The last-minute scramble for Christmas gifts is upon us. Sure, you thought you’d have it all planned out – but somehow it never quite works out that way, does it? But never fear: I’m happy to offer a little help with a couple of stocking-size treats that are bound to please… well, almost anyone you know. Of that I am sure. Read more.
Review of our ‘Dark Rose for Christmas’ show at Manchester Metropolitan University in the online student magazine Humanity Hallows.
By Freddie Bruhin-Price
This week, at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, a sell-out crowd gathered for the final event of this year’s ‘Carol Ann Duffy and Friends’ series. This special Christmas evening included jazz, poetry and a performance from a group of musicians called LiTTLe MACHiNe. Read the full review here
Could poetry provide a Christmas hit this year? The poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has teamed up with Little Machine, a trio of musicians that sets famous and contemporary poems to music, to create Dark Rose for Christmas – 10 album tracks of Christmas poems with musical settings. Little Machine have already added music to a number of the poet laureate’s poems – she has in turn dubbed them “the most brilliant music and poetry band in the world”. Read the full review.
Of course the same old Christmas songs will be blasting this year. John and Yoko, Wizard, and Slade will be grating on us before Crimbo is even over. Carol Ann Duffy and Little Machine have provided something for when this happens, something different and festively twisted…Read the full review of Dark Rose for Christmas in OXHC magazine
Review by Emily Nutbean. (Age 13) for New Writing South
Carol Ann Duffy spoke for around an hour, captivating every single person as she read out her amazing poems; some from the point of view of the wife of a famous man, mythical or real. One of these examples is Mrs. Midas, who is left to deal with the atrocious consequences of her husband’s whimsical wish. Carol Ann Duffy made us laugh and cry; Read more
Here we are, full of mince pies and beer, performing our setting of Shelley’s sonnet at the ram Jam Club in Kingston. This was recorded by Peter Francis at the Rhythm & Muse Christmas Special, December 18, 2014. Unfortunately Steve is out of shot but his piano comes through loud and clear.
Andy J Cash’s review of our album on his Words About Songs blog (May 21 2014)
“Many musicians strive for those perfect lyrics, agonise for hours over a half-rhyme or try to fit their words into a rhythm. A lot of these give up in their pursuit of lyrical impeccability and fill in the gaps with oh’s and nah’s…” Read more