SpiralEarth.co.uk - Music News

The Phil Beer Slimathon...

Show of Hands musician aims to shed the pounds....and sail the seas. Exeter-based Phil, who has toured for more than 15 years with singer songwriter Steve Knightley, has embarked on a challenge which could see him leaving Devon and heading for the Baltic in summer 2009, on the adventure of a lifetime.

Boo Hewerdine - new mini album

One of England's truly great songwriter's returns at last with a brand new Limited Edition acoustic mini album. Six great songs, recorded in his Cambridge studio with Neill MacColl (Kathryn Williams). The album showcases Boo's folkier side with its sparse stripped back arrangements and heartfelt lyricism ahead of a full length recording which is due on Navigator in September. These exclusive recordings are not available anywhere else and are sure to be lapped up by his dedicated fanbase.

Win Paul Brady 'Best Of' album

Our good friends at the Southbank Centre have kindly sent us a Paul Brady Best Of CD and we are going to give it away in a competition! You can see the excellent Paul Brady live at theSouthbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Monday 26 May, 7.30pm. During his wide-ranging career Brady has been a member of The Johnstons, leading Irish folk band Planxty and one half of a duo with Andy Irvine. He has toured and collaborated extensively as well as writing songs for Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel and Santana among others.

Paul Brady at the SouthBank Centre Monday 26 May

One of Ireland�s most popular artists performs his best-loved songs, with support from Emily Maguire it should be a fantastic evening. During his wide-ranging career Brady has been a member of The Johnstons, leading Irish folk band Planxty and one half of a duo with Andy Irvine. He has toured and collaborated extensively as well as writing songs for Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel and Santana among others.

Johnny Coppin composes 'Much Ado About Nothing' music for UK Shakespeare tour

Gloucestershire-based singer-songwriter Johnny Coppin, who made his name in the 70s cult folk-rock band Decameron, has penned the original music for an offbeat, all-male production of Shakespeare�s romantic comedy �Much Ado About Nothing� which tours the UK in some 60 performances between June and September.

Karine Polwart - Unreleased tracks available from her website

The Spiral team have been totally won over by Karine Polwart's recent releases. Both 'This Earthly Spell' and 'Fairest Floo'er' have been getting plently of airplay in the office. Now there's more great music available from the one of our favourites in the shape of free monthly downloads over at her website.

Steve Knightley at Footlights this Saturday 3rdMay

Just found out about this good looking venue in Sussex, due to unforseen circumstances the wonderful Eliza Carthy has had to cancel her appearance this saturday. However, the equally wonderful steve Knightley has been nabbed between gigs to replace her. Currently engaged in a Show Of Hands tour, Steve toured solo earlier in the year and has a mountain of great material.

Navigator Records, new signings and album/tour dates

We knew that Tom Rose of Navigator Records was doing something right, having only started the label late last year he already has a roster of acts signed up to die for. One of the things that struck us was the way Tom was cultivating a highly creative environment for those acts, the already fertile collaborative folk world is getting another encouraging hand.

Waterboys 'Kiss The Wind' download only album

KISS THE WIND features 16 rare or previously unreleased tracks selected by Mike Scott. Highlights include many never before heard songs plus Mike's demo of On My Way To The Big Light, an alternative Let It Happen, live versions of The Stolen Child and Jagger/Richards' Wild Horses and many many more. The Waterboys have also opened a web store in conjunction with Townsend Records with all Waterboys CDs from the first album through to 2007�s Book Of Lightning available.

Lau Live review at the Met, Bury, 17th April

Thursday 17th April, 2008 The Met, Bury