Powerhouse musicians to hold special afternoon show in Barnoldswick
For lovers of folk, jazz, blues, singer-songwriters and beautifully crafted acoustic music, Barnoldswick is the place to be on November 7th as Katie Spencer and Alan Thomson headline a special afternoon matinee at the Music & Arts Centre.
As a collective, Spencer and Alan Thomson have created something genuinely unique—a meeting of two generations connected by a profound love and understanding of one extraordinary songwriter, John Martyn.
Their critically acclaimed 2021 EP Hurt In Your Heart reimagined several of Martyn's most treasured songs, not by copying the originals, but by gently opening new emotional landscapes within them. Dreamlike, spacious and beautifully understated, the recordings captured the essence of Martyn's music while allowing Katie's distinctive voice to shine through.
Across a career spanning more than four decades, Martyn went on to inspire generations of artists, including Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, David Gilmour, Nick Drake, Robert Smith, Ben Howard and countless others. Albums such as Bless The Weather, Solid Air, One World and the heartbreaking masterpiece Grace and Danger remain among the most influential recordings ever produced by a British songwriter.
For over two decades, Thomson himself stood shoulder to shoulder with Martyn, becoming far more than simply his bass player. His sublime fretless bass became one of the defining voices within Martyn's music, weaving effortlessly around John's unique guitar style and unmistakable vocals.
Thomson is recognised worldwide as one of Britain's finest fretless bass players. Throughout an extraordinary international career spanning over forty years he has shared stages and studios with an astonishing array of legendary artists including Robert Palmer, Rick Wakeman, The Police’s Andy Summers, Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre, Bo Diddley, The Moody Blues & Wings’ Denny Laine, Long John Baldry, Julia Fordham, Jacqui McShee's Pentangle, John Jorgenson, Hank Marvin, Amos Garrett, Brent Mason and many more. His lyrical, expressive playing has made him one of the most respected musicians in British roots music, admired equally by audiences and fellow performers alike.
As for Spencer, she has quietly become one of the defining voices of modern British folk. Her extraordinary fingerstyle guitar playing, rich expressive voice and sophisticated songwriting have earned widespread critical acclaim, while comparisons with Joni Mitchell, Bert Jansch, Michael Chapman, Judee Sill and Laura Marling hint at the remarkable musical company she now keeps.
Spencer’s growing reputation has seen her headline London's historic St Pancras Old Church, the legendary Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, perform at Cambridge Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, Australia's renowned Port Fairy Folk Festival, tour extensively throughout Europe and Australia, and represent Britain at the prestigious Folk Alliance International in Montreal.
Within the intimate surroundings of Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre, the musicians will bring together their shared love and knowledge for what promises to be a unique performance.Tickets are available at https://www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com/katie-spencer-and-alan-thomson