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Topic Newsletter Archive

Tuesday March 5th, 2002

THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB INFORMAL NEWSLETTER no 3

Greetings one and all.

FIRST, NEWS OF WHAT'S COMING UP

March 7 - If you are quick off the mark, this week (Thursday 7 March) we have the return of Belshazzar's Feast. The two Pauls: Sartin on oboe and violin and human voice, and Hutchinson on accordion. Paul Sartin is well-known for his extensive TV work, including single-handedly playing the choir that can be heard over the credits of The Vicar of Dibley. Paul Hutchinson is also known from his work as one-third of Hoover the Dog, who were at the Topic only recently. This should be a good night.

March 14 - Singers' and Musicians' night. Theme: Ireland and Irish songs. A bit previous, what with it not being St Patrick's Day until the following weekend, but let's get our retaliation in early.

March 21 - Chris Ellis. Young, exuberant singer and guitarist hailing from deepest Derbyshire, much involved with the Stainsby Festival.

March 28 - Singers and Musicians again. Theme: Original work. Time to try out songs or tunes you've written yourself, in a supportive atmosphere where others are also doing their own embarrassing original material. Double points for world premieres.

April 4 - Jon Harvison. A topic regular: a local singer who writes most of his own stuff to great effect. We hope to have guitarist Mark Newman as featured support

April 11 - Solan. Chris Hutchins, Frances Wilkins and Richard Chuff singing and playing fiddle, guitar and concertina. Origins in the Shetlands. Haunting airs and reels - lovely music.

April 18 - Ken Nichol. More of him in later editions.

April 25 - Singers and Musicians. Theme: Traditional songs, ideally with choruses, refrains, reprises, retreats and reveals. The more fol-de-riddles and hey nonney no's the better.

May 2 - Kenny Spiers and Stuart Hardy. We had Kenny Spiers on his own quite recently, with a lovely set of gentle Borders songs. Featured support from Mike and Arthur.

May 9 - Banoffi. Music that frequently defies classical rhythms, often with a haunting eastern-European air. Plus lyrics that repay careful thought. And you can dance if you want to.

May 16 - Bernard Carney, if he confirms. An Australian with a wicked wit and mean guitar - a true entertainer.

May 23 - Kate Howden and Paul Jones. Very nice guitar work and thoughtful lyrics.

May 30 - Lester Simpson. I've heard he's very good. We hope to have Emily and Ben from York as featured support.

Looking further ahead

We have Leon Rosselson, Damian Barker and the ubiquitous Roger Sutcliffe.

Featured Support acts

Various dislocations have meant that we have not managed to progress as far as we would have liked with the featured support idea - those listed above are still to be finally confirmed. But there is still scope for anyone out there who'd like to perform a slightly longer set (with the attendant publicity). Let me know.

And what you've missed:

We had a good evening with a good turnout for Mick Ryan and Pete Harris - which was just as well, as they'd come all the way up from Bournemouth just to play for us and a club in Belper. Delightful harmonies, and some good guitar and bouzouki work from Pete. That particular evening also saw an impromptu trial of the Featured Support idea, as we were pleased to be joined by Maggie Boyle and her friends performing as Withy Creek.

Then we had a good evening with a disappointing turnout for Geoff Higginbottom, as loud and direct as ever, with his songs from Lancashire - particularly from (or about) the Industrial Revolution. Maybe the low turnout was down to the non-appearance of this Newsletter for the past six weeks (sorry about that - been away) but others hinted darkly and more convincingly of a clash of dates with a local beer festival. If so, shame on you! Is not the Melborn a Real Ale pub of note and quality?

Let's make up for it with a good turnout for the unique and original sounds of Belshazzar's Feast!

See you all soon!

John Waller

Topic Informal Newsletter Editor

j.waller@bradford.ac.uk