
Andy Cutting
Bella Hardy
Brass Monkey
Chris Wood
Dave Swarbrick
Demon Barbers
Drever McCusker Woomble
Duotone
Emily Portman
Ewan McLennan
Guidewires
Heidi Talbot
Jamie Smith’s Mabon
Jim Moray
Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings
Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell
KAN
Kissmet
Kris Drever
Lau
Martin Carthy
Martin Simpson
Norma Waterson and Eliza Carthy with The Gift Band
Roddy Woomble
Roy Bailey
Roy Bailey & Tony Benn
The Bays
The Spooky Men’s Chorale
The Unusual Suspects
Tim Edey and Brendan Power
Walsh and Pound
Waterson Carthy
The Waterson Family
Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy & Chris Parkinson


Availability:
10-19 Feb, 8-17 June 2012
20-30 Sept & December 2012
Downloads:
Biography
Hi-res image pack
Songs Lost and Stolen Tour Poster 2011
Tech Spec 2011 (With Anna Massie)
Tech Spec 2011 (Bright Morning Star)
Web links:
Official Site
MySpace
Video: Live at Kings Place 2011
Youtube Channel
Facebook
Bella Hardy
Nominated Best Original Track 'The Herring Girl' - BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012
Songs Lost & Stolen is the much anticipated new album from acclaimed Peak District singer Bella Hardy and the first to feature all her own material. Having made a name for herself in traditional English music with her debut album Night Visiting, and its follow-up In the Shadow of Mountains, it was clear that Bella was more than just a fine interpreter of folk songs. Nominated for a BBC Folk Award for the self-penned ‘Three Black Feathers’ from Night Visiting (later covered by Jim Moray on his award winning album Low Culture), Bella’s next record In the Shadow of Mountains featured much more of her own work, including the Lennon & McCartney-esque ‘Sylvie Sovay’, a reimagining of folk’s eponymous highwaywoman as an abused wife on the brink. It was described by English Dance & Song magazine as “destined for classic status”.
On Songs Lost & Stolen, Bella has combined the traditional styles and ballad forms that have always been at the centre of her work, with a gift for poetry and Angela Carter-inspired twisted tales. She’s created an album that touches on both the fantastical, story telling elements of Kate Bush, and the lovelorn songwriting craft of Carole King. Songs include ‘Bridge of Dean’ - a tragic tale inspired by the fears that lurk in our own imagination, and ‘Rosabel’ - a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale, with hints of early Joni Mitchell. Opening track ‘Labyrinth’ explores the Greek myth as a metaphor for modern relationships, as the music swells with tempestuous, almost Florence & the Machine-like drama.
The album was produced by Mattie Foulds, a member of critically acclaimed collective The Burns Unit alongside the likes of King Creosote, Emma Pollock and Karine Polwart and a veteran of the vibrant Cape Breton music scene. Mattie brought a lush and textured sound to Bella’s songs, aided by former Kate Rusby & Eddi Reader guitarist Anna Massie, Perthshire fiddle prodigy Patsy Reid of the band Breabach, Lau’s Kris Drever - contributing stunning slide guitar and backing vocals, Juliard graduate Su-a Lee (on both cello and musical saw!) as well as long-time collaborators Corinna Hewat on harp and Chris Sherburn on concertina.
But at the centre of it all is Bella’s soaring and captivating voice, inhabiting her characters and spinning her stories with an equal balance of strength and sensitivity. Songs Lost & Stolen is a stunning and ambitious step forward from a unique and fascinating songwriter.
‘…marvelously assured’ **** 4 Stars (Financial Times)
‘…an impressive set’ **** 4 Stars (The Guardian)
‘….beautifully crafted and conceived with poetic flair’ (The Independent)
‘…seductive and original’ **** 4 Stars (The Telegraph)
