nic jones
nic jones


"'Penguin Eggs' may be the best British acoustic folk album ever made" Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 2


NIC JONES GAME SET MATCH TSCD566 link to shop


For over thirty years Nic Jones has been recognised as one of the finest artists to have emerged from the British folk revival of the mid twentieth century. He recorded a handful of important albums including his most highly regarded 'Penguin Eggs' (Topic TSCD411), before a road accident ended his performing career in early 1982. This CD gathers together a remarkable series of live performances from the late 1970s. Nic remains one of the most influential and respected musicians, and his reputation and available recordings continue to attract an audience too young to have seen him perform.

tscd 566 nic jones games set match

• "These late 70s recordings are truly special. They capture Nic Jones at his finest." redstarredstarredstarredstar Uncut

• "Fifteen faultless reasons why his name remains a mark of folk music supremacy. Utterly absorbing." HMV Choice

• "Reaffirms Nic’s rightful legend as a colossus of the folk revival with his relaxed vocal style, his light innovative, percussive guitar accompaniments and his unique way of storytelling. Just hearing him creates a warm glow of recognition, familiarity and joy." fRoots

• "A marvellously expressive voice and fingers that dance on his guitar. How glad we should be that a new generation can discover Nic through an album like this." redstarredstarredstarredstar The Sun

more press reviews at the foot of the page

1
 
Bonny Light Horseman
2
 
Seven Yellow Gypsies
3
 
Flanders Shorelisten nic jones flanders shore
4
 
Rufford Park Poacherslisten nic jones rufford park poachers
5
 
Jolly Bold Robber
6
 
Clyde Water
7
 
Billy Don't You Weep For Melisten nic jones billy doin't you weep for me
8
 
Demon Lover
9
 
Master Kilby
10   Banks of Fordie
11   Hamburger Polka
12   Isle of France
13   Dives and Lazarus
14   Ploughman Lads
15   Lakes of Shillin
     

Nic Jones vocals, guitar
Researched and curated by
David Suff for Deep Sea
Produced by Tony Engle and David Suff for Topic Records


NIC JONES PENGUIN EGGS TSCD411 link to shop

This mature work of a brilliant song-interpreter and guitarist, packed with fresh songs and novel settings, is rendered all the more valuable by the scarcity of his recordings. When Bob Dylan appropriated his arrangement of Canadee-I-O, it was just one sign of Jones' status among musicians as well as lay listeners.

"'Penguin Eggs' may be the best British acoustic folk album ever made" Stuart Maconie, BBC Radio 2

nic jones

• "This is simply the most committed folk music ever recorded. Jones’ guitar playing is diamond-hard while his vocals hit both head and heart. A written in stone masterpiece from a true folk icon." All time classic album HMV Choice

• "Penguin Eggs should be in every folkie’s music collection. It is one of those rare, nearly perfect recordings." Celtic Heritage

1
 
Canadee-I-O
2
 
The Drowned Lovers
3
 
The Humpback Whale
4
 
The Little Pot Stove
5
 
Courting Is A Pleasure
6
 
Barrack Street
7
 
Planxty Davis
8
 
The Flandyke Shore
9
 
Farewell to the Gold

 
Nic Jones vocals, guitar, fiddle
Tony Hall
melodeon
Bridget Danby recorders, vocals
Dave Burland vocals


Press Reviews

TSCD 566 "Game Set Match"

• "A collection of live recordings from the 1970s that capture Jones at the height of his powers - sounds as fresh now as it did three decades ago - Nic Jones is still a breath of fresh folk air." Sing Out

• "It’s music of real snap and tensile strength. It feels like a definitive way to get in touch with the tradition – an egoless trip with ancient voice." The Independent

• "Combining straightforward melodies with a percussive hand-picking style and a live studio ethos, Jones’ music still feels like a breath of fresh air 30 years on. There’s enough here to keep any fan happy" The Word

• "In many cases the live performance is actually better than the studio version. An essential CD." The Living Tradition

• "Game Set Match" not only has cult appeal but stands as a fresh and surprisingly contemporary collection. It is a mark of his musicianship that his work does not date but rather gains even more interest when heard in the context of today’s performers.
..here mastered with great clarity and presence…moments of soaring vocal clarity…delivery that crackles with vitality and skill. English Dance and Song

• "Billy Don’t You Weep for Me" – one of the most phenomenal solo performances, ever, of an English folk song. The energy, the wit and poise of his vocal, the perfect fit of his original tune, and the finger-busting, but perfectly integrated acoustic guitar part still beggar belief. ABC National Radio [Australia]

• "Here is a compilation of private and often live recordings of Nic have been assembled and carefully remastered to produce this remarkable album. For those who have loved Nic’s singing for decades and for those who are new to this huge talent there are some great treats in store. To these ears the outstanding track is his remarkable performance of “Dives & Lazarus” with its confident singing delivery and extraordinary chord structure, but there is much that will cause delight here with the likes of “Master Kilby”, “Billy, Don’t You Weep For Me” and “The Isle of France” as well as old favourites from Nic such as “Flanders Shore”. Essential listening." Folk Diary

• "As soon as the album begins it’s immediately apparent that here was a man at the top of his game. Best known for his bold interpretations of traditional song and for his extraordinary guitar technique, Jones’ greatest strength was his ability to take these songs and give them a quality of timelessness." Taplas

• "Emphasises the man’s towering talent as a singer and guitar player – a must-buy For all Nic Jones fans." Rhythms

• "This collection, all superbly remastered from private recordings made in the 1970s, is full of special treasures." Sydney Morning Herald

• "The guitar arrangements and picking techniques are formidable and his singing is captivating." Dirty Linen

• "With the casual innovative flair of his guitar picking and warm, effortless singing style, it’s easy to hear why Jones has made such a massive impact.” Penguin Eggs