Tom Kitching is a well-known fiddle player on the English folk scene where his in-demand fiddle and bow have guested on many albums. He’s also part of Pilgrims’ Way whose last album ‘Stand and Deliver‘ told us stories through traditional English folk song and 1980s disco.
Tom’s last solo album was in 2015 with Interloper, so he’s long overdue another offering, seeing as the last pleased our reviewer no end…
It’s clear from his liner notes that Tom wants this album to be thought-provoking. So I listened to it with his questions in mind, “What are the new English tunes? What influences them? How do they fit in the continuum of English music?” But, do you know, you might just want to sit and listen to a collection of cracking tunes with intelligent, absorbing arrangements. If you do, you could soon be off the sofa, dancing around the living room with a smile on your lips.
What many may not realise is that his writing is as entertaining as his playing, as he has so ably demonstrated with his “Busk England” project which saw him take out 18 months to busk around the country getting to know it. From the cities to the Quantock Hills he has shared those adventures in an entertaining blog which is both candid, humourous and thought-provoking. From those pleasant and not so pleasant encounters and challenges with the public and occasional authoritarian busy-bodies and even the occasional fellow artist who has chucked 50p (or was it a £1?) in his violin case, it is a great read. Throughout the humour and his street-life and public transport observations he manages to paint a very vivid picture of England today. There are instances which resonated strongly with me and I found myself thinking what a great book this would make.
Enough said…Tom is to turn the 46 blogs and countless notes into a book via Leeds publisher ‘Scratching Shed’, “who specialise in travel writing with a Northern voice, and rugby league. A match made in heaven!” There is also to be an accompanying album on which he will be joined by Norwegian mandola player, Marit Fält creating a series of soundscapes to support the book.
He promises that Pre-orders will be available soon along with Tour dates to be announced by the New Year. This incredibly worthwhile project has received some great support along the way as he reveals on his website: “I’m enormously grateful to the EFDSS for their support in creating the album through their award of an ‘Alan James Creative Bursary’, and to the Arts Council for their support via a lottery grant across the whole project.”
Busk England, Book and Album launch! – 24 April 2020 @ Guide Bridge Theatre, Manchester – details here.
More here: http://www.tomkitching.co.uk/busk-england/
Photo Credit: Elly Lucas