John Philpott

2 weeks ago | worldmusiccentral.org | John Philpott

(headline photo: Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay)Writer and musician John Phillpott travels to Cyprus and discovers a music that has played a crucial part in healing the ethnic divides of that troubled eastern Mediterranean island. For those of us who firmly believe that music is the glue that binds people in this troubled world together, there is arguably no better example of that universal harmony than the island of Cyprus.

2 months ago | worldmusiccentral.org | John Philpott

Writer and musician John Phillpott delves into the darkness of pre-history and unearths a mysterious character known on both sides of the Atlantic by the name of John Barleycorn. But is the age-old folk song in his honour a harmless, whimsical reference to the making of an alcoholic drink, or is there some other, much more sinister meaning?

Feb 8, 2025 | worldmusiccentral.org | John Philpott

British writer and musician John Phillpott picks up his metaphorical pack and musket and marches along the musical trail of British and American soldiers who followed their deadly calling with a song on their lips…During the late summer of last year, my play The Female Warrior – after several rewrites – was finally staged, bringing to a successful conclusion a new and creative episode of my writing life.

Jan 7, 2025 | worldmusiccentral.org | John Philpott

Folk music has always followed people on the move, and this was particularly the case with the Scots Irish, many of whom left the British Isles from the 17th century onwards to make a new life in America. Most of the songs and fiddle tunes they brought to the New World adapted to the different environment. But one theme retained much of the original, and that was the legend of the high-born lady leaving her lord to make a new life with a gipsy lover.

Nov 4, 2024 | worldmusiccentral.org | John Philpott

It’s now more than 60 years since the groundbreaking slide guitarist Elmore James died from a heart attack at the tragically early age of 45. In this article, writer and musician John Phillpott looks back at his life, recording history, and unique stylistic legacy that has influenced countless blues guitarists down the decades.