News From Topic Records - May 2023

 News From Topic Records - May 2023

Jim Ghedi & Toby Hay Eponymous Album Out May 26 on LP, CD and Digital

Topic is delighted to announce this eponymous collaboration between Jim Ghedi & Toby Hay - their first since 2018's 'The Hawksworth Grove Sessions.’  Postponed for two years due to the small matter of a global pandemic, finally, as some semblance of normality took shape, in February 2022, the duo headed into Giant Wafer Studios, mid-Wales, with very little rehearsal time and recorded the entire album live, with no edits or overdubs over three days.

Watch the new live video for Gylfinir, the third single from the new album.

Jim and Toby are both prolific, praised and established artists in their own right. Hailing from South Yorkshire, Ghedi's previous work has often been instrumental, exploring the natural world and his relationship to it, as seen on 2018's A Hymn For Ancient Land but also developing into using his voice, songwriting and traditional material on his more recent album, In The Furrows Of Common Place. Toby Hay, hailing from the Cambrian mountains, professes likewise, that the landscape serves as eternal muse and the spiritual groundwork of his entrancing guitar playing which has dazzled critics and listeners alike throughout his career. All of this makes their collaboration with the world's oldest independent label and custodians of UK folk music, Topic Records, a natural home for this exceptional record.   The album artwork includes beautiful liner notes by Andrew Male.

Pre-order the album on CD, LP or Digital

Album Release Tour June 10th - Chapter, Cardiff Tickets June 11th - The Lost Arc, Rhayader Tickets June 12th - The Greystones, Sheffield Tickets June 13th - The Old Church Stoke Newington, London Tickets

Happy Birthday Martin Simpson

Today (Friday May 5th) marks the 70th birthday of the world-acclaimed singer, guitarist, banjo player and songwriter, Martin Simpson.  Martin released his first record for Topic (‘A Cut Above’ with June Tabor) all the way back in 1980 and has since become a central figure in the label’s story.  His most recent albums, ‘Home Recordings,’ ‘Rooted,’ ‘Trails & Tribulations’ and ‘Vagrant Stanzas’ are indelible proof of a singular talent, ever-enthused, prolific songwriter and collaborator, much admired by fans and peers alike.   Happy Birthday Martin!  News of a very special album featuring Mr Simpson coming soon!    More info (including his Patreon page) about Martin over on his official website.

Topic Records on Spotify

Norma Waterson talks to Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music Sat 6 March 9.30pm.

Hear Norma Waterson Talking to Tom Robinson. BBC 6 Music Sat 6 March 9.30pm.

Tune in to Tom Robinson on BBC Radio 6 Music this Saturday night 6 March 2021 from 9:30pm to hear a 90-minute career retrospective with folk legend Norma Waterson chatting from Robin Hood's Bay in the company of her equally legendary husband and daughter Martin and Eliza Carthy.

BBC Radio 6 Music 

Martin Carthy – Live in Your Living Room – 8pm Saturday 16 January 2021

On Line and Live to Your Living Room

For more than 50 years, Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it. Join him for an intimate set from his home to yours, via Zoom.

Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances.

Find out more 

Martin Carthy - Alan Bearman Music

Martin & Eliza Carthy - On Line -8.00 pm Friday 18 December 2020

 8.00 pm Friday 18 December – Martin & Eliza Carthy

Tickets £8 – £22

Martin Carthy and his twice Mercury nominated daughter Eliza Carthy, join forces to perform for you.

Martin is a legendary ballad singer and guitarist who has influenced a generations of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, while Eliza has been twice-nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and a multiple-award winner at the BBC Radio Two Folk awards.

Ticket Link

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

News From Topic Records September 2019

Historic Topic Records release available now The Copper Family Come Write Me Down by The Copper Family of Rottingdean finally brings the legendary 1950s and early 1960s Copper Family recordings to CD for the first time. These rare performances present the glorious 'Southern harmony', southern English that is, that The Coppers brought to prominence during the early part of the folk revival. The classic duet harmonies of cousins Bob and Ron Copper are featured along with previously unreleased recordings of the quartet including both their fathers, the brothers John and Jim Copper. The influence The Coppers and these recordings have had is inestimable. All this goes to make this release, arguably, the most important traditional music releases this century. Come Write Me Down has been carefully remastered with astonishing results, sounding better than anyone had originally hoped for. Included are two booklets: a 60-page booklet with extensive biographies, historical notes and a 36-page book with full lyrics. Bob Copper sadly passed away shortly after receiving national recognition by way of his MBE and this CD release is possibly the finest archival tribute to his legacy and The Copper Family. The Copper Family continue to perform and record songs, to this day keeping their Folk tradition alive and well. Tracks: 1. Spencer The Rover 2. Good Ale 3. Thousands Or More 4. Babes In The Wood 5. The Banks Of The Sweet Primroses 6. Sweep! Chimney Sweep! 7. Two Young Brethren 8. The Brisk and Bonny Lad 9. The Month Of May 10. The Honest Labourer 11. The Birds In The Spring 12. My Father Had An Acre Of Land 13. Shepherd Of The Downs 14. The Threshing Song 15. The Seasons Round 16. Sportsmen, Arouse! 17. Hard Times Of Old England 18. The Lark In The Morning 19. Warlike Seamen 20. When Spring Comes In 21. The Brisk Young Ploughboy 22. Cupid’s Garden 23. Dame Durden 24. The Claudy Banks 25. General Wolfe 26. Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy 27. Talking 28. Come Write Me Down, Ye Powers Above Norma Waterson - An Introduction to TICD012 Release: 28th September 2018 Topic Records are delighted to announce this very special 12th instalment of our popular ‘Introduction To…’ series. ‘An Introduction to Norma Waterson’ draws songs from right across the revered British folk doyenne’s distinguished Topic career. Norma has personally selected 15 tracks for this release. Norma Waterson is perhaps best known as one of the original members of the celebrated English traditional group, The Watersons, alongside her brother Mike Waterson and sister Lal Waterson, a cousin John Harrison, and in later incarnations of the group, her husband Martin Carthy. Her eponymously titled solo debut, featuring collaborations with her daughter, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy and other members of The Watersons, as well as Danny Thompson (Pentangle), Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention) and Roger Swallow (Albion Country Band), was released by Hannibal Records in 1996 and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.  In 1999, the follow-up, ‘The Very Thought of You,’ was released by Hannibal and once again featured Richard Thompson, Danny Thompson, Eliza Carthy and husband Martin Carthy.  In 2001, she released her first solo traditional folk album, ‘Bright Shiny Morning,’ on Topic Records. Norma is a member of Waterson–Carthy with Martin Carthy and Eliza Carthy, and of the "supergroup" Blue Murder. She has appeared on a variety of collective recordings, notably Peter Bellamy's The Transports.  In 2010, Waterson released an album of collaborations with her daughter Eliza entitled Gift. Norma was awarded an MBE in 2003 for the commitment and contribution to music and in 2016 received a life time achievement award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Tracks: Seven Virgins (The Leaves Of Life) / T Stands For Thomas / Grace Darling  / Three Pretty Maidens  / John Ball / When First I Came To Caledonia / Polly’s Love (The Cruel Ships Carpenter)  / Fare Thee Well Cold Winter / Bright Shiny Morning  / One April Morning  / Song For Thirza / Once In A Blue Moon / The Outlandish Knight / The Oxford Girl / Bunch Of Tyme Pre-order now Also available on Topic is the new album from Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy ‘Anchor’ TSCD594 Buy it Now. From The Archive The Copper Family Topic Records promotional photo Topic Records Artists on tour 2018 Rachael McShane & The Cartographers 20 October 2018 - FOLK FESTIVAL, Manchester 21 October 2018 - Riverhouse Barn (Brunch Concert) Walton-On Thames 24 October 2018 - Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead 25 October 2018 - Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shorham-By-Sea 26 October 2018 - The Lights, Andover 27 October 2018 - The Slaughtered Lamb, London 28 October 2018 - Quay Arts Centre, Isle Of Wight 1 November 2018 - Alexander's Live, Chester 2 November 2018 - The Civic, Barnsley 3 November 2018 - Kirkgate Arts, Cockermouth 16 December 2018 - The Froize, Woodbridge, Suffolk Martin Simpson 8 September 2018 - Aylsham Festival Dance, Music & Song, Norwich www.aylsham-tc.gov.uk/aylsham-festival-of-dance-music-and-song/ 14 September 2018 - Blaxhall Village Hall, Suffolk 15 September 2018 - The Neeld Arts Centre, Chippenham www.neeld.co.uk 21 September 2018 - Gala Theatre & Cinema, Durham www.galadurham.co.uk 22 September 2018 - The Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough www.kula-productions.com 28 September 2018 - The Goose Is Out!, Nunhead, London www.thegooseisout.com www.wegottickets.com/thegooseisout 29 September 2018 - The Lowry, Salford, Greater Manchester www.thelowry.com Eliza Carthy / Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band Eliza Carthy & Martin Carthy duo / GIFT band Appearing at 2 November 2018 - Folk You! Mallorca 3 November 2018 - Folk You! Mallorca Eliza Carthy - special guest performances Appearing at: 10th November 2018 - The Principal Manchester Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band Appearing at: 6 October 2018 - Derby Folk Festival 19 October 2018 - Manchester Folk Festival Martin Carthy 2 September 2018 - Mosley Folk Festival, Birmingham 8 September 2018 - Bermondsey Folk Festival, London 21 September 2018 - Chiddingly Arts Festival, Eastbourne 29 September 2018 - Llyn Acoustic Guitar Festival, Pwllheli Topic Records Artist Birthdays This month Topic Records celebrate the birthdays of Anne Briggs and Peter Bellamy. Anne Briggs - Birthday 29th September 1944 Anne Briggs legendary status is in part, down to her mystique. Often imagined as a wandering siren, possessed of a voice that could take the listener right into the world of the old songs when she performed them, hypnotising the captive audience. She would travel up the British Isles occasionally performing, often shunning company and on her rare visits to London, stay just long enough to be recorded. Early performances feature on the Topic albums ‘The Iron Muse’ and ‘The Bird In the Bush’. In 1963, she recorded tracks for The Hazards Of Love EP which would be released in August 1964. The swinging sixties and the Folk Boom of the time provided what would have been the perfect back drop for success for Anne Briggs yet it seems success and stardom were the farthest things from her thoughts. Anne simply wanted to do things her way, a free spirit and this may explain why her recording and performing career only spanned between 1963 and 1973. 1971 saw the release on Topic Records of her eponymous first album. The LP featured John Moynihan from Sweeney’s Men and featured tracks like ‘Blackwater Side’ and ‘Maa Bonny Lad’. Regarded as a lost treasure this album captures Anne Briggs in all her vocal glory.   Peter Bellamy Born 8th September 1944 / Died 24th September 1991 Peter Bellamy (The Young Tradition) may not be a household name among Folk fans, but he should be! Considered to be one of the finest voices of the British Folk revival, he was a member of the Young Tradition Folk group who helped re-awaken the interest in traditional Folk music of England. He drew influence from the likes of Ewan MacColl, Harry Cox and the Rolling Stones! In 1977, he produced the highly acclaimed ‘The Transports’ LP (A Ballad Opera by Peter Bellamy) which featured other Topic artists like Martin Carthy, Nic Jones, June Tabor and The Watersons. 1979 saw the release of his solo album ‘Both Sides Then’.  The album draws from many musical interests. Tracks like ‘The Lord Will Provide and ‘When I Die’ sound amazing as Peter Bellamy’s vocal powers through with passion and belief. Follow us on Spotify to find these playlists and more You'll find us here follow this playlist follow this playlist follow this playlist follow this playlist Copyright © 2018 Topic Records, All rights reserved. mailing address: Topic Records Topic Records c/o Proper Music Distribution 1-5 Applegarth Drive, Questor, Dartford Kent, Eng DA1 1JD United Kingdom

Topic Records - September 2018 newsletter