I first learned traditional songs as a child at a village school in Charsfield, Suffolk
(Ronald Blythe later wrote about the village in his book ‘Akenfield’ ). I then went to a convent boarding school on the Isle of Thanet, where I learned piano. When I left there, I went to live in France, before moving to London and working as a music journalist in print and radio.
In 1998, I released my first solo album, Night Visiting Songs, moved to Wales, and found I couldn’t stop. I met guitarist Julian Hayman, who was playing with Jon Langford of the Mekons, and together we made four more albums. Later, guitarist Edward James Mugford joined the group.
I now live in Wales, recording in my home studio with my collection of harmoniums. My albums to date are:
Night Visiting Songs (‘Greig’s techno-minimalist approach to folk music offers a
genuine new pathway.’ Sunday Times) Down in the Valley (‘Gently haunting and often plain lovely.’ Observer) Llangennith soothing sonic atmosphere of light, space, and calm:
blissful’ Mojo) Winter Woods (‘Weaves tales of a quiet gothic terror, most infused with
romance, suspense, and real beauty.’ Mojo) Quite Silent (‘Flows along like water through a sacret glade.’ Terrascope)
We have been performing a multi-media piece entitled ’I Sing of A Maiden’ which has been shown at Chapter Theatre, Cardiff and will soon appear at the Muni Theatre, Pontypridd
Tracks from Charlotte and Julian’s sessions with Johan Asherton appear on a new compilation, John Barleycorn, issued on Cold Spring records.
Charlotte’s novel, A Girl’s Guide to Modern European Philosophy, is published in June 2007 by Serpent’s Tail.
Meanwhile you can download our recent Resonance Radio session for free from Woven Wheat Whispers:
http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/Label-Review-Charlotte_Greig.htm
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Michelberger Hotel Presents. October, 17,09 22:00pm Saturday Night Showcase Hosted by Akanni. live on stage: 2 of berlins most talented female accustic soloist Dana Shanti + Elahi 3€
Location: Michelberger Hotel Warschauerstrasse 39/40, 10243 Berlin
Saturday Night Showcase: is an evening where artist from all over can perform there own personal songs and finish the night with an open jam session talor made for musicisns and vocalist show there spontainious skills and Every Saturday.
Hello, Thank you for being a friend of The Hare And The Moon and for your kind message. We were introduced to your music by the John Barleycorn Reborn album and we are now completely smitten. x
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
The Reverend Spadge Dooley Has just come out of hospital (a minor soul transplant) and is feeling much better... He don't wanna go back there though. . . In celebation of his desanitorianisation he's put up some new tracks which you may download - leave a penny in the collection plate.
Hey, just to let you know we have uploaded tracks from Ali's new solo album Flying High to his myspace, come by and let us know what you think or if you want to pre order you can get it on his myspace page.
Ali will be on tour in the UK from June 19th – July 4th come and see him and his new band live – they are tearing it up, round the country with a great party vibe!
Big Love Ali's Team x
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
"In 'The Mirror of Eternal Light', the Dutch lutist Jozef van Wissem catches his own reflection in tender, minimalist picking and gold-spray overdubs" - David Fricke, senior editor, Rolling Stone Magazine
"Van Wissem seems to breeze across musical boundaries with an effortless fluency" - Pitchfork
"Jozef van Wissem constructs a time bridge which links the 17th and 20th centuries,and, needless to say, the traffic on this bridge moves in both directions. He has made 17th century music into 20th century music" - Brian Marley, Avant Magazine
"Jozef van Wissem has a creative obsession with the concepts of backwards or mirror images. On this cd he applies various palindromes. Van Wissem is accompanied on his gorgeous solos by Gary Lucas who performs a dobro solo that has the sense of intense adventure and motivation" - Eugene Chadbourne
"Jozef van Wissem has been slowly reinventing the lute for the last three decades. Among the slew of fast-picking, fancy-fretting guitar players so prevalent today, his lute’s voice is a quiet oasis, and Stations of the Cross a small masterpiece" - Nick Southgate The Wire
"the certainties of the 17th century holding tight the ugly beauty that we now see scattered around us. I loved these CDs by Jozef van Wissem, A Rose by any other Name and Stations of the Cross. And then I received a new album, A Priori, and I immediately played it and heard its stark and repetitive intensity, its stately and glacial march. There is nothing quite like it that I have heard before - it is timeless, breathing deeply and exhaling showers of snow, endless circles, mirrors, spirals, the sea. When Jozef plays the lute, he pours out endless space. What can I say but let the rain come, close your eyes and watch the stars fall and rise and fall again" - David Tibet/Current 93
