"Live in Lichfield" review...

This rather nice review – translated from the original German – of the recent “Live in Lichfield” EP was published a few days ago on the Vanbauseneick website.
 
Many thanks to Matthias Bosenick.
 

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Beau – Live In Lichfield – Fruits De Mer Records 2025

Published on October 14, 2025

 

By Matthias Bosenick (October 14, 2025)

Playing his twelve-string guitar alone, Beau, alias Trevor Midgley from Leeds, performed some of his folk songs at the Lichfield Festival in 2012. This was the first gig promoted by the Fruits De Mer label, and the label is now expressing its gratitude by releasing four tracks from this performance on eight-inch vinyl. Beau also gained notoriety because, in 1969, he was one of the first artists to release on Dandelion Records—John Peel's label.

 

Listening to this recording, you'd imagine yourself in a pub: English-style folk, performed solely on guitar, in a restrained but emphatic mid-range voice—the classic guitarist who accompanies drunkenness, you might think—but Beau doesn't bring infectious, participatory music here. His songs are reflective, internalized, in typical English style, with what feels like an endless number of verses—which isn't true—and accompanied by a crystal-clear guitar, which he pushes into the background of his vocals as needed or energetically brings to the fore as a focal point. Although he doesn't generate any ostentatious gimmicks, he doesn't simply strum the instrument either. Beau demands that you listen, and the audience obeys enthusiastically.

 

Lichfield, West Midlands, Staffordshire—you have to be familiar with that area, and that's not even close to Walton-on-Thames, where the Fruits De Mer label is based. That's where Beau, now 79, performed 13 years ago. The man is not that well known on the continent, although his 1969 single "1917 Revolution" was the second release on John Peel's Dandelion label. The song sounds not dissimilar to those on "Live In Lichfield", and there is a certain consistency to that.

 

However, his obviously best known song, "The Roses Of Eyam", was recorded in 1975 under the alias John Trevor and only released it in 2007. Today it is available via Cold Spring Records, the industrial neofolk label. Cherry Red is the other label that is concerned with his oeuvre, a more wavy environment. Now the psychedelic artists Fruits de Mer, and despite the various genres, his music has changed nothing: simply a man with his twelve-string, singing English folk songs.

"The S Factor" of 5th October - now on Mixcloud...

For those who missed Steve Wood’s rather fine “The S Factor” show of 5^th October on Mrs Yarrington’s Radio (in which he included “Today Began A Thousand Years Ago” from “The Way It Was” LP); the programme’s also now playing out on Mixcloud. 

Check it out and enjoy!

Beau on Mrs Yarrington's Radio...

Friends addicted to the excellent Mrs Yarrington’s Radio don’t need me to tell them about “The ‘S’ Factor” with Steve Wood!

 
However, in tonight’s 9pm show, I’m reliably informed Steve will be playing a song of mine, recently featured on the Fruits de Mer “Beau – Live in Lichfield” EP! 

The even better news is the show will have a repeat outing at 4pm tomorrow afternoon (Monday). 

Take it from me; an hour of splendid music is guaranteed!

"Influences" Radio show - chat audio...

For those who didn’t catch Chris McGranaghan’s “Influences” show on Lionheart Radio last Wednesday night, they’ve just posted the “chat audio” from the show
 
This is just an edit of the audio – no music – so there are a couple of linkage abnormalities. But it might be of interest.
 
Thanks as always to Chris; and enjoy!

"Influences" radio show on Mixcloud (with Part 1 of the Beau interview)...

Many thanks to Chris McGranaghan of Lionheart Radio for all the chat and plays on his last night’s “Influences” show. 

Aside from my shy and retiring self, there were some truly memorable tracks (including my old label-mate, Bridget St John). 

Thanks again, Chris!

Beau on Lionheart Radio...

I would humbly draw to your attention Chris McGranaghan’s “Influences” show, tonight at 8pm on Lionheart Radio. 

You won’t want to miss this! A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

"Beau - Live in Lichfield" - SOLD OUT!

I’m sincerely sorry to those who are now missing out, but all copies of the Fruits de Mer “Beau – Live in Lichfield” EP and signed poster have now been sold.
 
Many thanks as always for your support!

"Beau - Live in Lichfield" - some good news...

It’s great news Fruits de Mer Records have sold out of the “Beau – Live in Lichfield” EP through pre-order, prior to its date of release (today!).
 
I’m told the disc was way over-subscribed, and that therefore there have been quite a few disappointed fans and collectors out there.

There is however SOME GOOD NEWS!
 
I do have a VERY small personal supply of these 8-inch lathe-cut discs; also the signed A3 reprints of the original gig poster.
 
It has to be on a first come, first served basis, but I am offering two packages (UK only, I’m afraid):
 
Package One is the EP and poster exactly as sold by Fruits de Mer (i.e. £15.00 + £2.00 shipping).
 
Package Two is the EP and poster, plus a signed copy of “The Way It Was”, the original Ritual Echo Records LP the gig was set up to launch. Package Two will be £25.00 + £5.00 shipping.
 
Please email me at cjtmidgley@gmail.com to reserve your package or to enquire about availability.
 
Good luck, and many thanks to those who’ll shortly be receiving their copy from FdM. I hope you enjoy it.

Beau - "Live in Lichfield" SOLD OUT; however...

As you’ll see from Fruits de Mer’s website, the limited edition lathe-cut EP “Beau – Live in Lichfield” is now SOLD OUT!
 
However, there might be a small crumb of comfort next week for at least a few of those who were unlucky in the draw.
 
Keep watching this space…

Beau on Lionheart Radio...

Something for the diary!
 
On his Lionheart Radio “Influences” show last evening, Chris McGranaghan announced his next two shows (respectively on the 17^th September and 1^st October) will feature parts one & two of an extended Q&A we’ve recorded over the last week.
 
With music and chat totalling around 45 minutes, it’s beautifully timed to coincide with the release of the Beau “Live in Lichfield” EP, due out from Fruits de Mer Records later this month.
 

So, bookmark this link for the first helping at 8pm on Wednesday 17^th September. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Lionheart Radio plays "The Way It Was"...

Many thanks to Chris McGranaghan for playing “The Way It Was” (from the original vinyl album of the same name) on his Lionheart Radio show last evening.

Much obliged, Chris!

Register for the "Live in Lichfield" ballot!

The “register for the ballot” at Fruits de Mer Records for the new Beau, lathe-cut, “Live in Lichfield” EP is now open! It’ll be available on 15^th September.
 
UK or overseas, email fruitsdemer7@hotmail.com to get your name in the hat! 

Good luck!

Stick It In Your Ear webzine reviews "Palace Of Light"...

 A truly wonderful review of the latest Beau “Palace Of Light” album has just been published in the Stick It In Your Ear webzine! Many thanks to Brian Hinton!

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BEAU

"Palace Of Light"

Cherry Red BEAUPOL 1 - DL-only - (49:58)

..by Brian Hinton

Beau, aka Trevor Midgley, or briefly John Trevor was hand picked back in 1969 by John Peel for the now legendary Dandelion label, alongside other unique talents, Bridgett St John, Clifford T Ward and Kevin Coyne. It is Coyne with whom Beau’s later work most chimes, songs of anger and bitter humour. And of all of these troubadours from the post Dylan/Donovan musical revolution, Beau is surely the most prolific. This is his nineteenth download-only album released by Cherry Red. It is a true cottage industry, just Beau and his 12 string, homely recording studios and a seemingly endless supply of things to say. I went back to Beau’s first and its a fascinating contrast — the same mastery of 12 string, almost a one man orchestra, a mastery of storytelling with a twist and social comment, but the voice is now starker, more of a Northern timbre — Beau hails from Leeds, where his first local radio broadcast was with Jake Thackray and a budgie called Puck. Indeed there is humour here as well as a heavy dose of irony. Beau rails against the world of identity culture and celebrity culture like an updated Thackray, minus the pluminess and affectation.

 

Things kick off with ‘I Plagiarise Beethoven’ in which Beau imagines himself a superstar, whose classical appropriations have gone unnoticed (with little tweaks of musical quotations). It is a shame that Beau does not gig more, this would go down a storm. ‘Twenty-Twenty Vision’ is a blast against social media, and the inherent fascism in woke orthodoxy. Again the 12 string is a musical counterpoint. Masterly. “Sceptic tanks” indeed. These are lyrics which really deserve to be printed out. ‘Glimpse of Venus’ is so multi-layered that the listener can hardly keep up with the wordplay — | think of Alan Clayson and his similar fantasies of an alternative show biz sensation. ‘Green Hill’ makes climbing a hill a metaphor for lost hopes. ‘Cuckoo Land’ presents Beau at his most bitterly sarcastic, and his perfect diction merely makes each point sharper. ‘Opportunity Knocks’ revisits Hughie Green, though it opens with Machiavelli not the winking Canadian. Again the twelve string dances in counterpoint.

 

Beau says that an early influence was Tom Paxton. There is the same underlying compassion, but a sharp point made all the same. Humour leavens anger. Even if the next song is about a public hanging. For saying one word too many. ‘A Target On Your Back’ is so speedily sung that the listener can hardly keep up. But every word clear as a bell. I have a picture in my head of Beau as an updated Greek cynic, railing at the modern world from a dustbin. Relentless. So it is no surprise that this is followed by ‘Cultural Appropriation Blues’ which tells the story of a posh blues singer from Stoke Poges, rhyming chatter and Henley Regatta.

 

‘Epigram’ is the portrait of a man needing tranquillisers to keep going. ‘Lost For A Cliche’ is jaunty confession of a man obsessed with getting just the right form of words. Which turns out to be a hack journalist seeking out exactly the tritest cliche he can. ‘The Worshipful Company Of New April Fools’— now there’s a title — opens “We’re living in truly Onwellian times” and doesn’t let up. Blithely happy, this album is not. Give us a glimpse of hope, Beau. Even though you are undoubtedly right in your diagnosis of cultural malaise! Three to go. ‘Ballad Of The Rowdy Knave’ is about the new fascism. Masquerading as populism. ‘Celebrity Memorabilia’ imagines Beau’s cast offs coming under the hammer, “consomme stains from Watford Gap". Even Adele gets a mention! ‘The Song’ is the most wistful thing here, sung with passion, about music that can “bring a quiver” to the heart. A song about the power of memories and love. It’s an anthem. Beau has gathered a much deserved cult following. A man of clear sight in a country of the blind. The more I imbibe this album and then turn on the news, the more Beau’s lyrics hold true, and come to haunt me. I just hope that he cheers up now and then. And John Peel will be listening up in heaven, and thinking “the boy done well”.

 

Brian Hinton

 

"Beau - Live in Lichfield" - live video now online...

 Good news!
 
“Where Is Your Gun, My Son?”, the live video promoting the upcoming “Live in Lichfield” EP from Fruits de Mer Records is now online and linked from FdM’s order page!
 
Enjoy...

Harmonic Distortion reviews "Palace Of Light"...

A great review of the “Palace Of Light” album from Duncan Fletcher at Harmonic Distortion! 

Many (belated) thanks, Duncan!

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Beau - Palace Of Light

 

Consistently inspired singer songwriter returns with a satirical 15-song set. Modern life may well be rubbish but at least we have Beau to survey it with gentle humour and poetic barbs.

 

I’ve always admired artists that are in it for the long haul. There are certain songwriters who stick to their principles and stylistic choices, riding out the changes in fashion, sensibilities and taste that affect the wider musical world. Beau, AKA Trevor Midgley is one of these artists. His latest album is his nineteenth for Cherry Red Records and confirms his status as one of the sharpest satirical songwriters this country has produced. He won’t be appearing at Radio One’s Big Weekend, neither will he grace the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury this year. But at 79 years of age Beau still has the drive and talent that was evident on his eponymous 1969 debut album (which was the first release on John Peel’s Dandelion label don’t ya know!)

 

Palace Of Light is, like Beau’s previous albums, a simply recorded affair - just one voice and one guitar (a vintage 1968 Harmony 12-string no less!) It’s a contemporary look at modern life and its strange political and cultural climate. The accompanying sense of dissatisfaction and occasional bafflement is best encapsulated in songs such as ‘Twenty-Twenty Vision’ and ‘Cuckoo Land’. Serious subject matter for sure but Beau lays into it all with delicate humour. Similarly smile-raising is opening track ‘I Plagiarise Beethoven’ where we get an insight into Beau’s wide-ranging melodic influences. Other subjects/targets include cultural appropriation, social media, cancel culture, Brexit, identity politics, society’s obsession with celebrity, rigid adherence to ideology and more. Also worth looking out for are references to Adele, along with one to Paul McCartney’s sheepdog Martha on ‘Celebrity Memorabilia’.

 

He’s a pretty decent guitar player too, perhaps no surprise given that he’s spent a good 60 years at folk music’s coal face. You can take a listen to Palace Of Light via the Spotify player below. It’s a good place to start before working your way through his extensive and highly-recommended back catalogue.

 

http://beausrecordings.blogspot.com/ 

http://www.trevormidgley.com/