This week’s big ears brings to you news from Wizz Jones, Jim Moray, Eliza Carthy, Mikey Kenney, Josienne Clarke, Will Pound and a whole truckload of other folkies. Won’t you stick around?

Parish news

On the off-chance that you’ve just emerged from beneath a rock, this week’s biggest folkie news was…

But wouldja look at that!? Actual living legend, Wizz Jones, is actually turning 80 next year. He’s having a big ol’ do at Cadogan Hall, just off London’s Sloane Square, in April, and he’s promised special guests aplenty. Keep an eye on his website for ticket news.

Sibongile Khumalo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Complete and members of Hugh Masekela’s band will be performing a tribute to the legendary Masekela himself this weekend. You’ll have to be quick, though. It’s tonight (Sunday, Nov 18th) at the Royal Festival Hall. Tickets are available here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeavBPUhUOE/

If you’re around the Sheffield area next Sunday, there’s a veritable Live Aid of folk music going on at the Penistone Paramount. It’s all for a worthy cause, natch, so get on down there.

Big congrats to harmonica and squeezy instruments maestro, Will Pound, on his big news this week…

Anyone who believes that traditional folk music is only really of interest to the retired community should get themselves onto Instagram and start following the #tradfolk hashtag. It’s a fast-growing space full of talent of all shapes and sizes, but mostly young people trying to spread the good word. Instagram being the place to be nowadays (a billion monthly active users say there’s nowhere better), you’re bound to find someone or something you’ve not heard before. Current queen of the #Tradfolk Insta-scene is Monique Clare, the singing cellist from Australia. Have a go on this…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjZelX9n4uU/

Who’s releasin’? 

There’s more music brewing from Jim Moray, by the looks of things. Unless he’s just hanging around studios with his camera out…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqH-YS4FJ32/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1biypbq6j8v25

Maybe this explains things… or maybe it doesn’t. The plot thickens.

Apparently not on Instagram, but still “mekkin a rekkid” nonetheless… it’s Eliza Carthy. What’s all this, though? An audiobook, too? What must she have cooking?

Did you catch the wonderful fiddler, Mikey Kenney, when he played at the fRoots event at Kennaway House in Sidmouth this year? Whether you did or you didn’t, you ought to be pleased by this news because he’s a huge talent well-worth watching…

There’s also evidence that those Faustus chaps are hard at work again. They’re currently on something called the Cotton Lords Tour, so we’re expecting these sessions to have something to do with that. Watch this space.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKu8ZBlstr/

Finally, this looks like it’s going well…

7 days on the road 

This week you can hope to catch the following folks on tour. There’s a lot of choice, you spoiled lot!

Chris Wood keeps on keeping on throughout November. You’ll catch him in Birmingham (Tuesday), Aldershot (Thursday), Oxford (Friday), Lyme Regis (Saturday) and Bristol (Sunday).

Ewan McLennan takes to the road this week, hitting Sheffield (Thursday), Leeds (Friday) and Rugby (Saturday).

The aforementioned Faustus are lording it up in Colchester (Monday), Manchester (Wednesday), Basingstoke (Thursday) and Maidenhead (Sunday).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqHQDtglVqv/

The Furrow Collective round up the 2018 leg of their album release tour this week, taking in Barnsley (Friday) and Carlisle (Saturday). You’ll be able to catch up with them again in April, 2019.

Jimmy & Sid kinda round up their 2018 touring year with gigs this week in London (Thursday) and Cookham (Saturday). You’ll not see them as a duo again after that until March, 2019, although they’ll be on the road with Lady Maisery as part of a Christmas extravaganza in December.

John Kirkpatrick takes on Shrewsbury (Tuesday), Alton (Friday) and Orpington (Saturday). We’re not sure who’ll win.

Martin Carthy will see you now at Bangor (Thursday), Cardigan (Friday) and Twickenham (Sunday). Be on your best behaviour and grab tickets while you can.

Trio Dhoore are all over the shop this week, hitting up Bath (Monday), Cambridge (Tuesday), Bristol (Wednesday), Hereford (Thursday), Isle of Wight (Friday), Wiveliscombe (Saturday) and London (Sunday). Phew!

Fare thee well

This week, our thoughts are with the friends and family of Alec Finn, who shall be greatly missed.

Similarly, we remove our caps and bow our heads for the passing of Cyril Pahinui. Hawaiian music, and indeed music in general, will be worse off without him.

Remember, if you like what we’re doing and you want to support our ongoing dedication to all of this fine music, please consider taking out an fRoots subscription, or perhaps even making a donation. You can also click whenever it says “pre-order here” and we’ll get a little kickback from Amazon. It really does make a difference. We thank you.