THE DAVID KIDMAN PAGE

SOME FRIENDS

ACOUSTIC ROTHERHAM

THE DAVID KIDMAN REVIEW PAGE

DAVID KIDMAN WRITES FOR FOLK ROUNDABOUT,STIRRINGS MAGAZINES AND THE NETRHYTHMS WEB SITE

HERE YOU WILL FIND THE PICK OF HIS REVIEWS SPECIALLY SELECTED FOR INCLUSION ON THE ACOUSTIC ROTHERHAM WEB SITE PAGES

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We first came across David at a small Festival of Folk Music on an unusually hot August Bank Holiday in Chapeltown, Sheffield.

Following an exchange of insults, we all decided the World was probably best served if we all got along together and since that fateful day David has become a friend of Acoustic Rotherham.

An insightful review of The Rawmarsh Mashers CD “Deliberate Mistake” from David had us convinced that here was a chap with talent.

David has since made a masterful appearance on the Acoustic Rotherham stage at the Monkwood, and our new home at The Queens Hotel, Rawmarsh entertaining us with his range of songs.

And so we are really pleased that David has agreed to add to the entertainment and hopefully interest of these pages by publishing his reviews.

If you have a CD or Event that you would like Reviewed by David then please contact him direct at

EMAIL:david.kidman@btinternet.com

TEL: 01943- 609154

DAVID KIDMAN IN

TYPICAL ACTION

GO TO THE REVIEWS

ARTISTS USING THE CD SHOP FEATURE WILL WHERE EVER POSSIBLE HAVE THEIR Cds REVIEWED BY DAVID.

IF YOU’VE NOT CHECKED OUT WHAT THE CD SHOP MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO FOR YOU - PLEASE

GO HERE

ALL ABOUT DAVID

In His Own Words

A POTTED LIFE STORY

I was born and educated “somewhere down south”,

I then spent too many years as wage-slave in a succession of tedious middle-management roles before I finally made it to my spiritual home “up north” at the start of the 90s, having been made redundant.

Since then I’ve been freelancing as a proof reader and copy-editor, while following my creative muse (writing about the music; singing; writing poetry even) in any spare time left!

SERVICES OFFERED:-

1. REVIEWER & WRITER

I review CDs of many types and genres of music: primarily folk or folk-related but also roots and Americana, country, blues… (my remit often also stretches further afield into some indie, classic and classical, some rock, prog, psych, pop, weird and wonderful stuff, some world music too). But generally I won’t take on anything that’s not (or isn’t likely to be) within my field of expertise or experience.

Over the past dozen years I’ve been variously commissioned to review for fRoots, Living Tradition, Rock’n’Reel, Properganda, Folk Roundabout, Stirrings, Tykes’ News, Traditional Music Maker, Folk On Tap and Folk North West, and on NetRhythms and other music websites. In addition, I have testimonials from many of the performers whose music I have reviewed, while in many cases their own websites and publicity materials have used quotes from my reviews.

I also sometimes review live gigs, festivals and other music events (however, magazines and websites are these days less keen to commission or carry reviews of live gigs, I find).

Mission Statement: I care about the music – passionately – and my intention is to do justice to both the music and the artist/s by giving it a good chance in the crowded marketplace. My personal policy is to provide honest, objective, fair and constructive criticism and feedback. I will take time to do the job properly, and will not rush reviews through on one brief or casual listen.

In all cases, any fees for commissioned work are flexible and negotiable!

2. SINGER

I’m a revival singer performing solo and unaccompanied, within what can loosely be termed the folk tradition.

However, unlike many singers on the folk circuit, I sing a really broad cross-section of material, my personal philosophy being that a good song is a good song and worth singing – provided that I can do it justice in accordance with the song’s message.

My repertoire intersperses traditional with more modern songs… rousing choruses with gentler, more thoughtful or reflective pieces, while not neglecting fun and parodies.

A recent comment by our illustrious Acoustic Rotherham organiser is typical of the feedback I regularly gain: “Personally I was really impressed by the way he drew the audience into his set, and even those not known for their love of traditional music were captivated.”

I’ve performed well-received concert sets at a number of folk festivals and special events, aa well as key support slots for While & Matthews and The Poozies, while my radio appearances to date include BBC’s North Yorkshire Folk and The Durbervilles’ show, and Drystone FM.

I am available for bookings (length and type of sets flexible and negotiable).

3. COMPÈRE

I also have a proven track record as a compère on the folk circuit, having worked in this capacity at well over a dozen festivals, folk clubs and various other events – equally happy to MC main-stage, small-stage or acoustic venues. I also have considerable experience of hosting or running singarounds and other similar activities. Folks appreciate key qualities such as my informed and genuine enthusiasm for the music, my fairness and my ability to keep things running to time and schedule. I’m currently a resident MC at the folk clubs in York (Black Swan) & Bradford (Topic).

4. EDITORIAL SERVICES

I can also offer editorial services at competitive and/or negotiable rates.

You may for example be looking for that extra (impartial) pair of eyes to proof-check that all-important CD booklet or publicity handout… When reviewing, I come across so many careless or embarrassing errors which could so easily have been avoided… So don’t risk spoiling the ship for that ha-porth of tar!

GO TO THE REVIEWS

1. Brother Crow – Hollow Hills (Brother Crow Records)

2. Anna Shannon – When We Were Young (Own Label)

3. Acoustica – WELCOME TO… (Organic Soup Records)

4. Acoustica – THE OBAN SESSIONS (Organic Soup Records)

5. Patsy Matheson – A Little Piece Of England (Witch Records)

6. Mary Hampton – My Mother’s Children (Navigator)

7. Robin and Bina Williamson – Birdsedge Village Hall, 9th August 08

8. The Navvy’s Wife - A Folk Musical - Mick Ryan – Parish Centre, Stonegravels, Chesterfield, 2nd November 2008

9. The Rawmarsh Mashers - Deliberate Mistake (Masher)

10. Brian Peters & Gordon Tyrrall – Black Bull, Ecclesfield; Saturday 17th January 2009

11. Pete Wood – The Elliots Of Birtley (David Herron Publishing)