At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 230  - August 2021    

Hello all, I hope you're keeping well, as always. Things seem to be looking up at last.

The Topic is not yet able to give any firm news or promises about when we can start having real live music again: the committee is working on all the aspects that need to be addressed before we can start booking or re-booking guests. Be sure that we will let you know as soon as we are able.

As before, I'm going to make a separate attachment for the usual streaming stuff that I always include, it'll free up a bit of space for other news, I hope that's convenient for everyone. Bear in mind that as performers hopefully start to get back to live bookings, that may well affect what's available online.

REVIEWS.

CD Review Bellowhead - Reassembled (Hudson Records)

Since their formation in 2004, Bellowhead evolved into a rare thing – a folk supergroup – and until their split in 2016, they brought an energy to their performance which attracted a sizable young and enthusiastic following.

Until the pandemic struck there were no plans to reform; however, the difficult circumstances prevailing in 2020 for musicians resulted in a rethink. The outcome being a livestream performance in November 2020 followed by “ Reassembled” – a 17 track CD recording of the concert.

If you are familiar with Bellowhead, then there are few surprises as the material equates to a “Best of” – but given the excellent musicianship and quality of production, it is a worthwhile venture, as it captures the vitality of this 11 piece band.

Worth checking out, this is a thoroughly enjoyable 75 minutes of listening showcasing both songs - including Roll Alabama and New York Girls - and Bellowhead stamped tunes. The CD serves as a reminder as to how much live concerts have been missed over the last 18 months and hopefully points to a more positive way forward in the not too distant future.

Neil Etherington  

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FOLKY STUFF ON LOCAL RADIO

Tim Moon is running the following folk programmes:

Folk Us on Mondays 9 – 10 pm 106.6 FM and net etc

Coast and County Radio on Tuesdays 8pm – 10 pm 96.7FM and net etc

Ken Hudson's Roving Folk programme on Phoenix Radio (based in Halifax)  is broadcast on the fourth Sunday of the month from 10.00am to 12.00 noon on 96.7 FM, and is then available via the station's podcasts and via Mixcloud.

From Robbie Martin:

"Into the buttercup BCB 106.6fm ?listen again bcbradio.co.uk on Monday 2nd August features local artists. Blues from Roger Sutcliffe and Gary Cooper to start.  Jon Palmer, Becky Mills, waking the Witch, Broken Hearts Club band, Kitty Mac, Plumhall, Rahel Guzelian and The Magpies follow on.  The poem is "Safe House" by Tom Weir. Only a small selection of local musicians and so next show there will be a few more. Don’t Forget to Boogie!"

As if we would forget.....

OTHER STUFF 

Reminders (2)

NEWS FROM THE MAGPIES  (as you'll remember the band includes Bradford's own and Topic favourite Bella Gaffney) who are hosting their own festival. It will take place on 14th August 2021 at Sutton Park,York and features a great line-up. See https://www.themagpiesfestival.co.uk/ for details and tickets. The festival will be operating at 50% of maximum capacity to accommodate social distancing and the site has been designed from the outset in a Covid-secure way, with all areas open air. So be advised, tickets are limited.

JON BODEN. In September 2021 The Knoydart Retreat (situated on the Knoydart peninsular on the remote west coast of Scotland) is organising a 5 day Folk songwriting retreat run by Jon Boden, from Monday 13th - Friday 17th.

It consists of mentoring by Jon with one-to-one sessions, masterclasses, daily songwriting challenges, writing in the wilderness and an end of retreat concert performing alongside Jon.

More details from http://www.theknoydartretreat.com/

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THE TOPIC IN CYBERSPACE  

There is one Topic Facebook concert this month:

Serious Sam Barrett    -  Thursday 12th August 8 pm

www.facebook.com/TopicFCBradford See the attachments for details.

Just to clear up any misunderstandings: all the donations to the tip jar at these concerts go to the performer, not the club.

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TOPIC YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

Here is the link if you wish to access the Topic channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1S_4ASeMXzo2RnYqGn4jw

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Check out The Live Room Saltaire - https://theliveroom.info/  who are  starting to present socially distanced live concerts (some of which will also be streamed) again, after a mammoth effort streaming regular high-quality shows throughout the whole time of the pandemic.

HEART (Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre) in Leeds are back with a full programme of music events in August (including Katie Spencer on Tuesday 3rd August at 7 pm). See their website https://www.heartcentre.org.uk/ for details.

Other Items of Interest

The Folk Forecast  advertises all sorts of folky stuff going on (with some big names) which you might find very useful, self explanatory of you follow this link:

https://thefolkforecast.substack.com/people/17173534-the-folk-forecast. Thanks to Graham Smout for the info.

It covers the current week, if you subscribe they will send you details each Monday.

TykesStirrings

As mentioned previously TykesStirrings have been finding the going tough during the pandemic. With virtually none of the normal outlets to take copies they have been relying more and more on readers taking out subscriptions. If anyone could see their way to placing a regular order even for 12 months or so it would be very helpful. The cost to receive the magazine by post is £16 for 4 issues. Cheques should be sent to:

TykesStirrings Subscriptions, c/o Aireview Cottage, Grange Road, Kildwick, N.Yorks BD20 9AE

There is also the facility to pay online using Paypal at www.tykesstirrings.org.uk.

Stay safe and well. Best wishes to all.

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club

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Streamers for newsletter (ongoing)

OTHER ONLINE STUFF

A reminder about Roger Sutcliffe's Zoom singers and Musicians Nights from his

part of the world for anyone who would like to join in. They take place on a Tuesday: Here is the link: info@cuttywrenfolkclub.com. and the website

is https://www.cuttywrenfolkclub.com/.

Dougie McLean does a series of online concerts, some free, some longer ones for which you have to book and pay to watch. He has lots of website/contact pages which you can find by googling him, but this one seems to give most of the info about these concerts: https://www.facebook.com/ButterstoneTV

Pete Coe's club - Ryburn Folk Club, https://www.ryburn3step.org.uk/. Not sure what's coming up, but bound to be something good. To find out

email ryburn3step@gmail.com. or phone 01422 823099.

There's the usual regular stuff going on online: NB some artists may be taking a rest from regular streaming, but by following the links you can usually watch past sessions.

Kath Reade, singer songwriter, has been using lockdown as an opportunity to broadcast her songs live on Facebook and they have been getting thousands of views. Kath has a facebook page, Kath Reade's Songs, so all her songs can be found in one place.

Skinner & T'witch, a Leeds-based duo who have been to the Topic on a singers and musicians night, have a facebook page which is well worth visiting. They have different stuff going on regularly, eg "Pick & Mix" sessions with some well-known performers, and what they call "Garden Sessions", plus lots of other stuff.

The Grove Folk Club is running sessions every Friday on their group Facebook page at folkatthegrove. The club has contacted me to say anybody is welcome to send in a video to take part, see the fb page for details.

Karen Pfeiffer & Paul Walker continue to do a regular afternoon spot on Fridays at 4pm.

https://www.paulwalkermusic.co.uk/

Honey & The Bear bring their excellent music every Sunday evening at 7.30 pm https://honeyandthebear.co.uk/

Winter Wilson's "Live from the Lounge" every Thursday, 8.15 pm, see their facebook page.

Phil Snell, a frequent visitor to the Topic over past years, has made a selection of lockdown videos: tunes and songs "in an attempt to cheer folk up". You can check them out on: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcNdcfcxVq8-9b6aF0aAYsG8KmBqBeBbn