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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
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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
Also available on Topic is the new album from Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy ‘Anchor’ TSCD594 Buy it Now.
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From The Archive
The Copper Family Topic Records promotional photo
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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 |
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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. |
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