TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD NEWSLETTER No 71 - JANUARY 2008
Greetings one and all: welcome to the start of the Topic’s blistering 2008 programme.
Jan 10 KIMBER’S MEN
Yorkshire’s best outfit for Sea Shanties, presented with full harmony wherever possible. The sad demise of long-standing member Roger Hepworth has resulted in a slightly different line-up from when they last appeared in 2004; but the quality remains undiminished. They are working up to recording a new live CD later in the year, so their material will feature recent additions to their repertoire: including (we are promised) at least two that will be performed for the first time to a live audience. Plenty of opportunity for joining in and having a good sing. Tonight’s Featured Support is provided by Voicemale: three Bradfordians also singing harmonious a capella, with their mixture of messages on diverse world topics. Tickets £4 / £5: MC John Waller.
Jan 17 A Double Header evening
DARK HORSE recently provided us with a Featured Support slot, showing off their complex and delightful arrangements involving Irish and Scottish pipes, harp, guitar and voice. They draw on the traditions of Northern England, Scotland and Ireland, but also include some of their own material. This is a group that is well worth the longer slot. CHRIS MILNER is a singer/songwriter of some considerable experience, anxious to re-establish himself in the Yorkshire folk scene. This will be an excellent evening of contrasts and quality. Tickets £4 / £5 MC: Neil Etherington
Jan 24 DAVID MOSS with Masha Kaestner
David will probably for ever be associated with iconic and much-missed band Banoffi, and there will probably be some old Banoffi standards on his trademark bouzouki. But this multi-talented artist has moved on, and musically this includes mastering the technique of Mongolian overtone chanting. This really has to be heard to be believed: eerie, ethereal and quite astonishing. Masha adds keyboards and harmonium to give a full and rounded evening’s entertainment. This gig is supported by the Arts Council Musicians in Residence scheme, which has recently been axed in the latest round of government Arts cuts. Tonight’s Featured Support is provided by OTRA: the Topic’s own understated duo of Rahel Guzelian and Tony Charnock, finally persuaded to give us a bit more than the occasional floor spot. Tickets £5 / £6: MC Ian Gobbi.
Jan 31 THE ELBOW JANE BAND
Another worthy outfit moving up from featured support (for Pete Abbott) to full gig. Elbow Jane are a five-piece from Merseyside, featuring talented musicians with years of solo and band credits behind them (Joe Topping, for example, is a one-time member of John Wright’s entourage). Expect smooth renditions of folk classics, and edgy self-written material in obscure keys and timings. A great evening’s entertainment guaranteed. No Featured Support booked tonight: so a better than usual opportunity for any floor singers out there to come and do a couple of numbers. You can book a floorspot in advance if you wish: just “reply” to this Newsletter, and I’ll see what I can do. Tickets £5 / £6
Feb 7 Singers and Musicians
Another opportunity for performers of whatever background and ability to come and give it a go, or try out new material, or present yourselves to us if you’ve not been before, or just listen and enjoy more of a chat than is possible on guest nights. We offer a relaxed musical atmosphere, with anecdotes as well as music. And apart from the near-obligatory purchase of a raffle ticket and a drink, it is all entirely free.
Coming later in 2008:
Feb 14 Jon Harvison: the Heavy Horse himself: with FS Geoff Watson
Feb 21 Double Header: Gareth Davies-Jones and Katriona Gilmore / Jamie Roberts
Feb 28 Emily Smith and Jamie McLellan: (this will be a big one, honest!)
Mar 6 Singers and Musicians:
Mar 13 Jackie Oates: talented English fiddle singer of traditional ballads
Mar 20 Double Header: YLEM and Pillowfish: two Yorkshire outfits of quality
Mar 27 Ceri Rhys Matthews: flute, pipes and Welsh music: with Christine Cooper
April 3 Singers and MusiciansApril 10 Debra Cowan and Pete Smith: song and seriously ace guitar + FS Peter/Barbara Snape
April 17 Bernard Carney: Australian wit and wisdom + FS Troy Faid
It goes on .... Check the excellent website www.topic-folk-club.org.uk for further information, club and venue history, and direct links to the websites of all the artists we have booked for the future, and all those who we have had in the past for whom we can find details.
POINTS
We are doing our best to keep our entry prices as low as is consistent with providing our artists with a realistic fee, and not excessively reducing the club’s meagre reserves. Most concerts above will only cost you £4 if you are a member (Membership is excellent value at £5, and lasts until November) and £5 if you are not. Some of the higher profile acts will be a pound dearer.
We recognise that we offer a very full programme, and to come every week means the cost mounts up. However: it is essential that Clubs like ours keep going (isn’t it?); and that we do our bit to preserve the tradition of live acoustic music.
So do make the effort whenever you can, especially to support some of the up-and-coming younger musicians listed above. The Featured Support slots not only give an opportunity to more musicians who might never aspire to full booking status, but also guarantee you the audience a full evening of varied but quality entertainment.
I’ve run out of time for the moment: but there’ll be more news in the next edition of the Newsletter.
See you all some Thursday at the C.ock and Bottle at one, all or more of the above Topic events. 8.30 start. Floor spots are available every night, even where a Featured Support artist is booked; though it helps if you arrive by 8.30.
John Waller
Topic Newsletter Editor
Topic Newsletter No 71: January 2008
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