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At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX |
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Topic Newsletter Archive |
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Newsletter No 267 - September 2024 Hello everyone, hope all is well with all of you. You will all of course know by now the sad news of Muppett's death. It's hard to believe that no more will we be seeing that unique, friendly, generous spirited character, with his little book of humorous songs and parodies that he always carried with him, fished out seemingly from nowhere, to entertain us so richly whenever he showed up at one of our singers and musicians nights and elsewhere. He will be so much missed across the spectrum, not just on the music scene, but in so many spheres, with his charity work, his walks and much much more. It seemed that everyone knew him and they will all be feeling a big gap in their lives. He was indeed a unique individual, a real one-off. Goodbye, old friend, truly may you rest in peace. (See the item at the end of this newsletter) Here's the programme for the coming month.... 5th September Singers & Musicians (£1 entry) In 2020 Sally released her re-imagining of the Tom Jones song 'It's Not Unusual' to celebrate the venerable singer's 80th Birthday. So far it has racked up over 4.4 million views on YouTube and divides opinion amongst fans of the Welshman's classic This slowed down version highlights the mournful and yearning lyrics to give the song new meaning. The significance of this recording ? Sally was Tom's finalist on The Voice UK in 2014 and although people mistakenly think she won (such was the impact she had on that show) Sally walked away without the main prize, coming in joint 2nd and then walked away from a record deal for an album of mainstream cover songs offered on the strength of her 'Voice' performances. Despite her flirtation with the mainstream, Sally's musical life remains firmly rooted in acoustic and folk music as a singer and songwriter with bands such as The Poozies, Fotheringay, The Sandy Denny Project, Iota and guest vocalist with Fairport Convention. Support slots have been many but highlights include tours with Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Richard Thompson, Taj Mahal and Sir Tom himself. In June 2023, Sally embarked on a trail-blazing artistic journey, with Vicki Genfan (USA) and Ali Tod (Scotland) to compose and record an album, inspired by places of historic and natural beauty, while vanning across America. This 'Monumental Journey' began on the west coast and included performances in Virginia City, Montana, West Virginia, and finally a Homecoming concert back in North Carolina. Vicki, Ali and Sally have continued to write and record deep into December 2023. The 'Monumental Journey' recording will be released in 2024. Sally's next as yet untitled solo release will appear during Autumn 2024 and will be supported with a number of solo concerts. Sally changes the atmosphere in a room when she sings - Virgin Radio's Chris Evans The emotion and passion in her voice, the vulnerability and fragility of her vocal is an art that not too many singers can master - Maverick Magazine website: https://sallybarker.co.uk Instagram: www.instagram.com/sallybarkermusic Facebook: www.facebook.com/sallybarkermusic https://www.wegottickets.com/event/599737
19th September Singers & Musicians (£1 entry) Mac was a wannabe rock drummer aged 13 when Jim Couza the American hammered dulcimer player rocked up and changed all that. Within months Mac was on stage with Jim at Greenwich Folk Festival. Mac is still undergoing therapy. Saul focused his attention on melodeon at a similar age after breaking a leg. Mac & Saul is a glorious combination of melodeon and hammered dulcimer. They met while in the groundbreaking Kings of Calicutt with Eliza Carthy who have the dubious honour of being one of the bands responsible for the term Brit-Folk entering the Folk lexicon in the late 90s. A short lived but intense episode that led on to a duo and eventually their acclaimed first album Sand & Soil released in 2009. The album was nominated for a few minor awards and a track ended up on the 2010 BBC Folk Awards album due to Saul’s nomination for Musician of the Year. Saul continues to be a ubiquitous force on the folk scene but both Mac and Saul have been up to all sorts over the years, from Saul’s role of Songman in the West End hit War Horse to Mac’s performances of The Lord of The Rings soundtrack with The London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, both have been pushing into new areas. 10 years on from Sand & Soil and in its anniversary year they had the bug again and are picking up where they left off with a new album planned, all very hush hush. They will be touring again with their amusingly irreverent banter and of course their trademark immaculate but gutsy playing style. https://www.wegottickets.com/event/60965
Some more sad news: we heard recently that Linda Kelly of Hissyfit passed away recently. Hissyfit were well-known and well liked in their day, though it seems they didn't appear at the Topic. Topic ZOOMS Joy Leach has submitted the following: NEW TOPIC ZOOM SEASON 2024 -25 From what started as a temporary arrangement in 2020 to replace the Singers and Musicians nights during lockdown, 'Topic Zooms' is to start its 4th season on Monday September 16th. It has proved a way of maintaining contact with people from across country and county borders as well as with those who find travel in the evenings a problem. In the next few months we're hoping we may hear some of the items being prepared for Bradford 2025 and the Topic's callout for Songs with a Bradford Accent (see below) As previously you are welcome to attend as a performer or as an audience member. An invitation is sent out 10 days before a session. We start on the night at 8 pm (with the virtual doors opening at 7.30 pm) If you wish to be included on our regular mailing list please email me on joy.utistugu.49.5.8@gmail.com. Once again we are grateful to Jim Saville who hosts the sessions, allowing us the use of his Zoom facility. THE TOPIC AND BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE 2025 The now usual reminder that we are involved in one of the cultural events in the run up to Bradford City of Culture 2025. Please see the attached updated flyer Songs with a Bradford Accent (which replaces Folk Songs for Bradford District - Person and Place: Creating Songs about People and Places of Bradford District.) This ambitious project is by no means limited to the usual participants in the acoustic music scene: if you know of anyone outside our orbit who might be interested in being involved, please let them know about it, nay, encourage them. ------------------------------------------ NON-TOPIC STUFF On Monday 2nd September 2024 Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Irish singer/songwriter Sabrina Piggot with Bob Lockwood. Cath Harney will also be performing her new songs. Sounds like a great night in prospect Venue:The Ryshworth Club, Keighley Road,Crossflatts, BD16 2HB. Doors 7 pm. No entry fee. Raffle and donation. Music from 7.30pm Den Miller's excellent new CD, Bless the Rains has its launch on Friday 6th September at Bacca Pipes Folk Club, Riddlesden Institute, Scott Lane, Riddlesden, Keighley BD20 5BU. Doors 7.30 pm, start 8 pm. See attached for a review of the CD. --------------------------------------------------------- TOPIC STUFF Long-standing Topic member John Waller, now one of the mainstays of the club administration team and frequent floor-spotter on guest nights, has released his sixth (and final) CD. It includes his 13-minute epic on three political events in Autumn 1956 (the Hungarian uprising, invasion of Suez and desegregation of buses in the US), written to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Topic around that time. It also includes three songs in the now-completed trilogy about the famous Norwegian cow on the roof. If you are interested in the CD, ask him about it. Remember that we now accept (indeed prefer) payment by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better. MEMBERSHIP Membership of the Topic Folk Club - still only £5 - runs from 1st January and entitles you the lower ticket prices shown in this newsletter as well as the chance to become more involved in the workings of the club if you would like to. You can join or renew your membership on any club night. --------------------------- For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please email: info4topic@gmail.com If you’re visiting the club for the first time, be sure to come and say hello, and if anyone has any suggestions for the club, for example if you would like us to try to book a particular artist, we’d like to hear them. A reminder that the Topic now runs on Thursdays at Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX. Doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 10pm to finish. We are still settling into our new venue, we hope it is meeting with your approval... Like all the clubs in the area, our aim is to provide good quality live entertainment to suit all tastes of those interested in folk music, and we are hoping we can count on you for your continued support. Floor singers are always welcome (though may be limited if we have a booked support act - please check). Please arrive by 7.15 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening. Please continue to take Covid precautions when visiting the club. FINALLY: I have just received some details about plans for events which are being organised in memory of Muppett. There is a great deal of information, which would make this newsletter rather unwieldy, so I propose to send it out separately within the next couple of days (the main event will take place on 14th September) Best wishes Tony Charnock Topic Folk Club |
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