Wednesday 6 February 2013

Roots of the World Blog February 2013


RootsoftheWorld Blog February 2013 and early March 2013
 

Published 6th February 2013

Welcome! Reader, Fellow Musical Traveller and Explorer!

Welcome to the blog that loves world, roots and folk music and helps you enjoy it wherever you are! Hello also to the blog that supports Northeast England world, roots and folk music venues!  Welcome to the blog that supports Northeast England Roots Music artists!

Why…..?  Because everyone on the world, roots and folk scene together can make a stronger scene and so that we can all find out what’s happening locally cos’ there’s loads going on!

And if you aren’t lucky enough to live in our brilliant region (being totally unbiased you’ll understand!)  why not come and stay and take in a gig or two!

 

Newcastle Roots Music Radio February 2013-Now on I Tunes!:

and Featuring N.E. Artists of the Month

Bridie Jackson and the Arbour!

Licensed by the PRS, License Number LE-0006074.

7th edition now  out on Soundcloud , Podomatic at : so you can now catch Newcastle Roots Music Radio in your podcatching software!

If you can’t listen to it on the computer, or haven’t got the time to, download and burn to CD and play it in the car or other MP3 player.

And tadahhhh! As said above Newcastle Roots Music Radio is now on I Tunes. So if you have I tunes software on your computer just subscribe (free!) and it will appear for you monthly! By the way you can have I tunes software on your computer/laptop/tablet/ even if you aren’t a Mac user.

You can also catch up on all of the above platforms on the Newcastle Roots Music Radio that you missed!

All the links at the end of this blog so scroll down!

Playlist for February 2013

Artist/Track/Album/Web

Bridie Jackson and the Arbour/Scarecrow/ www.bridiejackson.com

 

Yiddish Twist Orchestra /Baby Boobale/ http://www.yiddishtwist.com/sounds.html

 

Sharon Shannon/Flying Circus/Windchime Dance/Transatlantic Sessions Series 5 CD2/ http://www.sharonshannon.com

 

Mike Vass/ Slide/Decemberwell/ http://mikevass.com/

 

Kirsty McGee/Setting of the Sun/Contraband/ /  http://www.kirstymcgee.com/

 

Hot 8 Brass Band/E Flat Blues/ Beginners Guide to New Orleans/ http://www.hot8brassband.com/

 

Sekouba Bambino/Moya Kankoun/The Griot’s Craft/ http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info.php?id=STCD1117

 

Nino Josele’s /Cabo DE Gata /  El Mar de Mi Ventana/ http://www.ninojosele.es/index_eng.html

 

Louisa Lyne and the Yiddische Kapelye

/Ovent Lid/Debyut/ http://www.louisalyne.se/

 

Mama Roisin/La Valse deela Derniere Fois/Tu AS Perdu Ton Chemin/ http://www.mamarosin.com/

 

O’Hooley and Tidow/Pass It On/The Fragile/ http://ohooleyandtidow.com/the-fragile/

 

Gig guide;Music during it:

Nuala Kennedy/Asturias Part Two/Noble Stranger/ http://www.nualakennedy.com/

 


 

The Teacups/As I Roved Out/ www.facebook.com/theteacupsquartet

 

The Young ‘Uns: The Stockton Lass/Man, I Feel Like A yong ‘Un/  http://www.theyounguns.co.uk/

 

Bridie Jackson and the Arbour/All You Love is Al You Are/ www.bridiejackson.com

 

 

The Roots of the World Shopping Basket February 2013

Recommended purveyor of CDs : Coda Music, Edinburgh

Most of the above music can be purchased from and listened to first, at specialist Roots music retailer Coda Music. They have helpful , knowledgeable and friendly staff! Many of the CDs featured on this podcast are purchased from Coda.


Walk in, browse, smell, see, hear, talk, touch, buy, take away in your hands!:

12, Bank Street,
On The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LN

Anyway…now the purchases!

 

Mike Vass: Decemberwell

 

Mike Vass, former Malinky member had a sleepless night , a fascination with the month of December and decided he needed to explore that month musically. I for one am very glad that he did! The album begins with slow meandering yet stately commencement of “Wintro”, then the flowing melody of “Looking Thru” with a great guitar melody with the fiddle singing plaintively above it-I was totally gripped by Mike’s heart achingly beautiful month driven music and needed more. I was not disappointed.  All of the creations are of the highest standard. Philip Glass-esque/Spiro-esque sounds in “Snowfall” and “Slide”; Pane with its stark chords reflecting the bleakness of the weather with real hail sounds and the multi-layered Cycles. This is an album of immense variety, fascinating in conception, of varying moods, textures and it makes me smile!

 


 

Anna Chvostek: “Rise”

 

Canadian Singer-Songwriter, member of the wonderful “Wailing Jennys” Anna’s album is an album that has grown out of love and passion for justice . It is great to hear music where you know that the person concerned is passionate not only about their art but the world we all inhabit and depend on. Anna is clearly one of these people.  She is also able to command some excellent musical associates including fellow Canadian Bruce Cockburn, providing some of the vocal and electric guitar backing.The album gets off to a thumping start with for me what is an anthemic song “The End of the Road, a song that challenges oppression, celebrates solidarity and the power of truth. It has a stomping rhythm , choppy guitar strumming and a powerful chorus.I hope it is all going to be this good! It certainly is.A change of style with track “G20” with a Klezmer feel, and from there on as well as her socially challenging lyrics as well as a couple of songs by other writers it stays at this standard. There’s plenty of variety, the arrangements are tight. “Will of How” finds Annabelle in a very smoky jazzy kind of mood, a bit Billie Hollidayish. There’s some bluegrassy numbers, “All Have Some” having some good grinding country style fiddling. In a more Country/Folk style is “Foxtail” a happy sounding country romp but with lyrics which reflect on death, life and it’s cycle. This is an album that will keep giving back to you as its richness musically and lyrically unfolds on repeated listenings.

 


 

 

Sekouba “Bambino” Diabate: The Griot’s Craft

 

Sekouba is a Griot , part of that group of people whose role is to preserve history, stories, genealogy, wisdom and pass it down through the generations. He is a Guinean, and was formally a member of Bembeya Jazz, joining in 1983, the Guinean band at the time. This is a sensational CD. With informative sleeve notes about Sekouba, his craft and the man, the music does not disappoint. If you are looking for a West African taster of modern classic West African music this could be a very good start. Each of the songs as well as being rhythmically infectious is beautifully and tightly arranged and Sekouba’s soaring voice is simply gorgeous to listen to. Go buy, dance and be charmed!  More info at :

 


 

 

Louisa Lyne & di Yiddische Kapelye: Debyut

 

Wow. From the moment I heard Luisa Lyne’s voice I was utterly drawn in by its ability to soar and to create an atmosphere of magic, mystery and wonder. Sung in Yiddish it claims to breathe “life into songs and poetry that have lain forgotten for many years”. “Tumbalakaka” invites the listener in at the start of the album and I could not help but being drawn in! Sublime stabbing double base ushers in “Ovent Lid”, with plenty of great Yiddish melody. Louisa’s voice provides a release from the tension that she and her band di Yiddische Kapelye manage to generate.

 

“Lidl Fun Goldenem Land” has an enchanting accordion backing that to my mind creates a sound not unlike that of a church organ purring in the background. Whilst there is more starkness and bleakness albeit utterly compelling later in the album there’s also lighter moments including the snapping percussion involved in “Dos Keshenever Shtikele”. Not only is this an album of the highest quality but Luisa’s voice remains superbly compelling throughout ably supported by di Yiddishe Kapelye.

 

More info at :


 

Bridie Jackson and the Arbour/Scarecrow

 

More enchantment not from Sweden but from Newcastle courtesy of Bridie Jackson and the Arbour, Newcastle Roots Music Radio NE artists of the month  Their beautiful website describes them as follows:Bridie Jackson & The Arbour are a Newcastle based four-piece, who use sparse instrumentation and intriguing vocal harmonies to create music that is simultaneously beautiful, ethereal, dark and powerful.” Well that certainly is true here. This utterly engaging piece drew me in instantly and once I had heard it I was not sorry that I could not get the melodies and the overall feel of “Scarecrow” out of my head! Written by Debt Records stable mate Louis Barrabas, this talented wordsmith spins a tale of woman looking back from beyond the grave at her wedding dress which rests upon a scarecrow. The lyrics meld beautifully with gorgeous and varied arrangement making this an absolute musical delight melodically, vocally and rhythmically.

 


 

 

Northeast England February 2013/early March 2013 Gig Guide

There’s a gig planner below where hopefully all the venues in the Northeast will eventually be included..

If you want your gigs to be included please e mail me with all the relevant details including any weblinks a few MP3 tracks of what you will be playing or a CD would also be useful. So that I can give them some airplay on the Podcast/On  my occasional NE1Fm show/DJ night hope subject to what’s going on that month.

 


Venue/Promoter
Weblink
Newcastle upon Tyne venues
 
Cluny, Cluny2
 
Live Theatre, Newcastle
 
Bridge Folk Club, Newcastle
 
Cumberland Arms
 
King’s Hall, Newcastle University
 
Brewdog, Newcastle
 
Gateshead venues
 
Sage
 
 
 
CentralBar, Gateshead
 
Newcastle/Gateshead Promoter
 
Jumping and Hot Club 
 
North Tyneside Venues
 
Whitley Bay Playhouse
 
South Tyneside Venues
 
South Shields Folk Club
 
Customs House, South Shields
 
Sunderland Venues
 
Davy Lamp Folk Club, Washington Arts Centre
 
County Durham Venues
 
Darlington Folk Club
 
 Gala, Durham City
 
 
Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
 
Town Hall, Bishop Auckland
 
Highlights Rural Touring Scheme
 
Northumberland Venues
 
Maltings, Berwick 
 
Queen’s Hall, Hexham 
 
Alnwick Playhouse
 
Hear No Evil, Alnwick
 
Bellingham All Acoustic Club
 
Cramlington Folk Club
 
Rothbury Roots
 
The Hearth, Horsley
 
Highlights Rural Touring Scheme
 
St Cuthbert’s House, Seahouses
 
Cleveland Venues
 
The ARC, Stockton
 

 

February 2013
 
1
Bede’s World, Jarrow:  Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Wark Town Hall; Mambo Jambo (Highlights Rural Touring Scheme)
2
Jumping and Hot Club @Cluny2: John Murry and Stephen Brown
Davy Lamp: Pilgrim’s Way
The Watchtower, Berwick: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Whittingham Memorial Institute: Mambo Jambo (Highlights Rural Touring Scheme)
3
JHC @CL2: Otis Gibbs and Serious Sam Barratt
Sage: Frigg
Ashington: Hannabiell at Ashington Brass Band http://www.hannabiell.com/index.html
 
4
Sage: Transatlantic Sessions
5
 
6
Jumping and Hot Club @Cluny: Dale Watson and the Texas Two and Sour Mash Trio
7
Side Cinema, Newcastle: Ladies of Midnight Blue
8
Cluny 2: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Sage: Northern Harmony
Cumberland Arms, Byker: Mardi Gras night: New York Brass Band, Bob Stork and the Heaton Playboys
Saturday 9
Jumping and Hot Club at Cluny 2: O’Hooley and Tidow
Jumping and Hot Club :World Headquarters, Newcastle: Mad Professor And Special Guests on the Pangea  Sound System
Moot Hall, Hexham: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Whitley Bay Playhouse: The Lock In (The Demon Barbers)
10
South Shields Folk Club: Brian Peters
11
 
12
 
13
 
 
14
Darlington Folk Club: Kieran Halpin and Yogi Jockusch
Cumberland Arms, Byker: Tyde



 


 
Friday 15
Sage; An Evening with the Wilson family
Hearth, Horsley: Young Traditions:The Teacups, Down in the Attic and the Stocksfield Stompers
16
Davy Lamp: The Young'uns
Sage Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra; Christi Andropolis; with Matt Price, Scott William Albert Hartley
17
South Shields Folk Club: Benny Graham
Central Bar, Gateshead: Beccy Owen
Tap and Spile, Hexham: Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies
18
Bridge Folk Club:Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman
19
Maltings, Berwick: Fairport Convention
Cramlington Folk Club: Christi Andropolis
20
Bishop Auckland Town Hall: The Young ‘Uns
21
Queen’s Hall: Dervish
Hear No Evil: Alnwick: Paul Liddell, The Elles, Hague
Cumberland Arms: Haddo
Rothbury Roots: Flossie Malavialle and NE3 Folk
22
 
23
Davy Lamp: Dick Gaughan
Sage:Future Traditions
Caedmon Hall, Gateshead: Mama Roisin and Buffalo Skinners
Ewan McLennan, Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
24
Sage: Tony Bengtsson, 1pm (Free!)
Sage: Phil Beer
Sage:Yiddish Twist Orchestra




 



 
25
 
26
Sage:Fairport Convention

Cumberland Arms: Star and Shadow Rapper Crew + The Teacups +Folk Degree Students-Fund Raising event £3, 8.00pm, Details:









“We're raising money for the entrance fee/transport to attend the international annual rapper dancing competition, DERT, which is being held in Derby this year, and we're putting on a show at The Cumberland Arms at 8pm on Tuesday 26th Feb. It's only £3 to get in, and the evening's entertainment is provided by the team members and a couple of our folky friends from the folk degree and beyond. It should be a good showcase of local young talent (including The Teacups of course!). There will be songs, tunes, and a bit of dancing by the team too.”



 

27
Arc, Stockton: The Hot 8 Brass Band
Gala, Durham:Sharon Shannon
28
Jumping and Hot Club at Cluny 2: Mark Eitzel
March 2013
 
1
 
Saturday 2
Davy Lamp: Julie Felix
Queen’s Hall: Landermason
Sunday 3rd
Porter’s Coffee House, Tynemouth:  Landermason             
South Shields Folk Club: Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman

 

 

5 Gigs to Go To….amongst many!!!

 

The Yiddish Twist Orchestra, Sage, Gateshead, Sunday 24th February

Making Tracks has been a fantastic series of World Music concerts featuring amazing music from all over the world. This month sees the Yiddish Twist Orchestra touch down on Tyneside direct from London.: The Guardian described them as follows:  The Yiddish Twist Orchestra are a band with a mission, and their own quirky mythology. Their aim, they say, is to revive the forgotten music of 50s London, a time when klezmer and other Jewish styles interacted with West Indian and Latin dance music, early rock'n'roll, and the Twist (or der shvitz, as they insist it was known before it was taken up by the Americans). Klezmer colliding with Cuban..can’t wait!

 

 

The Hot 8 Brass Band, The Arc, Stockton, Wednesday 27th February

 

Funked up New Orleans big band jazz hits Stockton and how!

 

Try before you go:


 

Mama Roisin , Caedmon Hall, Gateshead, Saturday, 23rd February

 

Direct from the bayou of La Suisse, French Switzerland , charged up Cajun from this powerhouse of a Cajun band. Recommended!

 

Try before you go:


 

Sharon Shannon, The Gala,Durham, Wednesday 27th February

 

Top Irish melodeon/accordionist Sharon Shannon has played with best including been featured in the “Transatlantic Sessions”. This will be a night in the company of one of the finest with jigs, reels, airs and more!

 

Try before you go:


 

The Young ‘Uns, Davy Lamp Folk Club, February 16th and Bishop Auckland Town Hall, 20th February

 

Great vocal harmonies and lyrics drawn from the Northeast folk tradition from these bonny Teesside lads!

Try before you go:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YoxdaoAe8





Gig Review: Frigg, Hall 2, Sage Gateshead, 3/2/13
 
 

It was near on a full house who witnessed the 7 piece folk band, Frigg, from Finland/Norway. Their unique take on Nordic folk was tinged with a bluegrass feel- What an evening of high class entertainment it was!

Chris Pentney (Head of the Folkworks programme at the Sage, Gateshead) was clearly thrilled to see the packed hall, and there was a real sense of expectation about this gig. From the very beginning the dynamic sound of fiddles, double bass , mandolin, deep folk grooves, lively melodies,  unexpected musical twists, superb musicianship and the sheer overall dynamism of Frigg’s offering gripped the audience.

It wasn’t just the music that engaged the crowd but also the witty banter and warmth from band members. 

Frigg are an instrumental band and the concert got off to a rip roaring start with a tune which in English roughly translates as “Let’s Party”: Lively, joyous and with a thumping double bass accompaniment. Funky rhythms followed in a tune called Bo!, one of many toe-tapping melodies.  These included more complex tunes (I think it was called “Economy Claus”?) with changes of time signatures , discordant mandolin, and jazz influences intertwined with folk .  It was not all high octane, there were quieter  more lyrical moments including a gentle waltz but this was followed with the title track of the recommended new CD “Polka V” , an energetic number interspersed with moments of greater tranquillity.

The energy, joy, contrasts and dynamism of their music -called “Nordgrass” because of the Nordic/bluegrass after the break. 
My favourite tune was “Norsken”, which exemplifies the Nordgrass feel. If you missed the concert you can find a YouTube video of this at the Shetland Folk Festival at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xm1a35mJt4

Hall 2 was not going to let Frigg go when they announced that their night’s work was done and the enthusiasm of their playing was mirrored by the footstomping  that went on demanding an encore which they were more than pleased to give! They then surprised the audience by inviting us to join them at a late night session at the Newcastle  city centre pub the Lady Greys. An early start at work next day did not allow for this! If you get the chance to see Frigg, GO!!! 

Want to know and listen to more. Here’s some useful info: 

The band’s website: http://frigg.fi/


You can hear their 2005 album “Oasis” on the Spotify website.



Gig Review:  Bridie Jackson and the Arbour, Cluny 2, Byker, Newcastle, 8th February 2013
 
 












Bridie Jackson, the four member folk group from Newcastle,  attracted a full house at this intimate  venue which I think is perfect for their sparse instrumentation and often ethereal feel.
The visual spectacle was added to by the addition of some fairy lights which emphasised  the intimacy of the setting and gave the occasion a really special atmosphere. Clearly a lot of thought had gone into the staging of this event.
Beccy Owen, a local singer provided a perfect start to the evening with her soft sensitive powerful voice and skilfully crafted self-authored songs.  She was joined on stage, by another local singer-songwriter, for some numbers by singer-songwriter Matt Lucas. They combined well together and gave a performance that charmed the audience.
The scene had been well set for Bridie and her band which is comprised of Bridie (guitar, piano, lead vocal, and belleplates), Jenny Nendick (cello, belleplates), Carol Bowden (vocals, percussion, belleplates), and Rachel Cross (vocals, violin, belleplates). Bridie and her band’s video to their new single “Scarecrow” provided the introduction to their set. It is a beautifully shot piece in black and white. A link is at the bottom of this review to check it out for yourselves. The band are signed to Debt Records. Fellow Debt signee, Louis Barrabas is the author of the stunning lyrics for the song. Louis has been modest enough to say that Bridie will probably be known for them in the future rather than him, so impressed has he been with the single, which was launched at the gig. It’s out now and is available on limited CD release and download. Full information on the band’s website (see link below).
The set which included the single and its B side “All You Love is All You are”, and material from the album “Bitter Lullabies” emphasised how talented the band are. Not only are the lyrics beautifully written but the compositions and settings of the songs are incredibly varied.  Bridie sings with great intimacy and sensitivity but she can also deliver foot stomping hollering with a raw powerful edge. The ensemble really captivated the audience in with their exquisite delivery including with the use of the handbelles, a gorgeous sound.
Apart from their clear musical prowess, the band also came across as really revelling in entertaining the crowd and it was nice to hear Bridie and band thank those who had made a particular contribution, beaming with smiles as they did it.
My only moan is that I just wished it had gone on longer. I could have sat and listened for hours!
Further info:
Official website: www.bridiejackson.com
Author of the lyrics to “Scarecrow”: Louis Barrabas: http://louisbarabbas.com/  (January 9, 2013 blog entry)
Forthcoming dates for theBridie Jackson and the Arbour: http://www.bridiejackson.com/gigs

 

 

NE1 Fm

This is a community based radio station broadcasting on 102.5fm in Newcastle/Gateshead and to the world on the internet at: http://www.ne1fm.net/

Roots Music features on NE1 Fm!

Occasional “RootsoftheWorld” show from me. It tends to be on  Monday am  (GMT) between 10am and 12. Look out on Twitter for alerts.

Current programming (accurate as of November 23rd 2012) includes (based on NE1 Fm’s descriptions):

Mondays 11PM-1AM – Vintage Swing Show

“Two hours of swing, blues and jazz from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s with Richard Owen.”

Sunday 11PM-1AM – Jumping Hot Club
Alan Harrison presents an eclectic mix of ‘rootsy’ music, with both local and international acts, interviews and more.

5-7PM – NE1 Irish
Jim Bennett, Fiona Clelland and Tommy McClements host a weekly magazine featuring chat, interviews and live music for the Irish community of Newcastle and Gateshead.NE1 Irish is a magazine-style programme catering for the Irish community of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, and is live every Wednesday from 5 til 7PM.

RootsoftheWorld/Newcastle Roots Music Radio weblinks and contacts






OR  go the I Tunes Store/Podcasts and search for Newcastle Roots Music Radio and subscribe (free!)


 

How you can help Newcastle Roots Music Radio/RootsoftheWorld-

Usual stuff: listen to podcast and recommend to others by e mail /Twitter etc., follow me on Twitter and retweet my tweets particularly the podcast/blog links, “like” on my Facebook page , recommend me to others, put a poster up.

Local Artists: If you feel you fit the brief of this blog and associated podcast please get in touch. It would help if you could send some of your music for me to have a listen to, ideally on CD, and dates of any upcoming gigs in the region, weblinks etc. Use the contact details above. I look forward to hearing from you.

And finally: RootsoftheWorld wishes you a happy month musically and otherwise! Be careful. And be nice. Bye for now! J Oh and Happy New Year once again!

Next edition of Newcastle Roots Music Radio out March 2ndh 2013 featuring from the Northeast “The Pitmen Poets”

I would prefer to get podcasts out on the 1st of the month, except when real life barges it into being a bit later as this is a one human operation, not a multinational behemoth and I have a non-musical day job…so bear with me!