Hailing from the microscopic, isolated Shetland island of Fair
Isle, Inge Thomson grew up in an enormous world of music. Her
family are prominent exponents of folk and traditional music and
she became involved with a piano keyed accordion at an early age,
which eventually led on to even less socially acceptable instruments.
Inge cut her gigging teeth with folk-pop quintet ‘Drop The Box’ who
toured steadily through the 1990s. More recently she toured and
recorded with contempo/trad band ‘Harem Scarem’ winning critical
acclaim for her songwriting and vocal prowess. A recent
collaboration with Will “Bonnie Prince Billy” Oldham cumulated in
an album which received 5 stars in both ‘Mojo’ and ‘Uncut’
magazines. Currently Inge brings her innovative vocal harmonies and
multi-instrumental textures to the Karine Polwart Trio.
Inge’s first solo venture, Shipwrecks & Static, is an eccentric
marriage between melodic instruments and the bleeps and squeaks of
electronic tomfoolery. Inge wrote, recorded and produced the bulk
of the album and is joined here by the angelic voice of Heidi
Talbot, the edgy guitars of Brighton based Tom Cook and a cameo
appearance of Martin Green of award winning diddle-superstars Lau.
My dear, there is an abundance of thanks & praises winging their way to you, but all I really want to say here and now is "I am under Inge's spell!" Genious! xxx
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..?
Wooowy Inge dear, I spotted John last nite and add it to MS playlist immediately! A cracker - Inge goes sympho/prog !! Great stuff!!!
Can't wait to hear more. Hope life is treating you well.
I've started singing and playing in public too, and it seems that people like it for some reason.
Big hugs to you and da boyz! Hope to see you soon sometime.
Kat xxx
p.s. Was about to come to Edinburgh at the end of October (storytelling fest - i've started to collect and translate Scottish stories into Slovenian) but no money, so will have to wait for April when I'm over for Shetland's bash.
Hello lovely strange lady, you're new track is outstanding as no doubt the whole album will be. Me and mary have just listened to it twice in bed in lutterworth with hangovers. lots of love xxxx
How are you, Mrs Lovely? When I saw Martin last week, he tried to burn me a copy of your new album. Sadly, only the first five and a half tracks copied, but happily they were all brilliant! I may start a fan club.
But first, I'd love to hear the album in its entirety. Any way you can make that happen?
I hope you're coming south some time soon. Sanna and I both miss you and Ewen, (but not so much Martin, whose frequent visits are becoming somewhat tiresome).
Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
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.
Thank you for your kind words! We love the accordion! We just got one and are learning to play it. Your vocals are great too! So interesting. Great sound!