bluecrow music

Friday, 13 April 2018

Jenny Sturgeon Trio - Touring Periods Available

Jenny Sturgeon Duo

Delighted to now be working with the inspirational JENNY STURGEON. Jenny's lyrics come from folklore, historical events and personal experience, and having trained as a biologist her enthusiasm for nature creeps in to all her work. Jenny plays in a trio with Jonny Hardie (Old Blind Dogs) and Charlie McKerron (Capercaillie, Session A9), and with Lauren MacColl and Ewan MacPherson in the critically acclaimed band Salt House. In addition to touring, Jenny is involved in several projects including working as a songwriting workshop tutor and collaborating with Aberdeen based artist and fabric designer Helen Ruth. 2018 heralds an exciting new collaborative music project Northern Flyway with Inge Thomson (Da Fishin Hands, Karine Polwart, Urban Farm Hand). Northern Flyway is a large scale 75 minute music and visual production inspired by birds which will be touring the UK in 2018.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

"Scot Jenny Sturgeon is as close to an organic folksinger/songwriter as you can get. She absorbs the culture, essence, stories and legends of her native region and manufactures them into inspired songs and tunes which reflect much of the natural world around her." - Folk All

Jenny Sturgeon

"Jenny Sturgeon is a singer-songwriter who brings together the old and new with a rare skill" - RnR Magazine

"A superb album - I love every track" - Mike Harding talking about 'From the Skein'

"The magical quality of Jenny’s voice gives tangible feeling to the songs, the haunting lyrics range from the darker sides of folklore and legend through historical narrative to observing the human condition, the dreamlike, expressive and lingering melodies – together the combination creates a whole that holds you in its embrace..." - FolkWords

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Jenny Sturgeon Trio

FOR BOOKINGS, AVAILABILITY, PROMO CDs, FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

TOURING PERIODS: 5th - 16th December 2018, 20th - 31st March 2019 plus Summer Festivals

Gail Cooke at Laughing Dog Music

email: gail@laughingdogmusic.co.uk

Thursday, 12 April 2018

Lady Sings The Blues @ Lincoln Drill Hall 20 April 2018

Live at Lincoln Drill Hall

Friday 20 April 7.30pm

LADY SINGS THE BLUES

Celebrating the music of Billie Holiday

A presentation of Lady Sings The Blues is a very special occasion. Some things are obvious, the six piece band features the finest of British Jazz Musicians, every one of them on top of their game, the arrangements are the best; from the former Humphrey Lyttelton Band arranger Pete Strange; the repertoire is direct from the Billie Holiday bands of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s – offering a rare opportunity to hear these songs played and sung in the way they were in those clubs and cafes of jazz age Harlem, New York. And of course, there’s the singer the remarkable Val Wiseman who is without doubt the finest interpreter of Billie Holiday songs. Just read the reviews.

But dig a little deeper and you begin to realise that this is rather more than just the finest of jazz musicians performing the neglected repertoire of, undoubtedly, the greatest, most influential of all the jazz singers.

Read the words of Benny Green, one of the finest of all jazz critics, broadcaster and musician, whose opinions have to be taken seriously. “What is happening here” he wrote regarding a live performance of Lady Sings The Blues “might even be a shade better than what was being played all those years ago”. Maybe pause to give consideration to Benny’s words, he is actually comparing, favourably, the performance of these British musicians, with that of Billie Holiday with her legendary musicians, Buck Clayton, Lester Young, Teddy Wilson, Freddie Green and all. But Benny was not on his own in this matter.

American Ruby Braff was famous for his irascibility, his lack of patience with what he perceived as the shortcomings of fellow musicians and for being blunt to the point of rudeness as well as being celebrated as one of the finest jazz trumpet players of his generation. On BBC Jazz Panorama, in a blindfold test he was uncharacteristically congratulatory: “I think she’s wonderful, and the musicians sound so beautiful. That’s the best singing I’ve heard in ages, that’s just really wonderful”

“Anyone who can sing Billie Holiday that well, with such musicianship and such amazing and incredible intelligence is such a feat. Other people have tried it and they were lousy and never made it. But she sounds pure and clear, there was no fat on there anywhere…she’ll just end up singing better than anybody, that’s what I think". Thus spoke the legendary top American trumpet man Ruby Braff.

There’s one more thing to consider: Billie Holiday’s active recording, broadcasting and touring career covered the period 1933 to 1959 – 26 years. Lady Sings The Blues has been on the road recording and broadcasting, performing the Billie Holiday repertoire since 1987 – that’s 31 years and still counting.

www.lincolndrillhall.com

Keith Luckey is at the Frothblowers Micro Pub, Werrington, Peterborough. 15.04.18

Keith Luckey is at the Frothblowers Micro Pub, Storrington Way, Werrington, Peterborough. 15.04.18.

Keith will be playing a one hour acoustic set. Downbeat 3pm.

Live Music and Rael Ale...

Can't be bad.

www.keithluckey.fourfour.com

keith@bluecrowmusic.co.uk

News From Topic Records April 2018

Norma Waterson & Eliza Carthy with The Gift Band – ‘Anchor’

Out 1^st 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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

Topic Records

The New Powerhouse, Gateway Business Centre

Kangley Bridge Road

London, Eng SE26 5AN

United Kingdom

Red Rooster Festival, Suffolk, UK.

Red Rooster Festival in Suffolk this year! UK lets do this
Grab your tickets here: https://bit.ly/RR18Tickets

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Callaghan is at Lincoln Drill Hall on Thursday 19 April 2018

"Breathtaking...absolutely incredible" is how BBC London's Gaby Roslin described a recent live performance by Callaghan.

Originally from Lincolnshire Callaghan moved to the USA in summer 2010 to record and tour with Grammy-Nominee Shawn Mullins, since then she's been performing and winning fans all across the USA.

Back home in the UK the BBC's Bob Harris has been a strong supporter regularly playing her music and describing her as "a wonderful artist...hugely talented". BBC Radio 2 have also given strong support play listing three singles Best Year, We Don't Have to Change The World and Last Song, from her most recent studio album A History of Now.

Callaghan plays piano and guitar and delivers a stunning vocal which earns frequent comparisons with artists like Sarah McLachlan and Emmy Lou Harris. Her songwriting chronicles the stories, experiences and emotions which are part of everyone’s lives.

A long-time Shawn Mullins fan, she contacted the Atlanta singer-songwriter through MySpace and, after being knocked out by her music, he agreed to produce her debut album. Callaghan jumped on a plane headed for Atlanta.

Since then she's been constantly on the road touring across 47 states and headlining in multiple US cities. The US music magazine No Depression says of her live show "Callaghan's voice truly sets her music apart...nothing short of stunning".

Over the last two years she’s played live on Clare Balding's Good Morning Sunday on Radio 2, with Gaby Roslin and Robert Elms on BBC London, and on regional radio across the UK. She's also appeared at festivals including the Secret Garden Party, SummerTyne, Celtic Connections, Cornbury and the Cambridge Folk Fest.

The latest chapter of Callaghan's US journey has taken her to LA to collaborate with Jeff Fair & Starr Parodi, producers who have worked at the pinnacle of the movie soundtrack industry on Mission Impossible and Bond Movies, and Anthony Resta who has previously produced Blondie, Duran Duran and Elton John.

Her latest EP The Other Side released in June offering listeners a blend of soaring vocals, epic production and emotional lyrics. Two further EPs are being written and recorded in LA and will release between now and Callaghan’s April tour.

Support will be provided by: Jesse Terry

Jesse Terry is a prolific, independent, New England based artist who left a writing gig at a Nashville publishing house to release his own albums and tour the world, frequently accompanied by his wife and their dog, Jackson Browne. Jesse’s profile has grown considerably over the years, performing at Bonnaroo, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Musikfest, The Great Escape, AmericanaFest and many other festivals.

His most recent album “Stargazer” has garnered airplay on BBC 2, BBC Scotland, BBC Newcastle as well as rave reviews in the UK press. Terry recently premiered two official music videos in support of the new album - Kaleidoscope (filmed in Newcastle) & Stargazer (filmed in Northumberland, inside the walls of Bamburgh Castle).

Jesse’s next album “Natural” is a gorgeous acoustic record that will come out April 2018. The album includes special guests such as Dar Williams, Cary Ann Hearst from Shovels and Rope, Sarah Darling, Liz Longley, Kim Richey and others.

Bomx Office 01522 873894

www.lincolndrillhall.com

Friday, 6 April 2018

Keith Luckey at the Strugglers Inn, Lincoln, Sunday 8th April, 2017, 5pm.

Keith Luckey will be playing at the Strugglers Inn, Westgate, Lincoln on Sunday 8th April.

Downbeat 5 pm sharp #