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 - 9th May 2012 Last weekend's compering stints at BAAFest went well, and it was a really lovely weekend all told, with a nice mixed session and some good singing thrown in as a bonus (thanks also to Canny Crack the hosts). My open-mic set on the Sunday was also well received. The week before last I spent some time in a recording studio setting down a couple of tracks for a forthcoming compilation. All went well, and so I'll keep you updated as to their progress through the complex machinations of selection for the final product... Otherwise, it's been a fairly quiet few weeks since the splendid Easter weekend at Ellesmere Port at the second Shanty UK Festival. The "Titanic Concept Night" at the famous Bacca Pipes folk club was very probably the month's highlight thus far (I'm tempted to say "it went down well"...!). Aside from appearances at Acoustic Rotherham 15 on 29th April and at BAAFest over thw eeekend of 5th & 6th May, however, the next few weeks are destined to be rather quieter. So I'll leave the earlier updates here for the time being, until there's something else to report... Still resonating in my ears for days thereafter, there was Grace Notes' magical CD launch concert on 11th March, which I was privileged to attend. There was a wonderful warm atmosphere as my absolute favourite singing trio were joined by friends old and new from their 20 years "together", and of course not forgetting the joyously rafter-raising singing from the assembled invitees. Before that, on Saturday 10th, I'd travelled across to the Merry March Meet run by the Cooperative Folk Club over in Worthington, Lancs., and had a great time singing in some fine sessions as well as dipping in to some excellent concert performances, the highlight of which was a rare appearance by the charismatic Mike Nicholson, who has without a doubt one of the finest voices on the folk circuit. 22nd February 2012 I've received a few comments from visitors to the site lamenting the lack of sound clips - a situation I hope to remedy when I get around to joining one of the recommended web-presences that host such recordings. Watch this space, and I'll keep you posted. For the rest, though, I'll leave the earlier retrospective reflections intact here for a little longer just in case you missed the news... >>2011 was a year replete with promise, with some really good gigs and a number of excellent singing experiences. Highlights for me were (I'm told 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 brief but fulfilling collaboration with Tina McKevitt; and April's themed evening (From Both Sides) in conjunction with Jim Saville. Sadly, however, as yet 2012 is fairly deficient in terms of singing or compering engagements. It is mildly reassuring to learn that I am not alone in experiencing this by any means. Such is life... So for now I'll just 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.... |
  Nature's World 2011  Nature's World 2011  Acoustic Rotherham 12  Keith Marsden Memorial Concert 
Rhyl Folk Club
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