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A great review, by Velvet Thunder, of The Changeling reissue

TOYAH – THE CHANGELING:
DELUXE REISSUE (CHERRY RED)

“Far from being the musical Yin to Fripp’s Yang in those 1980s days, comparison of their respective works reveals as many creative similarities as there are differences.”

The excellent Cherry Red reissue campaign of Toyah’s classic early 1980s catalogue continues here with 1982’s The Changeling, the fourth Toyah studio album in just over three incredibly prolific years. Nowadays it is common for people, particularly those from a prog rock background, to simply regard Toyah as her contemporary incarnation as ‘Mrs Robert Fripp’, and the person responsible for dragging the famously irascible and studiously earnest King Crimson keystone out of his shell and into an ongoing series of light-hearted and often hugely entertaining YouTube video clips of them performing together in a variety of guises. All of which is fine as far as it goes, but there was far more to her wonderfully creative musical side than that – and this reissue series really ought to bring that to the fore in the public consciousness. Far from being the musical Yin to Fripp’s Yang in those 1980s days, comparison of their respective works reveals as many creative similarities as there are differences.

Following an intensely creative 1981, it would have been a very tempting – and indeed understandable – development for The Changeling to follow a relatively commercial and public-pleasing course. Just a year previously, the album Anthem – and particularly its two hugely successful singles It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free – had sent her into the world of mainstream TV and media in an easily marketable guise as a sort of ready-made ‘pop-punk with glam’ persona, with subsequent hits such as Thunder In The Mountains continuing that impression. As that whirlwind year came to an end, however, Toyah and her band (led by her chief songwriting partner and musical soulmate Joel Bogen) had other ideas. Indeed, not only did Toyah want to go back to the darker, more challenging template of previous works such as 1980’s The Blue Meaning, but she also planned to base the new album conceptually around how the events of 1981 had affected her on a personal level. The resulting album was certainly not the one which the record company executives wanted or expected her to produce, yet despite, or indeed because of that fact, it has remained one of her key creative statements.

• Continue reading at Velvet Thunder.

Toyah guests on a Celebrity Christmas Special episode of The Great British Sewing Bee this coming Thursday (BBC1, 9pm) – see previous posts from the past couple of weeks on this below – and the programme is featured in a variety of this week’s television magazines. (Thanks to Paul and Ray)

Another great review for Children Of The Circus.

Doctor Who
Children Of The Circus
Review

“Children of the Circus,” an audio musical drama from AUK Studios, marks a triumphant reunion for the cast of the Seventh Doctor story, “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy.” This limited edition CD set, released on December 14th, 2023 and available to purchase here, commemorates 35 years since the original episode aired on BBC One. Written by Kenton Hall with songs by Christopher Guard and based on an idea by Barnaby Eaton-Jones, the story resurrects the magic of Stephen Wyatt’s “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy,” while venturing into new, imaginative territories.

The story revolves around the Psychic Circus, once a refuge for universal misfits, which later succumbed to the control of malevolent Gods. Years after these Gods have departed, the scars of the survivors linger. However, the Children of the Circus, equipped with the power of song, are ready to confront their past.

Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred headline the cast, but not in their familiar roles. McCoy, as the High Poet, brings a mix of charm and underlying duplicity, while Aldred delivers two distinct performances as Captain Gren and AJ. Aldred’s dual roles as the captain of a Time Ship and sentient rust showcase her range and versatility. Joining them is 1980s icon Toyah Willcox, who plays The Band of Infinite Harmony, a multi-voiced role that she relishes, culminating in a solo song featured as a bonus track.

• Continue reading at Warped Factor. See more on Children Of The Circus, here.

Toyah & Robert are referenced a couple of times in the latest issue of Classic Pop magazine, in articles on Trevor Horn and his recently released album, Echoes: Ancient & Modern. Toyah & Robert cover, the Frankie Goes To Hollywood 1983 super hit, Relax, on the album. It’s a radically different version of the song too.

Review: The overriding mood on Echoes is stately and graceful. If that means Horn appears to be trolling adherents of the filth and mayhem of the original Relax by getting Toyah to happily croon over a new just-so glide, think of it instead as a fresh remix. That’ll be Mr Toyah, Robert Fripp, doing its precise guitar. Him and Horn know what they’re doing.

Feature: Then Trevor happened to catch Toyah and Robert Fripp covering Slave To The Rhythm on one of their online lockdown shows, and the deck was duly shuffled.

“I’ve always liked Toyah – I’ve bumped into her loads of times, she’s like a ball of energy. I like her vibe. So they did it. And I think it came out pretty well, even though I was afraid of messing around with it too much. I restrained myself. Robert’s solo is definitely one of my favourite guitar solos I’ve recorded.”

• The latest issue of Classic Pop is available to buy instore and online. (Thanks to Minna of The Toyah Willcox Interview Archive for the scans)

A great review for Children Of The Circus, from Sci Fi Bulletin.

Review: Doctor Who: AUK: Children Of The Circus

Years after the events of The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, the survivors of the Circus are gathered. Bellboy has a plan. A plan that won’t just save them but stop them needing to be saved at all. All it takes is putting the band back together, a mostly functional time ship and the power of rock and roll.

But who’s Ella?

Kenton Hall, Barnaby Eaton-Jones and Christopher Guard, faced with the impossible task of following up on one of the Seventh Doctor’s oddest stories, have achieved the impossible: they’ve not only done it, but done it as an audio drama and rock opera. Linear time is the characters’ foe but the script’s friend.

The cast are uniformly excellent, but Guard’s exhausted, desperate Bellboy is a standout, a rock star pushing flat out past the redline, burning out and fading away in the hopes that sacrifice will erase itself and give him what all good performers pray for: a comeback. Ideas fly as thick and fast as great performances and there are multiple moments where you have to just sit back and applaud.

• Continue reading at Sci Fi Bulletin. See more on Children Of The Circus, here.

Esme Young reveals her touching childhood connection to this year’s Sewing Bee Christmas special

The perfect festive viewing

The Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special is going to be back this year with a new celebrity line-up ready to follow those tricky patterns and transform festive materials into something fabulous – and the release date for the episode has also been revealed.

The Christmas episode of the Sewing Bee will air on Thursday 21 December at 9pm on BBC One.

The BBC has also revealed which celebrities have been confirmed to taking on the sewing challenges for the Christmas special. This year we can look forward to seeing actor, musician and punk icon Toyah Willcox, actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, comedian and writer Jessica Knappett and actor Hammed Animashaun.

Judge Esme appeared on BBC’s Morning Live to discuss the upcoming Christmas special. In a clip of the show, contestant Toyah showed Esme a necklace she bought from Esme’s brand Swanky Modes. Toyah said she wore the piece of jewellery when she went out for lunch with Princess Diana.

• Continue reading at Prima. Follow The Great British Sewing Bee at Instagram. (Photo © BBC/Love Productions)

The Changeling was placed fifth best reissue of the year from RetroPop

If there’s one thing we love more than new material from our favourite artists, it’s diving into the vaults and unearthing forgotten gems from their classic eras – the hallmark of a strong reissue.

This year, there have been plenty and in addition to revisiting iconic releases and sharing unreleased cuts, an increasing number of acts have taken to reworking and remixing their best-loved recordings for a new avenue of bonus material that bridges the gap between ‘then’ and ‘now’.

Looking back on highlights from the year, here are Retropop’s Top 10 Reissues Of 2023.

5. Toyah – The Changeling (Cherry Red)
The seminal 1982 album from Toyah was expanded across two audio discs – including 20 previously unreleased tracks – and a further three previously unavailable on any CD, for its latest reissue, which contains outtakes, B-sides, an alternate album sequence of ‘work in progress’ variations, and home demo recordings. Meanwhile, the accompanying DVD features a wealth of classic content, plus up-to-date commentary from the lady herself!

• See the full Top 10, plus more year end Best Of 2023 charts, at Retropop. The Changeling is available to buy from Cherry Red Records – a great Christmas gift for the music fan in your life.

Toyah Guests on Homes Under The Hammer Monday 18 December on BBC One

Pop superstar Toyah Willcox joins Dion Dublin on a special 20th anniversary episode of Homes Under the Hammer. Explore a house in Birmingham and revisit Dion’s early appearances.

Celebrity Special 3: Homes Under the Hammer Series 26, Episode 74 of 80

Homes Under the Hammer is celebrating its 20th anniversary with some special celebrity editions. Pop superstar Toyah Willcox joins host Dion Dublin to explore a three-bedroom semi-detached house in her native Birmingham. Additionally, the episode will include a throwback to one of Dion’s early appearances on the show, as well as a segment featuring Jacqui Joseph visiting a ground floor flat in Lincolnshire.

This hour long anniversary special is set to air on BBC One on 18th December 2023 at 11.15am.

• Continue reading at Memorable TV.

Toyah Willcox kicks off Christmas at Millennium Point with lights switch on

Millennium Point’s Christmas lights were officially switched on by Birmingham-born music icon, Toyah Willcox, at the award-winning conference and events venue last week (08 November).

On 08 November, over 200 people filled Millennium Point’s atrium for the official light switch on and an evening of entertainment and networking. The 39ft Christmas tree was officially illuminated by musical icon Toyah Wilcox, famed for hits such as It’s a Mystery and I Want to Be Free, and her husband Robert Fripp, legendary musician of rock band King Crimson, alongside Millennium Point’s CEO, Abbie Vlahakis.

Alongside the festive lights switch on, which marked the beginning of Christmas in the city, the evening also included a special performance from Gospel Choir of the Year Award winners, the Birmingham Community Gospel Choir, who have recently appeared on The One Show and BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.

• Continue reading at Grapevine Birmingham.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Christmas Lights Switch On yesterday! It was wonderful to welcome icon Toyah Willcox to switch on our Christmas lights, alongside her husband – fellow music legend, Robert Fripp. Plus, the Birmingham Community Gospel Choir’s performance was incredible. Our fabulous 39ft Christmas tree will be lighting up Millennium Point throughout the festive season for you to enjoy.

• See more photos by clicking below. (Photo © Millennium Point)

Toyah guested on yesterday’s Loose Women Halloween Special, on ITV, with the interview being covered today by the Daily Mail.

Pop 80s icon Toyah Willcox, 65, claims violent ghosts called George and Mary are haunting her house as she recalls the ‘terrifying’ time she was ‘exorcised’ as a teenager

Toyah Willcox has claimed violent ghosts are haunting her house – as she recalled the time she was ‘exorcised’ as a teenager.

The 80s icon, now 65, appeared on the Halloween special of Loose Women on Tuesday alongside Olivia Atwood, Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha and Jane Moore.

Toyah spoke up about her experiences of ‘paranormal activity’ in her Worcestershire home, where she has lived for over 20 years.

She told the eerie story as she sat in front of a smoking cauldron for the spooky episode dressed as a black witches’ cat, complete with a belted jumpsuit and furry ears.

The I Want To Be Free singer said she and her husband, rock musician Robert Fripp, had been ‘invited’ to live in the house by ghosts.

She revealed that one of her resident ghouls named George has become so violent that she has begun to ‘attack’ her friends on numerous occasions.

Toyah explained: ‘George has never bothered me but he’s attacked my hairdresser, he’s attacked friends at dinner parties. I’ve never been afraid.

‘It all started to kick off when we would have dinner parties. Our ghosts do not like me when men come into the house something will happen.’

• Continue reading at the Daily Mail.

Rock stars rave over ‘nectar of paradise’ in Harrogate

Bettys has long been popular with visitors to Harrogate, but the business gained two more high-profile fans this month when Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp dropped in.

The couple were in town to play a gig at the Royal Hall and later took to social media to pay effusive tribute to the tearooms.

In their latest YouTube post, Robert, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s best guitarists, called Bettys “a quality establishment which resonates”, and said:

“I’d been to Bettys in York before, which was superb, but this was something of a pilgrimage.”

Toyah added: “You may think we’re complete idiots for being so in love with this experience, but it was the heart and soul of humanity. We could talk to everyone, everyone really cared, it was kind, it was utterly amazing.”

They described a cake they’d saved from their visit as “the nectar of paradise” and “a relic from the shrine of St Betty”.

• Continue reading at The Stray Ferret.

Love really hurts without…Music in the Park!

The legendary Billy Ocean, the Aussie heartthrob, Jason Donovan and voice of a generation, Heather Small are confirmed to headline the brilliant Music in the Park 2024 alongside a stellar line up of amazing 80s and 90s acts.

Joining the incredible headliners are:

Katrina (formerly of Katrina and the Waves), Toyah, Sonia, Pat Sharp (DJ Set) – back by popular demand!!, Nathan Moore from Brother Beyond, Angie Brown, Bez (DJ Set) and Rowetta (Live), Boomin.

The amazing event will once again take place at Worden Park in Leyland on Sunday 26 May 2024.

Nearly 4,000 people came along South Ribble for the biggest party of the year in 2023 and tickets for the 2024 event are on sale now.

• Continue reading at South Ribble. See more details and book tickets at the Music In The Park website.

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
16th October 2023

Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp bring their Bonkers Web show Sunday Lunch to the stage and Del Pike is there to watch the madness unfold.

What started as a fun diversion from the horrors of Covid – Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch has bloomed into an ongoing project with an army of cult followers – who’d have thought it?

Their appearance at Glasto cemented the idea that their online videos were more than a passing fad, and this was a piss-take that had actual legs.

The premise; Robert Fripp, he of King Crimson fame, stares intently at a static camera, seated in his kitchen, strumming along to a classic pop/rock hit, whilst his wife, Toyah Willcox frantically sings along, manically striking shapes and dancing feverishly around the domestic studio. And all this happens at midday every Sunday.

The results are hilarious mainly, unnerving often, but always entertaining. Toyah’s outfits, which are always comically revealing, are as much a feature as the songs and performances, and often there may be a masked collaborator to add a bit of meat to the musical bones.

• Continue reading at Louder Than War. Browse a gallery of photos from this concert at Record Collector.

Toyah’s full “If I Ruled The World” Reader’s Digest Q&A is now available online…

If you want to eat meat you should have to raise and respectfully take the lives of your own animals
I am very passionate that animals have souls, and most religions say that they don’t. Animals experience empathy, joy and pain. We do not have a right to kill them en masse.

I have never met an animal that does not have empathy. As you get older I think it’s a lot better for you to have a very dominantly vegetarian diet.

There will be a National Concert Day
I used to live in Menton in France and they would have a national concert day, but I don’t think that’s what it was called. Every school would take the school orchestra out into the square. They would play music and the dance classes would do dance. It was a very beautiful spectacle. I’ve seen it in Israel as well. On one day per week in Israel, most communities will go and dance in the square, with live musicians playing.

• Continue reading at Reader’s Digest.

Isle of Wight film starring Toyah wins film festival award

A short film, shot on the Isle of Wight and starring Toyah Willcox, has won an award at the New Renaissance Film Festival (NRFF) in London.

Weightless was produced by Ventnor’s Rowena Amos, through 9 of Cups Productions.

It was made on the Island in 2022 and Toyah was spotted filming on beaches here, in Freshwater and Ventnor.

The project also featured a host of well-known Isle of Wight names, including photographer Gianpaolo Mario Giancovich, and musicians JC Grimshaw and Angelina Grimshaw – the latter working with the crew on costumes.

This week, Weightless picked up the NRFF’s prize for Best Female-led Short.

The film was directed by Lois Norman and the music was by King Crimson, Toyah’s husband, Robert Fripp.

A trailer was released in May.

• Continue reading at the Isle Of Wight County Press. See also Yahoo! News.

In pictures: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp at the Royal Hall in Harrogate

Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch is a YouTube channel that they started during the days of Government lockdowns.

Toyah and Robert have been married since the mid-80’s. Robert is perhaps best know for being the founder of King Crimson, but has many, many other credits to how bow, such as playing on Blondies, Parallel Lines, and Bowie’s, Heroes.

Toyah also has an established history in music with It’s a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want to Be Free – to name a few.

They were a welcome addition to the Royal Hall in Harrogate, on Saturday 7 October 2023.

• Continue reading at the Harrogate Informer.  Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch Tour is on the road now – Browse venues at toyahwillcox.com.

If you’re a fan of the music, film, and theater industry, you’ve likely heard of the iconic British singer and actress, Toyah Willcox. With her unique style, powerful voice, and dynamic stage presence, she has captivated audiences for decades. But there’s much more to Toyah than meets the eye. In this article, we’ll delve into 11 mind-blowing facts that shed light on her incredible career, personal life, and enduring influence on the entertainment world. From her early beginnings in Birmingham to her chart-topping hits and iconic film roles, get ready to discover the fascinating journey of Toyah Willcox and learn why she continues to be an indomitable force in the industry.

• Continue reading at Facts.Net.

A second review of Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch Rock Party Tour – this one for the second concert at Cheltenham. Again, this review includes spoilers.

Gig Review: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp
“Sunday Lunch” Cheltenham 1st October 2023

Accompanying me for this gig was a friend who started his musical journey at the same moment in time as myself – late 70s to early 80s – and aside from our ailments, all we talk about is music. However, little did I know the entire night was to be all about relationships…

The grandiose setting would have seemed incongruous a few decades ago for the Punk-pixie Toyah Willcox. The galleried space and Corinthian columns are very much of the classic style. However, I guess the contemporary Toyah too is very much the classic heritage act.

Together with her husband Robert Fripp, the duo have been framing their love of music with regular “Sunday Lunch” uploads on YouTube. The covering of classic songs has amassed a huge following and even bigger reactions. The premise is one of fun and self-parody. Tonight was no different…

As the statesmen of the stage, Fripp took to his stool, after offering an unconditional kiss for his iconic guitar. Although, for the remainder of the gig the guitarist’s unflinching gaze was reserved, hereon in, for his wife of 37 years. Unapologetically, their relationship was at the crux of the show.

• Continue reading at Slap Mag. Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch Tour is on the road now – Browse venues at toyahwillcox.com.

A comprehensive review of the opening – sold out – date of Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch Tour. Please note, this review includes spoilers, such as the full set-list etc.

Wimborne, Tivoli Theatre
Saturday 30 September 2023

This is where it started, during lockdown. It’s had 120 million views. Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox broadcasting totally unexpected duo renditions from home. It went viral. People looked forward to it.

The Tivoli sold out in hours rather than days. Wimborne, Dorset is Robert Fripp’s home town. As explained tonight he first went to the Tivoli when it was a cinema with his sister (who was running the lobby sales stand tonight) when he was five. He proposed to Toyah thirty-seven years ago just along the road. He is the local hero. They could easily have sold out Bournemouth Pavilion judging by the way tickets flew off the shelf. I expect they could have sold out the cavernous BIC, but no, it’s a home town gig in the Tivoli. While it’s a small venue, I have seen such as Robert Plant, Judy Collins, Albert Lee and The Manfreds there.

For many of us in this audience Robert Fripp goes back to The League of Gentlemen and Giles, Giles and Fripp as well as King Crimson. As I increasingly realised working on the record labels on my Around & Around site, we were privileged to live in 60s Bournemouth. (The ‘Greater’ Bournemouth area includes Poole, Christchurch and Wimborne). Robert Fripp, John Wetton, Greg Lake, Michael Giles, Richard Palmer-James, Gordon Haskell (just to name King Crimson connections first), Lee Kerslake (The Gods, Uriah Heep), Zoot Money, Andy Somers (Police), Tim Mycroft (Sounds Nice), Al Stewart, John Rostill (The Shadows), Bob Jenkins (Room, Be Sharp), Pete Ballam (Bram Stoker), Dave Anthony’s Moods, Trendsetters Ltd, The Dowlands. Check out the Bournemouth Beat Boom website for the most detailed information on all of these. As a booming tourist town, Bournemouth simply had far more venues than most places so spawned bands who could actually find plenty of gigs.

• Continue reading at Peter Viney’s Blog. Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch Tour is on the road now – Browse venues at toyahwillcox.com. (Photo © Peter Viney)

Released: September 29

Cherry Red Records is delighted to announce the remastered release of Toyah’s 1982 Silver certified-selling album “The Changeling”. The Changeling is the darker, more grown-up sequel to the previous year’s Platinum-selling album Anthem. The Changeling entered the UK Top 40 in June 1982, peaking at No. 6.

Produced by the acclaimed Steve Lillywhite, the album features a line-up of Toyah Willcox (vocals), Joel Bogen (guitar), the late Phil Spalding (bass) and the revered Simon Phillips (drums). The album also features guest synthesizers/keyboards from Andy Clark (David Bowie’s Super Monster (And Super Creeps, member of Be Bop Deluxe) and Simon Darlow. The brass section from Haircut 100 also features on Street Creature.

For the tenth overall release of the Toyah Safari Records catalogue on Cherry Red, Toyah’s archivist Craig Astley has dug deep to expand the album with a treasure trove of previously unheard bonus tracks, previously unseen footage and unseen, previously thought-lost, imagery.

• Continue reading at Retropop.