Topic Introducing

October 20th see’s two new catalogue releases from Topic Records, An Introduction to Shirley Collins and a Topic Records compilation titled The Real Sound of Folk Music.

An Introduction to Shirley Collins – CD (TICD002) and Vinyl (VIN180LP126)
Few singers of the English folk revival have attempted as much on record as Collins – an extraordinary combination of fragility and power. “I like music to be fairly straightforward, simply embellished – the performance without histrionics allowing you to think about the song rather than telling you what to think.”

Through an impressive series of experimental recordings Shirley established an extraordinarily sympathetic marriage of traditional songs handed down through generations of rural labouring people with ground breaking contemporary arrangements – recordings that have scarcely been equalled in subsequent decades. This collection of songs draws together some of her most iconic recordings and will serve as an Introduction to her very special catalogue of music.

Available now from:
The Topic Shop, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and all good record shops.

Topic Records – The Real Sound of Folk Music – 2CD (TICD001) and Vinyl (VIN180LP125)
The perfect introduction to Topic Records the worlds oldest surviving independent record label, The Real Sound of Folk Music is a 2CD set featuring 28 specially selected tracks from the labels vast catalogue.

The story of Topic is synonymous with the growth of folk as a musical and social movement in Britain and these recordings demonstrate the bridge between modern music and a traditional art form. On this 2CD set you will find some of the most remarkable singers, songs and tunes – either drawn directly from the tradition or inspired by it.

Many of the tracks deal with social issues of the time and there are also re-workings of great traditional story songs like Anne Briggs’ ‘Blackwater Side’, Mike Watersons’ ‘Tamlyn’, Nic Jones’ ‘Canadee-i-o’ and majestic performances by Martin Simpson, Shirley Collins, Davy Graham, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy and The Watersons. Topic also offers up June Tabor and Oysterband cover version of Joy Divisions classic Love Will Tear Us Apart.

Pentangle, Andrew Cronshaw, Brass Monkey, Vin Garbutt, Johnny Handle, Bill Caddick, The Cheviot Ranters, Cilla Fisher and Artie Tresize, Silly Sisters, Tim Van Eyken, Peter Bellamy and Oak, the list goes on, a fulfilling and haunting introduction to the great legacy of the folk tradition and Topic Records.

Available now from:
The Topic Shop, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and all good record shops.