Looks like she still works at Sheffield Uni
1 Like
Fay Hield is the lead researcher for Access Folk which gathers information about Folk Music and runs until 2027. https://accessfolk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/home
I imagine that at this time of year she will be invigilating student work, marking and examining. Academics in Arts and Humanities are often under pressure. Music is often not on the curriculum of English state schools so undergraduates can be in short supply.
1 Like
Absolutely, although I tend to prefer Out of Bed.
1 Like
Richard Dawson is new to me. Radio 3 has just done Late Junction âAt home withâŚâ in which he plays records. The man himself seems eccentric. Anyone enthusiastic? (End of the Middle, 2025)
1 Like
I came across him in quite extraordinary and heartening circumstances. I was at a full day session at Reform Radio in Manchester some years back. I was accompanying a professor of Genomics from the University of Manchester and looking at said subject from multiple angles. I took part as both an expert patient and a then representative of Genoimics England in the NW. Absent child care for the day I took the offspring with me as I suspected the mix of teenage kids would be of benefit to them.
Well worth looking up Reform if you get the chance. Brilliant place.
Anyways, needed some fresh air so nipped out onto Quay Street for ten minutes. Three of the teenagers out there having cigs and talking about a gig they were going to by an artist they loved. They were remarkably confident and polite, which is interesting in itself once you understand what the station does, and (perhaps cheekily) apologised for talking music in my presence. I explained my history as a drummer, guitarist etc. and asked them whom they were talking about. Given the nature of the programming that day I was wholly expecting some grime or similar. Instead they introduced me to Richard Dawson⌠another salutary lesson in never judging books by their covers. They also had a new but incredibly deep love of jazz. Literally the only conversation I have ever had with teenagers about Sketches Of Spain.
Have most albums and have seen him live twice. Heâs definitely sui generis but gets consistently great reviews even when, in reality, the albums can be hard going and inconsistent. That said, â2020â is excellent. Probably the peak so far.
The live experience is incredibly intense and powerful and I strongly recommend it at least once. I can fully understand why anyone could only take so much as it can all be really intense and somewhat exhausting.
1 Like
Thanks Mike, I appreciate your post. And how great that young folk listen to his music. It will encourage me to listen to more of him.
2 Likes
Being from Sheffield, I always remember this chap Tony Capstick fondly and often saw him at local folk clubs. Then he was a presenter on Radio Sheffield
3 Likes
I think RD is a really interesting artist. I have seen him live once and I know what @mikehughescq means about him being intense, although the time I saw him the experience was leavened with some amusing anecdotes between the rather intense songs. His best solo records are 2020 and Peasant I think, but the album he is involved in which I find myself listening to most is a collaboration with a Finnish metal band called Henki; Silphium is a brilliant piece of music
2 Likes
Thanks PD and for the Finnish band.
Iâd yvette to agree both that the gigs can be leavened with humour but also that 2020 and Peasant are the albums to go for.
1 Like
I never saw him live, but Tony Capstick appeared on many Light Programme, R2 and local radio programmes.
Is this folk? I would say it is in Spain. Many thanks @mikehughescq for taking this to the conversation. I really appreciate your posts.
3 Likes
Iâd say that Sketches of Spain is a fusion between jazz, classical and Spanish folk music and a wonderful album to listen to.
1 Like
Didnât he also do that âMatchstick Menâ song in tribute to LS Lowry that got to no. 1 in the charts? Imagine that now !
I donât believe so (though Capstick may have sung it in clubs). The number 1 was
written by Brian Burke and sung with Michael Coleman and produced by Kevin Parrott (1977) [Discogs]
1 Like
He also did the narrative for a Hovis Ad on TV.Based on his song Capstick goes home.
He were a great baker our dad!!! With a brass band backing, filmed at Shaftesbury I beleive
2 Likes
Hovis - yes! Capstick did acting too and played a copper in Last of the Summer Wine.
Ah yes - âBrian and Michaelâ.
Gold Hill subbing for a Northern country street. Sacrilege !