News From Topic Records October 2018

New Topic Records release. Release date - 19th October 2018. The Oldham Tinkers - An Introduction to - TICD013 The Oldham Tinkers formed in the mid 1960’s following a chance meeting in a Lancashire pub. Brothers Larry and Gerry Kearns and John Howarth formed the band and would go on to record tracks for various Topic Records compilations before being asked to record their first of five studio albums for the label. ‘Oldham’s Burning Sands’ (12TS206) was recorded in 1971 at Tin Pan Alley Studios London. Produced by A. L. Lloyd, four more albums followed. ‘Best o’ t’ Bunch’ (12TS237) 1974, ‘For Old Times Sake’ (12TS276) 1975, ‘Sit Thee Down’ (12TS323) 1977 and ‘That Lancashire Band’ (12TS399) 1979. This introduction to The Oldham Tinkers is a snap shot of the wonderful collection of colourful material recorded by a lost treasure within the Topic Records catalogue. The band played their early repertoire of songs learnt at family parties from parents, uncles and family friends. They delved into their own childhoods in Oldham, unearthing the songs they and their friends sang as kids as well as introducing new songs and embraced everything Oldham, Lancashire. The band became a regular feature on BBC radio, recording tracks for both John Peel and Andy Kershaw sessions as well as supplying music for various TV Programmes like BBC ‘Play for Today’ and BAFTA award winning TV play ‘Kisses At Fifty’. Tracks: Oldham’s Burning Sands / A Fine Old English Gentleman / Peterloo / The Lancashire Miller / Charlie Chaplin / Seeing Double / The Four-Loom Weaver / Best o’t’ Bunch / Billy Winker / For Old Times Sake / The Maypole / Pity Me My Darling / Jumping Jack / Eawr House As Was / The Lark / McCarthy’s Party / A Mon Like Thee. Pre-order An Introduction to the Oldham Tinkers From the Archive. Photo credit - Photograph of Ray and Archie Fisher early 1960’s Topic Artist Birthday. This month Topic Records is happy to celebrate the birthday of early recording artist Archie Fisher. Born on 23rd October to a large singing family in Scotland, he was the brother to none other than professional Folk singer Cilla Fisher. Archie was to follow the musical trend in the family and went on to record with his sister Ray Fisher in 1961.  Topic Records released a 7-inch E.P. titled ‘Far Over The Forth’ (TOP67) and Topic later went on to record an album with The Fisher Family called ‘Traditional & New Song’s from Scotland in 1965. Many of the Fisher family went onto perform at the Edinburgh Folk Festival in the mid 1960’s. Archie continued in music later becoming a radio presenter for BBC Scotland Folk programme Travelling Folk. Topic Artists on Tour. Rachael McShane & The Cartographers 20th October 2018 – Manchester Folk Festival – Manchester. 21st October 2018 – River house Barn (Brunch Concert) – Walton -On Thames. 24th  October 2018 – Norden Farm Arts Centre – Maidenhead. 25th October 2018 – Rope tackle Arts Centre – Shoreham-By-Sea. 26th October 2018 – The Lights – Andover. 27th October 2018 – The Slaughtered Lamb – London. 28th October 2018 – Quays Art Centre – Isle Of Wight. 1st November 2018 – Alexander’s Live – Chester. 2nd  November 2018 – The Civic – Barnsley. 3rd November 2018 – Kirkgate Arts – Cockermouth. 16th December 2018 – The Froize – Woodbridge – Suffolk. Martin Simpson 4th October 2018 – Chapel Arts Centre – Bath. 5th October 2018 – Farncombe Music Club – Surrey. 6th October 2018 – Eastwell Village Hall – Melton Mowbray. 11th October 2018 – The Exchange – Twickenham. 12th October 2018 – Kalamazoo Klub – London. 13th October 2018 – The Station – Bristol. 14th October 2018 – Topsham Folk Club – Devon. 4th November 2018 – Hitchin Folk Club – Herts. The following shows are with guitarist Martin Taylor. 21st November 2018 – Lakeside Arts – Nottingham. 22nd November 2018 – Liverpool Philharmonic – Liverpool. 23rd November 2018 – Queens Hall – Edinburgh. 25th November 2018 – Victoria Hall – Settle. 27th November 2018 – Crookes Social Club – Sheffield. 28th November 2018 – Huntingdon Hall – Worchester. 29th November 2018 – Chequer Mead Theatre – East Grinstead. 30th November 2018 – Rope tackle Arts Centre – Shoreham–By–Sea. Martin Carthy (Solo) and with John Kirkpatrick. 10th October 2018 -The Brindley -Runcorn.          11th October 2018 - Ashcroft Arts Centre -Fareham.        12th October 2018 - Tea Clipper Cutty Sark – London. 13th October 2018 - Music at Mottram – Mottram.           15th October 2018 - Colchester Folk Club -Colchester. 16th October 2018 – Good Intent Folk Club – Rochester. (Solo show) 21st October 2018 – The Barrelhouse – Totnes. (Solo show) 22nd October 2018 – The Marine Theatre – Lyme Regis. (Solo show) 24th October 2018 - West End Centre – Aldershot.            25th October 2018 - Halesworth Arts Festival – Halesworth.          26th October 2018 - Forest Arts Centre – New Milton. 27th October 2018 - Howden Live – Howden.      28th October 2018 - Cornerstone – Didcot. 11th November 2018 – K-I-N – Bristol (with Eliza Carthy) 18th November 2018 – The Poppy Folk Club – Nottingham. (Solo show) 22nd November 2018 – Blue Sky Café – Bangor. (Solo show) 23rd November 2018 – The cellar – Cardigan. (Solo show) 25th November 2018 – TwickFolk at The Cabbage Patch Pub – Twickenham. (Solo show) 26th November 2018 – The Boileroom – Guildford. (Solo show) 28th November 2018 – Folk at the Malthouse – Rishworth. (Solo show) Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band. 6th October 2018 – Derby Folk Festival – Derby. 19th October 2018 – Manchester Folk Festival – Manchester. Copyright © 2018 Topic Records, All rights reserved. Topic Records Topic Records c/o Proper Music Distribution 1-5 Applegarth Drive, Questor, Dartford Kent, Eng DA1 1JD United Kingdom

Folk Upstairs at the Drill with John Kirkpatrick

Folk Upstairs at the Drill with John Kirkpatrick

Saturday 10 March 7.30pm @ Lincoln Drill Hall UK

Widely regarded as England’s leading exponent of ‘squeezebox’ instruments, 

John is one of the most well-known & popular performers on the British folk scene and has worked with Richard Thompson, Albion Band, Steeleye Span and Martin Carthy.

Tickets: £10.00 from 01522 873894

Full details at...

www.lincolndrillhall.com

Folk Upstairs at the Drill New Folk Gigs at Lincoln Drill Hall

Folk Upstairs at the Drill

A new monthly folk music gig is coming to Lincoln.  Folk Upstairs at the Drill, kicks off on at Upstairs at Lincoln Drill Hall on Saturday 3^rd February 2018 at 7.30 pm with Martyn Wyndham-Read. Tickets are just £10.00 and can be purchased in advance from the Drill Hall Box Office or on 01522 873894.

 

The first four gigs are as follows...

Saturday 3 February 7.30pm

Martyn Wyndham-Read  

Traditional and contemporary English and Australian songs from one of the all-time masters. A warm-voiced singer and fine guitarist; a justifiably respected veteran! 

 

Saturday 10 March 7.30pm

John Kirkpatrick

Widely regarded as England’s leading exponent of ‘squeezebox’ instruments, John is one of the most well-known & popular performers on the British folk scene and has worked with Richard Thompson, Albion Band, Steeleye Span and Martin Carthy.

 

Saturday 7 April 7.30pm

Maggie Holland

Since the late 60s, Maggie Holland has played with a number of bands and artists, but more recently has become known as a solo singer/songwriter. Many of her songs have entered the repertoires of artists of artists such as Martin Carthy and June Tabor and has she received a BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Song’ award.

Saturday 5 May 7.30pm

Greg Russell

Possessed of an extraordinary voice that’s ‘full of character’ (The Telegraph), over the last 5 years Greg Russell has established himself as one of the most significant players on the U.K. folk scene. 

Full details of venue and full programme of evets at...

www.lincolndrillhall.com

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

News from Topic Records 'This September it's June'

Back in 1976 when June Tabor's debut album was released the Topic press office came up with a rather splendid headline - this September it's June. The media of the day weren't entirely convinced and no publication used the caption. Here in the Topic office we'd like to announce that all of June Tabor's splendid recordings are available at the very special price of only £6 each throughout September. The perfect opportunity to catch up with albums you are missing from your collection or purchase a gift for a friend.                TSCD298  JUNE TABOR ~Airs And Graces TSCD360  JUNE TABOR ~ Ashes And Diamonds TSCD410  JUNE TABOR & MARTIN SIMPSON ~ A Cut Above TSCD432  JUNE TABOR  Abyssinians TSCD449  JUNE TABOR ~ Aqaba TSCD450  The SILLY SISTERS ~ No More To The Dance TSCD490  JUNE TABOR ~ Aleyn TSCD510  JUNE TABOR ~ A Quiet Eye TSCD532  JUNE TABOR ~ Rosa Mundi       TSCD543  JUNE TABOR ~ An Echo Of Hooves TSCD557  JUNE TABOR ~ At The Wood's Heart TSCD568  JUNE TABOR ~ Apples TSCD577  JUNE TABOR ~ Ashore TSCD585  JUNE TABOR & OYSTERBAND ~ Ragged Kingdom   We continue our monthly choice of CDs at a very special price with 4 more great Fledg’ling titles:            FLED 3028  SHIRLEY COLLINS ~ The Power of the True Love Knot FLED 3043  JOHN KIRKPATRICK ~ The Duck Race FLED 3083  IAN MATTHEWS & The Searing Quartet ~ Joy Mining FLED 3088  ANDY ROBERTS ~ Urban Cowboy Our colleagues at Fledg'ling are pleased to announce two exciting new releases: FLED 3098  PLAINSONG ~ Reinventing Richard (the songs of Richard Fariña) Plainsong – founded by Iain Matthews and Andy Roberts in 1972 – have championed Richard Fariña’s songwriting since the group’s inception. With Reinventing Richard they have produced a classic album that imagines how his songs might have sounded, if written and first recorded in a 21st century electro/acoustic setting. FLED 3099  JOHN KIRKPATRICK ~ Tunes From The Trenches Squeezebox maestro John Kirkpatrick has recorded a glorious selection of of songs from the First and Second World Wars. In a programme that highlights two different kinds of material – as you’d expect there’s a smattering of the popular hits of the day, interspersed with a selection of songs sung on the Front Line by service personnel. Many thanks for continuing to support Topic.