TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD
Topic Newsletter No 83 December 2008
Greetings: with some pre-Yuletide post-Thanksgiving mid-Eid information on December’s Topic programme at Bradford Irish Club, and a look ahead to the bright new dawn of 2009.
11 Dec Tom Bliss
Now Hear Ye. First: this will be Tom’s Official Launch Gig for his latest CD The Whisper; which will be available at a discounted price on the night. It has actually been out for a short while already: but Tom was anxious to have a dedicated Launch Gig at one of his favourite Local Clubs. The CD has guest appearances from the usual suspects (Napper, Parkinson, Taffinder) and also some unusual ones (Peter Taylor, Ned Darlington and Captain Corelli). The word is, it is his best yet; and that is saying something. But second: this may be the last opportunity to see Tom locally; as he is seriously considering bringing forward his impending retirement to his beloved Alderney (on which The Whisper was largely recorded). Anyone who knows anything about folk music and proper song-writing will recognise Tom as one of the best in the business: and also the most genuine and likeable. He will be greatly missed on the local circuit. So let’s turn out in force, buy his CD and give him a great send-off. Only £4 / £5.
Wed 17 Dec Scarlet Heights: the Original Duo
Quite possibly one of the best Irish-style three-member musical duos in this part of Bradford. Pat Sherry and Nigel Broadbent were founder members of Scarlet Heights, who should need no introduction to Bradford audiences. The third member of the duo is Stuart Douglas; who earns his place as he was simultaneously in a duo with Nigel (and is currently in another duo with Pat); but who never actually joined Scarlet Heights when it was formed, as he chose instead to go and live in the USA. We are almost certain also to be invaded by the Holbeck Mummers, with their traditional chaotic dramatic offering, and collection for charity. A great night in prospect as always. (But do note it is a Wednesday, not our usual Thursday) £5 / £6.
Every now and then (statistically, about every seven years) Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on consecutive Thursdays, and we are obliged to cease our operations as our various venues are not open. This is one of those seven-yearly events: though the last one was 2003. But we leap forward into 2009 with the traditional bang!
8 Jan 2009 David Ferrard
A Scottish/American singer from Edinburgh, who has already impressed Bradford audiences through his appearances at the Raise Your Banners festival (which, in passing, is again being held in Bradford in November 2009). Catchy melodies and a commitment to social issues, rooted in traditional folk idiom, David recaptures some of the spirit of the 60s folk revival.
15 Jan A Double Header Evening
Two high-quality and varied artists for the price of one. Another original Scot (but now based in North Yorkshire), Wendy Arrowsmith is a fine and powerful interpreter of traditional song, but also a prize-winning songwriter. Local band Berkana (Tony Taffinder, Neil Benton, Terry Armitage and Lou Finch) impressed us when they came to the first singaround in the new venue back in March. They provide traditional, contemporary and self-penned material, with or without a multitude of instruments. Double Headers are almost always highly enjoyable: do come.
22 Jan Pete Morton
Acclaimed singer / songwriter, whose songs are “an unruly mix of humour, love, politics and social comment, delivered in an energetic and compelling style”. His latest CD is something of a musical world tour, with songs in 10 different languages (including a Welsh translation of his Greatest Hit, “Another Train”).
29 Jan Flossie Malavialle
Originally from France (and with the occasional Edith Piaf song in her wide-ranging repertoire), Flossie has established herself on the UK folk circuit over the six years since she popped across le Manche to teach French for a few months. Expect songs from well-established songwriters in the folk tradition, as well as some from more mainstream artists.
February: Janet Russell, Landermason, Stanley Accrington,
March: Gina Le Faux, Phoenix, Bernie Parry
April and beyond: see www.topic-folk-club.org.uk <http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk/>
But there will be more about all this in later issues of this Newsletter. On which note, this is your present Editor signing off. I’ve been writing these Topic Newsletters more or less regularly since December 2001: and this is at least the 83rd (plus a few emergency short ones). As readers who attend the Topic regularly will know (and those who don’t won’t care), I have gradually been taking more of a back seat in Topic affairs over the past year. Tom Bliss and Scarlett Heights represent my final booked acts; and this is my last Newsletter. I am sure it will continue under new authorship, just as bookings have continued, under the wise guidance of Rahel Guzelian, who you can contact by email at rahel@blueyonder.co.uk . I’ll be down from time to time, when other commitments permit. In the meantime, best wishes to all, and thank you for reading this far and for so long.
You’re welcome every 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, especially on big nights. Longer Featured Support slots may be available, primarily for acts or haberdashers we don’t yet know who’d like to showcase their material. But please contact rahel@blueyonder.co.uk, not me.
John Waller
Topic Newsletter Editor
Topic Newsletter No 83 Dec 2008
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