classic definitive
folk
recordings
CELEBRATING 70
YEARS OF GREAT RECORDED FOLK MUSIC

Folk music real music that comes from the hearts, heads and histories of its performers ...

Some of the
"Topic Classics"
  

Topic's impressive catalogue includes some of the classic folk albums of all time, recorded by the likes of Martin Carthy, The Waterson family, June Tabor, John Tams, Dick Gaughan, Nic Jones, Anne Briggs, Brass Monkey, John Kirkpatrick, Martin Simpson, Eliza Carthy, The Copper Family, Linda Thompson, Shirley Collins, Ewan MacColl, A.L. Lloyd and many more.

Most recent new releases:
Martin Simpson "Prodigal Son -The DVD"
Various Artists "Three Score & Ten"
Martin Simpson "True Stories"
Brass Monkey "Head of Steam"
Eliza Carthy "Dreams of Breathing Underwater"

LATEST NEWS..........

red starBBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 2010 Martin Simpson wins
bbc folk awards 2010

Martin Simpson has won “best traditional track” for his version of "Sir Patrick Spens", taken from his latest album "True Stories" TSCD578.

The BBC Folk Awards took place on Monday 1st February in London.

 
Martin received an unprecedented 6 nominations for this album, bringing his career total for nominations to an equally unprecedented 23.
• 4 times album of the year
• 3 times folksinger of the year
• 1 best live act
• 3 times best traditional track
• 3 times best original songs
and
• 9 years running – musician of the year


red starDIGITAL DOWNLOADS

TOPIC releases are now available for digital download from all the best digital suppliers. Many albums that are currently unavailable on CD can now be digitally downloaded. Please click here or on a logo below to see which albums are available.
iTunes amazon 7digital 7digital
7digital emusic 7digital emusic


red starTHREE SCORE & TEN froots "best reissue" award

Topic Records are pleased to confirm that their 7 x CD & book set, 'Three Score & Ten' has won the 2009 fROOTS Magazine Awards for "Best Reissue/Historic Release" and "Best Packaging".

The world's oldest, truly independent label was presented with Mojo Magazine's 'ROOTS' Award earlier this year.


TOPIC70 three score & tenred starMARTIN SIMPSON new dvd

Martin Simpson "Prodigal Son - The Concert" (DVD) (tSDVD580)

Running time: 130 minutes, Cert E
Recorded live at the Union Chapel, Islington, London, - 13th November 2007.

Here on this special DVD, Martin takes us on a 2 hour live journey through the Prodigal Son album, expanding and reinterpreting as only he can.>>more

THIS DVD IS PAL FORMAT AND ALL REGIONS (REGION FREE)
link to shop


red starTOPIC 70th ANNIVERSARY special release

TOPIC70 three score & tenVarious Artists "Three Score & Ten" (tOPIC70)

"THREE SCORE AND TEN" is seven CDs (144 tracks) in a ten by ten inch hardback book, with dust jacket containing 108 profusely illustrated, full colour pages with a narrative portrait of Topic from 1939 to the present day. Also included separately is a complete discography of every Topic release from 1939 to the newest releases in 2009.

There are 144 tracks that cover all aspects of Topic's recording history in 7 themed CDs with many rare tracks never before on CD. The extensive text gives a detailed recording and social history with profiles of the essential recordings, principle artists and key personages. The many hundreds of illustrations are a revelation in themselves, anchoring the whole project with photos of the artists, album sleeves, advertising leaflets, snapshots and memorabilia.

• "So lovingly preserved, so passionately protected, each of the 144 tracks offers a compelling story in its own right collectively representing the proud and unique heritage evoked by the rich Topic archive. Tony Engle and curator/producer David Suff have worked wonders to turn a daunting project into a package of real beauty that leaves you in no doubt of its artistic importance – but is a lot of fun too." redstarredstarredstarredstarredstar MOJO

• "Topic Records' 70th Birthday present to the world."
redstarredstarredstarredstarredstar Uncut

>>more
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red starMartin Simpson
recent release
tscd567 Martin Simpson - Prodigal Son
"True Stories"
TSCD578

link to shop

red starBrass Monkey
recent release
tscd569 Steve Ashley - Time And Tide
"Head of Steam"
TSCD575

link to shop

red starEliza Carthy
recent release
tscd574 The Watersons - For Pence And Spicy Ale
"Dreams of Breathing Underwater"
TSCD571

link to shop


MOJO ROOTS AWARD FOR TOPIC's TONY ENGLE
June 2009
tscd571 eliza carthy dreams of breathing underwater

Tony Engle of Topic Records was presented with the MOJO ‘Roots’ Award at the magazine’s 2009 Honours List ceremony on 11 June.

Among fellow guests who included Sir Peter Blake, Paul Weller, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and Yoko Ono, the ‘Roots’ award was received by Martin Carthy, Shirley Collins and M.D. of the label for 40 years, Tony Engle. They accepted it on behalf of all the artists, as well as the unsung heroes of traditional music.

Tony Engle was presented with the EFDSS Gold Badge in 2005 in a citation by his friend and colleague Dr Reg Hall. It is the highest ward that the English Folk Dance and Song Society can confer and was presented to Tony as one “…who has rendered distinguished service to the aims of the Society through their exceptional contribution"
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT TOPIC RECORDS
  • I’ve been buying and scrounging Topic Records since 1954. It feels like Topic has always been there, quietly doing good work. Like a backbone"
    John Peel 1999
  • Topic has always been an inspiration to me and its roots and riches grow more precious as the years go by."
    Geoff Travis [MD Rough Trade] 2009
  • " Topic Records has preserved and promoted the singing voice of working Britain. It is also a charmingly idiosyncratic label. Every Topic release has something to offer if you meet the music half way. At 70 they’re just getting their second wind"
    Jac Holzman [Founder , Elektra Records] 2009

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

For details of any available CD offers please click here


red starQuick links

Bain & Anderson Albion Band Steve Ashley Margaret Barry Battlefield Band
Brass Monkey Anne Briggs Billy Bennett John Burgess Copper Family
Waterson:Carthy Eliza Carthy Martin Carthy Shirley Collins Christine Collister
Harry Cox e2K Bob Fox Dick Gaughan Blue Murder
Ramblin' Jack Elliott Michael Gorman Joe Heaney Ashley Hutchings Nic Jones
High Level Ranters Oliver Knight Sam Larner A.L. Lloyd Ewan MacColl
Walter Pardon Colin Reid Leo Rowsome Silly Sisters Martin Simpson
Scan Tester Peter Bellamy McPeake Family Alistair Anderson Jackie Daly
Sheila Stewart Dave Swarbrick June Tabor John Tams Tarras
Linda Thompson The Watersons Lal Waterson Mike Waterson Norma Waterson
Louis Killen Tim van Eyken Bob Davenport    

Topic Records - probably the oldest independent record label in the world........

red starCLICK HERE TO BOOKMARK THIS SITEred star

red starFREE CD FROM OUR SHOP!
One FREE (single) CD of your choice for each 3 separate album titles purchased in a single order by credit card from our online shop.
red starTOURING ARTISTS
Click here for a list of email & website addresses for some of our artists and their agents. You may find tour dates published on the artists' own web sites, too, which we are not able to keep up to date here.
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john tams pic3june tabor 3
eliza carthy 3martin carthy 3		 Ewan MacColl
Ashley Hutchings
Anne Briggs 
Martin Simpson
Brass Monkey
Copper Family
The Watersons
June Tabor
Dick Gaughan
Norma Waterson
Joe Heaney
Christine Collister
Aly Bain/Tom Anderson
Leo Rowsome
Blue Murder
Martin Carthy
John Tams
Sam Larner  
A.L. Lloyd
Walter Pardon
Lal Waterson
Silly Sisters
Sheila Stewart
Steve Ashley
Nic Jones
Shirley Collins
Battlefield Band
Mike Waterson
Linda Thompson
Bob Fox		 Albion Band
e2K
Eliza Carthy
Harry Cox
Tarras
Waterson:Carthy
John Burgess
Margaret Barry
Michael Gorman
High Level Ranters
Colin Reid
Jack Elliott
Billy Bennett
Dave Swarbrick
Oliver Knight

 

© Topic Records Ltd 2000 > 2010
Topic Records Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Reg. Co. No. 596845.
VAT reg. No. GB 229 7102 67. Registered address: 50 Stroud Green Rd, London N4 3ES