Hot on the heels of the Has God Ceased To Dream You EP, as part of the Official Toyah Christmas 2014 Advent, comes another… The Whisper The Elixir EP.
Tracklist: 1. It’s A Mystery (Whispered Elixir Mix), 2. It’s A Mystery (Distant Sirens Mix), 3. It’s A Mystery (Acoustic Poolside), 4. Waiting (Alternate Mix).
The Official Toyah Willcox Website say: The final release to mark the twentieth anniversary of the 1994 album Take The Leap is a free digital EP exclusive to toyahwillcox.com. Whisper The Elixir brings together a further four related tracks/versions from the Leap! period.
On the A-Side (in the old money) or tracks 1/2 are two previously unissued remixes of It’s A Mystery prepared at the same time as the tribal version aka Weybridge Mix. On the b-side/ the final two tracks are alternate versions of songs recorded in the main album sessions for Leap…
• Continue reading/Download the EP at toyahwillcox.com.
FM: 4Music: Monday 22nd December: 10.30pm
System Addict. Jane dares Dom to quit drinking, he challenges her to stop smoking and Lyndsay is set the task of finding a girlfriend. Including guest appearances by the Toyah Willcox and the Wombats, who perform My Circuitboard City. Comedy, starring Chris O’Dowd, Kevin Bishop and Nina Sosanya.
Toyah Willcox delivers key note speech at Dorset Ladies Luncheon Club
Singer and actress Toyah Willcox, best known for hits It’s a Mystery and Thunder in the Mountains, appeared at the Days Hotel Marsham Court as a special guest of the Dorset Ladies Luncheon Club.
Toyah marked the occasion by setting the Christmas pudding alight and delivery a keynote speech. The club, which has more than 180 members, is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary.
As she lit the Christmas pudding, Toyah said: “Being asked to light the Christmas pudding came as a complete surprise. It was huge, with a lot of Brandy! And it was good fun.”
• Continue reading at Blackmore Vale Magazine.
Toyah and Brave New World star Messenger went early Christmas shopping in November 1983… Pop singer and actress Toyah Willcox has always wanted to do her Christmas shopping on horseback! With a little help from TV-am’s ‘Fantasy Time’, and Liberty’s in Regent Street, Toyah rode a white horse called Messenger through the store. Watch the full TVAM clip at Toyah’s Official You Tube channel or below.
• MM Band Services: Top 10 Christmas songs of all time: Here’s our top 10!: 8. “I Believe In Father Christmas” – Greg Lake/Toyah Wilcox/Elaine Paige “I Believe In Father Christmas” is a song by Greg Lake (most famously a member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer), with lyrics by Peter Sinfield – Continue reading…
• Oxford Mail: Big names revealed for Cropredy music festival: The Proclaimers, ex-Marillion singer Fish and Toyah Willcox are the first acts to be announced an annual music festival in Cropredy, north Oxfordshire. Fairport’s Cropredy Convention will be hosted by folk rock legends Fairport Convention from Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 15 – Continue reading…
• Banbury Guardian: Proclaimers are walking 500 miles to Cropredy: On Saturday, Toyah Willcox will be another welcome newcomer to Cropredy when she performs with her band – Continue reading…
• Belfast Telegraph: In my day: Diane Roberts of Cell Partners on the time of her life: Q: And the style, what was that like? A: Flares and duffle coats to start, then ending up with tight jeans and big hair, a la Toyah Willcox, that’s a bit of a confession there! – Continue reading…
• Edinburgh Evening News: Real Lives: ‘One-off’ Brian was home in The Dome: The man credited with turning The Dome in George Street into one of the city’s leading venues has died. A larger-than-life character, Brian Crawford’s many friends and customers ranged from royalty to sporting heroes and actors. He had a close “gang of girlfriends” who included Lorraine Chase, Cilla Black, Rula Lenska, Sheila Ferguson, Shirley Bassey, Angela Rippon, Toyah Willcox and Lorna Luft – Continue reading…
Thursday 25th December, 9.00pm – Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo
Presenter Toyah Willcox wraps up warm for a trip to London Zoo, where she gets up close and personal with the animals, tells Christmas stories and introduces a host of favourite festive songs. Take a wander with our punk princess and bring a little creature comfort to your celebrations.
Saturday 27th December, 11.00pm – A Very Vintage Christmas: Part 1
The fire is lit and we are cosying up with the first of the special guests on our new festive show: presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood talk Christmas with singer songwriter Leddra Chapman, and also 80s beehive queen singer Mari Wilson, before they each perform for us. Leddra treats us to her take on ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ and ‘Fairytale of New York’, while Mari enchants with ‘Mrs Santa Claus’ and ‘First of May’.
• Continue reading at Vintage TV. Check out Toyah’s full, so far, Vintage TV schedule.
Only 11 days until Christmas, why not download some festive Toyah music to help make the rest of the countdown more melodic.
1. Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter) by The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah, was released four years ago at Christmas 2010. A charity single, raising funds for the hospice Hazel’s mum was looked after before her death. A great cause and a really good song. Download at iTunes. 2. I Believe In Father Christmas, Toyah’s version of the Greg Lake 70s festive classic (which was voted one of the greatest ever Christmas songs in a 2012 poll) has gathered quite a history over the years: It was originally recorded for ITV’s Pop Goes Christmas in 1982, Safari then included it on the ‘Mayhem’ compilation album in 1985, and later it was also made available on the CD ‘Live & More’. Two Christmasses ago it was released as a standalone digital single. Download at iTunes. 3. Winter In Wonderland, One year on and there was a new digital single, no make that an EP, for Christmas – Winter in Wonderland… Download at iTunes.
Fairport’s Cropredy Convention: first acts for 2015 announced
The organisers of Fairport’s Cropredy Convention announced yesterday (Friday 12 December) the first acts booked to appear at the 2015 festival.
The three-day event, staged by folk-rock band Fairport Convention, takes place annually near Banbury and is Oxfordshire’s most popular music festival. As host band, Fairport Convention will open the festival on Thursday 13 August with a short semi-acoustic set.
On Saturday 15 August, Toyah Willcox will be another welcome newcomer to Cropredy when she performs with her band.
• Continue reading at Folking.com. View more info on the festival at Fairport Convention Official Website.
Originally shown in April 2011 on BBC4. Top Of The Pops: The Story Of 1976 is airing again over the festive season, on the Yesterday channel, with showings on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Toyah appears throughout the programme.
Top Of The Pops: The Story of 1976: Yesterday: Christmas Day: 11am
Top Of The Pops: The Story of 1976: Yesterday: Boxing Day: 11.20pm
Documentary examining how the BBC’s flagship pop show reflected changes in British music and culture during 1976. As the popularity of glam rock faded, no dominant musical scene emerged to replace it, leading to chart success for bands including Abba, Showaddywaddy, the Brotherhood of Man and the Wurzels – while outside the mainstream, punk rock was rapidly growing in popularity. Featuring contributions by Tony Blackburn, Paul Morley, Toyah Willcox, David Hamilton and Dave Haslam.
A new four-song digital EP, Has God Ceased To Dream You, has just been released by Toyah.
Tracklist: 1. God Ceases To Dream (Remix), 2. Now I’m Running (Remix), 3. It’s A Mystery (Weybridge Mix), 4. Tears For Elie (Demo).
The Official Toyah Willcox Website say: This exclusive digital EP release is a companion piece to the full length Take The Leap! album. Has God Ceased to Dream You contains alternate mixes and demos related to the album which were previously issued on various hard copy CD releases which are now deleted.
The first three tracks did all originally appear on the Take The Leap! album but are presented here in quite radically different versions and are all re-vocalled. Tears For Elie originates from the same sessions and was previously available on the 2006 UK CD release of Take The Leap! issued by Demon Records.
• Buy at iTunes or Amazon. Stream at Spotify. This is Toyah’s 28th single (29th if 2010’s multi-artist “Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter)” is included in the tally).
Toyah’s 1993/94 album Take The Leap! is now available digitally for the first time.
The album was initially sold on cassette on the 1993 ‘Take The Leap!’ UK Tour, and released on CD in Japan only the following year.
After over a decade of only being available on import the album was released in the UK on CD in 2006 on Edsel Records. The CD had an additional four previously unavailable bonus tracks, including the stunning Requite Me and Tears For Elie.
• Buy at iTunes or Amazon. The CD is also still available at Amazon.
Toyah was interviewed in the Christmas 2008 issue of ‘Liverpool.com’ magazine. It’s an interesting read, though the interview isn’t particularly festive:
Fight or flight? That depends on who the opposition are. If I’m dealing with hypocrites, then they’re guaranteed a fight. If I’m dealing with maniacs then I take flight.
Click here to read the full article, with Toyah and Martin Fry of ABC and the full December issue of ‘Liverpool.com’, or here for just Toyah’s interview.
More festive Toyah viewing from the fantastic Vintage TV channel. (Photo © Vintage TV)
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Sunday 14th December: 1am
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Saturday 20th December: 8pm
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Christmas Day: 11.30pm
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Saturday 27th December: 11pm
Presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood are cosying up by the fireplace with two guest artists on our new show as they talk Christmas and sing favourite festive songs. (Part 1)
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Sunday 14th December: 10am
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Sunday 21st December: 10am
A Very Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Boxing Day: 7pm
Snuggling up by the fireside with Toyah Willcox and Roy Wood for some Christmas chat and festive songs are pop rock act The Feeling and Imagination’s Leee John. (Part 2)
More upcoming air times/dates for Toyah’s Vintage TV festive specials. (Photo © Vintage TV)
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Saturday 13th December: 10am
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Sunday 14th December: 7pm
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Tuesday 23rd December: 11.30pm
Toyah’s Christmas At The Zoo: Vintage TV: Christmas Day: 9pm
Cosy up with family and friends as Toyah Willcox brings you a selection of fine Christmas songs and a sprinkling of festive stories, surrounded by a variety of creatures great and small. (This originally aired as a two-hour special. These are cut-down one hour programmes)
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Friday 12th December: 7pm
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Tuesday 16th December: 10am
Toyah’s Vintage Christmas: Vintage TV: Wednesday 17th December: 6pm
Snuggle down by the fire with the family as punk princess, Toyah Willcox, introduces some of the finest Christmas videos of the 20th Century, sprinkled with a generous handful of fun festive facts.
Toyah’s festive December/Christmas blog is now online at toyahwillcox.com. Toyah has also tweeted a photo of her gorgeous Christmas tree at Twitter: “Christmas tree almost finished. Yipeeeee! Now…..what to get hubby for xmas?”
Best wishes to Nigel Glockler who is currently in hospital. Get well soon Nigel.
The first Christmas of the 1990’s saw Toyah play Miss Scarlet in a special festive edition, “Christmas Past, Christmas Present”, of ITV’s Cluedo.
You are invited to a murder: Arlington Grange – home of wealthy widow Elizabeth Peacock; society hostess and patron of the arts. A woman with a reputation she would rather forget.
Colonel Mustard: Secret lover of Mrs. Peacock. A dashing military hero who’s glitering career hides a tarnished past. The Reverand Green: Pastor of the parish who’s means of raising money are not heaven sent. Though a man of the cloth, he has feet of clay. Professor Plum: Nuclear physiscist and government advisor. But would his research methods stand the scrutiny of a microscope. Miss Scarlett: vivacious step-daughter of Mrs. Peacock; who’s lust for the high life will let nothing or no-one stand in her way. And Mrs White: for the past 15 years, friend and housekeeper to Mrs. Peacock. But what what dark secret did she bring to Arlington Grange?
Six people, all with murder on their minds.
Here are the thoughts of a Cluedo fan: “The show producers must have realised that they needed strong characters by now, as the casting of vivacious Toyah Willcox showed.
Toyah was great in the part, with all of the men drooling over her; yet still being a complete b*tch to everyone – especially her step-mother. Like others in the Christmas Special, she was made to look very similar to her card equivalent – especially her hair style.
Toyah is best known for being an 80’s rock singer (“It’s A Mystery” and more); but she also has a very strong acting career behind her. Major parts for her have been as Miranda in “The Tempest”, but she has narrated a couple of children’s television series (e.g. “The Teletubbies”) and has made many guest appearances in shows as herself.”
Saturday 20th December, 8.00pm – A Very Vintage Christmas: Part 1
The fire is lit and we are cosying up with the first of the special guests on our new festive show: presenters Toyah Willcox and Wizzard’s Roy Wood talk Christmas with singer songwriter Leddra Chapman, and also 80s beehive queen singer Mari Wilson, before they each perform for us. Leddra treats us to her take on ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ and ‘Fairytale of New York’, while Mari enchants with ‘Mrs Santa Claus’ and ‘First of May’.
Sunday 21st December, 10.00am – A Very Vintage Christmas: Part 2
Snuggling up by the fireside with our interviewers Toyah Willcox and Roy Wood this week to chat about the magic of Christmas are award-winning pop rock band The Feeling, who perform ‘Feels Like Christmas’ and ‘Fall Like Rain’, and Imagination’s Leee John who brings some soul to the season with his take on ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘The Christmas Song’.
• Continue reading at Vintage TV. Check out Toyah’s full, so far, Vintage TV schedule.
Toyah Willcox among guests at PJ Crook’s open studio charity event
Toyah Willcox was among the guests at an open studio event hosted by world-renowned artist PJ Crook.
Miniature canvases were sold at the first of two weekends designed to give art-lovers the chance to see a large altarpiece PJ is painting for St Michael and All Angels’ Church in Bishop’s Cleeve. The proceeds from the event at PJ’s Priory Lane studio will be going to the National Star College, LINC, the Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum and the Holst Birthplace Museum.
Among the visitors were Dame Janet Trotter and 80s pop star Ms Willcox, who lives near Pershore.
• Continue reading at the Gloucestershire Echo.
Christmas 2010, and The Hazel O’Connor Collective, which included Toyah as one of the main vocalists, released the lovely Re-Joyce (In The Bleak Midwinter). Proceeds from the single went to Myton Hospice in Coventry where Hazel’s mum, Joyce, received care and treatment for cancer.
The track was also released on CD, and alongside the main single mix, some special solo versions were also released digitally, including Toyah’s. Re-Joyce reached the Top 10 of the Amazon UK Music/Singles chart.
Maigret: ITV Encore: Saturday 20th Dec: 2.50pm
Maigret: ITV Encore: Monday 22nd Dec: 3am
Maigret and the Hotel Majestic. Crime series featuring Georges Simenon’s celebrated Parisian detective. Maigret is called to the scene when a beautiful woman is found dead in the basement of the Hotel Majestic with a gun in her handbag. The Chief Inspector’s investigations initially centre around the staff at the hotel – until he discovers that the woman’s husband booked a trip to Rome that he never made. Starring: Michael Gambon, Geoffrey Hutchings, Michael Shannon, Toyah Willcox (1993). Also airing on ITV Encore HD and Plus 1.
