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.
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 "The Rope". 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.
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
For Me
For me, writing poetry
is not the gentle preoccupation,
the pleasant diversion,
the distraction from the world's troubles
or even a description of them.
For me, writing poetry
is a rope let down by a passing ship
into a storm tossed ocean
where I am at once
buoyed up and submerged
floating and drowning
where my face is covered
and my mouth is full of salt.
For me poetry is not a choice
The dread chair and desk
calls me to face the truth
that without poetry
we are all drowning
all the time.
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.