David Kidman - Singer (Song Carrier)
David is a revival singer performing solo and unaccompanied, within what can loosely be termed the folk tradition.
However, unlike many solo singers on the folk circuit, he sings a really broad cross-section of material, his personal philosophy being that a good song is a good song and worth singing – provided that he can do it justice in accordance with the song’s message.
One feature of his broad repertoire is the employment of creative (sometimes thematic)juxtapositions; another is the judicious interspersing of traditional with more modern songs… rousing choruses with gentler, more thoughtful or reflective pieces, while not neglecting fun and occasional parodies.
A distinct advantage of his breadth of repertoire is to offer a greater choice with the potential presentation of a number of different themed sets. One of his specialities is the Maritime set, with a wide choice of material for performance at events such as maritime festivals (these embracing a wide range of shanties and forebitters together with songs of related subject-matter).
Typical of the feedback he regularly gains are the following comments:
"As a singer, David has a wide range of material garnered from his extensive knowledge of the field. Where others might attempt to impress with volume or technical ability, David goes one better (not for lack of either of the aforementioned, I might add): he puts plenty of emotion into the performance, and not in a general or haphazard sense either, but with surgical precision helped by a deep study of both lyrics and tune." (George Papavgeris)
"David chooses great songs - sung with clarity and a heartfelt delivery." (Dave Cowan & Marjorie Paterson, Fyrish)
"David's love and deep understanding for the folk tradition shines through in (his) song choice and fervent vocal style ... (his) talent is getting to the heart of things, that's what makes (him) not only a good singer and interpreter of songs but a good reviewer as well." (Pamela Wyn Shannon)
“Personally I was really impressed by the way he drew the audience into his set, and even those not known for their love of traditional music were captivated.” (Organiser, Acoustic Rotherham series)
David has performed well-received concert sets at a number of folk festivals and special events, as well as key support slots for While & Matthews and The Poozies, while radio appearances to date include BBC’s North Yorkshire Folk and The Durbervilles’ Radio Leeds show, and Drystone FM.
During 2011 David has also branched out into the field of special themed presentations. Firstly there was From Both Sides, an entertaining yet thought-provoking 90-minute sequence of songs and verse on the theme of conflict, which he performed in collaboration with West Yorkshire poet Jim Saville; secondly, there was a full evening concert built around the songs of Keith Marsden, which was commissioned by Morley Folk Club for the 20th anniversary of Keith's death.
Another of David's most recent song ventures, a teaming with fellow-singer Tina McKevitt, was all-too-short-lived. They made their stage debut as a duo, under the name Both Sides Now, at 2011's 19th Nature's World Folk Festival (Acklam), with a further outing at the "Acoustic Rotherham 12" showcase at the end of July. Both appearances were really well received, and both artistically satisfying, with the beginnings of a healthy duo repertoire in the offing; but unfortunately, David and Tina have now had to abandon plans to sing together in the future due to Tina's many other commitments.
You can hear a sound clip of David's singing at the following website:
www.jmucreate.com (you need to scroll through the various tracks on the player on the Acoustic Rotherham tab, currently on the right-hand side of the page - though it keeps moving around! - until you find the one headed "David Kidman sings"). Other sound clips, formerly available on the original Barnsley Folk & Acoustic MySpace website, have now been archived and will, I understand, reappear on the club's revised website in due course.
I am currently in the throes of joining one of the music-hosting websites, choice to be made after taking advice from fellow-performers. Hopefully this will enable more of my music to be available online.
For a list of upcoming singing engagements please see Appearances page.
David is available for bookings, either for specialist events such as maritime festivals or more general club or festival concert sets.
Use the contact form below to discuss specific requirements .
However, unlike many solo singers on the folk circuit, he sings a really broad cross-section of material, his personal philosophy being that a good song is a good song and worth singing – provided that he can do it justice in accordance with the song’s message.
One feature of his broad repertoire is the employment of creative (sometimes thematic)juxtapositions; another is the judicious interspersing of traditional with more modern songs… rousing choruses with gentler, more thoughtful or reflective pieces, while not neglecting fun and occasional parodies.
A distinct advantage of his breadth of repertoire is to offer a greater choice with the potential presentation of a number of different themed sets. One of his specialities is the Maritime set, with a wide choice of material for performance at events such as maritime festivals (these embracing a wide range of shanties and forebitters together with songs of related subject-matter).
Typical of the feedback he regularly gains are the following comments:
"As a singer, David has a wide range of material garnered from his extensive knowledge of the field. Where others might attempt to impress with volume or technical ability, David goes one better (not for lack of either of the aforementioned, I might add): he puts plenty of emotion into the performance, and not in a general or haphazard sense either, but with surgical precision helped by a deep study of both lyrics and tune." (George Papavgeris)
"David chooses great songs - sung with clarity and a heartfelt delivery." (Dave Cowan & Marjorie Paterson, Fyrish)
"David's love and deep understanding for the folk tradition shines through in (his) song choice and fervent vocal style ... (his) talent is getting to the heart of things, that's what makes (him) not only a good singer and interpreter of songs but a good reviewer as well." (Pamela Wyn Shannon)
“Personally I was really impressed by the way he drew the audience into his set, and even those not known for their love of traditional music were captivated.” (Organiser, Acoustic Rotherham series)
David has performed well-received concert sets at a number of folk festivals and special events, as well as key support slots for While & Matthews and The Poozies, while radio appearances to date include BBC’s North Yorkshire Folk and The Durbervilles’ Radio Leeds show, and Drystone FM.
During 2011 David has also branched out into the field of special themed presentations. Firstly there was From Both Sides, an entertaining yet thought-provoking 90-minute sequence of songs and verse on the theme of conflict, which he performed in collaboration with West Yorkshire poet Jim Saville; secondly, there was a full evening concert built around the songs of Keith Marsden, which was commissioned by Morley Folk Club for the 20th anniversary of Keith's death.
Another of David's most recent song ventures, a teaming with fellow-singer Tina McKevitt, was all-too-short-lived. They made their stage debut as a duo, under the name Both Sides Now, at 2011's 19th Nature's World Folk Festival (Acklam), with a further outing at the "Acoustic Rotherham 12" showcase at the end of July. Both appearances were really well received, and both artistically satisfying, with the beginnings of a healthy duo repertoire in the offing; but unfortunately, David and Tina have now had to abandon plans to sing together in the future due to Tina's many other commitments.
You can hear a sound clip of David's singing at the following website:
www.jmucreate.com (you need to scroll through the various tracks on the player on the Acoustic Rotherham tab, currently on the right-hand side of the page - though it keeps moving around! - until you find the one headed "David Kidman sings"). Other sound clips, formerly available on the original Barnsley Folk & Acoustic MySpace website, have now been archived and will, I understand, reappear on the club's revised website in due course.
I am currently in the throes of joining one of the music-hosting websites, choice to be made after taking advice from fellow-performers. Hopefully this will enable more of my music to be available online.
For a list of upcoming singing engagements please see Appearances page.
David is available for bookings, either for specialist events such as maritime festivals or more general club or festival concert sets.
Use the contact form below to discuss specific requirements .
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