Strange But True - Kathryn Tickell

...album 'There may be some strange moments - but its from the heart, and its as true as it gets...'

Here's a breakdown of the tracks;

1. Side Echos, Down the Side - Kathryn performs this track on the pipes with saxophonist Andy Shepard. The side is one of Newcastle's oldest streets, and is a tune that was never recorded or named ever before, these tow tunes were written for the opening of the Gateshead Millennium bridge. ...
...cd comes across as slightly strange with Kathryn kneeling in a barn with a glass of champagne in her hand, but i guess this fits in well with the album title. The inlay sleeve is full of information about herself and about the groups, musicians that are also featured in the cd. The tracks which contain vocals have the lyrics also included in the inlay sleeve. There are some nice pictures as well as quotes from other musicians in the sleeve.
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Since moving to Newcastle upon Tyne to study at university, I did some research into pipers and musicians in the area and came across Kathryn Tickell, a name in which i had heard but hadn't really listened to, so i decided to go out and try to get a cd of hers from the local music shop which had none in stock. Later when i was shopping on the high street in which to my surprise, came across some of her cds in HMV and i decided to buy 'Strange but true'.

Kathryn Tickell is a Northumbrian Piper, Fiddler and composer from Northumberland. Her work is deeply connected to the landscape and people of Northumbria, in particular the North Tyne Valley where many of her relatives still play traditional music. As well as composing her own music she has collaborated with artists as diverse as Sting, Andy Sheppard and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Kathryn is also founder of the Young Musicians' Fund and Artistic Director of Folkestra, as well as a lecturer at Newcastle University on the Folk and Traditional music degree.

'Strange but true' features some live tracks and some studio recordings. Kathryn uses this album as a celebration and a tribute to many of the great musicians she has worked with over the years. She quotes on the album 'There may be some strange moments - but its from the heart, and its as true as it gets...'

Here's a breakdown of the tracks;

1. Side Echos, Down the Side - Kathryn performs this track on the pipes with saxophonist Andy Shepard. The side is one of Newcastle's oldest streets, and is a tune that was never recorded or named ever before, these tow tunes were written for the opening of the Gateshead Millennium bridge. This track gives you the feeling of space when the two instruments improvise, and is unique combination which hasn't really been explored in the folk world before.

2. Unst Bridal March / Da bride's a Boannie Ting - Kathryn and Catorina McDonald on fiddles. These Shetland wedding marches are from the north island of Unst. Catroina and Kathryn became friends when they were teenagers and have remained great friends since. This track is played in the old traditional way with just two unaccompanied fiddles.

3. Air Moving / Over the Border / Holmes Fancy - Kathryn is joined by Corrina Hewat on the harp. Air moving was written in memory of percussionist Bruce Arthur. The next two tunes are traditionally from the Northumbrian piping repertoire. These two tunes have been recorded and played by Kathryn on previous occasions and every time you hear them she changes the arrangement slightly and sound fantastic each time she does.

4. Winter is Past - Katie Doherty & Olivia Ross join Kathryn on this track. Winter is past is one of Robbie Burns songs which Olivia beautifully sings. Kathryn met these young musicians during her time lecturing at the folk & traditional music degree.

5. Dream Waltz - Folkestra is featured on this track. Folkestra are the Sage Gateshead's regional youth folk music ensemble, where kathryn is artistic director. This beutiful waltz was arranged by one of the emsemble members and you can hear how she lets each of the musicians apply their own style to the piece.

6. Cockle Geordie / Donald Whillie and his dog - Featuring Pipelines. In 2002 kathryn was asked to put together a piping tour and 'pipelines' was born. This track is taken from their last concert. Concert Geordie comes from the Northumbrian Ministrelsy and Donal Willie is a classis piping tune. This track is outstanding in that there are several key changes and some of the musicians have to change instruments really quickly.

7. Here's the Tender Coming / Captain Bover - These two songs are from Newcastle and are based on the press giving the workers on the quays a bad name, which resulted in riots and bloodshed. Captain Bover was a commander who did his best to try sort the problems out. This haunting songs are sang wonderfully by Corrina Hewat and Kathryn also give a vocal contribution.

8. Men of Destiny / Heidi - Featuring Pipelines. Another pipelines live recording, featuring the fantastic Luigi Lai. The first tune was written by Diarmuid Moynihan and the second is one of Rory Campbell's great compositions. This track has a great bass line coming from a double bass, and there is also a nice combination of whistles.

9. Wild Hills of Wannies - Featuring the Brazz Brothers. The brazz brothers are a wonderful brass ensemble from Norway. Their music will literally blow you away. On this track the pipes are complemented by the full lush brass while the harp sparkles around on top, a real perfect combination.

10. Jimmy Allan / Salmon tails up the water - These two tunes are one of the first that Kathryn learned to play. Kathryn plays these on the fiddle, she is accompanied by Folkestra who give these traditional tunes a bit of a funk up.

11. Brafferton Village / Walsh's Hornpipe - featuring Karen Tweed on accordion. These tunes are from Kathryn's repertoire, Brafferton Village being one of her first. The tunes give a sense of happiness as well as haunting moments, this is the incredible musical inspiration that Kathryn gives to the listener.

12. Pasodoble gallego / Splish Splash - Featuring Pipelines. Kathryn met Anxo Lorenzo at the William Kennedy Piping festival in Ireland, They couldnt understand each others language so they just sat and played tunes instead. These are 2 great tunes from Rory Campbell played nicely on three sets of pipes.

13. Techno ate the musicians - with the Demagogue Reacts. Kathryn and Paul flush decided to put in this track which uses tries to add surprise, mischief and humor into folk music. There is a wide range of instruments used such as saxophone, Hammond organ and lots of percussion. This track isn't a professional recording, you can hear children screaming in the background. I must admit that i wasn't too keen on this track but it sounds like the musicians really enjoyed themselves.

Cd Cover and Inlay sleeve: The front cover of the cd comes across as slightly strange with Kathryn kneeling in a barn with a glass of champagne in her hand, but i guess this fits in well with the album title. The inlay sleeve is full of information about herself and about the groups, musicians that are also featured in the cd. The tracks which contain vocals have the lyrics also included in the inlay sleeve. There are some nice pictures as well as quotes from other musicians in the sleeve.

Value for money: I paid £13.99 in HMV for this album which i feel is a little expensive, but can be found cheaper in local music shops across the north of England.

Overall this cd a great guide on what Kathryn Tickell has done for the folk music industry. Although i do believe that some of the other recording thats she has done are alot easier to listen to. 

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