Welcome to the Chris Foster Web site!!
Your comments and suggestions are welcome. If you have any items that you feel may be of interest to readers of this site please E-mail Chris at greenmanproductions@fsmail.net
Site Last Updated : 25 April 2007

For day to day information about Chris’ activities go to his Myspace pages at

www.myspace.com/chrisfosterfolk and
www.myspace.com/funireykjavik

NEWS FOR SUMMER 2008

Main news is the release of OUTSIDERS my 6th solo CD was released on May Day, which even in these cynical, post-modern times still seems an auspicious day to me.  The CD has been a long time in the preparation and with a selection of plucked, bowed and hit strings on most of the songs, marks a significant development from my previous recorded work where the emphasis has been on solo voice and guitar. 

Recording the CD was great fun and I was lucky to be working with a great engineer in Joe Broughton and with some great musical friends Val Regan, fiddle & vocals; Trevor Lines, double bass, hammer dulcimer & bass hammer dulcimer; Bára Grímsdóttir, kantele & vocals; Ruth Angell, viola & fiddle; Laura Fiddaman, cello; Fraser Speirs, harmonica and, as well as sitting behind the desk, Joe Broughton on mandolin.

OUTSIDERS has already received a lot of enthusiastic comments ‘Not a duff track on it’ ‘...what a fantastic album Outsiders is  - you're in great voice and singing brilliantly and the uitar/fiddle work is superb - fitting and not overpowering.’   – Mike Harding BBC Radio 2 folk programme.

‘Very impressive’  ‘It’s never too late to make your best album’ Ian Anderson Editor fROOTS magazine. 

‘...I am bowled over. This could be the best album of Chris's long career; thoughtful, passionate, intelligent, nerve-jangling performances.’ Vic Smith, reviewer and folk club organiser.

‘…I already love it lots! Inspired idea to include Brother Can You Spare A Dime and I think Sir Aldinger is extraordinary, totally gripping all the way through.’  Colin Irwin, folk music journalist and author.

OUTSIDERS has 11 tracks drawn from traditional and current sources.  They range from new versions of classic big ballads such as The Cruel Mother via little known ballads and songs such as Sir Aldingar and The Man You Don’t Meet Every Day to the very best of contemporary writing by the likes of Leon Rosselson – Song of the Olive Tree and Sally Goldsmith – Trespassers Will Be Celebrated. 
 
The CD comes presented in a beautifully designed 3 fold digipak featuring an original handpainted design by Chris and including a 20 page booklet with full lyrics and notes about all the songs.

You can listen to some SAMPLE TRACKS at:  www.myspace.com/chrisfosterfolk

JULY 2008

Common Ground on the Hill, Westminster, Maryland, USA.  This is my 3rd visit to this fantastic week long summer school and festival featuring the cream of the USA’s traditional artists from a range of cultural backgrounds.  I will be teaching a daily class on ‘English Style Guitar’; working on song accompaniment using a range of tunings, including standard tuning.  I will also be assisting my partner Bára Grímsdóttir in her Icelandic song workshop.

We will also be playing at the Common Ground Festival (12th – 13th July) Full details at:  www.commongroundonthehill.org


SEE CHRIS 'LIVE' AT:

AUGUST 2008

Siglufjörð, Iceland

Concert with Chris and Bára featuring a new set of photographic projections, drawn from archival sources and Chris and Bára’s own growing photograph library.

SEPTEMBER 2008

Chris will be on tour in England as one half of the duo FUNI with his partner Bára Grímsdóttir.  They will be performing their usual mix of traditional songs from England and Iceland accompanied on Guitar, Kantele and the two traditional Icelandic instruments Langspil and Icelandic Fiðla.  They will also be leading a series of workshops for schools in Wiltshire.
Dates for public performances so far confirmed:

Wednesday 24th September – Faversham, Kent
Friday 26th September – Black Diamond Folk Club, Birmingham
Sunday 28th September – Dursley, Gloucestershire
Tuesday 30th September – Ripponden, Yorkshire

It is hoped that there will also be a workshop and concert in Sheffield on Saturday 27th September.  For updates and full details go to:  www.myspace.com/chrisfosterfolk