Back in the swing of guest nights at Croydon Folk Club. Richard Grainger and Chris Parkinson provided a lively and entertaining evening to kick off the new season. Richard is a singer songwriter of the best order and Chris a highly accomplished melodion and accordion player together they are very much a dynamic duo

September 2025

 

Thank you …this from RECENT MUSIC website. 

Richard Grainger is a seasoned British folk singer-songwriter rooted in the coastal traditions of Northeast England, known for crafting vivid storytelling tunes steeped in maritime history and working-class life. With a career spanning decades, his music often pays homage to shipyards, fishermen, and the rugged beauty of Yorkshire’s landscapes, delivered in a warm, gravelly voice that feels like a fireside chat. Albums like *Blood of the Land* and *Stormy Seas* showcase his knack for blending traditional folk melodies with gritty, modern narratives, while releases such as *War Horse* and *On Heather & Clarty Moor* cement his reputation as a keeper of regional stories. A familiar face at folk clubs and festivals, Grainger’s work is a love letter to the North Sea coast and the communities that thrive—and survive—along its shores. 

 REVIEWS

 Thanks to Loughton Folk Club, Essex UK for this review

RICHARD GRAINGER

Singer/guitarist/songwriter Richard is a giant on the folk scene. He is a dynamic performer who writes unforgettable wonderful songs. His songs have been covered widely by artists on the folk scene and beyond it. Born in Middlesbrough, Richard started playing in the North East folk clubs and joined the Teeside Fettlers in 1981. He released his fist solo record on Fellside in 1984. He has made numerous albums since, including duo records with Dick Miles and Chris Parkinson.  His latest CD 'Hard Road to Prospect Hill', released in October 2015 is a classic. His song 'Scarborough Fishermen' is widely regarded as one of the greatest English folk songs ever written. Richard is one of the finest performers on the folk circuit. A night to remember.

  

 

'Sitting Room Session'    Napier, New Zealand  27 Sept 2018

 

 'My cup overflowed with the many Yorkshire yarns that Richard spun and wove for us in a land on the other side of the world, yet connected to this whenua through Captain Cook and the Endeavour, which was built in Whitby before voyaging to New Zealand and  Hawkes Bay.  I felt I came home for the night – the part of my heart that I left in Yorkshire skipped a beat or two'.

 

 Rachel Chapman - The Hook

 

 Read the full review here       https://thehook2017.wordpress.com/2018/09/29/richard-grainger/

 

 Read more reviews :- 

 

'Wonderful evening riveting entertainment provided by a very talented songsmith and story teller , keeping the tradition vibrant and alive. Looking forward to your return        thank you Tony Hicks' Napier NZ           Sept 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Release ‘Eye Of The Wind’   for Cook250    5th July 2018 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The arrival in Whitby of the Australian built ‘Endeavour‘ replica in 1997 was the inspiration for the creation of ‘Eye Of The Wind’, a musical play written by folk musician and song-writer, Richard Grainger.

 

He was already well-known for his songs about his native Teesside, the Yorkshire Coast and Whitby, having penned notable folk songs such as The Whitby Whaler and Old Whitby Town, some years before.

 

A few years before the vessel's arrival, in 1994, he founded the Captain Cook (Maritime Music) Festival and was later to organise all the musical events for the Endeavour Homecoming Festival in 1997.

 

‘I knew that this demanded something special, and so I put together this musical play and invited musicians and singers to take part. We had the popular groups Stormalong John from Liverpool and The Keelers from Tyneside plus Mike Waterson from Robin Hoods Bay, among others, to perform the songs.' The play has since been performed around the north of England including Middlesbrough Town Hall, Scarborough Spa Theatre and many other locations.
 

 

When the Endeavour returned from Australia in 2003, Richard was again involved and was asked by the BBC to record the play for radio, and it was broadcast on the day the vessel sailed up the River Tees to Middlesbrough, close to Cooks birthplace of Marton in Cleveland.
 

 

Sir David Attenborough, himself a fan of Cook and his achievements, added his weight to the production by agreeing to read the narrative. The CD of the same name, including David Attenborough’s narrative was released that year.

 

Richard added: ’I invited Sir David to be involved in the forthcoming special production for the 250th anniversary but regretfully his programme - making schedule is so tightly packed this summer that he has been unable accept the invitation. He has, however, wished us the best of luck, and I am sure our excellent narrators will do him proud.

 

On July 5th the latest version of the play will play for one night only at Whitby Pavilion Theatre. This time, with a host of Whitby and Yorkshire based actors, musicians and singers, including young students from Eskdale School, it will be the community's celebration of Cook and an opportunity to honour the great navigator's achievements.
 

 

Co Directed by popular local actor, Ivan Hall, the play tells the story of Cook's rise from farm labourer's son to be the last of the great navigators and the first great scientific explorer .
 

 

The show kicks off the 'Cook250 Celebrations', which start the following day July 6th with music, cookery demonstrations and a multitude of events all around the town until Sunday evening July 8th.

 

The musicians included in this new production include Graham Brotton (Double Bass), Bob Butterfield (Woodwind), Moira Clarke (Melodeon), Richard Grainger (Vocal & guitar), Marilla Homes (Vocal), Jerry Simon (Fiddle) and Wendy Somerville-Woodiwis (Cello).
 

 

All the actors are Whitby-based and include Ivan Hall (Joseph Banks), John Eaves (James Cook), Sam Gower (Young James), Fiona Organ (Mrs Cook), Josh Spence (Young Nick), Jon Risden (Mr Sanderson).

 

 

 

Tickets are on sale via the Whitby Pavilion website or in person at the Theatre Box Office.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Eye of the Wind' , Whitby  July 5th - Auditions and Casting List.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robson Green presents 'Coastal Lives' ITV1

 

ITV 1 in the UK presents a new series of ' Coastal Lives' with Robson Greene. On the 17th October Robson visits Whitby and speaks to Richard who will sing his song The Whitby Whaler, followed by a spot together performing 'The Endeavour Shanty' joined by The Endeavour Singers, ( Tony O Neil,Helen Pitt, Steve Dawes and Graham Brotton).

 

Richard writes:

I recently recorded two songs for a new TV Show hosted by Robson Greene. 'People Of The Coast' to be screened on September 11th on ITV Gold. Befitting his visit to Whitby  I sang 'Whitby Whaler'  and 'Endeavour Shanty' the latter with Robson taking a verse or two.

I was accompanied by Graham Brotton on Double Bass and strong vocal support from Steve Dawes Tony O'Neil and Helen Pitt.

We had a great time with Robson he's a charming fella,  and all the ITV staff.