Levellers to support The Wonder Stuff O2 Academy Birmingham

Thursday 15^th December – O₂ Academy Birmingham 

Following The Wonder Stuff’s support on their headline tour earlier this year, Levellers confirm that they are to return the favour and are announced as special guests for the band’s forthcoming show at O₂ Academy Birmingham on Thursday 15^th December.  

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its original release, The Wonder Stuff will perform their album “Never Loved Elvis”, in its entirety, at just two special shows, Birmingham and also at London’s O₂ Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 16th December. 

Following the announcement, The Wonder Stuff’s frontman, Miles Hunt said; “Having had a wonderful time on the road earlier this year as the special guests of Levellers, on their 'Levelling The Land' tour, we are happy to announce that they are returning the favour and will be joining The Wonder Stuff at our O₂ Academy Birmingham show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of our 'Never Loved Elvis' album. It's gonna be a beautiful night!”

“Never Loved Elvis” was the band’s third album, released in 1991. It produced four hit singles, including ‘Welcome To The Cheap Seats’ featuring Kirsty MacColl, ‘Caught In My Shadow’, Sleep Alone and the band’s first top 5 hit with ‘The Size Of A Cow’. 

That same year, The Wonder Stuff staged their very own open-air event, The Big Day Out, to coincide with the album’s release at Walsall’s 22,000 capacity Bescot Stadium. The event's name was inspired by hit television show ‘Vic Reeves’ Big Night Out’ and Vic Reeves himself compered the day’s events. Vic would later ask the band to be his backing band on 'Dizzy', a track he was recording for an album that he planned to release later in the year - upon its release in October 1991, the track reached Number 1 in the Official UK Singles Charts. 

The Wonder Stuff’s line-up is original members Miles Hunt (vocals/ rhythm guitar) and Malc Treece (guitar/ vocals) with Erica Nockalls (violins), Mark McCarthy (Bass) and Fuzz Townsend of Pop Will Eat Itself (Drums). 

Album Tracklisting

      Side 1             Side 2   

1. Mission Drive     1.      Inertia
2. Play      2.      Maybe
3. False Start     3.     Grotesque
4. Welcome To The Cheap Seats  4.     Here Comes Everyone
5. The Size Of A Cow    5.     Caught In My Shadow
6. Sleep Alone     6.     38 Line Poem
7. Donation

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Sarabeth Tucek @ St Brides Church Review

The Random Family brought another laid back folk fuelled night at St Brides Church in Liverpool on Saturday, with them performing a set full of toe tapping moments, on stage giggles over Scouse/London pronunciations and voices so mellow, they melted across the atmospheric, candle lit church creating a fabulous atmosphere and a perfect warm up set for American singer/songwriter, Sarabeth Tucek, the headliner for tonight's mini folk fest.

Sarabeth Tucek took to the stage with with fellow guitarist and producer of her album, Luther Russell and began her acoustic set. The opening vocals were high and to be honest, fairly annoying but soon edged towards a deeper, silky tone but she still managed to stretch each lyric out as far as possible and put as many pauses in between them as often as possible, resulting in each song feeling like it was going on for an eternity. And this style carried on for most of the set. The fact that there was no character or crowd interaction, apart from plugging her latest album, certainly didn't help at all. If it hadn't have been for the extremely talented Luther Russell's' performance on the electric acoustic guitar and his little quips every now and then, I'm afraid I may have fell asleep by track seven or eight instead of just stifling several yawns.

Aside from that, I did have a good time listening to The Random Family, a truly talented Liverpool folk group and I'm looking forward to hearing a bit more them very soon, especially if they hand out those chocolate rice krispie cakes again!!

More photos can be seen here 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.262021303819610.65578.124377034250705&type=1

Review by Alison Goggin

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Folk legend Judy Collins- Liverpool Stanley Theatre

 Judy Collins

Saturday 4th June 2011

Liverpool, Stanley Theatre, University Of Liverpool

160, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5TR

Tel. 0151 794 6868 www.lgos.org

£17.50 advance doors 7.30

Singer Judy Collins, along with Joan Baez, was one of the two major interpretive singers to emerge from the folk revival of the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s. Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes.

Her impressive career has spanned more than 50 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy’s love of lyrics. She soon moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar.

In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22 and began a thirty-five year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records. She interpreted the songs of fellow artists - particularly the social poets of the time such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton.  Judy was instrumental in bringing other singer-songwriters to a wider audience including poet/musician Leonard Cohen – and musicians Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman.

Judy Collins is also noted for her rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” on her 1967 album, Wildflowers which has since been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards was Judy's version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical “A Little Night Music.”

Judy has continued an impressive musical career with an extensive catalog from every decade throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and up to the present.  On July 27, 2010, Collectors’ Choice Music will reissue (digitally remastered) nine CDs of Collins’ Elektra titles: Fifth Album (1965), In My Life (1966), Whales & Nightingales (1970), True Stories & Other Dreams (1973), Bread & Roses (1976), Running for My Life (1980), Times of Our Lives (1982), Home Again (1984) and Christmas at the Biltmore (1997). These albums contain newly commissioned liner notes by Ritchie Unterberger that include interviews with Collins.

Judy has authored several books, including the inspirational memoir Sanity & Grace, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy; it speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. She is also co-director, with Jill Godmillow, of an Academy Award-nominated film about Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct major symphonies around the world—and Judy's classical piano teacher when she was young. In 1999, Judy founded her own record label, Wildflower Records - a grass roots artist driven label committedtonurturing fresh talent. The aim of the label is to develop long-term relationships with artists and their representatives in a way that Judy’s own career was nurtured by major labels. For more information about Wildflower Records you can visit the label’s website at www.wildflowerrecords.com

Judy Collins’ social history has always been linked with her musical history.  Judy is drawn to social activism and is a representative for UNICEF and campaigns on behalf of the abolition of landmines, amongst many other causes.

Judy’s  two latest creative projects, due out  June 2010 are: a new CD, Paradise (Wildflower Records), a collection of 10 songs that include duets of Judy with the legendary Stephen Stills and Joan Baez; and Over the Rainbow(Imagine Publishing) a magnificent oversized children’s picture book and 3-song CD set, featuring artwork by renowned painter Eric Puybaret illustrating the lyrics of this #1 movie song of all-time, coupled with Judy Collins’ enchanting recording of the title song makes this destined to become a beloved classic storybook, delighting children of all ages for decades to come.

Judy Collins, now 71, is still writing, performing, and nurturing fresh talent. She plays 80 to100 dates a year around the country. Judy Collins, a relentlessly creative spirit, is a modern day Renaissance woman who is also an accomplished painter, filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention.  She continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart. 

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Sandriver - EP Review

Hailing from Durham in the Northeast of the UK has entirely no reflection on the music the sandriver band compose and sing. The music they conjure up is more likely to remind you of the Mississippi and the deep south of America than a city in England. The sandriver band consists of Si Robinson on Guitar and vocals and Guy Siviour on Drums / percussion and their mix of blues and folk influenced music will definitely leave you wanting more.
We were lucky to be invited by the band to review their self titled E.P Sandriver.
Consisting of 6 songs the variation in sounds between them is vast. They cover blue grass, indie, blues, and folk and though at times very derivative they bring a unique and fresh outlook to the music. The slow and melancholy sounds and lyrics of songs such as Love will have you slipping back and wishing of an open log fire to crawl to. Where as in songs, like the reprisal and Kid Dust, are complete contrasts to this and make you want tap your feet and clap your hands. Though, as mentioned before, the songs can be derivative of other musicians, as in the song Letter to the Lovers which sounds not far off a Radio Head track, Si Robinson brings his own unique vocal talent to it so you are soon you are oblivious to any similarity that it may have had.

Over all this was a well rounded EP with much variation on each track so that you don’t become bored listening to it. It opens a new sound to many listeners who may not be familiar with blues and folk and puts a nice slant on the familiar sounds created in this genre

The EP can be downloaded at the site below

http://sandriver.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/sandriveruk

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Kris Kristofferson headlines Cambridge Folk Festival

Country singer Kris Kristofferson will headline this summer's Cambridge Folk Festival supported by 10,000 Maniacs vocalist Natalie Merchant.

The event from 29 July to 1 August has an American feel with bluesman Seasick Steve, Oregon's Pink Martini and bluegrass singer Kathy Mattea starring.

But a wide range of international acts are also on the bill.

Malian singer Rokia Traore, Irish accordionist Sharon Shannon stars with rockabilly singer Imelda May.

There will be a variety of traditional and modern British acts.

English folk singer Seth Lakeman, acoustic duo Show Of Hands and folk big-band The Unusual Suspects are also to perform.

The Imagined Village bring English traditional compositions while The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain re-work rock 'n' roll, punk, jazz and classical music.

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Bob Dylan announces only UK live date of 2010

Bob Dylan is set to headline the Hop Farm Festival in Kent this summer – his only UK live date of 2010.

The singer/songwriter legend will be joined on the bill by Pete Doherty,Mumford and Sons Laura Marling. The event takes place in Kent on July 3.

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