I was really looking forward to this gig, and I wasn’t disappointed. Pure Folk Theatre, with its’ heart in the right place. I’ve seen the lads a good few times before this, and I must admit on the first occasion, I didn’t quite know what to make of it, though that was some time ago. Suffice to say, they’ve honed their act to perfection on all levels, musicianship, comedy, history, pathos and are thoroughly good blokes.
The group consists of Martin Purdy, Andy Smith and Simon Jones and they first hit the stage in 2008. All local lads, with well researched material from their own patch and a little beyond. I’m not too sure how the name came about, but there is certainly a harp on stage, played really well. Perhaps the monkey was hiding! Guitar and 5 string banjo played sensitively, really bringing the songs to life, plus accordion and xylophone played by Martin. Surely that can’t work? It does, in a mesmerising way, not to mention the subtle use of electronic percussion and sound effects. These lads are busy, but they make it look so easy!
The gig was at the Barlow Institute at Edgworth, back from enforced absence to their monthly concert schedule. A great venue, perfectly suited to Harp and a Monkey, proper village hall atmosphere. I have to admit an interest here, as I’m on the Barlow team and usually do the sound here, although tonight, they were self-contained with their own gear, skilfully done. Support spot was from local duo Es and Chris, nicely performed, with good harmony singing and tidy guitar. We’ll see more of them.
MC Ed McGurk brought the main act on stage for their first show of 2022 and they were soon into the “’Manchester Angel,” a familiar song but given a unique arrangement. I won’t give a full list but I found it seemed to pass very quickly, always a good sign of an absorbing show. “Bolton’s Yard”, “Tupperware and Tinfoil”, “Calico Printer’s Clerk”, “Girls of Glossop Road.” Every one a great story, a brilliant first 40 minute set. A lot of these songs are featured on their recent CD “Victorians”, plus examples from their 2 earlier albums.
Their second set was equally absorbing and the full house at the Barlow hung on every note, again, a lot of songs you won’t hear anywhere else, played and sung with a special Northern-ness, if there is such a word! We had “Men Digging Holes”, “Gallipoli”, “Molecatcher” and the brilliant “Victorians”, title of the new album, songs you could listen to again and again. I particularly liked a re-working of Mike Harding’s “Waiting for me Payday”. The encore was “Charlie Chaplin”, which I’m used to playing with the Oldham Tinkers, but another fresh approach, a great finisher. The audience certainly went home happy and it’s great to see the Barlow up and running again. Thanks lads.
Dave (Tinker) Howard. Jan 2022.
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A powerful new duo emerging from the chaos of the last two years - Folk at the Barlow and the rest of the folk world has been waiting! As established solo artists, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones are no strangers to the folk scene, however the force of this phenomenal “new” duo is sure to turn some heads, and for very good reason.
Hailing from the close knit communities of West Yorkshire, both are long-time purveyors and performers of traditional English folk music, united by a mutual fascination with folk song and tune collections from their native county. Bryony and Alice draw on a wealth of stories inspired by the landscape and language of their surroundings, not to mention the local characters they have both grown up with and still live amongst today.
Via villages, valleys and moorlands, they channel their own brand of Yorkshire folk music. Combining their respect and understanding of traditional song, music and dance with their own more contemporary style of folk performance, they present a unique repertoire of harmony, history and Northern banter. Featuring Fiddle, Harmonium, Tenor Guitar and intricate close harmony vocals in their distinctive regional accents; Bryony and Alice's music celebrates a shared love for community heritage that resonates throughout Yorkshire and beyond, connecting with musical communities the world over.
Bryony and Alice are fine singers and instrumentalists with great attitude and plenty to say.
FEBRUARY 2022 CONCERT
Bryony and Alice were supported by great northern singer-songwriter, teacher, columnist and founder of St Anne's Folk Club Steve Canavan, purveyor of witty, topical and thought-provoking ditties, excellently delivered on voice and guitar. Throughout the pandemic he has written song after song to keep us amused, entertained and up-beat. Find him on YouTube.
March 2022 Concert
Kimber's Men
Supported by Michelle Holding & Bonz
March saw Folk at the Barlow host a fantastic concert featuring Kimber's Men and Michelle Holding and Bonz.
Kimber's Men are definitely the UK's finest Sea Shanty band, but are much much more than this. They specialise in maritime material, and although shanties form much of their repertoire, they also range through nautical ballads and broadsides to modern sea-related songs. They present their material in an innovative way that is all their own. I heard some of the best and most interesting harmonies I've ever heard in the Barlow Hall, which isn't what you usually get from Shanty groups. The audience were spell-bound and the atmosphere electric. As a group of stalwart Yorkshire-based gentlemen there was inevitably a bit of ribbing at their Lancashire audience, which added to the fun! Delivering sturdy, stirring and energetic singing, well-lashed with harmony and emotion. Kimber's Men believe that modern songs have a place alongside old classics like Sally Racket, Lord Franklin, Shallow Brown, and Shenandoah. They sing them out with praiseworthy gutsiness, and always acknowledge the provenance of their songs. https://kimbersmen.com/
Michelle Holding and Bonz are a fantastic duo with great versatility over a range of styles. Michelle is a Manchester-based singer and occasional songwriter, who has a ear for a great song. With a striking and distinctive voice of amazing range, Michelle performs with passion and sensitivity and has the gift of “getting a song across”. She plays guitar, banjo and concertina, always apologising when she gets the banjo out, though she is an absolute maestro on this instrument. Several people commented that they had never enjoyed banjo playing so much. Seasoned performer Bonz is a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays dobro, banjo and harmonica, and provides harmony vocals. He claims to have performed at folk clubs, festivals and concerts before Michelle was born. They play a varied mix of British and American traditional and contemporary folk, and more. The range of material and depth of humour was great. A duo that deserve to be much better known.
Tickets are £10 each. To book please email folkatthebarlow@gmail.com
A vibrant young band, Wayward Jane give an innovative interpretation of American Old-Time tradition, blending roots material with fresh arrangements and original compositions. Their rich sound features fiddle, banjo, double bass, guitar, wooden flute and vocal harmonies. When playing live their shows have a joyful energy to them that expresses the fine musicianship of the band members and the playful chemistry that exists between them. Ranging in mood from high-octane toe-tapping tunes to tender and soulful songs, Wayward Jane have beautifully blended voices and harmonies, leaving audiences with a warm glow in their hearts.
“Wayward Jane weaves a gorgeous tapestry of heart wrenching vocals and tasteful, informed instrumentation. I could listen to these guys all day!” – Rachel Baiman
“Wayward Jane play old-timey and Americana as though they were born to it.” – Folking.com
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Wayward Jane were supported by local singer-guitarist Sean Furlong, who has been delighting attendees at our singarounds in recent months. Bolton singer / guitarist Sean is an established performer at local open-mics, specialising in Americana. He’s a fan of singer-songwriters such as Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark and Dave Alvin, but is also partial to the occasional rocker or a golden-age pop classic
May Concert
Mike Wilson and Damien Barber
supported by The Harty Family.
At our May concert we were proud and delighted to welcome Mike Wilson and Damien Barber. With strong yet expressive voices, these two have a deep knowledge and passion for folk song old and new, and the ability to produce the most moving of interpretations. They sing in harmony or solo, often with Damien’s accompaniments on concertina or guitar. Damien is surely one of the finest concertina players in the land and has an instantly recognisable style. Mike is one of our best traditional singers and is no stranger to the Barlow, having performed here with the Wilsons on several occasions. This duo have the power to fill our hall with some wonderful music and perhaps a bit of banter!
tarting the evening off wasour own Harty Family: Phil, Sorrell, daughters, son, maybe others. This talented band of musicians have done so much to support our Festival and to promote live music in the area, particularly amongst youngsters, with their Music for All. Many genres of music will no doubt be represented, with some first-rate string, accordian and keyboard playing. This gang are musically educated as well as gifted!
17th June 2022 Caffrey, Madge, McGurk https://www.caffreymcgurkmadge.com/
with Dandelion Train https://www.facebook.com/dandelionTrain/
June saw a concert featuring two trios who are both firm favourites at Folk at the Barlow. : Caffrey, Madge, McGurk (CMM) supported by Dandelion Train.
Nick, Robin and Ed (CMM) delivered a variety of material to the high standard that we have come to expect of them : exquisite and unusual harmonies on songs such as "Icy Acres" and the "Corpus Christie Carol", accomplished yet inventive musical interludes and accompaniments from Ed on guitars and Robin on concertinas as in "Coire Lagan" (written by Robin) and "The Hapton Valley Mining Disaster" (written by Nick), and stunning vocals from all three throughout the two sets. The act featured some of their greatest hits such as "Over the Lancashire Hills" and "Dead Reckoning" both with choruses that the audience greatly enjoyed rendering, and some new numbers such as "Schooldays Over" which included vocal solos, three part harmony and an instrumental break. Simon and Garfunkel are a hard act to follow but CMM's new rendition of "Scarborough Fair" excels because it tells the whole story and shows off harmony at its best. CMM finished off the night with Steve Harrison's "Time for the Leaving" : a great song with a very singable chorus - they should perform it more often! To say this was a short-notice concert with little preparation, (standing in for a Covid-smitten Granny's Attic) the professionality of their act was amazing and the entertainment value second to none.
Dandelion Train are a raggle-taggle multi-instrumental acoustic folk mix of musical genres, songs, tunes and original compositions of Dandelion Train themselves. With Sue's beautiful haunting voice, flute and whistle playing, together with expert musicianship on guitars and harmonica from Gerry and Steve, this trio deserve acclaim and recognition in wider circles. There is something indefinable and magical about their act. A moving performance. "Women of Ireland" was specially well-performed.
Friday 19 August 2022 Reg Meuross
with Watch the Wall
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-band/Watch-the-Wall-185812445448968/
August saw Reg Meuross on the Barlow stage for real, after his successful 2020 Zoom gig for us. He is surely one of this country's finest singer-songwriters who delivers thoughtful carefully-crafted songs in a manner that makes the audience warm to him. Check out "England Green and England Grey" by clicking on the picture. Winner of many folk awards, he is acclaimed by all the great and good of the folk world. How can one man and a guitar do so much?
Supporting Reg was our own Watch the Wall, most deserving of their place on the Barlow stage. Energetic and sensitive fiddle-playing from Kathy enhances Brian and Nick's vocals, strings and other instruments delivery of many excellent self-penned items, with plenty of Irish music and a little sardonic humour thrown into the mix.
A great night all round!
Friday 16 Sept 2022
JIB (Jim Mageean, Ingrid & Barry Temple)
starts 8pm, doors open 7:30pm
with Tony Gibbons and Kate Bradbury
Hailing from the North East, three strong voices in perfect harmony!
Jim Mageean is a folk singer from the North East of England specialises in Sea Songs and Shanties from the Great Days of Sail. He is internationally renowned for his powerful singing and has performed all over the world, a popular act at Festivals and Folk Clubs. He has sung with Johnny Collins, Graeme Knights and the Keelers as well as with Ingrid and Barry. Long known and revered on the folk circuit, he has warmth, humour, and boundless enthusiasm which makes a night go with a swing.
Barrie and Ingrid are harmony singers from Newcastle upon Tyne. Although they sing mostly unaccompanied, Barrie also adds concertina or guitar accompaniment to some of their songs. They have been singing together for nearly 40 years and have performed throughout the UK and abroad, at folk clubs and festivals. Their singing is mainly traditional with both serious and humorous content. They also perform lots of Barrie’s own songs, which are written in the traditional style. They are well respected for their unique style of close harmony singing and their original arrangements. Barrie’s own songs are now being sung and recorded by other folk performers, both here and abroad.
Tony Gibbons and Kate Bradbury are a popular folk duo from Liverpool playing traditional songs and their own compositions. Their two part harmonies are accompanied by Tony's Guitar-bouzouki and Kate's fiddle. They have appreared at The Edgworth Festival in previous years and proved a most enjoyable act. We are pleased to welcome them back to The Barlow.
We had a wonderful evening concert at Folk at the Barlow on the third Friday of September featuring JIB (Jim Mageean, Ingrid & Barrie Temple) supported by Tony Gibbons and Kate Bradbury. Doors opened at 7:30 and the Barlow Hall was soon buzzing with the chatter of long-lost friends meeting up again after a long time. There were an incredible number of high-rated performers in the audience, most of whom knew Jim and the rest. A real folk-family atmosphere.
The evening was kicked off by Tony Gibbons and Kate Bradbury, a class act who are always welcome at the Barlow. These two have been performing together for many years as their rapport shows. Their act combines humour, melancholy, lovely accompaniments, singable choruses and songs-with-a-story. Tony and Kate are warm, relaxed and comfortable on stage, Tony’s ready wit and great bouzouki playing complementing Kate’s soulful voice and expressive fiddle accompaniments. If you’ve never seen them, they are definitely worth seeking out.
Kate is a talented songwriter. All her songs are well-crafted, have a message, and are sung exquisitely. I particularly enjoyed “If This be a Man” an unaccompanied song about what humanity does to itself and to the planet, and “Mary Angela”, an incredibly moving song which she wrote about “unmarried mothers”, victims of the times they lived in, forced to give up their children for adoption. You could have heard a pin drop in the hall. Mary Angela’s story has a happy ending that makes you cry.
“The Fox and the Hare” is a jolly little song from Tony dedicated to Kate, about a man unlucky in love who finally finds his soul-mate. His “Galway Bay”, about his family background and Irish roots had wonderful fiddle and bouzouki accompaniments.
Their whole set was thoughtfully and carefully constructed to ring the changes between different lead voices and accompaniment styles, moods of material, a cappella, and a tune set. They finished their spot with “Stepping Stones” a lovely two-part harmony.
Singing unaccompanied on the Barlow stage is something usually reserved for the Wilsons, but Jim, Ingrid and Barrie have the strength of vocals to carry it off seemingly effortlessly. They began with “Knocking ‘em Down, the Old Pubs”, in three-part harmony with Barry’s concertina accompaniment, a well-known song with a cracking chorus.
Three lusty voices that blend together well, their arrangements are pleasingly unusual, largely due to where Ingrid positions her harmonies. She has a great and enviable natural talent for this and a magnificent voice to carry it through, together with much experience of course!
Many songs are written and arranged by Barrie, who has a penchant for writing true-to-life songs from a slightly different angle. “Shipyard Girls” is one of these, a song about the women who worked in the shipyards in the Second World War. The vocal lead is Ingrid, who is soon joined by the others in harmonies that vary from verse to verse.
Three songs were about Jim’s home town of Cullercoats, a fishing village just north of the Tyne. “Hold the Lantern High” tells of boats that used to sail out of the now closed fishing port at Cullercoats Bay. It expresses the doubts and fears as to whether a sailor will return safely from sea. The lantern represents the hope that he will. A truly beautiful song with another great chorus and another chance for Ingrid to demonstrate her inspired harmonies. “Cullercoats Bay” rang the changes with lead vocals from Barrie and his concertina accompaniment. The third song, in the second half, “Cullercoats Lifeboat”, has a very singable chorus and has enabled JIB to raise £3000 for the RNLI while at Whitby.
Jim’s family were miners and he talked vividly of the danger, sweat and dirt that his forebears endured in order to put food on the table. Two memorable songs were “It’s all in the Blood” and “Billy was a Miner”, one where a miner was killed in the cage by an explosion, the other about generation after generation who had no choice but to follow their fathers into the pit. In the second half they did a great rendition of Johnny Handle’s “Farewell to the Monty”, where many miners were killed in a flooding disaster caused by cutting through into old mine workings which turned out to be full of water.
This varied array of songs of the North East working class was complemented by a few shanties and fore-bitters, beautifully and lustily sung.
All three have great on-stage presence, with many amusing anecdotes and stories, together with a depth of knowledge of folk song and custom. Their lifetimes on the folk scene promoting traditional music, song and stories informs their stunning performance. It was a great night and Folk at the Barlow is privileged to have hosted them.
The Wilderness Yet.
October 2022
This highly acclaimed young folk band on the ascendant, appeared at this summer's Sidmouth & Cambridge festivals and last weekend at Manchester Folk Festival, so here's your chance to catch up with what's current on the folk scene.
Comprising Rosie Hodgson (vocals), Rowan Piggott (fiddle, vocals) and Philippe Barnes (guitar, flute, vocals), their songs are thoughtful, emotional and beautifully crafted, and often have an earth-caring ecological angle. As well as fresh interpretations of traditional songs, we'll hear newer items, including some self-penned numbers, great musicianship with rich instrumental textures, and delightful
a capella harmonies.
Rosie has a beautifully clear and expressive voice with a wow factor that gives “a ruby-richness to lyrics new and old" (Folk Radio UK), it’s no surprise that she has been a finalist for the BBC Young Folk Award. Rosie’s own songs are heavily influenced by the English tradition and her love of literature and the environment.
Rowan is a traditional musician who grew up in the foothills of the Burren on the west coast of Ireland, where music is part of the landscape. His father was one of the founders of De Dannan. As well as being a great fiddle player, Rowan is a fine singer with a “deep understanding and feel for tradition”.
Philippe is well-known on the folk scene as a virtuosic flautist, but is an equally magnificent guitarist! His musical credentials include, completing an MA in Irish Music Performance at the University of Limerick. Philippe is in great demand as a session musician and appears regularly on film and T.V. soundtracks.
DECemBER'S EVENTS
December Concert :
Stanley Accrington with
the Matilda Trio
We are delighted that at very short notice Stanley Accrington has kindly agreed to entertain us at our December concert.
His usual topical and seasonal material will be delivered with impeccable timing and in the best possible taste.
We can also look forward to his humour and skilled musicianship.
Please note that Redmayne have had to cancel because of illness. We hope we will be able to bring then to you in the not too distant future.
Eleanor Hill, Kate Rothwell and Moira Hill make up the stunning a capella harmony group The Matilda Trio, named after Eleanor's daughter. These are three feisty women with some great songs to sing and messages to impart, with strong, compelling, rich voices that combine together wonderfully in interesting harmonic arrangements. Their vocals have depth, beauty and resonance and their will be plenty of singable choruses.