Description
Sally Barker is a founding member of the female folk band The Poozies, but she’s also had a long and varied solo career. In the early 90s, she had solo singer/songwriter success in Germany and toured relentlessly. Her second album, This Rhythm Is Mine, received a 4* review from Q Magazine. Following the release of her third album, Sally diversified, splitting her time between mainland Europe and UK festivals and arts centres.
Sally was Tom Jones’s finalist on The Voice UK in 2014 and although people mistakenly think she won (such was the impact she had on that show), Sally walked away without the main prize, coming in joint second and then walked away from a record deal for an album of mainstream cover songs offered on the strength of her performances on The Voice UK. Despite her flirtation with the mainstream, Sally’s musical life remains firmly rooted in acoustic and folk music as a singer and songwriter with bands such as The Poozies, Fotheringay, The Sandy Denny Project, Iota, and guest vocalist with Fairport Convention. Support slots have been many, but highlights include tours with Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Richard Thompson, Taj Mahal, and Sir Tom himself.
Sally’s solo album Ghost Girl was released to coincide with Sally being a special guest on Fairport Convention’s 2017 winter tour, as they celebrated their 50 years on the road. Warmly received by critics and fans alike, FRoots Magazine said, “Sally returns with a classy new solo album full of her matchless singing and exceptional writing couched in contemporary folk, pop, jazz, and R&B stylings”.
In June 2023, Sally embarked on a trail-blazing artistic journey, with Vicki Genfan (USA) and Ali Tod (Scotland) to compose and record an album, inspired by places of historic and natural beauty, while vanning across America. This Monumental Journey began on the west coast and included performances in Virginia City, Montana, West Virginia, and finally a Homecoming concert back in North Carolina. Vicki, Ali and Sally have continued to write and record deep into December 2023. The Monumental Journey recording is nearing completion and will be released some time in 2024.
Sally’s next, as yet untitled, solo release is still taking shape, but various new compositions are in the works, so this could be a great opportunity to ask her all about it!
“The emotion and passion in her voice, the vulnerability and fragility of her vocal is an art that not too many singers can master” – Maverick Magazine
“Sally changes the atmosphere in a room when she sings” – Chris Evans, Virgin Radio
Photo credit: Sally A
