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TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD
NEWSLETTER No 40 early-April 2005 http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, and welcome to the Topic Folk Club's latest Newsletter, with info on April's offerings.
April 7 George Papavgeris and Shaun T Hunter Yes, this is another of our Double Header evenings, where you get two quality artists for the price of one. George is a newcomer to the Topic, but he has been making quite a name for himself in the St Albans area, as a prolific and talented songwriter. Prolific in his case means about 150 songs in the past four years: and these are good songs too, with thoughtful and high-quality lyrics in the folk tradition, delivered with George's own individual guitar style. His songs have already been taken up by the likes of Vin Garbutt and Roy Bailey, two performers who most songwriters would give their eye teeth to have on their CVs. Shaun is better known to Yorkshire audiences, being Leeds-based, and having done floor spots and Featured Support at the Topic over the past couple of years. Also a singer-songwriter, Shaun's songs pack an emotional punch ("mellow, heartfelt and empathetic"), and are perhaps closer to mainstream than pure folk though he'll be unplugged tonight. You can access both artists' websites via the Topic website (see above) and they each have a great deal of interest to say about their lives and music. Come and appreciate two rising stars, who between them have produced 7 original CDs in the past four years!
April 14 Roy Clinging and Neil Brookes Roy and Neil operate as a pair, rather than two separate artists. They combine voice, concertina, fiddles and the occasional guitar in a largely traditional repertoire. Roy has a background in vocal harmony groups, Neil as a dance musician and occasional caller. Expect ballads, tunes, maritime songs; and original songs based on Roy's researches into the history of his native north west. Promises to be a relaxing, quality evening.
April 21 Singers' and Musicians' evening: theme: English songs We all know about the Irish tradition; and the Welsh and Scots seem to have their own identifiable styles too: but perhaps the English tradition is less clearly defined. Perhaps because it is broader?? Everyone can have their own ideas. The usual principles apply: the theme is there for anyone that wants to follow it; but it can be ingeniously twisted (or flatly ignored) at will and random. Just come and make (or enjoy) music!
April 28 Phil Hare Another Topic regular, Phil is well known as a brilliant guitarist, playing solo and as a regular session musician on others' CDs. He is also well known for his finely-crafted original songs, many (but far from all) of which have a contemporary and "socially aware" edge. Excellent songs, brilliant guitar playing combined with an attractively husky voice and nice line in humorous banter, and you have a recipe for an excellent evening's entertainment.
May 5 Artisan As most readers will now know, this is part of Artisan's 20th Anniversary and farewell tour, as they will play their last concert together sometime later in the year. So this will be one of your last chances to see and hear this startlingly good three-part harmony group. Original songs, including the much covered (What's the Use of) Wings, carefully-crafted lyrics, humour with a social conscience, deeper meanings, wonderfully tuneful and rhythmic, tremendously entertaining just some of the quotes on their website. This will be a special evening, as Artisan have not performed with us since near the start of their career: 8 January 1988 to be precise, when the equivalent of this Newsletter described them as a "promising local unaccompanied group".
Tickets are available in advance NOW on Clubnights; with a small discount for advance purchase. (This gig is supported by the Arts Council "Musicians in Residence" scheme; for which many thanks.) As predicted in this Newsletter months ago, it is also election night. What better way to prepare for a night of results and spin than the uplifting purity of an Artisan concert?
AND ONWARDS: In May and early June we have the likes of Lyn Geddes, Tom Bliss, Mark Newman and Jez Lowe. But there'll be another Newsletter by then. And you can always access our excellent Website (see above or below) which is working towards its 5000th hit in just 14 months; which is as up to date as we can make it, and which has links to every performer past and future that we can find a website for.
See you all some Thursday at the Melborn (a real ale pub) at one of the above events. 8.30 start. Be there by then if you want to perform a floor spot, which are available every night. No smoking in the club room.
John Waller Topic Newsletter Editor john@john-waller.co.uk www.topic-folk-club.org.uk Topic Newsletter No 40 April 2005
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