Jon Bickley is a poet, folk singer and composer. The latest album is his setting of some of John Newton's Olney Hymns, songs of redemption, liberation and the spiritual life.
OLNEY HYMNS
On January 1st 1773 John Newton, the curate in charge at St Peter and St Paul in Olney Buckinghamshire, preached his sermon and as was his habit, he introduced a new hymn to the congregation. It was Amazing Grace. The tune we have come to associate with Newton's words was added later (written by William Walker) and it has gone on to become one of the best known songs ever.
He wrote many hymns to go with his many sermons. He also had a close friendship with poet William Cowper who lived close by in Olney. They combined their sacred writing into a book called The Olney Hymns.
To mark the 250th anniversary of the writing of Amazing Grace I have written music to some of the Olney Hymns and got together with Diana Stone, Annette Burrows, Bob Templeman, David Gunawardana and Alan Garmonsway to record an album called Olney Hymns under the name of Jon Bickley and the Invisible Folk Club Band. The album is available now on CD and all streaming and download services.
Mill Green Museum
Hatfield
Sunday 31st July
(with Bob, Annette and Diana)
Cowper and Newton Museum
Olney
Saturday 27th August
(with Bob, Annette and Diana)
Some of these will be part of a wider programme of events staged by the Cowper and Newton Museum, St.Peter and St.Paul and the United Reform Church in Olney. We are delighted to be taking part in this year long commemoration known as AG250.
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About
Jon Bickley
Jon Bickley is a songwriter, poet, playwright and broadcaster with a love for the rise and fall of language. As a songwriter he sings of love, social justice and the mystical lure of nature in a prolific output. As a poet he is a regular contributor to the “For the many not the few” series as well as several volumes of his own, the latest being "Autumn". As a founder of the Invisible Folk Club podcast and radio show he has interviewed widely and championed many grass roots musicians, film makers and singers. As part of Invisible Folk, Jon has raised funds, commissioned creatives, directed films and written plays and music and staged concerts and discussions.
Jon Bickley and the Invisible Folk Club band have made Under the Same Sky, an album of mostly original songs, nature poems set to music, chant and journey songs. Their goods are laid out on the cover with dreamy verse reference to Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress and the composer Bickley in contemplative, writer pose. The Rain it Raineth every day sets a playful mood, with blues-y violin, a charming song; 'the sky is crying 'cos the earth is hurting so bad', laying the blame with God for sending the flood that is 'here to stay'. The album is an eclectic mix, unpredictable at times, like the weather but nicely so, the natural world is celebrated, strong earthy rhythms, light and dark, with literary and actual rain references throughout. It is a joyful and light sound-scape, good musicianship and singing; / Can Hear Voices is a melodic, ethereal woman-chant interspersed with rain sound, a beautifully meditative piece, and effortless harmonies in Beside Me. One of the great oldies Carrickfergus is pared right back with just guitar accompaniment, brilliant playing, Bickley's interpretation, his timing and cadence, make it a superb rendition. Ghostly ambience and mood in Into the Woods, the woman's lilting voice sweet, warm and flourishing, violin to the fore as it is in Call The Sun, a fine catchy melody here. Russell Eyre on slide guitar, Diana Stone on violin, singers Alexandra Reynolds and Annette Burrows, Bob Templeman on guitar, with poet and composer Jon Bickley on guitar and lead vocals, together they form The Invisible Folk Club band. Appealing to a wide mix of tastes, Under The Same Sky is refreshingly original, good textures and harmonies, good heart and humour, it crosses an array of genres and once live performances begin again, this band should be one to watch out for.
Irish Music Magazine Anne Marie Kennedy
Jon Bickley has developed an enviable reputation over the years as a songwriter of some insight as well as founder of the Invisible Folk Club podcast. RnR
The arrangements are undeniably ragged at times, but the songs prove as bracing as a rain soaked hike through the woodlands on a brisk January dawn. Songwriter, poet podcaster Bickley has written a collection of songs that, alongside a few traditional numbers, seek a kind of communion with the landscape. The relaxed ambiance conjures up memories of those distant days when strangers gathered around a folk club table, glass in hand, to share melodies and stories.
Sunday Times
I thought it was great . . . . . a touch of Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake. Rhythm
Persuasive takes on traditional folk material fRoots
Engaging original compositions . . . great ideas. fRoots
a fine songwriter . . . well crafted songs . . . a real gift for lyricism. RnR
these powerful evocative lyrics deserve your full attention. . . . . swept along by the sheer power of the imagery . . . . . echoes of John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen. Unicorn
Red Kite
Red kite hung from a hook in the sky
not owned by the sky, not owned by the land
still he hangs, daring the sun to burn
Aloof from the moment he left God's hand.
Defying gravity, defying all
shining eye waiting, waiting for movement
he slips off the invisible thermal
and swoops into our world. I duck my head.
The red kite does not write poetry
but is the unconscious poem
all glimpse and gone, all on his own
I busy myself with my pen
hung from a hook in the sky all this time
until my shiny eye detects a rhyme.
Invisible Folk Club Podcast
The Invisible Folk Club builds a platform for grass roots talent. Hosted by Jon Bickley and produced by Steve Yarwood the podcasts include interviews with singers, song collectors, musicians, people who run folk clubs or festivals, poets and politicians. We tell the world about them and they tell the world how they do what they do so we can all improve what we do.
The long running radio show plays the best new releases and specially recorded sessions. Patreon sunscribers get the Album of the Month and Mistletoe magazine delivered every month. Invisible Folk has partnered with museums to contribute films, plays and music to exhibitions and events.
Jon Bickley and Diana Stone
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