEM  The Heart Is True   £  9.00 A fine Irish traditional singer recorded by many song collectors visiting Ireland in the 1950s, Sarah Makem’s voice reflected a strength and generosity of spirit crucial to the understanding of the Irish tradition. TSCD 677T   VARIOUS ARTISTS  The Flax In Bloom   £ 12.00 Peter Kennedy and Sean O’Boyle uncovered a treasure trove of songs, singers and music-making in their recording travels around Ulster in the early 1950s, and this stunning 3CD set gives a wide and varied view of traditional music of that time and place.   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. The Incredible String Band on Fledg’ling Records Fifty years ago, The Incredible String Band released their first album on the Elektra Records label. In 2010, our friends at Fledg’ling Records presented a beautifully remastered and repackaged version of the album with the full support and co-operation of Mike Heron, Clive Palmer and Robin Williamson, as well as original producer Joe Boyd, and engineer John Wood. To celebrate it’s fiftieth anniversary, Fledg’ling is offering this definitive version of the debut album on CD for just £5: FLED 3076   THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND – Their First Album    Tour News 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