Folk star Maddy spans the years with her music

Maddy Prior

Halifax Playhouse, April 14

Over the course of her remarkable career, Maddy Prior has made it her mission to work with some of the most exceptional musicians in the world – both within Steeleye Span and beyond.

To that noted list she has added accordion player, singer and clog dancer Hannah James and multi-instrumentalist Giles Lewin (Bellowhead /Carnival Band), forming a trio that explores the music of England, the British Isles and Eastern Europe.

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Debut album ‘3 For Joy’ took fourteenth century poems, tales of the industrial revolution from Ulster and music from the Southern Baptist Church tradition, while their latest, ‘Shortwinger’ is themed on the wild field, mainly concerned with birds, hares and their place in folk mythology.

The trio will be performing songs from both albums as well as highlights from Maddy’s fabulous solo and band career – all presented in a daring acoustic style that enhances one of the finest voices this country has ever produced.

For tickets go to http://www.halifaxplayhouse.org.uk/

Nerina Pallot

Trades Club, Hebden Bridge on Sunday, April 8.

Meet Nerina Pallot, a smart artist who talks straight and writes beautifully.

Her new album is ‘Stay Lucky’ which was recorded over two productive weekends in London’s legendary RAK studios.

It’s her sixth, and she’s releasing it at the age of 43.

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The Jersey-born, London-based musician played her first gig in 1995, which means she’s been doing this for 22 years.

Is she bothered about any of those numbers? What do you think?

“I don’t know why we have this massive issue with age,” she says.

Pallot has now “got a handle” for a number of reasons.

For one thing, she wrote ‘Stay Lucky’, played guitar and piano and synths and percussion on it, produced it, and, after relationships with three different major labels, she’s releasing it on her own label, Idaho Records.

Now the performer who has written for Kylie Minogue comes to the Trades Club this weekend. Tickets from 01422 845265.