An Introduction to June Tabor & An Introduction to Anne Briggs on Topic Records

An Introduction to June Tabor & An Introduction to Anne Briggs on Topic Records... 

The second two releases in the Topic Introduction series are available now/..

An Introduction to June Tabor (TICD003)
An introduction to the magical work of June Tabor. Covering songs from her many record releases on the Topic Record label between 1976 to 2011. June Tabor is quiet simply one of Britain’s greatest interpreters of popular Folk song and has been described by Elvis Costello as ‘The great voice of English folk music’.

Available now from the Propermusic.com, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and all good music retailers.

Track list: 1. While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping / 2. The Band Played Waltzing Matilda / 3. The Devil and Bailiff McGlynn / 4. No Man’s Land / Flowers of The Forest / 5. Unicorns / 6. The Scarecrow / 7. Aqaba / 8. Hedger And Ditcher / 9. Shallow Brown / 10. A Place Called England / 11. Maybe Then I’ll Be A Rose / 12. Oh! Alas, I Am In Love / 13. The Rigs Of Rye / 14. Finisterre / 15. The Dark End Of The Street


An Introduction to Anne Briggs (TICD004)
An introduction to the magical work of Anne Briggs. Tracks include early recordings featured on albums ‘The Iron Muse’ and ‘The Bird In The Bush’ as well as material from her Hazards of Love E.P. and stunning solo album simply titled Anne Briggs. There is also the inclusion of tracks from her long-lost album ‘Sing A Song For You’.

Available now from the Propermusic.com, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and all good music retailers.

Track list: 1. The Recruited Collier / 2. The Doffing Mistress / 3. Polly Vaughan / 4. Rosemary Lane / 5. Gathering Rushes In The Month Of May / 6. The Stonecutter Boy / 7. Blackwater Side / 8. Go Your Way (My Love) / 9. The Cuckoo / 10. Reynardine / 11. Young Tambling / 12. Maa Bonny Boy / 13. Sing A Song For You / 14. The Bonambuie / 15. Tongue In Cheek

Topic Records – Traditional and contemporary folk from the British Isles

News From Topic Records April 2018

Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy with The Gift Band – ‘Anchor’ Out 1st June 2018, pre-order now Anchor is also available on 2LP vinyl set, pre-order from Vinyl180 here   As two of the UK's finest exponents of traditional song, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy's rich, distinctive and authentic voices have engaged new audiences and admirers across two generations. Between them, they have three prestigious Mercury Prize nominations, an MBE each for services to English music and have both been presented with BBC Folk Singer of the Year awards, as well as innumerable other accolades. Eliza recently embarked on her most ambitious project yet by recording and touring with The Wayward Band, a 12-piece adventure. The resulting album, 'Big Machine,' garnered both acclaim and chart placings and the big band have quickly become festival favourites. Although they have recorded independently and together on many occasions over the years, 'Gift' (2010) was Norma and Eliza's first duo release, produced by Eliza. The album went on to win Best Album and Best Traditional Track at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The remarkable new album, 'Anchor,' produced by Neill MacColl and Kate St. John, was recorded in their home town of Robin Hood's Bay and features an eclectic and beguiling collection of both traditional and contemporary songs. Amongst the 11 tracks we find Norma leading on Tom Waits' 'Strange Weather' and 'The Beast in Me' by Nick Lowe. Trad Arr. 'The Elfin Knight' sees Eliza supported by Norma, Martin and extended family, 'Lost in the Stars' is a wonderful take on the Kurt Weill classic, while 'Shanty of the Whale', also featuring guest vocals of Martin Carthy, is a track written by KT Tunstall inspired by the singing of the Watersons, now come full circle in mutual respect and admiration.  The songs represented on this album all recall influences and cherished friends of the extended Waterson/Carthy family, from New Mexican friends Bayou Seco and the Irish traditional singer Margaret Barry to legendary American ballad singer Helen Schneyer; not to mention the MacColl/Seeger family themselves who are represented in The Elfin Night, a song collected by Ewan and Peggy in the 1950s. The album title, 'Anchor,' comes from a sailor's hymn that would have been sung in the Congo chapel itself, even possibly played on the very organ you hear on the recording. It represents being rooted in love and family whatever may occur, which is what this family has always been about. No matter what the origin, Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy bring songs to life with their great musicality and wonderfully compassionate voices in a way that perhaps only this mother and daughter can. JUST ANNOUNCED! Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy With The Gift Band special ‘Anchor’ album launch concert at  Union Chapel, London on Sunday 3rd June. Tickets available from Union Chapel. ‘Anchor’ CD tracklisting: 1. Strange Weather (Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan) 2. The Elfin Knight (Trad Arr) 3. The Beast (Michael Marra) 4. The Widow's Party (Rudyard Kipling/Peter Bellamy) 5. Lost In The Stars (Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson) 6. The Galaxy Song (Eric Idle, John Du Prez) 7. Shanty Of The Whale (KT Tunstall) 8. The Beast In Me (Nick Lowe) 9. Scarborough Fair (Trad Arr) 10. Nelly Was A Lady (Stephen Foster) 11. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Trad Arr) Digital album tracklisting as above with bonus tracks : 12. The Wild Colonial Boy (Trad Arr) 13. We Have An Anchor (Trad Arr) Anchor is released on 1st June 2018, pre-order now Anchor is also available on 2LP vinyl set, pre-order from Vinyl180 here Also forthcoming on Topic Records Blowzabella - Vanilla Release date 25th May 2018, pre-order now Originally released on Topic Records subsidiary, Special Delivery, a welcome official re-release on Topic for the 1990 album, ‘Vanilla,’ by folk legends, Blowzabella, who mark their 40th anniversary this year. Blowzabella is a genuinely unique band that makes an inimitable, driving, drone-based wall-of-sound played with a fabulous sense of melody, rhythmic expertise and sheer feeling.  Many of their tunes are "standards" in the modern British/European folk repertoire and are played by people all over the world. Bands across Europe who experiment with folk music often cite Blowzabella as a major influence. Blowzabella are: Andy Cutting - diatonic button accordion; Jo Freya - vocals, saxophone, clarinet; Paul James - vocals, bagpipes, saxophones; Gregory Jolivet - hurdy-gurdy; David Shepherd - violin; Barn Stradling - bass guitar; Jon Swayne - bagpipes, saxophone. ‘Vanilla’ CD tracklisting : 1. Spaghetti Panic 2. La Belle S'est Endormie/Famous Wolf 3. Jan Mijne Man/Go Mauve 4. Fulmine 5. Beanfield/Monster Cafe 6. I Wish, I Wish 7. Down Side/Solvieg's Song/Doctor Feg 8. Horizonto 9. In Continental Mood/The Old Queen/Flatworld 10. The Lover's Ghost 11. The R.S.B. & The Hobb 12. Spaghetti Panic (Live) ‘Vanilla’ is out on 25th May 2018, pre-order now More info on the band and live dates can be found on their website at www.blowzabella.co.uk Exclusive Vinyl 180 / Topic Records Offer Buy two or more of Vinyl180 Topic Records series vinyl releases and get a FREE COPY of the 21 track double vinyl LP ‘The Real Sound Of Folk Music’ compilation. ‘The Real Sound Of Folk Music’ features 21 tracks including Martin Simpson, June Tabor/Oysterband, Eliza Carthy, Nic Jones and Full English. To get your FREE COPY purchase any two of the following seven albums : Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy With The Gift Band - ‘Anchor’ 2LP (released 1st June) Martin Simpson - ‘Trails & Tribulations’ 2LP Eliza Carthy and the Gift Band - Big Machine 2LP Nic Jones - ‘Penguin Eggs’ June Tabor - ‘An Introduction to…’ 2LP Anne Briggs - ‘An Introduction to…’ Shirley Collins - ‘An Introduction to…’ Full offer details can be found on the Vinyl180 website. And… June Tabor ‘Ashore’ Record Store Day Exclusive Released 21st April 2018 For the very first time on vinyl this 180g WHITE vinyl double LP exclusive for Record Store Day, comes packaged as a 2LP set in a gatefold sleeve with full colour inner bags. June Tabor is without doubt 'one of the greats' of the British folk scene. Her recording career has consistently reached ever greater heights of performance and interpretation. Each of her albums consistently reaches the highest technical standard with her emotionally powerful performances and scintillating musical arrangements. Ashore is a collection of songs concerning humankind's relationship with the sea and on release the album was hailed by critics and fans alike as another career highpoint. For information on getting a copy of this collectors item, click here. Topic Shop Please visit www.topicrecords.co.uk for all of your Topic CD and Vinyl needs. Topic Records artists on tour Martin Simpson Sat 14th April - Ards Guitar Festival Thu 19th April - The Met, Bury Fri 20th April - Mansfield Palace Studio Theatre Sat 21th April - Hertford St Andrew Church - Buy Tickets Sat 28th April - Derby Peace Concert More information available from :  http://www.martinsimpson.com/gigs/ Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy With The Gift Band Sun 3rd June - Union Chapel London Tickets/info Copyright © 2018 Topic Records, All rights reserved. mailing address Topic Records The New Powerhouse, Gateway Business Centre Kangley Bridge Road London, Eng SE26 5AN United Kingdom

Topic Records - April 2018 newsletter

New Releases from Topic Records

NEW Topic Records releases Topic Records are happy to announce the next two NEW releases on 9th February 2018. June Tabor - An introduction to (TICD003) 15 specially selected tracks from one of the greatest voices on Topic Records. Track listing: While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, The Devil and Bailiff McGlynn, No Man’s Land / Flowers of The Forest, Unicorns, The Scarecrow, Aqaba, Hedger & Ditcher, Shallow Brown, A Place Called England, Maybe Then I’ll Be A Rose, Oh! Alas, I Am In Love, The Rigs of Rye, Finisterre, The Dark End Of The Street. Available to pre-order now from the Topic Shop, Propermusic.com, Amazon, iTunes and all good music retailers. Anne Briggs - An introduction to (TICD004) 15 specially selected tracks from Anne Briggs, a genuine original from the modern folk revival the late 1960's, early 1970's. Track listing: The Recruited Collier, The Doffing Mistress, Polly Vaughan, Rosemary Lane, Gathering Rushes In The Month Of May, The Stonecutter Boy, Blackwater Side, Go Your Way (My Love), The Cuckoo, Reynardine, Young Tambling, Maa Bonny Lad, Sing A Song For You, The Bonambuie, Tongue In Cheek Available to pre-order now from the Topic Shop, Propermusic.com, Amazon, iTunes and all good music retailers. And in March Martin Simpson - An introduction to (TICD005) 17 tracks selected by Martin Simpson which includes a new exclusive recording of ‘Palaces Of Gold (2018)’ on Topic Records. Track listing: Bones & Feathers / Never Any Good / Banjo Bill / Dives and Lazarus / Love Never Dies / Brothers Under The Bridge / Clerk Sanders /Love Henry / She Slips Away / Will Atkinson / Sir Patrick Spens / Dark Swift and Bright Swallow / John Hardy / Thomas Drew / First Cut Is The Deepest / Delta Dreams / Palaces of Gold (2018) Watersons / Waterson : Carthy - An introduction to (TICD006) 15 specially selected tracks from one of the greatest folk groups on Topic Records. Track listing: The Watersons - Three Score and Ten / The Watersons - Pace-Egging Song / The Watersons - Country Life / The Watersons - The Good Old Way / Lal & Norma Waterson - The Wealthy Squire /Mike Waterson – The Light Dragoon / The Watersons – Emmanuel / The Watersons - Fare Thee Well, Cold Winter / Waterson:Carthy – Bold Doherty / Waterson:Carthy – When First I Came To Caledonia / Waterson:Carthy – Rambleaway -Valentine Waltz / Waterson:Carthy – The Devil and the Farmer / Norma Waterson – Once In A Blue Moon / Waterson:Carthy – Jacobstowe Wassail / Waterson:Carthy – Goodbye, Fare You Well. TOPIC NEWS It is with regret we have been informed of the passing of John Dickinson of The Valley Folk who died on the 19th January 2018.  He was signed to TOPIC in the Sixties and they made ‘All Bells in Paradise’. Recorded by R.W. Swettenham at Olympic Sound Studios, London; Notes by A.L. Lloyd; Photograph by Brian Shuel shows a cast from a Slovak gingerbread mould Jean and Elaine Carruthers, John Dickinson, Stephen Heap, vocals Topic Birthdays Born 15th February 1943 Died 4th September 1998 Lal Waterson Little introduction is needed here for Waterson group member Lal Waterson, alongside her sister Norma and brother Mike Waterson and cousin John Harrison they produced some great music for Topic Records as well as other labels through a long-career in the music business. Albums like The Watersons ‘Frost and Fire’ and ‘For Pence and Spicy Ale’ truly highlight the talent of one of the leading folk revival groups of the 60’s and 70’s. 29th February 1908 Died 29th September 1982 A L Lloyd. Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the 1950’s – 1960’s folk song revival, A L Lloyd also known as Bert Lloyd had a remarkable and eventful career – whaler, sheep farm hand, social historian and journalist. The mastermind behind two classic Topic album recordings, ’The Iron Muse’, industrial folk songs and ‘The Bird In The Bush’, a collection of traditional erotic songs which featured early recordings by Anne Briggs. He was appointed artistic director at Topic Records in 1958 and along side Ewan MacColl was one of the biggest influences on what was released by Topic Records. Topic Artists on tour Martin Simpson continues to tour his wonderful Topic LP ‘Trails and Tribulations ‘ Wed 7th Feb.  Red Lion Folk Club Birmingham Fri 9th  Feb.  Chesterfield Folk Club Sat 17th Feb.  Mottram Village Hall, Cheshire More information available from http://www.martinsimpson.com/gigs/ Eliza Carthy and Martin Carthy duo / Gift Band Tour 2018 13 Feb. National Centre for Early Music York 14 Feb. Square Chapel Centre for the Arts Halifax 15 Feb. Settle Victoria Hall North Yorkshire 16 Feb. Music At The Hall Nottingham 18 Feb. Vivacity Key Theatre Peterborough 19 Feb. Forest Folk Wickham, Hants 20 Feb. Theatre Mwldan Cardigan 21 Feb. Wyeside Arts Centre Powys, Wales 23 Feb. Guildford Folk Club Guildford 24 Feb. Hailsham Pavilion East Sussex 25 Feb. Topsham Folk Club Devon 26 Feb. Whitchurch Folk Club Hampshire More information available from http://www.eliza-carthy.com/tour-dates/ TOPIC RECORDS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Topic Records would love to hear from you so please send us any suggestions you may have. Your top ten Topic records, your favourite Topic recordings, maybe Topic merchandise you’d like to see made available in the future to buy and general feedback. We cannot guarantee a reply to every email, but we may feature some of your comments and suggestions in further newsletters. Thank you. Copyright © 2018 Topic Records, All rights reserved. mailing address: Topic Records The New Powerhouse, Gateway Business Centre Kangley Bridge Road London, Eng SE26 5AN United Kingdom

 Topic Records - February 2018 newsletter