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TOPIC Newsletter 77, May 2008 Greetings: and a warm welcome to summer, and a brilliant line-up this month at the Topic: 8 May Fil Campbell (8 May). (Northern) Irish singer of jazz, folk, and traditional songs, accompanied by guitar and flute and (probably) her percussionist spouse. Fil has been a regular performer on the UK, Irish and European circuits for over a decade, bringing her own interpretation of the songs she grew up with. She has been as much involved with the media side of folk song, presenting BBC Radio Ulster’s weekly “Folk Club” programme, and producing/performing in a 6-part TV Documentary about the lives and times of the Irish female singers who originally sang these well-known songs. This promises to be a wonderful Irish night to celebrate our new location. £5 / £6 to come in: MC Simon Alexander. 15 May Cockersdale (May 15). A very special group singing a capella harmony. Originally formed by the songwriter Keith Marsden primarily to sing the songs he wrote, they soon became a major force on the UK circuit. Following Keith’s untimely death, the group re-formed as a trio, and while continuing to sing many of the songs that Keith wrote and made famous, their repertoire is now considerably wider. This will be a thoroughly professional evening of songs that embody the tradition of folk song as a historical record of the ordinary people. [With financial support from the now-discontinued Arts Council Musicians in Residence Scheme.] Featured Support comes from Desi Friel, an engaging performer from an Irish traditional musical background, whose self-penned material takes a wry look at the world through sympathetic eyes. £5 / £6 to come in: MC Tony Levy. 22 May Ember (May 22). Two energetic, exciting and humorous performers who have made an enormous impression on the folk scene. Now based in Wales, in fact this is a Welsh/US pairing, with (Welsh) Emily’s voice and violin harmonising effortlessly with Rebecca’s voice and harmonica: with both also playing (very different) guitars. Their material is mostly their own; but sits fair and square inside the tradition of song exploring human emotions, the city/countryside dichotomy, and contemporary issues. Expect a performance that engages fully with the audience: hecklers, apparently, welcome. We are not generally a noisy lot at the Topic: but let’s give it a go. Featured Support comes from a local duo; known as the Tuppenny Ceilidh Band; or otherwise Helen and Richard, who used to run the Packhorse Club in Leeds and are regulars at the Chemic. Not only are some of their songs original (others traditional), but Richard even makes his own instruments, so there. £5 / £6 entry: MC Ian Gobbi. 29 May A Double Header evening (May 29): Kate Bramley graced our stage a few weeks back with a Featured Support slot. She is an experienced performer, singer, songwriter and violinist in her own right: but is perhaps equally well-known as a long-standing member of Jez Lowe’s Bad Pennies. It will be great to see her performing a longer set. Pamela Ward and Paul Cherrington are an equally experienced duo, performing (again) largely self-written songs in the traditional idiom; many taking the form of reminiscences and stories from Pamela’s home town of Sheffield. As well as performing on the folk circuit, Pamela and Paul are involved with the self-explanatory charity “Music in Hospitals”. £4 / £5 to come in: MC Neil Etherington
AND ONWARDS (as it stands at present) June 5 Singers and Musicians June 12 Soundsphere Four-piece eclectic female harmony from York June 19 John Conolly The sea, the sands, boats, fish and Fiddler’s Green June 26 Singers and Musicians July 3 Roger Sutcliffe Blues guitar and songs from the old stager July 10 Ruth Notman Amazing youthful voice and new talent July 17 The Hall Brothers + John Carey Quality and humour July 24 Triple Whammy: Ed McGurk / Mixing up the Medicine / Friendly Visit July 31 Eddy O’Dwyer with special guest Tony Levy August Singers and Musicians throughout Sept 4 Roger Davies Sept 11 Bandersnatch Sept 18 Heather Dale Sept 25 Double Header: Notts Alliance / Ylem Oct 2 Singers and Musicians Oct 9 The Amazing Mr Smith Oct 16 Kirsty McGhee and Mat Martin Oct 23 tbc Oct 30 Bryony There’ll be another newsletter along before the end of May, let alone all this superb September and October stuff [If you don’t want to receive this Newsletter any more, do just let me know by return]. See you all some Thursday at the BRADFORD I.RISH CLUB. 8.30 start. Floor singers always welcome, especially in the first half: get down prompt and early if you’d like a slot. Some Featured Support slots available in June and July, primarily for acts we don’t yet know who’d like to showcase their material John Waller Topic Newsletter No 77 May 2008
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