Jon Wilks is an acclaimed fingerpicking guitarist, singer of traditional folk songs and broadside ballads from the English repertoire, and songwriter. His background as a journalist (a former editor of Time Out magazine and contributor to Dazed & Confused, The Guardian and other publications) means that he has a great eye/ear for a story, and this shows in his live shows – an amusing mix of folk song performance and storytelling.
He throws in weird and wonderful tidbits about the original singers and collectors that he has unearthed during his substantial writing and podcasting research on traditional folk music in the UK, and his performance is often described as both entertaining and informative.
To date, Jon has recorded four full-length folk albums and one EP. As well as gigging whenever he can, Jon is the founder/editor of the tradfolk.co website, presenter of The Old Songs Podcast.
You can catch the latest episode with Jon and Jennifer here:
Jennifer Reid on ‘The New Bury Loom’
Jennifer Reid is passionate about for broadside ballads. She talks about their history, ballad hawkers, and who might have been singing these songs and why. Her chosen ballad to feature is ‘The Bury New Loom’, Roud V9197.
Sublime Song writing….Wilks is a rather special performer with an authentic and abiding love of traditional song. His enthusiasm for its history, and sheer joy at new discoveries, is palpably irresistible….Above all, it is a bloody good listen” – FRUK Folk Radio
Very much part of the UK’s living folk tradition, Wilks excels at reanimating broadside ballads and antique pieces with a scholar’s ear for vernacular and a dashing sense of verve on fingerpicked guitar – Uncut Magazine
Supported by Jennifer Reid.
Jennifer Reid performs 19th century street song and Lancashire dialect work song. She plays Barb in Shane Meadows’ critically acclaimed period drama The Gallows Pole on BBC 2. JenniferBallads.com
Promoted by EFDSS.
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