Sally Barker | |
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Background information | |
Born |
Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, England, U.K. |
19 September 1959
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | Various |
Associated acts |
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Website | www |
Sally Barker (born 19 September 1959 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, England) is a British singer and songwriter, known for her solo work and as a founding member of The Poozies. In 2014, she was a finalist in the BBC One talent contest The Voice, finishing in joint second place.
Between early 1980 and summer 1982, while studying in Loughborough, Barker joined or formed several rock bands with fellow students. Bands included 'Manitou', 'The Chapter', 'Sally Barker and The Undergraduates' and 'Runway 5'. Most gigs were played in the Students Union building at Loughborough University but there were some in halls of residence and one at Loughborough Town Hall. Some of these gigs were recorded and The Chapter did one recording session at the Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham.
Also in Barker's early career, as a singer-songwriter, she supported acts including Fairport Convention, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson, Wishbone Ash and Roy Harper. Her second release, This Rhythm Is Mine, which also received a US release on Ryko's Hannibal label, marked her maturity as a songwriter.
In 1990, Barker became a founding member of The Poozies, an all-women folk band. The line-up featured harpists Mary Macmaster and Patsy Seddon from the harp duo Sileas, and Karen Tweed (accordion) who Barker met at a folk festival in Hong Kong. Barker played with The Poozies until 1995, when she left just before the birth of her first child.
Sally also appeared on the Show of Hands album Live at the Royal Albert Hall. In 1992, she recorded the song "I Misunderstood" for the CD The World Is a Wonderful Place: The Songs of Richard Thompson. Barker also provided vocals for the 1997 Pete Morton CD Courage, Love and Grace and the 1998 Janet Russell CD Gathering the Fragments.