Back in November 2017 we reviewed an album called Nick Hart: Sings Eight English Folk Songs. Richard Hollingham reviewed the album for Folk Radio UK and, like me, had not come across Nick before. We were in for a real treat as the album left an indelible impression on me, not unlike the first time I heard Martin Carthy. Richard concluded his review: “Throughout the whole album, there is a sense of Hart enjoying himself, little glints of a wry smile here and there, a little joke held to himself. And, importantly, here is another generation learning from the previous generations, moulding it in some cases but still presenting the tradition. Absolutely excellent.”
Fast-forward to 2019 and Nick now has his second solo album out called Nine English Folk Songs, featuring a collection of traditional songs, mostly from Nick’s native East Anglia. Here he is performing a south coast inspired ballad that many of you will recognise from June Tabor’s excellent album A Cut Above. I’ve not heard a song yet that this man hasn’t nailed, and he certainly nails this one. A superb rendition of Riding Down to Portsmouth.
Nick is touring throughout May and June to support the release, with several high profile festival appearances over the summer and the beginnings of an autumn tour starting to take shape. See him if you can.
His album launch is at Jamboree, Three Colt Street, London on Sunday, May 12th. He’s also performing at Sidmouth Folk festival, Whitby Folk festival and London Folk Fest at Cecil Sharp House and more. All the dates can be found on his website here: http://www.nickhartmusic.com/shows
You can order “Nick Hart Sings Nine English Folk Songs” via Bandcamp: https://nickhartmusic.bandcamp.com/album/nick-hart-sings-nine-english-folk-songs