The Magpies in Ripon

Last night  I went to Ripon to see The Magpies on the first night of their tour to launch their first album. I didn't know what to expect  as I hadn't listened to their music beforehand but was interested in going to the gig after seeing it announced on Sarah Smout's Facebook page, which I liked after seeing her play cello in Michael Chapman's band  in York last year.  Sarah was not there last night and the band consisted of Bella Gafney, Polly Bolton and Holly Brandon. I was very very impressed. I've been a huge folk fan for most of my life and The Magpies are one of the most exciting bands I've ever seen. They have real charisma and their blend of voices and instruments is stunning. All three write and write very well. Bella and Polly are both really distinctive lead vocalists. Their original songs are extremely good. The standout for me was 'Golden Girl', a beautiful haunting song, inspired by Swaledale (where my lead miner ancestors worked before they walked to Durham to become coal miners).Their covers were interesting and well chosen. I bought their CD (and was actually the first person ever to buy one) of which they unsurprisingly sold quite a few. 'Tidings' is excellent and I've played it more than once today. I've become an instant fan and will make a point to seeing this band again soon.
If you get a chance to see them on their current tour or subsequently, don't miss the opportunity. I'd be surprised if they didn't become stars of the folk music scene quickly.

https://www.themagpiesmusic.com

8 Tracks

This is my first post to this blog in just over 4 years. You can find other activities of mine in other places on the web if you search for manonadune or radioRAERONA. I'll post more about my web radio station later but the reason for posting today is to post a couple of playlists. I was sorting through my unread emails and came across one from 8 Tracks, sent at the end of December saying that they were ceasing streaming on 31st December. The email included the playlists I'd posted on 8 Tracks, so I thought I'd post them here:

a first mix on the first day of February | February 01, 2010

A first attempt at a mix here. There are ten tracks, including music by Tom Rapp, The Outsiders and Doll by Doll.

1. The Jeweler (2006 Remastered Album Version) by Tom Rapp
2. Daddy Died on Saturday by The Outsiders
3. Disorient Express by Largo
4. The Key Shop (War & Peace) by Hofstede-Kloet-Stips
5. Through us all by Isaac Guillory
6. The Four Horsemen by Aphrodite's Child
7. Ordinary Joe by Terry Callier
8. Main Travelled Roads by Doll By Doll
9. A Thing Well Made by The Mutton Birds
10. Sad Eye by The Pretty Things

manonadune's 2nd mix for February's cold days | February 19, 2010

ISB aren't on this but their song about February is in my head anyway. Here are ten tracks including music by Old Blind Dogs and the Tragically Hip

1. Do It by Jesse Winchester
2. Cordelia by The Tragically Hip
3. Bad Words, Evil People by Skin Alley
4. John the Baptist by John Martyn
5. Battle of Waterloo by Old Blind Dogs
6. Treehouse by Timebox
7. Backwards Down the Number Line by Phish
8. Woodland Bop by Tyrannosaurus Rex
9. Too Close to the Sun by The Mutton Birds
10. The Light Will Stay On by The Walkabouts