Never one to stand still too long, Newcastle legend Billy Mitchell – think Jack the Lad, Lindisfarne, Pitmen Poets, duo with Bob Fox and Lindisfarne Story,- having just completed a tour with said Poets, you might expect him to rest a while. Not a chance. He’s released news that tells of another Pitmen Poets jaunt around the country in 2026, expected dates with Bob Fox in October and an expedition with The Lindisfarne Story next year. The Story Band have a new CD celebrating ‘Fog On The Tyne’ out – recommended by SE’s newsdesk – you’ll know all the words no doubt! Buy one and singalong.
Meanwhile in the midst of all that, Billy’s reconnecting with his most recent solo album, the splendid ‘Devil’s Ground,’ which celebrates the mining heritage of the north east, his own family’s part in it and the difficult graft of employment in the mines. “It was work that was hard, back breaking, but made men proud and communities flourished. I would have been a miner if music hadn’t claimed me,” he once related to this writer.
As a reminder to those already on board or to newer devotees who haven’t as yet been aware of his musical handiwork under his own name, subscribers to Billy’s newsletter can download the title track of ‘Devil’s Ground’ for free. As you might expect we’ve done it already and guess what’s playing as we type these words? One guess…. you got it Hawkeye. Billy Mitchell!
Do yourself a favour and check out his group activity and that under his own name. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it before.
lindisfarnestory.co.uk
bobfoxmusic.com
thepitmenpoets.co.uk
billymitchell.co.uk
Should keep you busy!
