David Kidman - Freelance Music Reviewer

David is a freelance writer, currently based in West Yorkshire.
He was born further south, however, and lived and worked even further south for rather too long before grabbing the chance to move north when it finally came!
From a very early age, he has been keenly interested in (and knowledgeable about) music, this interest eagerly extending beyond the realms of folk into many other kinds of music, ever keeping an open mind to new musical experiences.
Although he has always embraced a certain critical mind-set, David’s writing career (as a music journalist) only really began in earnest just over two decades ago, since which time he has contributed extensively to a number of publications.
He is currently a valued regular contributor to these magazines:
* The Living Tradition (both in print and online),
and
* the online-only sites Fatea (http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews2.html)
and Folk Radio UK (http://www.folkradio.co.uk/album-reviews-index/),
He also now contributes to the regional magazines Folk London www.folklondon.co.uk and (more occasionally) Folklife West www.folklife.co.uk.
David was also a regular and much valued reviewer for fRoots magazine for almost 20 years before its sad demise last year (2019). His work has also appeared in a number of other print-based magazines – some with a national circulation (principally Properganda - the sadly-now-defunct trade distribution magazine - but also Rock’n’Reel Mk.1 and Traditional Music Maker); & others with a specific regional base (very occasionally Tykes’ News, and even more occasionally Folk On Tap).
David also contributed virtually the entire reviews output of the regional quarterly magazine Folk Roundabout for well over a decade (prior to the latest change in editorial policy in June 2018), and was a regular contributor for some 15 years to the acclaimed regional (South Yorkshire) quarterly magazine Stirrings (prior to its absorption into Tykes' News from January 2020).
He has recently contributed a short digest of recommended new releases for the highly regarded monthly Roving Folk radio show on Calderdale-based Phoenix FM (96.7 FM) - podcasts available at http://www.phoenixfm.co.uk/podcasts-roving-folk.
David's writing also formerly appeared, for around a decade, on the well-regarded Net Rhythms website (sadly now defunct, but some archive is still viewable at http://www.netrhythms.co.uk), and on the also-currently-frustratingly-inoperative Folkandroots.co.uk website (http://folkandroots.co.uk/category/reviews/).
There was once also a dedicated reviews page on the Acoustic Rotherham website (http://www.jmucreate.com/acousticrotherhamdavidkidmanreviewpage.html), although this has only very intermittently been accessible of late due to the site being taken over by a new host, and is now unlikely to be resurrected in this form.
The validity and effectiveness of David's approach is reflected in the many positive testimonials received (and they're still comin' in on a regular basis!), and in the number of contextual review quotes encountered on artists’ own websites and publicity material!
... In the words of top singer-songwriter George Papavgeris:
"In all his work David shows an uncanny perceptiveness and enormous integrity, both served well by his meticulous attention to detail. These characteristics shine through in everything he does. As a reviewer of other people’s work he is able to get quickly under the skin of the creator and understand the underlying motives, enabling him to serve as an adviser, while at the same time he is able to stand back and use the perspective of varying audiences to give well rounded and informative critique on the result."
... This from master songmaker Ray Hearne of the NoMasters Cooperative:
'Nobody takes listening to songs and singers more seriously than Dave Kidman. A genuine and serious vocation, seriously sustained and carried over into performing, collecting and reviewing. Tirelessly evangelical on behalf of grassroots song, a Dave Kidman review is a serious review.'
... And from musician extraordinaire David Moss, formerly of Banoffi and now Lightgarden and Killing No Murder:
"Having forgotten that the first Banoffi CD had made its way to David, I was astounded to actually receive a phone call from him asking about the content and background to the songs and the band. I didn't know that reviewers did that. I now know that only David Kidman does that. His astute, considered listening skills and quest for honesty and accuracy give a rare and welcome quality and authenticity to all his work, be it his writing or his singing or performing."
This page is still under development; the Reviews link below will be initiated in due course. when time permits...
In the meantime, to access some sample reviews under David's byline, please follow the links above to the Fatea and Folk Radio UK sites. There are still some earlier reviews on the sites for NetRhythms or Folkandroots.co.uk, and his Acoustic Rotherham page, although the latter may not be available currently, and those written for the Black Swan Folk Club pre-2010 have long since disappeared from the archive.
Any fees for specially commissioned work are flexible and negotiable!
Use the contact form below to get in touch.
He was born further south, however, and lived and worked even further south for rather too long before grabbing the chance to move north when it finally came!
From a very early age, he has been keenly interested in (and knowledgeable about) music, this interest eagerly extending beyond the realms of folk into many other kinds of music, ever keeping an open mind to new musical experiences.
Although he has always embraced a certain critical mind-set, David’s writing career (as a music journalist) only really began in earnest just over two decades ago, since which time he has contributed extensively to a number of publications.
He is currently a valued regular contributor to these magazines:
* The Living Tradition (both in print and online),
and
* the online-only sites Fatea (http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews2.html)
and Folk Radio UK (http://www.folkradio.co.uk/album-reviews-index/),
He also now contributes to the regional magazines Folk London www.folklondon.co.uk and (more occasionally) Folklife West www.folklife.co.uk.
David was also a regular and much valued reviewer for fRoots magazine for almost 20 years before its sad demise last year (2019). His work has also appeared in a number of other print-based magazines – some with a national circulation (principally Properganda - the sadly-now-defunct trade distribution magazine - but also Rock’n’Reel Mk.1 and Traditional Music Maker); & others with a specific regional base (very occasionally Tykes’ News, and even more occasionally Folk On Tap).
David also contributed virtually the entire reviews output of the regional quarterly magazine Folk Roundabout for well over a decade (prior to the latest change in editorial policy in June 2018), and was a regular contributor for some 15 years to the acclaimed regional (South Yorkshire) quarterly magazine Stirrings (prior to its absorption into Tykes' News from January 2020).
He has recently contributed a short digest of recommended new releases for the highly regarded monthly Roving Folk radio show on Calderdale-based Phoenix FM (96.7 FM) - podcasts available at http://www.phoenixfm.co.uk/podcasts-roving-folk.
David's writing also formerly appeared, for around a decade, on the well-regarded Net Rhythms website (sadly now defunct, but some archive is still viewable at http://www.netrhythms.co.uk), and on the also-currently-frustratingly-inoperative Folkandroots.co.uk website (http://folkandroots.co.uk/category/reviews/).
There was once also a dedicated reviews page on the Acoustic Rotherham website (http://www.jmucreate.com/acousticrotherhamdavidkidmanreviewpage.html), although this has only very intermittently been accessible of late due to the site being taken over by a new host, and is now unlikely to be resurrected in this form.
The validity and effectiveness of David's approach is reflected in the many positive testimonials received (and they're still comin' in on a regular basis!), and in the number of contextual review quotes encountered on artists’ own websites and publicity material!
... In the words of top singer-songwriter George Papavgeris:
"In all his work David shows an uncanny perceptiveness and enormous integrity, both served well by his meticulous attention to detail. These characteristics shine through in everything he does. As a reviewer of other people’s work he is able to get quickly under the skin of the creator and understand the underlying motives, enabling him to serve as an adviser, while at the same time he is able to stand back and use the perspective of varying audiences to give well rounded and informative critique on the result."
... This from master songmaker Ray Hearne of the NoMasters Cooperative:
'Nobody takes listening to songs and singers more seriously than Dave Kidman. A genuine and serious vocation, seriously sustained and carried over into performing, collecting and reviewing. Tirelessly evangelical on behalf of grassroots song, a Dave Kidman review is a serious review.'
... And from musician extraordinaire David Moss, formerly of Banoffi and now Lightgarden and Killing No Murder:
"Having forgotten that the first Banoffi CD had made its way to David, I was astounded to actually receive a phone call from him asking about the content and background to the songs and the band. I didn't know that reviewers did that. I now know that only David Kidman does that. His astute, considered listening skills and quest for honesty and accuracy give a rare and welcome quality and authenticity to all his work, be it his writing or his singing or performing."
This page is still under development; the Reviews link below will be initiated in due course. when time permits...
In the meantime, to access some sample reviews under David's byline, please follow the links above to the Fatea and Folk Radio UK sites. There are still some earlier reviews on the sites for NetRhythms or Folkandroots.co.uk, and his Acoustic Rotherham page, although the latter may not be available currently, and those written for the Black Swan Folk Club pre-2010 have long since disappeared from the archive.
Any fees for specially commissioned work are flexible and negotiable!
Use the contact form below to get in touch.
David's Mission Statement
“My personal policy is to provide honest, objective, fair and constructive criticism and feedback. I will take time to do the job properly, and will not rush reviews through on one brief or casual listen.”
“I care about the music – passionately – and my intention is to do justice to both the music and the artist/s (although with the listener and potential purchaser in mind too of course). This is my way of using my expertise to give something back in return for all that the music has given me.”
“I review CDs of many types and genres of music: primarily folk or folk-related but also roots and Americana, country, blues… however, my remit often also stretches further afield into some indie, classic and classical, some rock, prog, psych, pop, weird and wonderful stuff, some world music too. But generally I won’t take on anything that’s not (or isn’t likely to be) within my field of expertise or experience.”
“I also sometimes review live gigs, festivals and other music events."
“I care about the music – passionately – and my intention is to do justice to both the music and the artist/s (although with the listener and potential purchaser in mind too of course). This is my way of using my expertise to give something back in return for all that the music has given me.”
“I review CDs of many types and genres of music: primarily folk or folk-related but also roots and Americana, country, blues… however, my remit often also stretches further afield into some indie, classic and classical, some rock, prog, psych, pop, weird and wonderful stuff, some world music too. But generally I won’t take on anything that’s not (or isn’t likely to be) within my field of expertise or experience.”
“I also sometimes review live gigs, festivals and other music events."