Having met at Loughborough University, through presenting a folk show on the campus radio, Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley got together out of a wish to perform the music they loved.
They have recently released their 2nd album ‘Boundary’ on Fellside. It merges traditional English song and original material with old blues and folk tunes from the US. Here’s what the press has had to say:
’Tom must be one of the best young fiddlers in England, with a fluid style equally at ease with the English, American and Irish traditions’ - Living Tradition
’The instruments spark, with the combination of the bright fiddle and the acclaimed finger picking style of Bartley giving a lovely flow to the tunes’ - Maverick Magazine
Album tracks include :
Old Sir Simon (trad) – This song appeared in D’Urfey’s Wit and Mirth: or Pills to Purge Melancholy 1719-1720, but is set to an older tune from Playford. This really was the lowest form of music of its day, utterly frowned upon by better educated types, and a tradition which Tom and Gren are proud to uphold.
Green Beds (trad) – An old English song, it appears in the Penguin book of English folk songs. Tom & Gren’s version is a version that travelled to America and was collected by Cecil Sharp around 1900.
Different Rooms (Bartley) – Nostalgia is a nice place to visit from time to time. This song is about the duo’s first homes.
Grateful for a Home (Bartley) – Whilst window shopping for a cat, Gren found a bedraggled old fur ball called Jimmy, who now lives contentedly under a sunbeam in the lounge.
Check back for a full review on Bright Young Folk soon.
Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley – Boundary UK tour
21st May 2009 - Beltane - Buxton
22nd May 2009 - The New Inn - Clitheroe
23rd May 2009 - Ireby Festival - Ireby
27th May 2009 - Rea River Roots Club - Birmingham
7th June 2009 - Traditions At The Tiger - Long Eaton
5th July - Halsway Manor - Somerset
7th July - Great Knight Folk Club - Northampton
21st July - Dartford Folk Club - Dartford