John Richards (songwriter)
Encyclopedia
- This page relates to the UK musician and songwriter. For other people named John Richards, see John RichardsJohn RichardsJohn Richards may refer to:*John Richards , Irish judge*John Richards , Bishop of St David's*John Richards , Bishop of Ebbsfleet...
John Richards is a UK singer, songwriter, guitarist, mandolinist and bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
player. He was born 1951 in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
and subsequently raised in the Coseley
Coseley
Coseley is a town located mostly within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in the English West Midlands. Part of the Black Country, it lies south east of Wolverhampton and north of Dudley....
area (like his contemporary Bill Caddick
Bill Caddick
Bill Caddick is an English folk singer-songwriter and guitarist, particularly noted for his songwriting and as a member of the innovative and influential group Home Service.-Career outline:...
) in the UK Black Country
Black Country
The Black Country is a loosely defined area of the English West Midlands conurbation, to the north and west of Birmingham, and to the south and east of Wolverhampton. During the industrial revolution in the 19th century this area had become one of the most intensely industrialised in the nation...
. He is principally known for his songs covered by other artists, but has gigged regularly both solo and with his various bands (see discography below). He now regularly works on the UK folk circuit with his own band and occasionally in a duo with his daughter, singer Emma Nijs. Based for many years in the West Midlands, he now divides his time between rural Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
and the South Hams
South Hams
South Hams is a local government district on the south coast of Devon, England with its headquarters in the town of Totnes. It contains the towns of Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge, Salcombe — the largest of which is Ivybridge with a population of 16,056....
area of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
from which much of his recent songwriting has sprung.
John Richards' song "Hallsands" (from "Walls Of Hope") was used during early 2007 as the theme music of a BBC Devon radio drama production marking the 90th anniversary of the Hallsands disaster.
Recordings by other artists of John Richards' songs
- "Did You Like The Battle" Paul DownesPaul DownesPaul Downes is an English folk guitarist, singer and composer. He has appeared on eight albums with bands, three highly acclaimed solo albums and has over 150 session credits...
(Still Life and Life Restored, 2002)(jointly composed with Bev PeggBev PeggBev Pegg is a UK vocalist, guitarist and comedian from the Black Country. He was born in 1941 in Halesowen, and lived in Cradley in his early years....
) - "Honour and Praise" Fairport ConventionFairport ConventionFairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
(Gladys' LeapGladys' LeapGladys' Leap is a folk rock album by Fairport Convention originally released in August 1985. It was recorded in April and May 1985 at Woodworm Studios, Barford St. Michael, Oxfordshire, UK...
, 1985) - "The Deserter" Simon NicolSimon NicolSimon John Breckenridge Nicol is a guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He was a founder member of British folk rock, or electric folk group Fairport Convention and is the only founding member still in the band...
(Before Your Time, 1987) - "How Do You Sleep" Simon NicolSimon NicolSimon John Breckenridge Nicol is a guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He was a founder member of British folk rock, or electric folk group Fairport Convention and is the only founding member still in the band...
(Consonant Please Carol, 1992) - "The Deserter" Fairport ConventionFairport ConventionFairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
(XXXVXXXV (album)XXXV is a 2001 album by Fairport Convention, subtitled "The 35th Anniversary Album".-Track listing:# "Madeleine" - 4:23# "My Love Is in America" - 4:43...
: 1967-2002 The 35th Anniversary Album, 2001) - "Roaring Water Bay" Show Of HandsShow of HandsShow of Hands is an English acoustic roots and folk duo comprising singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer. In recent years they have been accompanied on tour and in the studio by jazz double-bassist Miranda Sykes.-Origins:...
(Covers, 2004)(jointly composed with Dave Jones) - "If You Can Walk You Can Dance" Bram Taylor (Song Singer, 2007)
- "The Deserter" Michael Black (Michael Black, 2007)
- "Honour and Praise" Paul DownesPaul DownesPaul Downes is an English folk guitarist, singer and composer. He has appeared on eight albums with bands, three highly acclaimed solo albums and has over 150 session credits...
& Phil BeerPhil BeerPhil Beer is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and one half of English acoustic roots duo Show of Hands.-Biography:...
(Live At Nettlebed, 2007) - "The Deserter" Robert Lawrence (The Journey Home, 2010)
- "Honour and Praise" Mudhook (First Home, 2010)
John Richards Band Recordings
- If You Can Walk, You Can Dance (EP) (2005)
- Walls Of Hope (2006)
- For Love Nor Money (2008)
Other Group Recordings
- (with Brindley Brae) Village Music (LP, 1973)
- (with Bev PeggBev PeggBev Pegg is a UK vocalist, guitarist and comedian from the Black Country. He was born in 1941 in Halesowen, and lived in Cradley in his early years....
And Friends) Away From The Sand (LP 1975) - (with Maurice And The Minors) Run By The Moon (LP, 1987)
- (with Desperate Men) Third Light (1997)
- (with Desperate Men) New Tricks (2000)