Bridget St. John - Covering My Brothers
(Shagrat Records 10” Vinyl LP ENT 026)
(Shagrat Records 10” Vinyl LP ENT 026)
Following numerous reissues of her impressive back catalogue and various recent live recordings, notably 2019’s Live at the Betsey Trotwood, Shagrat Records are proud to present a themed four-track mini album, Covering My Brothers.
When Bridget started out in the music business in the late 1960s, she had few female allies on the folk and rock circuit. Championed by the late DJ, John Peel, Bridget found herself performing on very male-dominated bills but quickly forged ties with her fellow musicians. Sharing stages with them, Bridget soon proved herself their equal and her encounters with them led to lifelong friendships.
This 10" is her tribute to four of them.
As Bridget says, ‘I grew up with sisters but found my brothers through music … our connections date back decades and lasted for their lifetimes… these are my interpretations of songs written by four of them’.
When Bridget started out in the music business in the late 1960s, she had few female allies on the folk and rock circuit. Championed by the late DJ, John Peel, Bridget found herself performing on very male-dominated bills but quickly forged ties with her fellow musicians. Sharing stages with them, Bridget soon proved herself their equal and her encounters with them led to lifelong friendships.
This 10" is her tribute to four of them.
As Bridget says, ‘I grew up with sisters but found my brothers through music … our connections date back decades and lasted for their lifetimes… these are my interpretations of songs written by four of them’.
Side 1 features her stunning re-imagining of Michael Chapman’s ‘Aviator’ (originally released on his 1970 LP, Fully Qualified Survivor). This 10-minute epic boasts additional words by Bridget which lend the original a more contemporary bent. Originally recorded in celebration of Michael’s 80th birthday, the track additionally features some stellar accompaniment by Sarah Smout on cello and pedal steel guitar supremo, BJ Cole.
Side 2 kicks off with her interpretation of Nick Drake’s ‘Fly’, recorded and released as part of a give-away CD by Mojo Magazine in 2018. A highlight of Drake’s 1970 sophomore LP, Bryter Layter, Bridget takes this at a gentler pace and brings her inimitable warm vocal style to the fore. Lovely!
John Martyn’s ‘Head and Heart’ is up next. Unlike the other cuts, this gem was originally done as a demo for her 1974 Jumblequeen album and was only rediscovered last summer, when John’s daughter, Mhairi McGeachy found a lost tape in her late dad’s archive. It’s an absolutely enchanting rendition of the song John cut for Bless the Weather.
‘Jolie Madame’ by Kevin Ayers rounds things off. Recorded live at Epsilon Spires in Vermont in 2023 and sensitively accompanied by David Nagler on piano, Bridget breathes new life into this chanson the ex-Soft Machine guitarist first performed on 1976’s Odd Ditties. And how comfortable she sounds singing in French. No surprise you’ll learn that Bridget has a degree in the language!
Bridget plays a short tour of the American West Coast at the beginning of April and will be back in her native UK to play the Folk East Festival on 16th August and the Betsey Trotwood on 17th August. More UK dates TBA.
Covering My Brothers
Bridget St. John
(Shagrat Records 10” Vinyl LP ENT 026)
Side 1:
1. Aviator
Side 2:
2. Fly
3. Head and Heart
4. Jolie Madame
Plays at 331/3 rpm
Please Note: If you are ordering from other parts of the world or you want to buy multiple copies of the above (or copies of other Shagrat releases at the same time) please contact us here: shagratrecordsuk@gmail.com
Side 2 kicks off with her interpretation of Nick Drake’s ‘Fly’, recorded and released as part of a give-away CD by Mojo Magazine in 2018. A highlight of Drake’s 1970 sophomore LP, Bryter Layter, Bridget takes this at a gentler pace and brings her inimitable warm vocal style to the fore. Lovely!
John Martyn’s ‘Head and Heart’ is up next. Unlike the other cuts, this gem was originally done as a demo for her 1974 Jumblequeen album and was only rediscovered last summer, when John’s daughter, Mhairi McGeachy found a lost tape in her late dad’s archive. It’s an absolutely enchanting rendition of the song John cut for Bless the Weather.
‘Jolie Madame’ by Kevin Ayers rounds things off. Recorded live at Epsilon Spires in Vermont in 2023 and sensitively accompanied by David Nagler on piano, Bridget breathes new life into this chanson the ex-Soft Machine guitarist first performed on 1976’s Odd Ditties. And how comfortable she sounds singing in French. No surprise you’ll learn that Bridget has a degree in the language!
Bridget plays a short tour of the American West Coast at the beginning of April and will be back in her native UK to play the Folk East Festival on 16th August and the Betsey Trotwood on 17th August. More UK dates TBA.
Covering My Brothers
Bridget St. John
(Shagrat Records 10” Vinyl LP ENT 026)
Side 1:
1. Aviator
Side 2:
2. Fly
3. Head and Heart
4. Jolie Madame
Plays at 331/3 rpm
Please Note: If you are ordering from other parts of the world or you want to buy multiple copies of the above (or copies of other Shagrat releases at the same time) please contact us here: shagratrecordsuk@gmail.com
Price: £21
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As a special deal, we are offering Bridget's new 10" for a limited period for £21 plus relevant P&P
PLUS if you purchase it from the Shagrat site, you will additionally received a free MP3 of a live version of the spiritual, 'Lazarus', a long time staple of Bridget's live set (the song originally appeared on 1969's Top Gear LP and 1972's Thank You For).
Usually sung with Bridget rhythmically tapping the body of her guitar, this version features instead some magnificent guitar playing from the late Michael Chapman and his virtuoso accompaniment really pushes Bridget's vocal delivery to new heights. Very fine indeed.
PLUS if you purchase it from the Shagrat site, you will additionally received a free MP3 of a live version of the spiritual, 'Lazarus', a long time staple of Bridget's live set (the song originally appeared on 1969's Top Gear LP and 1972's Thank You For).
Usually sung with Bridget rhythmically tapping the body of her guitar, this version features instead some magnificent guitar playing from the late Michael Chapman and his virtuoso accompaniment really pushes Bridget's vocal delivery to new heights. Very fine indeed.