Bill Caddick

"Sunny Memories" 1977
"Reasons Briefly Set Down ..." 1978

A veteran of England's folk-rock scene since the 1960s, Bill Caddick has made his greatest impact as a songwriter. His tunes have been covered by June Tabor, Alex Campbell, Christy Moore, Peter Rowan, Gordon Bok, Cherish the Ladies, Priscilla Herdman, Prudence Johnson, Jean Redpath, and John Kirkpatrick and used as the soundtracks of numerous musical plays produced by the National Theater and Granada TV. Caddick's five solo albums, Rough Music, Sunny Memories, Reasons Briefly Set Down, The Wild West Show, and Winter With Flowers, are balanced by a variety of collaborations. He joined with the Albion Band to provide the music for National Theater productions Larkwise and The Passion, and worked with British musicians Peter Bond and Tim Laycock in an informal trio that continues to occasionally perform. As a founding member of British folk-rock band Home Service, Caddick recorded three memorable albums, Doing the Inglish, Home Service, and Alright Jack, in the early '80s.

Singing in British folk clubs since the early-'60s, Caddick focused on organizing and performing at folk festivals until 1973, when he joined a puppet/street theater group called Magic Lantern. Leaving to embark on a solo career two years later, he recorded his debut solo album, Rough Music, in 1975. Caddick's involvement with theater began when he rewrote the music of his second album, Sunny Memories, for a show that premiered at the Roundhouse in London and continued to be performed during a subsequent tour. Although he maintained his solo career, Caddick became increasingly involved with collaborations. After working with the Albion Band in 1977, and the trio Bond, Caddick & Laycock in the late '70s, he helped to form Home Service in 1981. He remained with the group until resuming his solo career with his fourth album, The Wild West Show, in 1985. Temporarily relocating to London in the late '80s, Caddick released a limited-edition cassette, Urban Legend. He recorded his fifth solo album, Winter With Flowers, shortly after returning to his homeland in the midlands. Currently residing in Shropshire, Caddick continues to perform as a soloist and with the Jackfield Riverbillies. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

Sample pic of "Sunny Memories": 1, 2

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