RF: Bobby Willcox was invited to rock out with Toyah and Simon Darlow for their new album. So, sprayed some burning guitar over a remorseless stomper that got the guitarist bouncing…
RF: There have been some online simperings of approval for the slippers worn by Bobby Willcox at yesterday’s session for Toyah & Simon Darlow’s new album. Regrettably, for one keen to suck up all appreciative comments even and especially where underserved, these colourful accessories for any session player’s calceamental turnout were provided by Studio Darlow, in a manner simply understood by anyone who has entered a Japanese home.
Toyah Willcox, and her producer and songwriting partner Simon Darlow, dropped by SDE last month to discuss Toyah’s new album In The Court of the Crimson Queen. Watch the 35-minute video interview, below.
In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is out now as a 2CD expanded deluxe set. Toyah is on tour right now and you can check out the dates on her website.
Toyah, along with In The Court Of The Crimson Queen co-creator Simon Darlow, is interviewed in the new issue of Classic Pop magazine (May 2019, Issue 52) in a four page feature entitled “Long Live The Queen”.
After more than 40 years in the music business, Toyah Willcox is as creatively hungry as she was in her teens. Classic Pop chats to the high priestess of punk and her long-time collaborator, Simon Darlow about their bold reimagining of 2008 album In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, and why the material deserves a second outing… Here’s a preview of the fab looking feature.
• Classic Pop, Issue 52 is on sale now – or very soon will be. (Thanks to Minna for the preview)
Great News…In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is doing well in The Official Charts Album Midweeks. The album was at no. 72 on Monday, after just a couple of days of CD, download and vinyl sales. As of today it’s now at no. 34 (according to Music Week). The definitive Top 100 Albums of the week is published this Friday by The Official UK Charts Company.
This chart entry is significant because In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is Toyah’s first album to place in the official UK album chart since Minxin August 1985. Below is a screenshot of Monday’s chart placing.
Listen to this important message from Toyah and then head over to Super Deluxe Edition to read about all about the new 2CD deluxe edition of In the Court of the Crimson Queen. Signed copies available!
Isn’t it reassuring that some people still listen to, and appreciate, great music. Congratulations to Toyah for her success at Spotify this year. Not forgetting how well the Four From Toyah: Birthday Edition EP did upon its release in May. While on the subject of music, Toyah and Simon Darlow recently signed a new record contract and completed a new song for release in 2019.
In the Court of the Crimson Queen was Toyah’s fifteenth studio album
Originally released in 2008, the album title (referencing King Crimson’s debut album) was suggested by producer/co-author Simon Darlow and was endorsed by Crimson head honcho (and Toyah’s husband) Robert Fripp. “At last my husband’s done something for my career!” Toyah commented.
A powerful Bowie-esque Art Rock statement, the album was New York Good Times ‘Album Of The Year’. This is the 2013 reissue with bonus track, 21st Century Supersister.
Fantastic to see the Four From Toyah: Birthday Edition EP doing so well on its first day of release yesterday. Great new songs from Toyah and Simon Darlow, it’s always special to hear new music from Toyah. Click below to download. (Thanks to Official Toyah for the FFT flyer design)
On Friday 18 May 2018 – Toyah’s actual 60th Birthday – a new digital EP will be released on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon. Four From Toyah | Birthday Edition includes four new and previously unreleased songs written by Toyah and Simon Darlow, their first release since 2011. The EP begins with the rousing lead track Telepathic Lover which you can hear an exclusive preview of here.
Two tracks heard in the Crime & Punishment production at London’s Scoop Theatre also feature, Who Let The Beast Out and Fire Escape. The EP is rounded off with the stirring, beautiful Our Hearts Still Beat, written specially for the end titles of the film In Extremis. There are currently no plans to make a CD/vinyl of this particular release available.
• Subscribe: For full info on the above, and more Toyah news, sign up to Breaking Through. The EP was also given a special Instagram announcement today.
Opening 31st August at The Scoop Theatre, London, Crime and Punishment, with songs by Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow. Adapted and Directed by Phil Willmott
Crime and Punishment – The Rock Musical
Dostoyevsky and the music of Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow
As the skies darken over The Scoop, so does our story. Published in 1866 Dostoyeksky’s Crime and Punishment is one of the most famous and influential novels in world literature. When an idealistic student kills a ruthless money lender, who terrorises the poor of St. Petersburg, the novel challenges us to ask if murder is ever justified.
Rock music works as the perfect medium to express the energy, rebellion and passion of the story. Fittingly this new musical production, adapted and directed by Phil Willmott, will feature specially written songs and favourite tracks by British rock legend, Toyah Willcox and her song-writing partner Simon Darlow.
From 31st August to 25th September, 8pm, every Wednesday to Sunday at The Scoop at More London. Captioned performance of both shows: Thursday 22nd September. Post show chats with the Company: Thurs 8th, 15th & 22nd September after Crime & Punishment.
A couple of newly revealed promotional images for Crime and Punishment. Click below for more info on this new rock musical.
Hot on the heels of the news that a new Willcox/Darlow song, Our Hearts Still Beat, has been recorded for inclusion in the forthcoming new film Extremis – to play over the film’s end titles – Toyah has tweeted that another new song – Fire Escape – again by Willcox/Darlow, has also been recorded for the, soon to open in London, rock musical Crime and Punishment.
Toyah is performing at Glastonbury Festival 2016, which takes place between 22nd and 26th June – Toyah’s set is part of the PRS stage, which isn’t open to the general festivalgoer… Toyah tweeted a photo from rehearsals with Simon Darlow earlier this month. More details on this year’s Glastonbury by clicking below.
• Mearns Leader: What’s On Where: September: 18-19 Toyah that vivacious singer from the 80s is out on tour and every bit as good as before and looking fantastic. Exclusive to Stonehaven Town Hall for two nights only (only dates north of Edinburgh in 2015), support from our very own Leighann Esslemont and Band. Tickets £25 will be on sale at Ma Simpson’s or online – Continue reading…
• The Irish News: Time for the Bill as Limboland comes to Ireland: An interview with Bill Bailey, including a mention for Toyah – both played at London Palladium last week with John Shuttleworth – Continue reading…
• Bloody Disgusting: Aaaaaaaah!: Toyah, with that frying pan! – Continue…
• The Lee Mack Show: Toyah guests in 2005. It’s available to listen to at BBC iPlayer for the next three weeks.
• A View From The Centre: Nostalgia: Pictured is the first copy of the Vegetarian Society’s bi-monthly membership magazine. Featured within was an article on the then recently launched Ark Trust environmental organisation containing an interview with and photograph of Toyah Willcox; also a photo of Chrissie Hynde, Kevin Godley and others – Continue reading…
The latest post at Fragments is a Simon Darlow special, with lots of rare info and photos (the screencap below is a “blink and you’ll miss her” appearance by Toyah from Simon’s late 80s solo single ‘Hot’). Read the full feature by clicking below.
Toyah is also celebrating Simon Darlow’s birthday. She posted a fantastic 1983 shot of them together at Instagram today.