*** NEWS JUST IN**** Jez Lowe has been nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the UK as 'Folksinger of the Year'. More info at www.jezlowe.com JEZ LOWE and THE BAD PENNIES 'DOOLALLY' Tantobie Records TTRCD 105 - CD only (Burnside Distribution) Street Date - 6th September 2004 USA (20th July 2004 UK) Tantobie Records are pleased to announce the latest recording from Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies, entitled DOOLALLY, Lowe's fourteenth album of original songs since his debut in 1980, and one that marks the fifteenth year of existence for his band The Bad Pennies. Originally a part-time backing group, formed as a side-line to a successful full-time solo career, The Bad Pennies' success has taken over the bulk of Jez's touring and recording time in recent years. This new album features the latest and most lauded line-up for some time, featuring, alongside Jez on vocals, guitar, cittern and harmonica, Kate Bramley on vocals and 5-string violin, Andy May on smallpipes, whistle, piano and accordeon, and Sean Taylor on vocals and 5-string bass. The new album, DOOLALLY, features 12 new original Jez Lowe songs, and demonstrates that very versatility of the band which is so entertaining and astounding in their "live" shows. Jez handles all but one of the lead vocals, with Kate taking the lead on the longtime concert-favourite REGINA INSIDE. Instrumentation extends to mandolin (on VIKINGS), to Irish Pipes and dulcimer (on PENITENT'S LENT) and there's even an oustanding acapella track (GULL'S EYE). The songs themselves cover Jez's regional ties to the North East of England for which he is best known (SUGAR WATER SUNDAY, KEEP THEM BAIRNS AWAY and DONNINI DOOLALLY) but extend to encompass a much more worldly view, as befits a band who's touring has taken them to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Holland, Switzerland and the USA in the last year alone! Songs such as CALICO ( about a California gold mine), THE FAN DANCER'S DAUGHTER (inspired by an Australian friend of the group) and the universal outlook of BLOODSTAINED show a side to Jez's writing that has always been there (witness 1988's ballad "Yankee Boots", recently covered by The McCalmans, or 1997's "Spitting Cousins", recently recorded by American duo Four Shillings Short), but has tended to be overshadowed by his strong regional associations. For DOOLALLY, Jez and The Bad Pennies have gone for a much more acoustic sound than on their last two Tantobie studio releases, 1998's THE PARISH NOTICES and 2002's HONESTY BOX. Kate Bramley's role as both vocalist and violinist has given a much more lyrical slant to the musical backing, and in Andy May, they have not only a champion Northumbrian Pipe maestro to bring an organic yet thrilling sound to the group, but also someone who as a gifted pianist with jazz and funk leanings, brings a swing and a spirit to the overall sound, especially in a concert situation. Sean Taylor's agile yet subtle bass playing is a much sought-after commodity in his native Northumberland, and it lends a perfect undercurrent to The Bad Pennies' rootsy Northern English sound. The band has invited their old mate Bob Fox, who himself has recorded a brace of Jez Lowe compositions on his recent successful solo albums, to lend his skill as a harmony vocalist on several tracks, cementing a friendship with Jez that goes back over twenty years. DOOLALLY also sees Jez returning to Northern Recording Studios in Consett, County Durham, where he worked on his 1994 album-project "Banners", and where the band's 2000 double album "Live at the Davy Lamp" was mixed. London's TIME OUT magazine describes The Bad Pennies' sound as "Acoustic simplicity coupled with electric vitality", and never was this more appropriate than on this new album, DOOLALLY. TANTOBIE RECORDS 1733 " H" Street, Suite 330, PMB 616, Blaine, WA 98231 email: info@jezlowe.com *www.jezlowe.com Phone: Tim Readman (604) 874-8895 What the press are saying about Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies: 'One of the hottest acts around' Daily Telegraph 'Some of the greatest contemporary English folk songs since early Richard Thompson are coming from the pen of Jez Lowe' Boston Globe 'An excellent matching of old and new' Q magazine 'the best songwriter to come out of England in a long time' RICHARD THOMPSON 'the work of a songwriter at the top of his game' Irish World 'Their new album is one of the freshest of this or any other year' Time Out 'first rate musicians combine to produce the special moments that are difficult to define but easy to experience' The Living Tradition 'musical variety, passion, intelligence, keen observation and instantly memorable tunes' Folk Roots TANTOBIE RECORDS 1733 " H" Street, Suite 330, PMB 616, Blaine, WA 98231 email: info@jezlowe.com *www.jezlowe.com Phone: Tim Readman (604) 874-8895 TANTOBIE RECORDS 1733 " H" Street, Suite 330, PMB 616, Blaine, WA 98231 email: info@jezlowe.com *www.jezlowe.com JEZ LOWE Jez Lowe, best known for his songs describing the mining culture, society and people of his native Northeast England, is a busy performer in high demand, with annual tours to the United States and Canada and frequent tours to Australia and New Zealand. Born to a coal mining family with Irish roots, Jez was raised and still lives in an area close to the English/Scottish border where coal mining was the dominant occupation. He is Durham's Composer in Residence and has often been commissioned to write songs that chronicle important events in the locale. These have included the closing of the coal mines; the last Big Meeting Day (a gala fair in the mining community); the beginning of the new millennium; and most recently the reclaiming of coastal land from pollution & mining residue. He is a remarkable song-smith using wit, warmth, sensitivity, and keen perception, to paint colourful portraits of ordinary people with ordinary lives whom may be specific to Northeast England, but through Jez's eyes and verse become universal characters. His songs have been covered by The Fairport Convention, The Tanahill Weavers, The Black Family, The Dubliners, Gordon Bok, Cherish the Ladies, Bob Fox and a host of other acts in America, Canada, Australia and the UK. He has recently released 'Honesty Box', his 13th full length album which was 'one of the top ten albums of 2002', BBC Radio 2 Folk show. Most recently Jez hosted the high profile Three Nations Tour, an international touring collaboration with James Keelaghan (CAN) and Kristina Olsen (USA) that has taken UK audiences by storm in Nov 2003. Jez and the band were joined on stage by the guests all playing the full night together with stunning results. TANTOBIE RECORDS 1733 " H" Street, Suite 330, PMB 616, Blaine, WA 98231 email: info@jezlowe.com *www.jezlowe.com Phone: Tim Readman (604) 874-8895 TANTOBIE RECORDS 1733 " H" Street, Suite 330, PMB 616, Blaine, WA 98231 email: info@jezlowe.com *www.jezlowe.com THE BAD PENNIES: Jez Lowe's band, The Bad Pennies, have been one of the high points on the British and international folk scene for over a decade. The current line-up have toured as far afield as the USA, Canada, and Australia in the last 18months, as well as a hectic gig and concert schedule in the UK, Holland, Switzerland and Austria. On fiddle and vocals is Kate Bramley, from York. Kate is a member of the US folk/ bluegrass outfit Sweetgrass, and also has two solo recordings to her credit. She also runs her own theatre company from her base in Yorkshire. Andy May from Gateshead on Tyne joined the band in 2002 playing Northumbrian Pipes, whistles, piano and accordion. Andy gives a delicious celtic twist to the band sound and has just released his debut album on Fellside records, which features none other than Kathryn Tickell, and is being well received across the country. The newest addition to the band in May 2004 is Sean Taylor on fretless bass, percussion and backing vocals. From Northumberland, Sean is signed to Green Linnet Records with celtic band Cuig and has toured extensively with various projects, even for a time as Musical Director for the Drifters! At the present time the band are touring a brand new CD, Doolally' that is Jez Lowe's 14th studio album. As well tours of the UK, the band will travel as far Australia, USA and Europe before 2005 is out. TANTOBIE RECORDS 1733 " H" Street, Suite 330, PMB 616, Blaine, WA 98231 email: info@jezlowe.com *www.jezlowe.com Phone: Tim Readman (604) 874-8895