David Kidman's Home PageESSENTIAL FOLK (& MARITIME) MUSIC
David is a respected, dedicated and prolific contributor to the UK folk scene, both locally (within Yorkshire) and nationally. · Folk Singer – a passionate and committed revival singer, a song-carrier whose performing repertoire unashamedly covers a wide spectrum that reflects a diversity of tastes and styles within the fields of contemporary songwriting and traditional song. · Compère – an informed and inclusive MC, mindful of the needs of each occasion (performers, their audiences and that all-important timing). David’s compèring CV embraces folk festivals and folk clubs large and small; main-stage and more intimate venues; hosting or steering Big Sings and humble singarounds. · Writer – an authoritative and insightful reviewer of music CDs for the national folk press (fRoots, The Living Tradition), online (NetRhythms, FolkandRoots.co.uk), and regional folk press in the north (Yorkshire) and north-east (Teesside). · Poet – David’s selectively published works are balanced and complemented by “occasional” verse written for specific compèring engagements. David’s lifelong deep interest in, and enthusiasm for, music of many kinds has quite naturally led to a more practical involvement, in folk music in particular, over the past dozen or so years. He looks forward to sharing the music and songs with you somewhere along the road. Editorial Services – David also offers editing, sub-editing and proofreading services, having held membership of the Society for Editors & Proofreaders since 1995. Latest News Update - 22nd January 2012 Just a brief update this week. Highlights of the past week were a really enjoyable floor-spot at York's Black Swan on Thursday (where the booked guests were Jackie Oates and Karen Tweed, both on excellent form), and then yesterday's long trip across to Goole for the Shanty UK Gathering. That was well worth braving the rain and gales, as it was a fantastic session with great company and excellent singing. Now another quiet week ahead it seems... OK, we're now well past the Winter Solstice, the Shortest Day, but it doesn't seem to be getting appreciably lighter and there's still a lot of seasonal S.A.D. about - you'll each name it your own way I guess, but it's rather more the time to take stock and hopefully be able to look forward to what this gale-swept new year may bring. In my case (and in spite of an annoying spell of ill-health at just the wrong time), 2011 was a year replete with promise, with some really good gigs and a number of excellent singing experiences. Highlights were well-received solo performances at Acoustic Rotherham, the Ellesmere Port Shanty UK Festival, and the Cross Keys in Handsworth; the Keith Marsden Memorial Concert in his hometown of Morley (September); July's collaboration with Tina McKevitt; and April's themed evening (From Both Sides) in conjunction with Jim Saville. Sadly, however, that promise has not yet been carried through into confirmed bookings for 2012, either in terms of singing or compering engagements. I know I am not alone in experiencing this by any means. Such is life... So all I can do for now is continue to support as many local sings and other events as I can - as long as the snow and ice keep away, that is! I am still available for bookings, however - for singing or for compering. So, if you know of a club or festival which may be interested in hosting any of my solo ventures (specialist maritime sets, straight club set/s, Keith Marsden special sets or gig support set/s) or else "From Both Sides" (an evening of songs and verse on the theme of conflict, performed in conjunction with poet Jim Saville), then please use the contact form here.... Finally - while still looking forward in the solo context, I'm still keeping my ears (and mind) open for a singing partner with whom to share some songs just occasionally, both in unison and harmony... |   Nature's World 2011  Nature's World 2011  Acoustic Rotherham 12  Keith Marsden Memorial Concert 
Rhyl Folk Club
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