Topic Records tscd519 Shining Bright

Performed by Norma Waterson, Dayteller, Maddy Prior, Richard Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Blue Murder, Dick Gaughan, Linda & Teddy Thompson, Helen Watson, Billy Bragg & The Blokes, Martin Carthy, Christy Moore, Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, Christine Collister & Oliver Knight ......

In 1972 Mike & Lal Waterson released an extraordinary album of their original songs - Bright Phoebus - on Bill Leader's Trailer label. This magical collection of very English songwriting as long been acknowledged a classic and one of the finest achievements of the British folk revival. Inexplicably Bright Phoebus was out of print for many years.

Shining Bright was conceived to pay tribute To Mike & Lal's remarkable songs, and it draws upon the songs recorded for Bright Phoebus, and on a further dozen songs written at the same time but not previously recorded. Shining Bright has fifteen new recordings by some of the folk world's finest performers. The songwriting of Mike and Lal is held in such high esteem that soon we had a queue of performers eager to contribute to this collection. David Suff.

"The Coen brothers did it for the music of the deep south, Ry Cooder ditto for Cuban music.and now Topic Records have done it for Lal and Mike Waterson, two of English folk's most original and searingly creative singers/songwriters. This is a collection that bristles and shines. A collection to bask in. A glorious gathering" Irish Times

more press quotes at the foot of the page

SHINING BRIGHT VARIOUS ARTISTS TSCD519

1		John Pashley's Phoenix New Orleans Parade Band Bright Phoebus John Brunton tenor saxophone, Eugene Farrar trombone, Philip Kampen sousaphone, Howard Maude bass drum, John Pashley trumpet, Dave Stanley snare drum
2		Linda & Teddy Thompson Evona Darling Linda Thompson vocals, Teddy Thompson vocals and acoustic guitar, Van Dyke Parks accordion, Hammond B3 organ
3		Dick Gaughan Scarecrow Dick Gaughan vocals and guitar
4		Martin Carthy Never The Same Martin Carthy vocal, The Wrecking Crew: Sophie Sirota viola, Howard Gott violin, Jackie Norrie violin, Sarah Willson 'cello, Andy Waterworth double bass. Arranged and conducted by Robert Kirby
5		Norma Waterson Song For Thirza Norma Waterson vocals, Eliza Carthy violin, Martin Carthy guitar, Ben Ivitsky violin
6		Christy Moore Piper's Path Christy Moore vocals, Donal Lunny bouzouki, Declan Sinnott guitars
7		The Eliza Carthy Band Child Among The Weeds Eliza Carthy vocals and fiddles, Lucy Adams backing vocals, Martin Green piano accordion and piano, Barnaby Stradling bass guitar and piano, Sam Thomas drums
8		Helen Watson & Heather Greenbank Shine Helen Watson vocals and guitar, Heather Greenbank electric guitar and backing vocals The Wrecking Crew: Sophie Sirota viola, Howard Gott violin, Jackie Norrie violin, Sarah Willson 'cello, Andy Waterworth double bass, string arrangement by Robert Kirby
9		Billy Bragg & the Blokes Danny Rose Billy Bragg vocals and guitar, Ben Mandelson Vietnamese lap steel and Fender bajo sexto, Lu Edmonds electric guitars, Ian McLagan Hammond B3 organ, Martyn Barker drums and percussion, Simon Edwards bass guitar
10		Maddy Prior Winifer Odd Maddy Prior vocals, Rosie Kemp vocals, Rick Kemp everything else
11		Christine Collister & Oliver Knight Marvellous Companion Christine Collister vocals, Oliver Knight guitar
12		Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin One Of Those Days Kate Brislin vocals, Jody Stecher vocals and guitar
13		Dayteller Fine Horseman Jim Boyes vocals and electric guitar, Barry Coope keyboards, Steve Page percussion, Sam Smith oud, Gary Warmington stick bass
14		Richard Thompson Red Wine Promises Richard Thompson vocals and guitar
15		Blue Murder Bright Phoebus Jim Boyes, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Barry Coope, Lester Simpson, Mike Waterson and Norma Waterson vocals, Martin Carthy acoustic guitar

produced by
David Suff
for Deep Sea

Press Reviews

• "Those of us who have the original vinyl of Bright Phoebus will be beating a path to this CD, like the artists who were clamouring to perform on it. It's folk/acoustic/contemporary/eclectic and you need it in your collection now." BBC Radio 2 folk and acoustic reviews
• "Two decades on, Lal (Waterson) is receiving her posthumous due as the greatest songwriter ever nourished by folk roots. Essential" City Life
• "Sparse and lustrous. Simple and lush. Chilled to the bone and hot-blooded. Deathly dark and shining bright. This is an album that encompasses both ends of pretty much any spectrum imaginable.
So, can such a varied and eclectic collection work? The answer's a clear and resounding "Yes". Revel in the variety on offer and you'll soon realise there's no chance of getting bored; the manifold styles keep you on your toes as each story enfolds. Then, of course, there's the sheer quality of each of the performances. It's a great album". NetRhythms
• "Shining Bright, a celebration of the songwriting of Lal and Mike Waterson, is a masterclass in how to do the tribute album thing just right…. It's not unusual to hear her (Lal Waterson) spoken of as the best writer the British folk revival has produced…the album is a dazzle of highlights." Stirrings magazine
• "Folk compilation album of the year" Daily Telegraph