Topic Record

In her own words, Sheila Stewart is probably the last in the line of a rich oral tradition of song, story and Scots Traveller culture. She is also one of the greatest singers of traditional song. From The Heart Of The Tradition was recorded by Doc Rowe in 1999 and captures her at the height of her powers.

Copper Family, The: Come Write Me Down [CD]

Martin Carthy’s 1971 solo album tunnels further than its predecessors into contemporary song, coming up with memorable performances of Dave Goulder’sJanuary Man John Kirkpatrick’s Dust To Dust and David Ackles’ His Name is Andrew.

This is new music but with its roots deep in the traditional music of the British Isles. The traditional musician takes old tunes and polishes them like gemstones, revealing new facets of the melodies at every turn. The vitality such musicians bring to their music has always been an inspiration to me, and Steel Skies is a personal response to this." - Alistair Anderson. Scored for a group of musicians including fiddles, flutes, mandolins and Alistair Anderson's concertina and Northumbrian Smallpipes, the compositions here take from the tradition but expand on it creating a complete whole. This wonderful album has a justly sterling reputation among those who have heard it, calling out for a re-release on CD. Alistair Anderson's mastery of the concertina is legendary, but it is the concept and the beauty of the music here that takes your breath away. Topic Records are proud to reissue this classic recording from their archive as part of the label's 70th anniversary celebrations.

Tams, John: An Introduction To [CD]

Carthy, Martin: An Introduction To [CD]