'Gloria' is an informal, homespun, bunch of folk songs written by James Sharp, based on liturgical and historical texts. Perhaps your toe will tap and your heart will be tweaked as you listen awhile. These tunes have been found to be equally at home in schools and pubs as they are in church.


The Lollards

The Lollards were an anarchic bunch of 14th century so-called heretics, who had the mad idea that it might be useful to be able to read the bible in the English language, rather than just in Latin and mediated by the catholic church. They had no centralised beliefs, authority or doctrines, yet many of them were burnt and executed for their outrage.

The Lollards are also a folk/music collective based in Bournemouth, who so far have avoided martyrdom and play songs of love, freedom, worship and blues; preferably whilst people have a beer in one hand or the other.



Musical biography

My musical interest started by playing a small plastic guitar left-handed at the age of 3. My first guitar teacher, encouraged me to switch to playing right handed and promptly taught me to finger-pick Blowing In The Wind in D major, God bless her heart. Inspired by the 70's christian folk music of The Fisherfolk to play the guitar and then cello, Mr Cobby, Mrs Bradbeer and Mrs Chivers taught me my guitar, theory and cello lessons, until Mr Learmouth then tutored me to my Grade 8 with distinction, aged 16 at Wellingborough School, having just won a music scholarship of £100 a year to attend! This certificate is the one of which I remain the proudest and is on display in my study to this day!

By night I played in the school rock band and by day sang in the chapel choir and played in the county youth orchestra. It never occurred to me that I couldn't cross musical genres so at college studying English & Music I performed recitals of classical avant garde guitar, played cello in the orchestra, was choral manager of the choir, played electric guitar in the Oxford Colleges Big Band and have played in various folk and rock bands over the years.

Interestingly I am losing my hearing, so am now grateful for friends and collaborators to help turn my music into something real, otherwise they remain in my head, sending me nuts. So thanks particularly to Dave and Toni, the music groups of St Nicholas' and All Saints Parish Churches and all friends, family and wise ones.

Please forward my music onto as many people as you like using the bandcamp link; once you've bought it use it wherever you can, schools & churches, pubs & clubs! If you would prefer a CD please get in touch at sharpcity@gmail.com