topicacousticfolk3
item1 item1b item1c item1d item1e item1f item1g FBfLogoblue29

At: Groove Pad, 48 Saltaire Road, Shipley BD18 3HN
Venue (not Club) Tel: 01274 586542

Est: 1956

item7b

Map

Write to Tony Charnock
to get the email newsletter

Newsletter
Archive



01 Feb 2024
01 Jan 2024

01 Dec 2023
01 Nov 2023
01 Oct 2023
27 Aug 2023
01 Aug 2023
01 Jul 2023
01 Jun 2023
01 May 2023
01 Apr 2023
01 Mar 2023
01 Feb 2023
01 Jan 2023

30 Nov 2022
01 Nov 2022
01 Oct 2022
01 Sep 2022
01 Aug 2022
01 Jul 2022
01 Jun 2022
01 May 2022
01 Apr 2022
01 Mar 2022
01 Feb 2022
01 Jan 2022

01 Dec 2021
29 Oct 2021
01 Oct 2021
01 Sep 2021
01 Aug 2021
01 Jul 2021
01 Jun 2021
01 May 2021
01 Apr 2021
01 Mar 2021
01 Feb 2021
01 Jan 2021

01 Dec 2020
01 Nov 2020
01 Oct 2020
29 Aug 2020
27 Jul 2020
01 Jul 2020
01 Jun 2020
01 May 2020
01 Apr 2020
01 Mar 2020
01 Feb 2020
01 Jan 2020

01 Dec 2019
01 Nov 2019
01 Oct 2019

01 Sep 2019
22 Aug 2019
01 Aug 2019
01 Jul 2019
01 Jun 2019
01 May 2019
01 Apr 2019
01 Mar 2019
02 Feb 2019
01 Jan 2019

01 Dec 2018
01 Nov 2018
30 Sep 2018
01 Sep 2018
01 Aug 2018
01 Jul 2018
01 Jun 2018
01 May 2018
02 Apr 2018
01 Mar 2018
01 Feb 2018
04 Jan 2018

01 Dec 2017
01 Nov 2017
01 Oct 2017

27 Aug 2017

01 Aug 2017
01 Jul 2017

01 Jun 2017

01 May 2017

01 Apr 2017

28 Feb 2017

01 Feb 2017

01 Jan 2017


28 Nov 2016

31 Oct 2016

01 Oct 2016
27 Aug 2016

02 Jul 2016

01 Jun 2016

02 May 2016

01 Apr 2016

01 Mar 2016

01 Feb 2016

06 Jan 2016


01 Dec 2015
01 Nov 2015

01 Oct 2015

01 Sep 2015

01 Jul 2015

01 Jun 2015

01 May 2015
01 Apr 2015

01 Mar 2015
01 Feb 2015
01 Jan 2015


01 Dec 2014

01 Nov 2014

01 Oct 2014

29 Aug 2014

01 Aug 2014

01 July 2014

01 June 2014

01 May 2014
01 Apr 2014

02 Mar 2014

02 Feb 2014
01 Jan 2014

29 Nov 2013
01 Nov 2013
01 Oct 2013
29 Aug, 23 Sep 2013

01 Aug 2013
01 Jul 2013
01 Jun 2013
01 May 2013
01 Apr 2013
01 Mar 2013
01 Feb 2013
02 Jan 2013

01 Dec 2012
30 Oct 2012
30 Sep 2012

01 Sep 2012
01 July 2012

31 May 2012
30 Apr 2012
01 Apr 2012
29 Feb 2012
29 Jan 2012
03 Jan 2012

20 Nov 2011
23 Oct 2011

17 Sep 2011

17 Aug 2011
06 Jul 2011
10 May 2011
13 Mar 2011
26 Feb 2011
01 Feb 2011
19 Dec 2010

01 Dec 2010
01 Nov 2010
01 Oct 2010
30 Aug 2010
29 June 2010
01 June 2010
01 May 2010
01 April 2010
01 Mar 2010
01 Feb 2010
01 Jan 2010

01 Dec 2009
01 Nov 2009
01 Oct 2009
01 Sep 2009
01 Jul 2009
01 Jun 2009
01 May 2009
01 April 2009
01 Mar 2009

02 Feb 2009

02 Jan 2009

09 Dec 2008
06 Nov 2008
01 Oct 2008
01 Sept 2008
01 July 2008
01 June 2008
06 May 2008
08 Apr 2008
07 Mar 2008
08 Feb 2008
26 Feb 2008
09 Jan 2008

05 Dec 2007
29 Oct 2007
28 Sep 2007
04 Sep 2007
10 July 2007
23 May 2007
25 April 2007
06 March 2007
07 Feb 2007
22 Jan 2007

22 Dec 2006
07 Dec 2006
24 Oct 2006
25 Sep 2006
28 Aug 2006
06 July 2006
13 June 2006
15 May 2006
25 April 2006
21 March 2006
23 Feb 2006
01 Feb 2006
06 Jan 2006

06 Dec 2005
08 Nov 2005
04 Oct 2005
01 Sep 2005
09, 14 June 2005
18 May 2005
05 April 2005

14 March 2005

01 March 2005

07 Jan 2005

23 Dec 2004
01 Dec 2004
03Nov2004
14Oct2004
07 Sep 2004
28 July 2004

07 July 2004
15 June 2004
27 May 2004
12 May 2004
20 April 2004

25 March 2004

01 March 2004

02 Feb 2004
06 Jan 2004

10 Nov 2003
30 Sep 2003
03 Sep 2003
09 July 2003
10 June 2003
19 May 2003
06 May 2003
18 April 2003
02 April 2003
18 March 2003
25 Feb 2003
05, 11 Feb 2003
14 Jan 2003

10 Dec 2002
26 Nov, 03 Dec 2002
05 Nov2002
08 Oct 2002
24 Sep 2002
05 Sep 2002
23 July 2002
01 July 2002
12, 18, 25 June 2002
7 May 2002
30 April 2002
03 April 2002
19 March 2002
05 March 2002
15 Jan 2002
02 Jan 2002

17 Dec 2001
 

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 224  - February 2021    

Hello all, I hope you're all keeping well, as always.

Lots to take in this month: as previously, I'll list all the regular streaming stuff at the end: I keep an eye on most of it, but it's possible that some online performances have been discontinued for whatever reason, but there's plenty going on out there.

REVIEWS.

CD Review:

Hazjak - Listerville

Hazjak are Lynne O'Malley and Steve Chapman Smith: both are respected and established artists on the local acoustic music scene, Steve having performed in many different collaborations over the years, and Lynne who is a founder member of the well-established popular a capella trio Yan Tan Tether. Having been performing as a duo for a while now, this is their debut album which ticks all the boxes you would want an album to tick, variety being the keynote: nine excellent self-penned songs ranging from the light-hearted to the more serious, one cover, and the duo's take on two traditional songs. Steve's throaty voice is perfectly complemented by Lynne's harmonies, her voice strong and occasionally bluesy in her solos. All thoughtfully arranged and underpinned by excellent musicianship on a wide variety of instruments with some lovely fiddle accompaniment by Anne Briovonese on two of the tracks.

This album is a welcome addition to my CD collection, as I'm sure it will be to yours: it's also a reminder of the quality of music available on our local folky scene. A reminde, too, of what we've all been missing.

Visit:

www.hazjak.com for contact details to obtain a physical CD

www.hazjak.bandcamp.com for download

Tony Charnock

 

Live Stream Review Celtic Connections – Week 1

Having never been able to venture to Glasgow to see the Celtic Connections festival live – this January, the virtual Celtic Connections was available in your front room.

Beautifully filmed and recorded mainly in a variety of prestigious Glasgow venues, some of the best of the Scottish folk scene, along with a number of international artists, all put on excellent socially distanced performances, in spite of there being no audience present in the often sizeable venues.

The first week of evening concerts had many highlights with the Celtic Connections Big Band, Talisk, Duncan Chisholm, Shooglenifty, Blazing Fiddles, Siobhan Miller Blue Rose Code (aka Ross Wilson) and kora virtuoso Sona Jobarteh, being particularly notable in my mind. Week 2 promises to maintain the high standards of the earlier concerts.

Festival Director Donald Shaw (Capercaillie) and his team are to be congratulated on putting together a quality programme of performers and events in these difficult circumstances, which has certainly brightened the long dark January evenings for myself and thousands of others, at a minimal cost per day which equates to less than the purchase of a cup of coffee.

It is not clear whether any of the performances will be available beyond the end of the festival but a quick check at www.celticconnections.com may be worthwhile.

Neil Etherington

 

Duncan McFarlane's Tune a Day marathon

Definitely worth a mention....Duncan McFarlane has sung a ‘Tune a Day’ series on Facebook since March 20th 2020, three days before the first UK lockdown. Whilst this was initially aimed at being short term, he’s now reached 300+ songs (currently there’s 100+ Trad songs, 100+ Contemporary songs and almost 100 of his own compositions) ...mostly Folk, but with some surprises! Now aiming for 365 to complete a full year, he’s already had many thousands of views. The series can be found daily at https://www.facebook.com/duncan.mcfarlane.79. The entire series is now also on YouTube as a Playlist. Subscribing is free and that gives easier navigable access to the whole lot at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi2SK01Utl3JSlUzufJNSa6flCwcTostB

 

THE TOPIC IN CYBERSPACE  

One Topic Facebook concert this month: Plumhall on Thursday 11th February, 8 pm.

 

A note from Jim Saville about an event on Zoom  tonight at 7.30 pm, which I'll copy and paste:

JIM SAVILLE is inviting you to an evening celebrating the birthday of Cicely Fox Smith 1st Feb 1882

CFS  BIRTHDAY BASH

Time: Feb 1, 2021 19:30 London

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86917262683?pwd=UkhzVkN5bG1pc0dTdm1FTW9icGpzUT09 

Meeting ID: 869 1726 2683

Passcode: 326912

                                                         

TOPIC YOUTUBE CHANNEL

I hope those of you who wish to access the new Topic YouTube channel are able to do so without any problems. Details as advised in my separate newsletter of 20th December.

The mummers' play - about the Boar of Bradford, no less - written by John Waller and performed by Topic regulars (mentioned in the last newsletter) is now available to watch on the channel (along with other Topic-related delights) so head on over to:

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

 

and from afar....

Eddie Lawler, formerly a great supporter of the Topic, now living in East Yorkshire has sent this link to view his latest offering, a newly written song called Ebruary. (He already has other clips featuring his songs on YouTube). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKG3aWttXho

 

Roger Sutcliffe (hardly needs any introduction!) has sent us a note about 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/.

 

OTHER ONLINE STUFF

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 online, but bound to be something. For details or to be put on their mailing list or to request a place in their current Zoom Folk Club send your request to ryburn3step@gmail.com 

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 now set up a new 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. 

Check out The Live Room Saltaire - https://theliveroom.info/  who have had to suspend their live concerts but are continuing to stream some excellent shows. Lots going on there.

HEART (Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre) in Leeds has been closed for the duration of the latest restrictions, but keep an eye on their website https://www.heartcentre.org.uk/, there's sure to be something as soon as circumstances permit.

Phew, lots of info and lots of links: I hope you can navigate your way round the things that interest you.

Take care all.

Best wishes to everybody

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club

item7a1 item7b