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At: The Merchant Bar, 25 Peckover Street,
Little Germany, Bradford, BD1 5BD Tel: 01274 721100

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter

TOPIC FOLK CLUB, BRADFORD

At The Merchant Bar, 25 Peckover Street, Little Germany, BD1 5BD

Newsletter No 207  - September 2019 

Well, after a flurry of activity, we're ready for a new season in a new venue. Hopefully you've all received details so I won't repeat any here. [You can see the Special Newsletter about this here - Web Ed] My thanks to all those who sent suggestions, ideas or just commiserations, I couldn't possibly reply to them all individually, but they were much appreciated.

The inaugural singers and musicians night (the last one in August) held at the Merchant was successful and enjoyable, which bodes well for the future.

So to a full month of guest nights, here we go.....

5th   September   The Hall Brothers with John Carey. 

After a lengthy (near total) absence from the live circuit, The Hall Brothers & John Carey are twitching back into life - along with rumours of a long-awaited new album on the horizon.

Their self-imposed exile has, if anything, enhanced their reputation as powerful live performers and made each rare show a must-see attraction.

Duncan Hall is a singer songwriter of rare empathy and an excellent finger style guitarist who has written some of the band’s most enduring songs. Together they produce the kind of harmonies only siblings can. Nick Hall’s much-celebrated singer songwriter and guitar abilities have seen him appear in (and write for) a forthcoming feature film, and have even taken him to the stage of the London Palladium with Al Stewart.

John Carey - as well as being the saviour of many a far-flung Dales bus service - is an excellent fiddle-player of rare ability. His fiery tune playing and unmistakable rich tone complete the circle.

 The trio cannot wait for their return to the Topic - their eleventh official appearance (and Nick’s sixteenth!).

http://www.thehallbrothers.co.uk/

12th  September     :   Ranagri.  

Ranagri is a contemporary folk/world music band featuring Dónal Rogers, Eliza Marshall, Ellie Turner & Joe Danks, consisting of flutes; Irish whistles; electric harp; bodhran; guitars; piano; bouzouki and voices..

Dónal Rogers' vocals, forcible and fresh with influences from folk to world music and a powerful message to boot. A band who exude good times and happiness but are not afraid to tackle serious issues like homelessness and the current trend for fake news which surrounds us.

There's little to use as a point of reference when you discuss the sound created by Ranagri, stunning, dazzling, remarkable,any of those will do.  -  Tim Carroll,  Folk Words 

Nothing short of Magnificent  -   Liverpool Sound & Vision

http://www.ranagri.com/

19th September:   Serious Sam Barrett

Originally from Yorkshire, Sam has travelled extensively throughout the United States. His influences are mainly Americana and blues, but he has never strayed far from his Yorkshire roots. With several CDs, solo and in various collaborations to his credit, Sam has been making a name for himself, not only known as a musician but as a compulsive skateboarder. He has been playing the guitar for as long as he can remember, skateboarding for, perhaps, a little less.

The sustained brilliance of this playing is really something to behold - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

Songs that rattle with the ghosts of Appalachian folk, and southern blues, yet sound emphatically English - Uncut Magazine

Old before his years country-folk fellow who mixes intricate John Fahey finger-picking with confessional tales of dirty old Leeds - The Guardian

26th   September  :  Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner.

Individually, and in combination with a variety of well-known singers and bands, Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner have both served long apprenticeships on the shop-floor of folk music.

During the 1970's Lynne sang as part of a successful duo with Sue Ashby when they performed at many of the major clubs and festivals in the United Kingdom.

In the early 1980s she sang with Frank Lee and John Lambert as Tom, Dick and Harry. Lynne was also one half of a very successful duo with Keith Kendrick. They released a highly acclaimed CD Stars in my Crown in 2001.

Pat sang for six years with the harmony group Filigree with Pete Cunningham and Chris and Roger Jeffrey. They performed at most of the major festivals, recorded two albums and even released a single!

https://www.lynneandpat.co.uk/

TOPIC STUFF

Although the Topic evenings will of course be unchanged, 8pm to 10.30pm, we are going to have to be very strict from now on about finishing at 10.30 on the dot: to this end we may have a slightly shorter interval if it proves necessary so that it won't affect the length of the guest's sets. The bar closes at 11 pm and we are rightly committed to help in putting the furniture back in place ready for the next day. 

MEMBERSHIP

If you would like to become a member of the Topic Folk club it still only costs only £5.00 for the year. Membership 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.

The Topic runs on Thursdays at The Merchant Bar, 25 Peckover Street, Little Germany BD1 5BD, 8.00 pm start. 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 thank you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome (though may be limited when we have a booked support act - please check). Please arrive by 7.45 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening. Would-be floor singers please note that initially we may change the format of the evening slightly and have all the floor singers at the beginning of the first half to start the night.

It's not set in stone, we'll see how things develop as we go along, but it may help the evening run smoothly and ensure that the finish time is strictly adhered to, as mentioned above. 

To find the Topic on Facebook search for "Topic Fc".

So a new era beckons: we look forward to a long and successful future at our new home. We are very grateful to the proprietor who has been so helpful and enthusiastic at the prospect of hosting the Topic. We hope you will continue to support the club and bear with us during the inevitable settling-in period.

Tony Charnock

Topic Newsletter Editor