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

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

An Introduction to Nic Jones - On Topic Records

 

An Introduction to Nic Jones

The 14th release in Topic’s acclaimed ‘An Introduction To…’ series celebrates the classic English folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist and fiddle player, Nic Jones. Compiled by Nic himself, the album includes sleeve notes by Colin Irwin (fRoots/The Guardian) and two previously unreleased 2013 studio tracks, ‘Now’ and ‘I Only Spoke Portuguese.’

Nic Jones has won awards galore, has made some fantastic albums and played with the likes of June Tabor, Martin Carthy, Richard and Linda Thompson, Peter Bellamy and Shirley Collins to name but a few. There is no doubt he would have made even more fantastic music had it not been for a tragic car crash that robbed this world of his magic touch. 1980 saw the release of his classic album Penguin Eggs on Topic Records but less than two years later, fate took a disastrous turn. After a gig and while traveling home his car collided head-on with a brick lorry. Virtually every bone in his body was broken. The shock waves reverberated around the entire folk world. The battle to rebuild his body and his life was long and tortuous. He would never play again,                                                                               that was for sure.

Except. Except, eventually – well, almost thirty years eventually – he did.
Coerced, encouraged, protected and inspired by his remarkable wife Julia, he was able to put the pieces back together again. First lured to play a few festivals and then in 2013 with the help of his son Joe Jones and Belinda O’Hooley, record a few new studio tracks, two of which appear on this release for the first time.

Nic insisted on compiling this introduction to his work, a mix of material from the Topics classic Penguin Eggs and Game Set Match albums, tracks included are ‘Humpback Whale’, ‘Seven Yellow Gypsies’, ‘Dives of Lazarus’ as well as the magical never released before 2013 studio recordings of ‘I Only Speak Portuguese’ and ‘Now.’
I think it’s best to have Nic have the last word.

“I think this selection of tracks represents very well my working repertoire during the years I was a professional performer. In music, I have always liked stories, encapsulated in a rhythmic way. I have enjoyed the visions, true or false, black or white, philosophical or emotional, played to the best on my old guitar… So here are a few of those songs that will take you all around the world and, hopefully, set your own visions alight” – Nic Jones January 2019

BUY, DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN HERE

 

Jackie Oates & Megan Henwood On Line Show - Saturday 14 November 2020

 Jackie Oates & Megan Henwood On Line Show - Saturday 14 November 2020

Multi award winning contemporary folk duo Jackie Oates and Megan Henwood meld together their love of storytelling, songwriting and melody with their voices and acoustic instruments, resulting in a fresh sound that combines both reworked traditional folk song with original and contemporary material. Their individual musical backgrounds are quite different yet their voices blend effortlessly, sensitively backed by viola, guitar, and sometimes piano.

The pair met at Nettlebed Folk Club in Oxfordshire, already admiring one another’s work – they began playing music together shortly after and Jackie contributed heavily on Megan’s last album ‘Head Heart Hand’. Since then they have been working together on new material and experimenting with arranging traditional and contemporary songs to fit their musical vision. Working with producers Pete Brown and Tom Excell they have recorded a 5 track EP entitled ‘Wings’ which features their haunting adaption of Brain Bedford’s poignant song ‘What’s The Use Of Wings?’.

After their duo performance at Folk Weekend: Oxford was scuppered by Covid (although we had a lovely shared set of solo songs instead!) we are delighted that Jackie and Megan will be back performing together for us, live to your living rooms.

Event Details This event takes place in Zoom. You will be emailed a joining link when you have booked your ticket - if you don't receive the confirmation straight away please email cat@livetoyourlivingroom.com

Start date: 14 November, 2020 Start time: 20:00 GMT End time: 22:00 GMT

Ticket Link

Will Pound on line Wednesday 11 November - 8pm GMT

 Will Pound  on line Wednesday 11 November - 8pm GMT

Live to Your Living Room

Known for being one of the finest melodeon and harmonica players of his generation, Will Pound is a master of his craft who isn’t afraid to push boundaries. He’s toured everywhere from Europe to Australia, but for this concert he’s heading straight to your living room.

Tickets £14, with options to pay a bit more or less depending on your circumstances. Gig is streamed via Zoom.

Find out more

Latest News From Topic Records – November 2020

 Latest News From Topic Records – November 2020

Martin Simpson releases his new album "Home Recordings" on 13 November and the latest single from the album is out today, find out more below. Martin Simpson Home Recording Out 13 November Martin Simpson’s next album was going to be a live one. But the lockdown put paid to all that. Even so, this cloud does have a silver lining.  And what a silver lining it is. Unable to play to audiences (Martin can average over 100 gigs a year) or go into a recording studio, the only solution was to record a new album at home.  Were it not for the gaggle of geese flying overhead (you can hear them on ‘Lonesome Valley Geese’) and the birds happily tweeting on the closing track, you perhaps wouldn’t know this wasn’t a studio album. Recorded by his regular producer, now neighbour, Andy Bell, the aptly-named, ‘Home Recordings’ finds Martin singing and playing, literally amongst his beloved guitar and banjo collection and out on his Peak District-facing porch. Find the first two singles "October Song" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'" Pre Order Here Home Recordings reviews so far... “Martin is solo throughout except for some sparingly used backing vocals and the sound of Home Recordings somehow takes me back to when I first heard him playing as support to Steeleye Span in the early 70s. I think this record will be close to hand for quite some time.” - Folking.com  “This is an album to listen to over and over and which could only really be improved upon had there been some interference from the cat.” - Northern Sky (★★★★★ 5 stars)  ““Home Recordings” is an unassuming title - but untold riches lie behind the front door.” - Rocking Magpie Topic Records on Spotify If you're a Spotify listener, please consider following Topic Records,  Topic Records Topic Records c/o Proper Music Distribution 1-5 Applegarth Drive, Questor, Dartford Kent, Eng DA1 1JD United Kingdom

Faustus - A Full Album Concert Series

 Faustus - A Full Album Concert Series

Sunday 18 October - 7.30pm BST (Faustus)

Sunday 25 October - 7.30pm GMT (Broken Down Gentlemen)

Sunday 1 November - 7.30pm GMT (Death And Other Animals)

Good Honest Music

Join Paul Sartin, Benji Kirkpatrick and Saul Rose as they present exclusive performances of all three of their albums in full, as well as exploring the backgrounds to the albums and giving you a chance to ask any burning questions!

Tickets for the full concert series £35, individual concerts £15. Gig is streamed via Zoom.

Find out more

http://www.faustusband.com/ 

Fay Hield - Wrackline - Out now on Topic Records

 Fay Hield - Wrackline - Out now on Topic Records

Looking at traditional stories involving the ‘otherworld’ of fairies, ghosts and the animal kingdom, Wrackline explores our emotional responses to the space between their reality and our own. Fay is accompanied on the new album by a stellar cast of some of the finest folk musicians working today; Rob Harbron, Sam Sweeney, Ben Nicholls and Ewan MacPherson.

“Wrackline is split into 6 themes, including my interpretations of songs from within the tradition and contemporary responses. It’s my first foray into songwriting but it is firmly within the realms of folk music - drawing heavily on traditions but looking at how they are still relevant for us today. Perhaps in these strange times it’s particularly important to understand how stories can help us make sense of the world around us, both the world we can see and also those darker, less tangible things. In the run-up to the release, I will be sharing blog posts and podcasts which I hope will help you find a way into thinking about the mythical unknown. Maybe hearing how they’ve become important to me, can help you in this time of insecurity, to find some sense and beauty.”  Fay Hield, July 2020

Click below to watch the official videos for the first two singles.

Buy, Stream or Download Wrackline

Upcoming Tour Dates

• 03 Sept 2021 - Sheffield - The Greystones 

• 04 Sept 2021 - Leeds - The Constitutional

• 05 Sept 2021 - Settle - Victoria Hall 

• 08 Sept 2021 - Gateshead - Sage Gateshead 

• 09 Sept 2021 - Salisbury - Salisbury Arts Centre

• 10 Sept 2021 - London - The Nest Collective

• 11 Sept 2021 - Wiveliscombe - Silver Street Sessions 

12 Sept 2021 - Topsham - Topsham Folk Club 

https://www.topicrecords.co.uk/

Wrackline, A New Album From Fay Hield

Wrackline, the new album from Fay Hield, looks at traditional stories involving the

‘otherworld’ of fairies, ghosts and the animal kingdom, the new work explores our emotional responses to the space between their realm and our own. Working through imaginary space to make things real. “We all search to connect with others – we are entranced by those we cannot connect with and find ways to tell their stories to explain our own.”

The album is set to be released this September and will contain some interpretations of traditional songs and responses to carefully selected songs exploring their meaning and drawing on personal experience and beliefs.

Fay is accompanied on the new album by a stellar cast of some of the finest folk musicians working today; Rob Harbron, Sam Sweeney, Ben Nicholls and Ewan McPherson.

Signed copies of Wrackline are available to pre-order from our store on Propermusic.com.

Pre-order Wrackline

News From Topic Records November 2019

News From Topic Records November 2019 Anne Briggs Ltd Edition Gold Vinyl (back in stock on December 6th 2019) This eponymous 1971 debut album by Anne Briggs, largely unavailable for 48 years, is widely regarded as a pillar of any folk collection. Re-issued here as part of the Topic Treasures series - the label’s classic and notable albums expanded in deluxe format with rare images, new liner notes (by esteemed journalist, Ken Hunt) - ‘Anne Briggs’ heralds a huge resurgence of interest in this most reclusive of folk doyennes. This debut album contains some of Briggs’ most notable songs, including ‘Blackwater Slide,’ which she famously taught to Bert Jansch, (who recorded it on his ‘Jack Orion’ album) and ‘Go Your Way,’ co-written with Jansch. As with the 1971 original, the sleeve here contains song notes by the highly-regarded English folk singer and collector of folk songs, A.L. Lloyd. Limited edition 180gm gold vinyl back in stock on December 6th 2019. Pre-order Vision & Revision The First 80 Years of Topic Records We were thrilled to see Vision & Revision: The First 80 Years of Topic Records at number 3 in the Folk rundown of MOJO's Essential Guide to 2019. The deluxe double album features the cream of British folk artists interpreting a song of their choice from our vast back catalogue and includes never-before-released tracks by Martin Simpson, Richard Thompson, Lankum, Peggy Seeger, John Smith, Sam Lee, Martin Carthy, Olivia Chaney, Lisa O’Neill, Oysterband, Nancy Kerr, Chris Wood, Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, Lisa Knapp, Kitty Macfarlane, Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, Emily Portman & Rob Harbron, Rachael McShane & The Cartographers, Eliza Carthy & Olivia Chaney and The Oldham Tinkers. Buy, Download or Stream Topic Records Folk In Focus It's your last chance to visit the Folk In Focus exhibition of iconic photographs which runs until the 5th January at Cecil Sharp House. Focusing on the seminal artists who’ve helped shape contemporary folk music as we know it, the exhibition includes era-defining shots of Anne Briggs, Shirley & Dolly Collins, The Watersons, Nic Jones, June Tabor, Martin Simpson, Eliza and Martin Carthy, Peggy Seeger, Ewan MacColl and many more. Featuring photographs by Brian Shuel, John Harrison, Elly Lucas, Judith Burrows, Dave Peabody, Eammon O’Doherty and George Van Win, the exhibition runs until 5th January 2020 at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 7AY. Free entry. On Tour Martin Simpson continues his Rooted tour throughout November and into December. Rachael McShane & the Cartographers have announced new dates in March and April next year and Eliza Carthy heads out with the Restitute Band in April. Martin Simpson 20 November - Penrith, Upfront Arts Venue 21 November - Gateshead, Sage Gateshead 22 November - Morecambe, The Platform 23 November - Cheshire, The Lion Salt Works Museum 24 November - Stockton On Tees, The Waiting Room 27 November - Andover, The Lights 29 November - Corsham, The Pound Arts Centre 30 November - London, Cecil Sharp House 01 December - Wingfield, Wingfield Barns 05 December - New Milton, Forest Arts Centre 06 December - Fareham, Ashcroft Arts Centre 07 December - Brighton, St Lukes Church 08 December - Maidstone, The Bower House 19 December - Sheffield, Firth Hall Sheffield Rachael McShane & The Cartographers 20 March 2020 - Runcorn, The Brindley 21 March 2020 - Otley, Otley Courthouse 25 March 2020 - Morecambe, The Platform 26 March 2020 - Bury, The Met 27 March 2020 - London, Kings Place 28 March 2020 - South Petherton, The David Hall 29 March 2020 - Bath, Chapel Arts 24 April 2020 - Gateshead, Sage Gateshead 25 April 2020 - Barton Upon Humber, Ropery Hall 26 April 2020 - Suffolk, Folk At The Froize Eliza Carthy & TRachael McShane & The Cartographers 01 April 2020 - Halifax, Square Chapel Centre 02 April 2020 - Manchester, The Stoller Hall 03 April 2020 - Pontardawe, Pontardawe Arts Centre 05 April 2020 - Basingstoke, The Haymarket 08 April 2020 - Bristol, St George’s 09 April 2020 - Oxford, The North Wall 10 April 2020 - York, The Crescent 11 April 2020 - Settle, Settle Victoria Hall 06 June 2020 - Portsoy, Portsoy Town Hall Copyright © 2019 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