My music

My likes in music are very varied. I love Elgar as much as early-60s American folk/rock, the Beach Boys as much as brass bands, but my favourite of all is Jake Thackray

Never heard of him? Not surprised. Jake seemed quiet and shy and never sought the acclaim lesser-talented artistes strive for, so he remained out of the national limelight for much of his 25 year-plus professional singing career. Anyway, funny folk singers are not in vogue. But he was, in my opinion, heads, shoulders, chest, knees and ankles above any other British folk singer/songwriter of recent years, a true chansonnier.. His songs - and his translations of Georges Brassens’ - are very humourous, pithy and (largely) evocative or a northern world, and his humour dry and Yorkshire-laconic.

And of course, he was not only performing man, but Leeds-man, too, teaching for some years in west Leeds, and still, in his later recordings and appearances at least, his Leeds accent. And if you are unfortunate enough not to be at least-Yorkshire born and bred (Loiner preferred!), then just listen to Jake (the LobsterPot CDs are well worth buying) to hear a wonderful accent, an accent in which this whole site should be read!

His tribute show, for Jake sadly died in late-2002, is Sister Josephine Kicks The Habit, a hilariously funny must-see. I saw an early performance at the Leeds City Varieties in summer 2004 - the same performance that appears on DVD - pictures of this original production are below.

Maybe you remember Jake from the BBC TV That’s Life series, or maybe you saw him live at a folk club. Or maybe not. But if you didn’t get to an original Sister Josephine performance, do buy the DVD and enjoy the best laugh, and the best music, for miles around. And I see now that the show is to be re-worked - with writer Alan Plater, no less - before touring again.. So the SisJo DVD is a unique and not-to-be-repeated record, and hopefully the new show will be even better, if that is possible!