RootsoftheWorld blog December 2012

RootsoftheWorld Blog December 2012 and early January 2012

 

Published 1^st December 2012

Welcome to the blog that loves world, roots and folk music and helps you enjoy it wherever you are! Hola! to the blog that supports Northeast England world, roots and folk music venues! And..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!

A new feature this month is that the podcast playlist has weblinks ready for you to click on to aid your listening enjoyment and your musical journey through life!

Newcastle Roots Music Radio December 2012-Now on I Tunes!:

Licensed by the PRS, License Number LE-0006074.

It can be found at:

 5th edition now  out on Soundcloud And now on 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 even if you aren’t a Mac user.

This month’s playlist:

The Cornshed Sisters/The Beekeeper/Tell Tales/

/ http://www.memphis-industries.com/artist/the-cornshed-sisters/

Breabach/Good Drying/The Desperate Battle of the Birds/ http://breabach.com/ 

Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band/Bring Us In Good Ale/Ringing the Changes/  http://www.carnivalband.com/and_maddy_prior.html 

Toure Raichel Collective/Alkatou/The Tel Aviv Session/ http://www.toureraichel.com/ 

Wganda Kenya/El Caterete/Diablos del Ritmo/  http://www.worldmusic.co.uk/analog_africa_to_release_diablos_del_ritmo_the_ 

Celina di Piedade/Roubei-TeUm Beijo/Em Casa/ http://www.womex.com/virtual/uguru/celina_da_piedade 

Simon Thacker’s Svara Kanti/Svaranjali/Album not yet released/ http://www.simonthacker.com/svara-kanti.htm 

Old Crow Medicine Show/Mississippi Saturday Night/Carry Me Back/ http://www.crowmedicine.com/

Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino/Nu Te Fermare/Pizzica Indiavolata/ http://www.womex.com/virtual/canzoniere_grecanico 

Malick Pathe Sow and Bao Sissoko/Gams/Aduna/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/oct/18/malick-pathe-sow-bao-sissoko-review 

Calum Stewart and Lauren MacColl/Rise Ye Lazy Fellow/Wooden Flute and Fiddle/ http://www.folkradio.co.uk/2012/11/calum-stewart-and-lauren-maccoll-wooden-flute-and-fiddle/ 

Bob Fox/Life is Not Kind to the Drinking Man/Borrowed Moments/ http://www.bobfoxmusic.com/ 

During Gig Guide: Duncan Chisholm/Unknown Air/Affric/ http://www.duncanchisholm.com/ 

Bella Hardy/The Holly and the Ivy/Bright Morning Star/  http://www.bellahardy.com/bright-morning-star/ 

The Cornshed Sisters /One by One/ Tell Tales/ http://www.memphis-industries.com/artist/the-cornshed-sisters/

 

The Roots of the World Shopping Basket

With the festive season fast looming upon us what better way to celebrate this time with hot tunes, beats, moving melodies and voices in harmony or moving us to reflection, laughter or maybe a tear. 

Calum Stewart and Lauren MacColl “Wooden Flute and Fiddle”  

Calum and Lauren, on wooden flute and fiddle produced this well researched set of tunes which are gorgeous to listen to if traditional Scottish music is your thing although the influences extend beyond Scotland to other parts of the Gaelic/Celtic diaspora. The album gets off to a jaunty start to the infectious set of tunes commencing with “Late to Slumber” and the foot just can’t stop tapping as Calum’s flute performs its merry melodic dance. “Alzen”, a moving slow air inspired by  Calum visiting an abandoned chapel in the French Pyrenees speaks to me of the hope of the coming day and soothes the listener in a gentle blanket of sound with Lauren’s careful fiddle work combining with the flute to produce this entrancing musical soundscape. 

Celina da Piedade “Em Casa” 

“Em Casa” which means “At home” is from Portuguese singer/accordionist Celina da Piedade. I was first struck by her passionate vocal combined with beauty of the Portuguese language with the track “Calimero E A Pera Verde” which features on this month’s “Newcastle Roots Music Radio” when listening to the monthly podcast “FRoots Radio” which accompanies the very informative world/roots and folk monthly mag FRoots. Celina very kindly sent me a copy of the album and I absolutely love it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be putting it in here. The lilting melody accompanied by sensitive accordion and sax is not typical of the album as it is extremely varied and really showcases what a talent Celina is! For instance much to my surprise the album opens with some heavy percussion beating out what to me is a tribal beat with a bell ringing in the background with what sounds like a plaintive lament, whereas “Rebola” begins with a fiesta type atmosphere suggestive to me of the funfair and holiday time and left me with a smile. Anyway it’s lovely throughout, buy it whether you get the CD or download!

Old Crow Medicine Show  “Carry Me Back”

These boys hail from Virginia and play bluegrass, folk and old time. They are old timers at it, having been around since 1998 and their quality, experience and love of the music sure show through as these dudes deliver an enthusiastic , varied and wonderfully crafted set including some absolutely barnstorming hollering turbo charged bluegrass romps.

Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One: “Sister Pili + 2 “

The wonderful folk at Stern’s, a label that serves up wonderful offerings from the archives of African music have come up with this collection showcasing infectious Congolese rhythyms and the voice of Moreno Matamba who sadly passed away aged 38 in 1993.

Show of Hands “Wake the Union”

For me a great set following up from 2009’s “Innocence , Arrogance and Greed”.  The album as the cover indicates at times has an Americana flavour at times such as in the haunting “Katrina” which references that terrible event that beset New Orleans. There are some great singalong tunes which will please the “Show of Hands” faithful such as the driving pulsing “Now You Know”. A particularly moving episode in this album is “Coming Home” where Phil Beer, Steve Knightley and Sykes combine to sing of a lad West Country raised,  (a region always proudly referenced by passionate Devonian Knightley), who comes home but in a box from Afghanistan. It is so tenderly delivered by Knightley’s aching vocal and Miranda Sykes sweetly delivers an additional verse from the traditional song “The Bonny Light Horseman” with Phil Beer on the Venezuelan stringed instrument the cuatro picking the most heart rending melody. If you’ve never heard these West Country boys before…this set is not a bad start!

RootsoftheWorld@The Brandling Villa Pub, South Gosforth,

Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month I DJ from 830pm at the said pub playing the very best in World, Roots and Folk Music. Please come and say hello. Next up Tuesday 11^th December.

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!

 Web: http://www.codamusic.co.uk/

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

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

I know Amazon exist, and RootsoftheWorld does use them, but do you really want no specialist shops……and it’s not fair for small dealers trying to compete with the tax minimizing goliath that is Amazon.

 

Northeast England December /early January 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  NE1Fm show/DJ night hope subject to what’s going on that month.

I’ve picked out concerts/gigs that have particularly caught my eye and added some info which may help you make to decide on your musical soiree.

I’ve added two new providers this month the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme and King’s Hall, Newcastle University who are doing Rootsy things on a lunchtime/afternoon.  There’s also dates/venues/and a weblink  of the Magical Christmas Tour which features a number of rural venues in the North East, and includes Maggie Boyle..so recommended!

Venue/Promoter	Weblink	Abbreviation on gig guide
Newcastle upon Tyne venues
Cluny, Cluny2	www.thecluny.com	CL/CL2
Live Theatre, Newcastle	www.live.org.uk	LT
Bridge Folk Club, Newcastle	www.bridgefolkclub.co.uk	BFC
Cumberland Arms	www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk	CA
King’s Hall, Newcastle University	http://www.ncl.ac.uk/events/kings-hall	KH
Gateshead venues
Sage	www.thesagegateshead.org	SG
Newcastle/Gateshead Promoter
Jumping and Hot Club	www.jumpinhot.com	JHC
North Tyneside Venues
Whitley Bay Playhouse	www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk	WBP
South Tyneside Venues
South Shields Folk Club	www.southshieldsfolkclub.co.uk	SSFC
Customs House, South Shields	www.customshouse.co.uk	CHSS
Sunderland Venues
Davy Lamp Folk Club, Washington Arts Centre	www.davylampfolkclub.co.uk	DL
County Durham Venues
Darlington Folk Club	http://www.darlingtonfolkclub.com/	DFC
Gala, Durham City	www.galadurham.co.uk	G
Town Hall, Bishop Auckland	www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk	BATH
Highlights Rural Touring Scheme	http://www.highlightsnorth.co.uk/	Specific venue given in gig guide then reference back to website for more info
Northumberland Venues
Maltings, Berwick	www.maltingsberwick.co.uk	MB
Queen’s Hall, Hexham	www.queenshall.co.uk	QHH
Alnwick Playhouse	www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk	AP
Bellingham All Acoustic Club	www.baaclub.co.uk	BAAC
Cramlington Folk Club	http://www.cramfolk.co.uk/	CFC
Rothbury Roots	www.rothburyroots.net	RR
The Hearth, Horsley	www.thehearth.co.uk	HH
Highlights Rural Touring Scheme	http://www.highlightsnorth.co.uk/	Specific venue given in gig guide then reference back to website for more info
Cleveland Venues
The ARC, Stockton	www.arconline.co.uk	AS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December	Venue/Gig
1	DL:Bob Fox SG:Martin Simpson Trio JHC@LT:Brendan Croker and Steve Philips, Ray Stubbs
2	SG:Breabach/Jamie Smith’s Mabon SSFC: Steve Turner Brewdog, Ncl: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
3
4	CFC: Alan Reid & Rob van Sante
5	WBP:The Strawbs
6	WBP:June Tabor and Oysterband SG: Simon Thacker’s Svara Kanti G:Cornshed Sisters CA:Belly Hardy DFC: Flossie Malavialle and  Chris Parkinson
7	Tyneside Cinema: Cornshed Sisters CA: Baghdaddies
8	DL: Vin Garbutt AP:Tom McConville and Tom Wilson CA:Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra-cancelled
9
10
11	The Magical Christmas Tree Tour, Newbrough Town Hall Hexham: http://skinnymalinksmusic.co.uk/artists/mct.html   RootsoftheWorld DJ set at the Brandling Villa Pub, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne
12
13	KH:Beppe Gambetta KH: Helen Edwards;”Teacups” Vocal Quartet
14	SG:Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band The Magical Christmas Tree Tour Newbiggin in Teesdale Village Hall
15	Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies Bishop Auckland Town Hall SG:Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy and the Gift Band The Magical Christmas Tree Tour New Hartley Community Association Northumberland
16	SG: Folkestra The Magical Christmas Tree Tour Crookham Village Hall Northumberland
17
18
19	Gareth Davies-Jones in concert: Stocksfield http://www.garethdavies-jones.com/christmas-tour-dates-nov-dec/
20
21	JHC @CL: Martin Stephenson and the Daintees
22	JHC @CL: Martin Stephenson and the Daintees Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies Concordia Leisure Centre Cramlington Northumberland   SG:Christmas Ceilidh with the New Slide Band
23
24
25
26
27	Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies The Sage
28
29
30
31	SG:The New Rope String Band
Early January 2013	Venue
1
2
3
4
5	DL: The Mighty Doonans
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13	Jez Lowe Solo at Westoe Club South Shields

 

 

Well December is a bit of a strange month in terms of how gigs are panning out. The beginning of the month seems to be absolutely chokka and requires one to slice oneself up so as to not miss any of the delights …clearly brandy has got into the gig planning system!  Later on in the month only a few folk seem to be standing after all the turkey, stuffing and Christmas trimmings including Jez Lowe and the New Rope String Band. Another thing that strikes me is how diverse the NE is in terms of venues and promoters from the Sage right through to the tiny venues used by the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, and the The Magical Christmas Tree Tour. You can even enjoy live  Roots music at lunchtime in the week courtesy of King’s Hall, Newcastle and Italian acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta!

 

5 Gigs to go to (amongst many…)

Anyway here’s my choice of 5 gigs to go to this month, with some info to help you make your choices. But this is just my personal choice and the links to venues above, listening to artists on the web may make you choose otherwise. Anyway whatever you choose….enjoy!

 

The Cornshed Sisters at The Gala, Durham Thursday 6^th December; Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle Friday 7^th December

This local northeast based quartet aren’t blood sisters but their vocal unity would suggest otherwise. These sisters of harmony are Jennie, Cath, Liz and Marie. They are making several northeast appearances in this yuletide month so catch them as part of your holiday build up! As well as having a warm engaging stage presence, there appeal lies partly in the broadness of their musical palette. So if you are drawn to “Guitar pop, folk tales, protest songs, country music, piano ballads and gospel singing” as proclaims their website this is for you. Catch them on this month’s podcast.

Try before you go: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/rrnv

 

Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti, The Sage, Gateshead, Thursday 6^th December in Association with Gem Arts

I have watched the performances on You Tube and this fusion of musical/cultural influences is sublime. Gem Arts, the local Tyneside based multicultural operation should be applauded for getting this to us lucky north easterners! Here’s the blurb from the website:

“Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti brings together leading performers in Indian, contemporary Asian and Western music and features Simon's unique melding of Eastern and Western styles on guitar with the beautiful voice of Japjit Kaur, internationally renowned tabla player Sarvar Sabri, who has a musical lineage stretching back ten generations to the Royal Court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and violinist Jackie Shave, leader of Britten Sinfonia. Svara-Kanti works with some of world's greatest music creators to combine two of the world's greatest and most diverse musical cultures, Indian and Western, creating powerful and inspiring new music using the classical, folk, spiritual and film music traditions of India as a basis to innovate.” I can’t wait for the CD!

Try before you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdOx9eCKBvw

 

More information: http://www.simonthacker.com/svara-kanti.htm

 

Maddy Prior And the Carnival Band, Friday 14^th, December

In what has become somewhat of an annual celebration Maddy and her colleagues in harmony and merriment help limber us up with this harmonious and thoroughly merrye folkie jaunte accompanied by all manner of diverse instruments including the ancient and the exotic!

Try before you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtKVi3Ippu0

 

Vin Garbutt, Davy Lamp Folk Club, Washington, Saturday,8^th, December

The legendary “Teesside Troubadour” brings his own highly unique form of humour and song to the Davy Lamp for a night of guaranteed good tunes, thoughtful and moving lyrics and great crack!

Try before you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYVoIQEXCv8

 

Bella Hardy, Cumberland Arms, Thursday 6^th December

So many concerts to choose from, so much congestion as you can see from the Gig planner, so choices will have to be made. Peak District lass Bella fresh from her spellbinding album, “The Dark Peak and the White” of local material from her home county of Derbyshire, brings her fresh and hot off the yuletide presses CD to celebrate the season- “Bright Morning Star”. Bella’s enthusiastic and warm stage presence combined with her powerful yet sensitive vocal is a guarantee of a great night.

Try before you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jnldzee0Pc

 

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 decsriptions):

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 contacts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rootsoftheworld

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RootsoftheWorld

Blogspot: http://rootsoftheworld.blogspot.co.uk/

Podcast: http://soundcloud.com/rootsoftheworld/newcastle-roots-music-radio

OR:    http://newcastlerootsmusicradio.podomatic.com/entry/2012-10-01T12_23_13-07_00

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

E mail: rootsoftheworld@btinternet.com

 

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 if Christmas/Winterval/Yuletide is your thing enjoy that as well!

 

Next edition of Newcastle Roots Music Radio out January 6^th 2013

Normally 1^st 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!