Has it really been 10 years since Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow began writing songs and singing together as O’Hooley & Tidow? One thing’s for sure, it’s been an amazing journey as we recall below, but first…
Live At St George’s
This album; recorded live just before lockdown at the beautiful St George’s Bristol, showcases a clutch of songs that tell stories about something or someone that has affected the duo in a deep and moving way. They feel intensely privileged to be able to sing about interesting and inspiring characters such as Beryl Burton, Anne Lister, Ronnie and many others who have given them, and hopefully their listeners, inspiration. Each song has been their baby at some point, carefully nurtured through the gentle process of contemplating, writing words, coming up with melodies and chords, and working on an arrangement. They have all over the years taken on new life and meaning with the many and varied audiences the duo shared them with along the way. The album is dedicated to their little boy, Flynn, who grew in Heidi’s belly listening to these songs, and who is very much a central part of this and every tour and also to the audiences that have loyally supported the duo over the years.
Featuring a new composition; ‘Woman in Space’ and the hit theme song ‘Gentleman Jack’ from Sally Wainwright’s HBO/BBC drama ‘Gentleman Jack.’
Belinda: “We were fortunate enough to be able to perform our #GentlemanJack Tour, just before the pandemic and lockdown began. Our concert at St George’s in Bristol was one of the most memorable of our career, playing their gorgeous Steinway Model D piano to a completely sold out audience. The atmosphere that night was incredible and one that will stay in our hearts forever. We are so glad we recorded it!”
Track Listing
- The Tallest Tree
- Colne Valley Hearts
- Small, Big Love
- Two Mothers
- Beryl
- Ronnie’s Song
- The Hum
- Between the Bars
- Woman in Space
- All For Me Grog
- Blanket
- Like Horses
- Gentleman Jack
Pre-order link for a signed copy of the album: http://ohooleyandtidow.com/store/
A Decade on Folk Radio
Starting with their Silent June debut they demonstrated an unconventional, wryly observant, melancholic and sometimes uncomfortable take on life; creating their very own brand of contemporary folk song together with a stage-manner that was likened to Jo Brand meets Laurel & Hardy. Since then, I have sat through performances where their audience has been moved from laughter to tears…they always leave you with a lasting impression.
We first interviewed them in 2012 alongside the release of their second album The Fragile and that was also the first time we heard Gentleman Jack which has since clocked up numerous plays following its use in the HBO/BBC drama of the same name. It was also the year that The Guardian heralded them the best act of Cambridge Folk Festival 2012. Talk about a flying start!
In 2014 they delivered The Hum, again, crucially hitting very high standards from the off. Songs covering the forced migration of children, post-famine and austerity Ireland to their shared love of ale. They spoke about the album in-depth in an interview with Folk Radio here.
That love of ale led to a Summat’s Brewin’ Micro Album and Tour the following year, another lovingly crafted exceptional recording. Also in 2015, they were part of the collective effort behind THE BALLADS OF CHILD MIGRATION: Songs for Britain’s Child Migrants swiftly followed by another collaboration, this time with Lady Maisery & Grace Petrie as The Coven.
In 2016, as well as finally tying the knot, they released their next studio album Shadows, for which they were selected, for the second time, as our Artists of the Month. The album “succeeds through the striking humanity of its songs, and by their originality. It’s an album that will hopefully see its creators heralded as one of the most vital – and indeed one of the most experimental – acts on the folk circuit and beyond.”
Later that year they embarked on their ever popular WinterFolk tour for an alternative celebration of Christmas before taking to the stage again as The Coven to celebrate International Women’s Day in early 2017. At the end of that year, they again treated us to some festive delights and released WinterFolk Vol 1 – an album of frosted beauty with a heart as warm as a coal fire.
In late 2018 they were on the road again, this time as part of The Ballad of Child Migration cast which, alongside O’Hooley & Tidow, included John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick, Boo Hewerdine, Chris While, Julie Matthews, John Doyle, Jez Lowe, Andy Seward, Andy Cutting and Barbara Dickson.
And then…their son, Flynn, was born in September 2019.
They are an unforgettable duo for all the right reasons. Here’s to the next decade…Good Ale!
Don’t forget that album now…
Pre-order link for a signed copy of the album: http://ohooleyandtidow.com/store/