'Handmade Life' CD will be available for the first time at the
concerts which start November 20th 2009 ahead of it's retail release
which follows, in the spring of 2010.
“…claims that he is the greatest living English songwriter are not that far fetched. Chris Wood is one of our true living geniuses. ' (Musicohm.com) July 2009
“Handmade Life” is the name for (multiple BBC Award Winning) singer, guitarist and songwriter Chris Wood’s new contemporary band, tour and album project. Wood has written and recorded ten dazzling songs specifically for the Handmade Life Autumn 09 tour and the subsequent album. The sound of the band is a progressive step forward from his previously acclaimed solo works (Trespasser 2007) and (The Lark Descending 2005).
The Handmade Life band comprises Andy Gangadeen (The Bays) - drums, Barney Morse Brown – cello (Eliza Carthy Band) and Robert Jarvis (London Improviser’s Orchestra) - trombone.
The band met while playing together in Simon Emmerson’s hugely successful Imagined Village alongside Billy Bragg, Sheila Chandra and Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy. Emmerson has described Chris’s works as “Bardcore!”
In February 2009, Wood took home Singer of the year and Album of the year at the BBC Folk Awards. In July 2009 his career retrospective (“Albion” – An Anthology”) was released by Navigator Records, again to widespread acclaim.
If Wood is viewed by some as uncompromising, then if anything, Handmade Life simply continues this trend. However, alongside the signature edgy and overtly political material there are an equal number of personal stories, songs which are delicate and subtle and expertly realised by his stellar band.
Chris Wood consistently celebrates the “ordinary” with his gift for articulating that which so many thousands feel in their daily lives. Handmade Life takes us deeper into Wood’s celebrity free zone, come as you are!
The Handmade Life tour is produced by Alan James at Hold Tight in association with Alan Bearman Music and funded by Sound and Music*.
For all enquiries contact. Tom Rose @ Reveal (tomreveal@mac.com)
Tour Print PR (National & Regional) by Glass Ceiling(glassceilingpr@btconnect.com)
Online PR by Stay Loose (matt@stayloose.com)
Radio & TV Plugging by Cool Badge (mig@coolbadge.com)
Concert Bookings by Alan Bearman Music. (bearman@btinternet.com)
PRAISE FOR CHRIS WOOD...
BBC Folk Award Winner - Album Of the Year 2009! BBC Folk Award Winner - Singer Of The Year -2009!
...“Several major shifts have happened to him in the last few years… what that all adds up to is that he is now one of greats!”
Ian Anderson
“…an intuitive explorer, he’s very much his own man, arsey as hell! ”
Martin Carthy
'I think Chris Wood is an incredible artist....he combines stories and music in such an original and completely melodic way.'
Laurie Anderson
'Contemporary hero of the English folk tradition. ...radical, fierce, compassionate, humane, political, proud, tender, humorous, critical and frank. Wood's work speaks directly to anyone concerned with English life and society... his impact is immediate and direct.'
Bath Festival
'Anyone wanting to hear and learn more about this superb songwriter and musician could find no better place - Albion is a true masterpiece - contender for album of 2009.'
***** 5/5 Stars MAVERICK MAGAZINE, August 2009 Issue
'Undoubtedly one of the most distinctively powerful singers and musicians in the country.'
***** 5/5 Stars R2 / ROCK N REEL , July 2009
'A vital and excitingly unpredictable influence on the modern scene.'
fROOTS, July 2009
'Unravel it, layer by layer. A balm for any music lover’s soul.'
**** 4/5 Stars THE IRISH TIMES, July 2009
'Chris Wood is about as far from the finger-in-your ear school of folk droners as it's possible to be. His music is melodic and accessible but with a wonderful sense of space. The lyrics are superb.'
***** 5/5 Stars THE DAILY EXPRESS, July 2009
'His strength is in melding narrative, song and melodies- the natural heir to Martin Carthy.'
**** 4/5 Stars UNCUT MAGAZINE, July 2009
'Frequently emotional – stripped down, shivers-down-spine moments of candid emotion - power and economy.'
BBC.CO.UK , July 2009
'(rightly) much hailed, folk singer of the year and album of the year.'
THE GUARDIAN , June 2009
'The minute he starts singing he has this way of drawing people in, to make everybody really listen to the words. I have no concept of time when he's singing and for me, that's a complete star quality.'
VERITY SHARP ( excerpt from 'Albion - An Anthology' sleeve notes) , Released June 2009
'With a reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional folk music he has established himself as one of the true figureheads of folk.' FRESHDEERMEAT.COM, June 2009
THE PLAYGROUND presents Filthy Electro Trash on Saturday 14th Novmber. Come along and celebrate with:
Punks Jump Up (KITSUNE)// Punx Soundcheck (KITSUNE)// Steed Lord// Gobsausage// Glass Diamond// TOY TOY// The Education// Mr. Beasley// Ben Osborne// DJ Darkorse// Circa Burlesque- Little Bo Freak// Chrys Columbine// Slinky Sparkles and Straightola (VJ Set)
Chris, When I write my songs I try to convey a 'story' and mood to the listener. Having listened to your songs you write wonderful 'stories'. Top quality songwriting. Best wishes... Greg Harper
TWILIGHT FOLK PRESENTS…. SHARRON KRAUS With support from Peter Delaney and C Joynes Live at Orange Street Music Club, Canterbury Weds October the 21st 8.00pm £5 in advance/£6 on door
“Sharron Kraus is a dark-folk gem. Listening to her high, clear voice cut through melodies woven from acoustic guitar, banjo and hurdy-gurdy, you may struggle to remember which late-'60s traditionalists beat her to the material.Here's one folklore expert whose originals feel both authentic and alive….Exquisite second album by this wonderful singer. She conjures up visions of Karen Dalton, Shirley Collins, Judy Dyble and even early Joni. Live she was fantastic too. ..this moves from traditional folk (in a Shirley Collins, Anne Briggs style) to her own songs and enchants all the way. An immaculate album from a major new singer.”
Peter Delaney lives in Limerick, Ireland. He comes from a folk music background and plays his own unique style, drawing on early Hawaiian folk songs and Alan Lomax field recordings as well as more contemporary musicians such as Joanna Newsom and Josephine Foster. Peter released his debut EP/Mini Album "Duck Egg Blue" in April 2007 to much acclaim.
Peter has played throughout the UK, Ireland and Norway and has shared the bill with A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Alasdair Roberts, Jozef van Wissem, Juana Molina and The Swell Season. www.myspace.com/peterdelaney
"English acoustic guitarist C Joynes uses traditional country-blues and early ragtime t
TWILIGHT FOLK CLUB PRESENTS as part of THE CANTERBURY FESTIVAL- the IVOR NOVELLO AWARD NOMINEES......... THE LEISURE SOCIETY LIVE AT ORANGE STREET MUSIC CLUB, SUNDAY OCTOBER 25TH STARTS 1.00 PM TICKETS £12/£10 in advance.
Nick Hemmings band THE LEISURE SOCIETY, famously nominated for an Ivor Novello award this year for their song "THE LAST OF THE MELTING SNOW",will be playing live in Canterbury as part of the CANTERBURY FESTIVAL. The band are also on the same label as, and share members with THE SONS OF NOEL AND ADRIAN who were so well recieved at the club earlier this year-this will be a rare oppurtunity to catch this rapidly upcoming band in a small venue.....
In the words of the critics....
"Beautifully pastoral debut." MOJO **** "Wonderful" Observer Music Monthly **** "An autumnal mist of British Bank Holiday ennui surrounds Nick Hemming's literate meditations." The Times **** "Music to cuddle up to, music to clutch yourself to, music that is, as Jimmy Webb might say, necessary. This is a band that could well be the sound of 2009." Maverick Magazine **** "A lovingly crafted, tender folk record that will secure them as a named brand on the shelves of pop. The love affair begins." Ragged Words "Magical... shimmers with loveliness" Word Magazine "This is a record of extraord
Chris Wood track 'The Cottager's Reply' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 7th October 2009. Live on air on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. Tonight we re-vist the fabulous Shrewsbury Folk Festival held over the August Bank Holiday. The full play list is now up on my blog.
THE PLAYGROUND Vs Noise Of Art will give you a big Halloween bash on Saturday 31st October featuring
Man Like Me// My Tiger My Timing// My Toys Like Me// Trash Fashion// The Midi Midis// Glitches// The Teeth// Kindle// Gene Serene// DARKORSE-DJ set/// Rack ‘n’ Ruin – DJ Set// Afro Punk-DJ set// Slinky Sparkle// Chris Columbine// Little Bo Freak and Lydia Darling// Noise of Art’s “Dance of the Vampires” with They Came From The Stars and I Saw Them Vs Les Hommers DU Train// Ben Osborne -DJ set// Immaculate Extremists// Overlap// Your Mum// MOTH and more
“You're unlikely to attend another event in London like this so our advice is to get your ticket sharpish.” DJ Magazine, 2009.
Loving the album Chris. looking forward to playing it on Music from the Glen WWOZ New Orleans Saturday mornings. Great stuff! you are one of the best singers out there!
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..?
Really enjoyed your gig on Friday - thanks for that! I've only ever been in that room at Kings Place as a rehearsal space until Friday, but it's a really nice gig venue... I was standing right at the back of the FDH at Towersey trying to listen to you before the Imagined Village gig, but I could hear you properly this time! Great stuff!
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