MAMA'S FAVOURITE LULLABIES - 4th January 2009

The first version of our lullaby album for adults has proved so popular at the Christmas fairs that we've sold out, but more are on order and if you'd like a copy then please email info@loudmouthmusic with 'Mama's Favourite Lullaby' in the title s

MAMA'S FAVOURITE - 4th January 2009

Look out for our Mama's Favourite Lullaby events. We will be doing some in London, but if you'd like us to come to your area (and your outside London) please go to bookings and we'd be happy to come to your 'Tot's and Toddlers' Class or local play

New Year, New Cheer?

Cast off Christmas wrappings, credit crunch controlled giving -

Feeling - Is this living?

Too much Christmas drear, not enough New Year spirit and yet...

Nothing breeds hope like creativity.

Here in the so-called poverty of "one Christmas lunch and stocking and all the trimmings", trimmer than last year,

We moan about fuel and food and house prices.

The rise and fall, the lack of ready cash to buy,

Wondering why?

Why there's no more free flow of endless credit for possessing possessions.

Passions now pricked by ballooning borrowing,

We land on earth a little bruised but coming to our senses.

There is nothing we can add nor take away,

Just to be, to create not consume,

This will be our legacy.

So writing, like this poem,

Can be my New Year, my new cheer.

May casting off the lies that money buys any ease

Bring you peace this time

In 2009.

Til Next Time,

HJH

Be Myself

Helen J Hicks debut solo album is out now on amazon.co.uk and iTunes, and in HMV Stores, and is also available on www.helenjhicks.com store. A Cambridge Choral Scholar and winner of the Best Newcomer at the 2005 Marlborough Jazz Festival, Helen J Hicks is a "... a Joni Mitchell on the cusp between folk and jazz" Sunday Times.

Helen's passion for music began in her childhood. She began singing at age 3 and by the time she was 8, Helen was playing both piano and guitar. From the age of 10, Helen began writing and composing her own songs. From the humble beginnings of singing around the Christmas Tree, Helen has continued developing as a singer/songwriter through performance and great opportunities.

She has collaborated on songs with Izzy from Guns 'n' Roses while working with Charles Norman in LA, she has sung with the likes of Jazz greats David Okumu and Ian Shaw, and Helen has represented the UK at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. Helen also formed her own Jazz band called KUDU, with local Tanzanian musicians, while living in Dar es Salaam in 2001. KUDU was a huge success, playing at every major event in the city, and appearing on National and South African Television.

Prior to launching this solo album, Helen has recorded 2 albums with her band HoneyRiders and was signed to Universal for their last album. Since then, Helen has launched her own music label LoudMouthMusic Ltd.

Helen J Hicks is performing at various London venues and some regional venues over the summer and beyond These include: The Marlborough Jazz Festival 12th July, Greenbelt Festival 23rd and 24th August, and The 606 Club 7th October, with songs from her new album, 'Helen J Hicks Live at 606' coming soon.

"The album has an overridingly folky, country edge, full of beautiful soaring string arrangements." Irish World, 2007.