home biography music gigs contact mike Stone by Stone - Mike Nicholson To order Stone by Stone see contact mike "It's a good listen, a good resource and a good buy" Tykes News, Yorkshire The Songs: William Stone - Graeme Miles Graeme told me that William Stone was based on an actual character who lived in Billingham in the North East. In my mind's eye I can see this old man in a Pub, eyes a'twinkle, pipe and pint in hand, an old lurcher curled at his feet, with a spellbound audience engrossed in his stories. Sadly so many of these characters have gone now. Listen to a clip RealAudio - Windows Media - MP3 (download) The Empty Echoes - Alan Burbidge Taken from the singing of Jeff Wesley this story of the mechanisation of ploughing to me epitomises the sacrifice of community and the connected way of life on the twin altars of speed and greed. Jeannie C - Stan Rogers Objects can sometimes take on such a significance that they seem to define our roots and when they are lost the very fabric of our life is destroyed. Merry Little Hop - Graeme Miles A drinking song from Graeme's collection of songs entitled "Across Kentish Acres". Graeme expressly asked that this song be dedicated to Faversham Folk Club where he received such a warm welcome the last time he toured his Kentish roots. White Squall - Stan Rogers The narrator's reaction to the loss of the "kid" in a storm on the Great Lakes in Canada to me describes the feeling of inadequacy, guilt and frustration that can follow personal tragedy. Listen to a clip RealAudio - Windows Media - MP3 (download) Some Rival Has Stolen My True Love Away - Traditional A traditional song collected by Lucy Broadwood from a Surrey farm labourer called Lough. I found this in a book called "Miss Broadwood's Delight" edited by Lewis Jones. When All Men Sing - Scowcroft / Gifford I first heard this in 1989 and have been singing it ever since. The world would be a better place if we lived our llives in the way set out in the chorus. A great song thanks to Scowie and Giff. The Song of The Riddles (Child 46) - Traditional This song is also known as Captain Wetherburn's lament or Captain Wetherburn's Courtship. The version here is taken from the singing of Willie Clancy in "The Voice of the People" anthology, a tale of lust and flirtation. The Day Me Whippet Wouldn't Run - Dave Brocksopp The origins and words of this song almost force the singer into at least the hint of a Geordie accent and despite the fact that I am a southerner I couldn't resist singing it, although I still consider Dave's original version to be definitive. Home Lads Home - Cicely Fox-Smith / Sarah Morgan I first heard this song many years ago when I stumbled across this country's best kept secret, the "folk scene". Although it has been recorded often it's still very popular and requested at many of my gigs. I felt I could not leave it out. Corpse Way - Allen Miller A description of the Swaledale funeral procession route to Grinton which was once the only piece of consecrated ground in that part of North Yorkshire. My idea of a mobile English Wake or how life should be celebrated not mourned. Hell Bound Boat - Tony O'Neill This reminds me of mist rolling over the canal on a crisp morning in late April, a hot drink in hand cutting through that morning after feeling. Thanks for the song Tony and all the shared canal trips. The Field Behind The Plough - Stan Rogers A powerful story of a man's struggle against the elements, perhaps even more poignant now because of the current state of our farming industry. Stone By Stone - John McCutcheon My wife Barbara found the original of this song and it took almost two and a half years for it to metamorphose into its present form. Its popularity and philosophy of "Let's take down all barriers and live as one" made it the obvious choice as the title track. Listen to a clip RealAudio - Windows Media - MP3 (download) C.D. Reviews - Stone by Stone "Everything about it is just right - Mike's unpretentious and extremely relaxed voice, the excellent choice of material, the uncluttered production, the use of additional musicians and vocals when only really appropriate, the clear and simple artwork - they're all first class. An object lesson for anyone contemplating producing their own CD" Jim Marshall - Sussex Folk Diary. "This is an album full of lovely material obviously chosen by a man who loves songs. By that I mean he sings the song, not just the tune, and that's not so common as you might think" Roy Harris "You know that warm comfortable feeling that makes you feel everything's OK in a folk club with the likes of Don Shepherd, Nic Jones or Tom Paxton singing with friends who don't care which century they are in, Mike fits effortlessly into that picture. Listen and ponder....". What's On in Kent "This is a cosy sort of album just right for winter listening and a worthwhile addition to your collection". Folk on Tap, Southern Counties "Mike does an impressive job in matching Stan Rogers' fearsome range on White Squall. Good honest singing. I guarantee it will be a big seller" Surrey Folk Diary "I was won over by Mike's warm mellow voice. Mike should be very pleased with his work, I enjoyed it" Buzz Magazine, Lancashire "It's a good listen, a good resource and a good buy" Tykes News, Yorkshire top>