Out of all the Kathryn Tickell albums that I have (and there is a fair few), it is Northumbrian Voices that get’s the most play. It was released in 2012 to accompany her incredibly well-received tour of the same name. It featured traditional folk tunes and interviews from those that had taught her the Northumbrian smallpipes in outlying hill farms near her home such as the musician shepherds Will Atkinson and his cousin Willy Taylor. I went to see a performance at St. Georges in Bristol. Kathryn was joined by her father Mike and a host of well-respected musicians including Patsy Reid, Amy Thatcher, Julian Sutton, Hannah Rickard and more. The memories of that evening have stayed with me since. You can read our interview with Kathryn on the project here.
So, the good news is that Kathryn has a new project called Tales and Tunes which will make use of a similar format. Joining Kathryn again will be accordionist and clog dancer Amy Thatcher (The Shee)alongside author David Almond (Skellig). Together they will deliver a memorable evening of stories, songs and, of course, irrepressible music and if Northumbrian Voices is anything to go by, this will be equally unforgettable!
These artists’ work grows from the landscape, language, history and strange beauty of the north. With the drive of David’s storytelling and Kathryn’s love of the traditions of her native Northumbria, the poetic power of language and music combine.
David Almond is the author of Skellig, My Name is Mina, The Savage, The Tightrope Walkers, A Song for Ella Grey and many other novels, stories, picture books, opera librettos and plays. His work is translated into 40 languages and is widely adapted for stage and screen. His major awards include The Carnegie Medal, two Whitbread Awards, The Eleanor Farjeon Award, The Michael L Printz Award (USA), Le Prix Sorcieres (France) and The Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. In 2010 he won the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the world’s most prestigious prize for children’ authors. He is Professor of Creative Writing at Bath Spa University and lives in Northumberland.
If you loved Northumbrian Voices then you won’t want to miss this.
Tales and Tunes Dates
Oct 21 – Manchester Folk Festival, HOME Theatre, Manchester
Oct 25 – Saltburn Theatre, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire
Oct 26 – Gala Theatre, Durham
Oct 27 – The Exchange, North Shields
Oct 28 – Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick, Northumberland
Oct 29 – Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick
Oct 31 – Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Nov 01 – Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead
Nov 02 – Cecil Sharp House, London
Nov 03 – Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
Ticket Links and Details: http://www.kathryntickell.com/live-dates