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Greetings:  and welcome to the continuation of the 50th Anniversary Season.                         

Tickets for each and every one of the concerts listed below are available in advance on club nights, or by post (initially by email) via john@john-waller.co.uk (or by pressing “reply” to this email).   We fully expect tickets for most gigs also to be available at the door as usual, but some gigs may sell out in advance: particularly Julie Felix, Wizz Jones and Allan Taylor.  If it looks as if we are getting close to selling out (and Julie Felix tickets are going steadily), this will be indicated on the website.  Best buy now to avoid disappointment.

Sept 28     Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen. 
A delightful and smoothly professional duo on tour from their home in Vermont, USA.   Steve is an accomplished songwriter: having written songs for (among others) John Denver and Tammy Wynette, and has published books and taken classes on the art of song-writing.   Both he and Cindy sing and play guitar, to which Cindy adds banjo, English concertina and mountain dulcimer.   Their set will feature traditional as well as contemporary material.  Featured Support tonight will be from Notts Alliance: a three-piece a capella close harmony group concentrating on traditional material.      Tickets available at the door: £4 members, £5 non-members.

October 5           Beck Sian.
Traditional folk songs with a haunting, misty, romantic, contemporary Celtic / new-age twist: a striking presence with a crystal-clear soprano voice.  Beck has Celtic parental roots, but was born in Melbourne, and is touring the UK promoting the launch of her first CD Unfurling.  She also happens to be Kate Bush’s cousin, and brings the same strength and individuality (and some of her songs) to her performance.  She promises a didgeridoo and whistle, as well as guitar.  This will be an eventful eveing, with a difference.  Featured Support comes from rising Leeds-based multi-instrumental harmony trio Mulberry Blue.    Tickets: £5 / £6.

October 12        David Moss and Gordon Tyrrall
This double header evening brings together two of Yorkshire’s very finest and most accomplished musicians and performers.  David will be best known from his pioneering work with the iconic band Banoffi, while Gordon is one of the best guitarists (and flautists) around, who brings real interpretative passion to the songs he sings and can hold an audience in thrall.   This is an evening tailor-made for all you musicians out there: come and see how the real pro’s do it.   Two brilliant musicians for the price of one:  Tickets £4 / £5.

October 19        Phil Hare
A brilliant guitarist and songwriter; often with a social cutting edge, and always with a humorous banter (sometimes making songs up on the basis of audience suggestions).   Phil has worked with a veritable lexicon of luminaries of the folk world: Jake Thackeray, the Spinners, Vin Garbutt, as well as having a flourishing solo career, and is a born entertainer.   Featured Support comes across the Pennines from the three-member, multi-instrumental Jill Fielding Band.  Tickets £4 / £5.

And Onwards:

October 26   Eddie Walker
Seasoned and much-travelled songwriter, guitarist and entertainer from the north-east, making a return to the Topic after 20+ years, and promising something a little different.  He has an eclectic background, with influences including Irish rebel songs, Scottish ballads, blues and bluegrass, and a career that once saw him sharing a TV slot with Joan Collins, Lord George Brown and Rodney Bewes.   Featured Support will come from young guitar virtuoso and singer Paul Harrison from Cumbria.  Tickets £4 / £5.

Nov 2             Allan Taylor
Precision guitar and well-crafted songs delivered with a distinctive voice.  This concert is supported by the Arts Council England Musicians in Residence scheme.   Featured Support will be from local Otley duo The Hall Brothers. Tickets £6 / £8.

Nov 9             Dana and Susan Robinson. Original rural-America duo on tour.   Described as “magical” last time here.  FS from fellow American Debra Cowan.  Tickets £4 / £5.

Nov 16           Julie Felix. What more needs to be said!  Tickets £8 / £10.  Still available ....

Nov 23           Singers and Musicians.  Time for anyone to have a go.  Entry free.

Nov 30           Wizz Jones. Legendary blues guitarist who first played the Topic in 1958.  Featured Support (tbc) exciting young guitarist Simon Stephenson.  Tickets £5 / £6.

Dec 7             Tom Kitching and Paul Sullivan.   Innovative fiddle playing (Tom), guitar (Paul) and song (both).  Featured Support from local band Pigjig.  Tickets £4 / £5.

Dec 14           Kieran Halpin.   Superb songs of deceptive simplicity and emotion from this Topic regular.  Featured Support from Aidan Jolly and friends. Tickets £5 / £6.

Dec 21           Scarlet Heights: the original duo.  Pat Sherry, Nigel Broadbent and friends.  Featured Support (we expect) from the Holbeck Mummers.  Tickets £4 / £5.

Dec 28           Singers and Musicians. Performers, audience, all welcome.    Entry free.

Do come and support the Topic in this, its 50th year.  Actually, you won’t be supporting the Topic per se, as all the money we take on the door goes to the artists.  You’ll be supporting all those excellent musicians and singers out there who work at (and in most cases, attempt to make a living by) keeping the traditions of music alive and well at a professional standard.  Performance opportunities, for established and up-and-coming performers alike, are getting fewer and fewer.  It seems that more and more clubs are retreating into the comfort of singarounds and informal pub sessions.  We owe it to our leading professionals to come and hear the best there is to offer, live.

See you all some Thursday at the C.ock and Bottle at one or more of the above events.  8.30 start.  Be there by then if you want a floor spot, which are available every night even where a Featured Support artist is booked.  No smoking in the club room.

John Waller   
Topic Newsletter Editor       
john@john-waller.co.uk              

Topic Newsletter No 57: late-September  2006

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