She Moved Through the Fair

Richard Thompson on YouTube III

2007-06-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Waltzing's For Dreamers (Seattle 1990)

I Misunderstood (Seattle 1990)

Wall of Death (Seattle 1990)

Neighbor's Theme \ Psycho Street (Seattle 1990)

Richard Thompson : Sweet Warrior

2007-06-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

There are few artists recording today who are able to maintain such a distinctive, consistent and instantly recognizable sound while remaining fresh and relevant . Richard Thompson is at the top of that very short list.

New release Sweet Warrior is more of the same and in Thompson's case that's a very good thing indeed. Long time fans will slip this right into thier heaviest rotation while newcomers will be hooked into the Thompson cult by the fourth track.

Richard Thompson on YouTube II

2007-06-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Beeswing

1952 Vincent Black Lightning

Waltzing's for Dreamers

Cooksferry Queen

Shoot Out the Lights

Richard Thompson on YouTube I

2007-06-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Crawl Back - Falcon Ridge 2003 (Live)

I Feel So Good (Sessions Live)

The Coo Coo Bird (w/ Eliza Carthy - Live)

Fairport Convention' Cancels US Gigs

2005-06-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

Fairport Convention's OFFICIAL news pages:

Postponed shows
The south-west and Californian legs of Fairport Acoustic Convention's current USA tour have been postponed. The band will play the remaining east coast dates – Philadelphia, Rochester NY, Saratoga Springs, Sellersville PA and Chester NY – then return to the UK. Our gigs page has full details of all shows.
Thank you for your support
A huge thank you from 'Fairport and family' to everyone who has expressed their goodwill and best wishes during the past couple of days, whether privately or on email lists, internet user groups, and bulletin boards.
Inevitably rumour and conjecture are also spreading over the internet. But the most reliable source of information remains here on Fairport Convention's official website.

Fairport Convention Milestones Calendar

2005-05-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

fairport: May 2005

The Strawbs, those 1970s folk-rockers, are back at it - The Register-Guard

2005-05-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Strawbs, those 1970s folk-rockers, are back at it - The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA:

What started as a bluegrass band named after Strawberry Hill - in Leicester, England - and evolved into one of the pioneering folk-rock acts of the 1970s has been reborn as an acoustic trio.
The Strawbs - featuring founding member David Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk - are on the road in support of their 2004 album 'Deja Fou.' The tour leads to Cafe Paradiso, 115 W. Broadway, at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Devendra Banhart | Young God Records

2005-05-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

Devendra Banhart | Young God Records:

I first heard the crude home made recordings of Devendra Banhart, then a homeless, wandering, neo psych/folk hippie artist and musician, not yet 21 years old. We released these recordings on YGR because we'd never heard anything quite like them, ever. His voice - a quivering high-tension wire, sounded like it could have been recorded 70 years ago - these songs could have been sitting in someone's attic, left there since the 1930's. The response was astounding . Devendra soon moved here to NYC (from SF), where he lived in squats, couch-surfed, and finally found himself a home (very recently), suddenly riding a tidal wave of press acclaim, 3 or 4 US tours, tours in Europe, a special feature on NPR (for God's sake) – in short, a seismic shift in his fortunes. He's the most genuine, least cynical and calculated artist I've ever known, and he deserves every bit of the good things now coming his way. He's also one of the most innately talented, magical performers I have ever heard. Period. He GIVES. This kind of generosity and breadth of emotion is all too rare these days. Whether the songs are pained, twisted, whimsical, or even sometimes weirdly silly, aside from being fantastically musical and expertly played, they are also utterly sincere, and devoid of a single drop of post modern irony. In short, he's the real thing.

'You had to hold on to the furniture when Sandy sang'

2005-05-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

Guardian Unlimited | Arts Friday Review | 'You had to hold on to the furniture when Sandy sang':

The life, death and reputation of Sandy Denny are a perfect case in point. Equipped with an incredible voice and an immense songwriting talent, she was none the less plagued by the chronic insecurities that led her into excess. Her drinking partners included the late Keith Moon and John Bonham; the folk-tinged milieu from which she came also included Nick Drake. She died aged 31, in 1978 - but whereas lesser talents have been posthumously feted, she remains a decidedly cult interest.
For some, that's a sign of her singular talent. 'The thing that always amazed me about Sandy,' says her friend and contemporary Linda Thompson, 'was that she thought she actually could appeal to the masses. Of course she couldn't - and who would want to? If you're writing songs that people can shoot themselves to, you know you're not going to be in the charts. Sandy's music was uncomfortable. It demanded too much.'

Maartin Allcock News

2005-05-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Middleton Guardian - News:

And musician Maartin Allcock will no doubt be paying a visit to his parents, who still live on Langley, before appearing at the Bury Met this Saturday.
Maartin - he started spelling his name with two 'a's after an Irish musician remarked on his north Manchester accent while introducing himself - plays lead guitar with one of his many bands, Blue Tapestry, at the Met this weekend.
A great friend of broadcaster, musician and comic Mike Harding, Maart was in the vanguard of the Harding-inspired re-introduction of the folk music scene to Middleton in the early 1970s, principally at the Ring o' Bells in St Leonard's Square.
Since those early days Maartin Allcock, now aged 48, was catapulted to the top of the music pile, becoming a member of folk icons Fairport Convention for 11 years, and later Jethro Tull, for four years.

Richard Thompson News : Plans Album, Box, Live Releases

2005-05-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Thompson Plans Album, Box, Live Releases:

Revered singer/songwriter/guitarist Richard Thompson has an impressive slate of releases planned throughout the rest of 2005, including a new studio album, a five-disc box set and several live CDs and DVDs.
The new studio work, 'Front Parlour Ballads,' will be Thompson's first solo acoustic album in more than 25 years. Due Aug. 9 through Cooking Vinyl USA, the album boasts 13 songs, with instrumentation largely performed by Thompson and only occasional percussion added by Debra Dobkin (Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt).

What is 'Neo-Folk'? - Topic Powered by Infopop

2005-04-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

What is 'Neo-Folk'? - Topic Powered by Infopop:

There's a considerable buzz about something called 'Neo-Folk' or 'Anti-Folk' and I was curious how one would classify this sub-genre.

Alasdair Roberts - About as queer as folk

2005-04-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

About as queer as folk - The Herald

"Alasdair Roberts doesn't like the F-word. "I'm not a folk singer," he insists, looking ever so slightly twitchy about such an apparently contrary epithet. "I'm not really interested in continuing any kind of tradition. It's about something more selfish than that."
Denials like this have already lost the Callander-born singer and guitarist column inches in his native land, where scene-setters intent on creating some mythical "new Scottish folk revival" have had their angle snapped apart as abruptly as an overwound acoustic guitar string..."

Paste Magazine : The Rose and the Briar

2005-04-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

Paste Magazine :: Review :: The Rose and the Briar :: Death, Love and Liberty in the American Ballad - Edited by Sean Wilentz and Greil Marcus

Some of the old songs have a complicated history and a varied pollination. “Matty Groves,” for instance, a bloody tale of adultery avenged, came to its maturity in England as “Little Musgrave” and “Lady Darnell,” then passed on to America (where some iterations allow the star-crossed lovers to live). But it was “a degenerate American version” that was covered by the English folk-rock group Fairport Convention.

Ashley Hutchings News

2005-04-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Ashley Hutchings Official Website

The Rainbow Chasers, Ashley’s new group, continues to gig and to pick up great plaudits and reviews from audiences and organisers alike, as well as the media who have made the effort to check out the group thus far.

As the Rainbow Chasers’ first album, “Some colours fly” on the Talking Elephant label (TECDO73), is officially released on 11th April, the Saltaire gig listed below has been designated a launch gig for the new album. This will also be the day that Free Reed Records launch a magnificent 4 CD boxed set, plus book, entitled “Burning Bright”, covering Ashley’s career. Anyone who has seen their award-winning boxed sets of artists such as Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick and Fairport Convention knows how extensive and well structured the set will be. Neil Wayne and Nigel Schofield have compiled a major career retrospective and celebration of Ashley’s life and music. The lavish boxed set features four full length themed and bookletted CDs, huge full colour book and rare picture archive, plus an extra 5th 'write-in' free CD.

Through the Fair Podcast - Show One

2005-03-30T14:05:00.000-08:00

Through the Fair Podcast - Show One
Download Link (scroll down for downloading instructions)

Tracklist:

Sinead O'Conner | He Moved Through the Fair
All About Eve | The Witches Promise
Loudest Whisper | Silent O'moyle
Single Gun Theory | Motherland
Heron | Lord and Master

Show Notes:

Sinead O'Conner | He Moved Through the Fair
Find this track on The Cheiftans Long Black Veil and hear Sinead interpret more traditional Celtic folk on Sean-Nos Nua and the live DVD Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience.

All About Eve | The Witches Promise
Tull cover culled from the fairly rare CD Single for December. Most famous for the gorgeous single Martha's Harbor and lead singer Julianne Regan's equally gorgeous voice - Regan's also appeared at a number of Fairport's Cropedy Shows.

Heron - Lord and Master
Found on the wonderfulGather in the Mushrooms: British Acid Folk compilation. More band info at Relaxx Records' Heron site.

Loudest Whisper - Silent O'moyle
From the Kissing Spell release Children of Lir.

Single Gun Theory - Motherland
From the Aussie trio's Flow, River of My Soul album. More on SGT at their Official Site

EOL Audio defines Neo-Folk

2005-03-23T23:07:00.000-08:00

Fairly narrow and a touch dismissive, though not inaccurate...

EOL Audio : Neo Folk

"Perhaps one of the most extreme offshoots of goth, indeed arguably not an offshoot at all, but merely another dark, morbid style of music that appeals to dark, morbid people. Ironically, neo-folk (aka 'apocalyptic folk, especially when referring to Current 93) is music that's historically amongst the closest to the original definition of 'gothic', incorporating pre-20th Century passage, concepts and aesthetic (the medieval scene embraces this concept with greater authenticity, however)."

The Unbroken Circle Blog

2005-03-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

The Unbroken Circle Blog

Astonishingly good Wyrd Folk blog from Mark Coyle. Massive amounts of useful information can be found here - a perfect board from which to dive into the deeper waters of the Wyrd Folk scene and beyond.

Go
Read
Now !

"For Christians, Elves and Lovers"

2005-03-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

Gojira69's Ephemeral Treasures: "For Christians, Elves and Lovers":

Cult classic currently being shared by Gojira69... an acquired taste but, if you're so inclined, a delicious one...

All Saved Freak Band: 'For Christians, Elves and Lovers' (1976)
Rock the World Enterprises ASFB-1001

"J. R. R. TOLKIEN, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, said "The birth of Christ is the eucatastrophe of Man's history. The Resurrection is the eucatastrophe of the story of the Incarnation. This story begins and ends in joy."

It should be of the utmost interest to millions of his readers what Tolkien believed about the Gospel and God, and their relationship to fantasy. And more than fantasy alone, but also to the real world, angels, men, and elves. He talks about these things and more on the inner sleeve of this album."

Fairport Convention Song Helps Police Families

2005-03-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

Fairport Convention Song Helps Police Families: "

The Fairport Convention song 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' has been recorded by Vanessa Wheeler as a charity single to help the devastated families left behind when an officer is killed on duty."...

...In March 2004 Ian Northcott, one of Vanessa's friends,introduced her to 'Sandy Denny' and Fairport Convention. Vanessa fell in love with the song, Who Knows Where The Time Goes. She decided to recored the song as a charity single.

Ian is a long term fan of Fairport Convention and contacted the band when Vanessa was let down by musicians and recording facilities. Simon Nicol and Fairport duly stepped in to help.

"I cannot tell you what a fantastic day I had yesterday recording The Rose and Who Knows Where The Time Goes with Simon" says Vanessa. "It was an amazing experience to say the least. The first run through of WKWTTG, the first time with Simon, was very nervy. Once I got the first one out of the way I relaxed and I really think I have done justice to Sandy's song. Simon, of course, played superbly. A surprise for me was Chris Leslie playing a superb fiddle part. Many thanks to chris too".

Last Night of the Proms For Fairport

2005-03-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

icCoventry - Last Night of the Proms For Fairport

Legendary folk-rockers Fairport Convention are assured of a great reception when their latest tour ends with a "Last Night of the Proms" gig in Birmingham.

The highly-successful Over The Next Hill winter tour reaches its climax on Saturday, March 12, with an eagerlyawaited appearance by the renowned band at the Alexandra Theatre.

The title of the tour is a wry reflection of the 'hill' the long-established band had to climb last year as Fairport were forced into the complete reorganisation of their touring and recording interests.

Fairport also had to organise a new management structure for their annual folk-rock festival extravaganza at Cropredy in Oxfordshire because of the sad marriage split of bass player Dave Pegg and his wife Christine, who had organised the event for 25 years.

Tull's Anderson in tune with his Scottish roots

2005-03-17T14:29:00.000-08:00

The Scotsman - Tull's Anderson in tune with his Scottish roots

"Musical development for Anderson was about identifying the sound. He listened to bits of Scottish folk and church music and wanted to play elements of blues in a way that felt more natural to him – as white and middle class – so in a more emotionally honest way.

In was in the Sixties - the Beatles were in the spotlight - when Anderson mucked around with folk tunes as he honed his music. He would visit the Scottish lowlands to experience "the essence of folk music … as it taps into something ancient.""

Jethro Tull - Nothing Is Easy: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 DVD

2005-03-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

Vintage Tull live from the Isle of Wight.

DVD info from Amazon...

In this stunning snapshot of the last hurrah of the hippie movement, Award Winning Directo Murray Lerner captures the tension between the crowd and organizers for the final day of the festival. Ian Anderson provides his thoughts throughout the program as well, to give the viewer a unique perspective on what Jethro Tull was about at this moment in time. They were still a relatively new band, yet superstardom was in the near future. The band lineup for this show consists of: Ian Anderson (vocals, flute, acoustic guitar), Martin Barre (electric guitar), Clive Bunker (drums), Glen Cornick (bass), and John Evan (keyboards).

Set List:
1. My Sunday Feeling
2. My God
3. With You There To Help Me
4. Cry You A Song
5. Beret
6. Dharma For One
7. Nothing Is Easy
8. Medley (We Used To Know/For A Thousand Mothers
The CD version of this same concert was released last year to excellent reviews...

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Iron and Wine - Woman King EP

2005-03-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

yaledailynews.com - The return of the neo-folk king:

"Sam Beam is a careful man. Long before he had a backing band to speak of, he hid behind the pseudonym Iron & Wine, carefully layering ghostly vocal tracks over carefully picked guitar melodies on a four-track recorder. His second full-length album, 'Our Endless Numbered Days,' used richer production without abandoning stark simplicity: The result was a new, crisper sound, coming from the same ghosts, the same guitars.

Now, with the release of the six-song EP 'Woman King,' Beam carefully lets us know that his music has a trajectory -- and what a lovely trajectory it is. A quiet man's electric album, it is still very much acoustic; and for an album namely about women, it occasionally verges on bellicose."

The East Carolinian - Iron & Wine: the man, the music, the mystery revealed

So you like Jack Johnson, Howie Day, Ryan Adams, Nick Drake, Damien Rice and all of the other acoustic crooners' right? Then you will love Iron & Wine. Sam Beam is the founder of the group, lead singer and writes all of the music. Simply put, he is a genius. Beam has created a smooth acoustic feel, with light percussion in his band, Iron & Wine.

Beam, currently residing in Florida as a teacher, has brought a lot of new tactics to the acoustic genre. His southern upbringing has influenced a lot of his music into a James Taylor-esque feel. In his new CD, Woman King, an accoutrement of instruments is incorporated to the EP. When blended together as Beam does, it brings forth a beautiful harmony, almost like an earthy sound.

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Linda Perhacs - Official Site

2005-03-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

Linda Perhacs

"one of "the 67 lost albums you must own" (Mojo Magazine)

Linda Perhacs' album Parallelograms was released on Kapp in 1970. It was reissued from Linda's own, superior master tape in 2003 on The Wild Places label. Songs from this version of Parallelograms are available for purchase in MP3 format at Lost in the Grooves.

Linda Perhacs was a Beverly Hills dentist"s assistant with a secret life. Strange, potent music flowed through her like a swift-moving stream. In childhood, her creative efforts were stunted. As a young woman, surrounded by the energies of late-sixties Los Angeles and a circle of turned-on friends, the music refused to be denied. Among Perhacs" patients was film composer Leonard Rosenman, who asked to hear her songs. The homemade tapes so impressed Rosenman that he secured an album contract, called his favorite session players (including Shelly Mann and Milt Holland) and commenced the yearlong recording of Parallelograms.

Perfect Sound Forever: Shirley Collins interview

2004-09-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

Perfect Sound Forever: Shirley Collins interview:

"Ever since David Tibet of Current 93 introduced me to the wonders of Shirley Collins' music over ten years ago, it has become a source of spiritual replenishment and refreshment not withstanding whatever particular musical genre I am binging on at the time. The music of Shirley Collins becomes a necessary flavor, heightening the flavor of other genres in its juxtapose. And I will stop this metaphor right here since I am noticing that I am comparing my favorite female vocalist with monosodium glutamate. "

The Incredible String Band weblinks

2004-08-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

What was meant to be a fairly brief hiatus in posting has transformed into an enforced lull in activity lasting for at least another few days. I should, however, have a few minutes each day to quickly post a handful of links culled from my web-folk favorites. Today it's sites dedicated to the legendary Incredible String Band.

The Incredible String Band Official Site

Includes a trio of MP3's -
1. The Hedgehog's Song
2. Clive's Banjo Solo
3. Douglas Traherne Harding

be Glad- The Incredible String Band

Incredible String Band Resources on the Web has a ton of useful information about the band.

Robin & Bina Williamson Official Site

Senses Working Overtime: Beesweb Audio Downloads

2004-08-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Senses Working Overtime: Beesweb Audio Downloads:

Beesweb Audio Downloads

"Gratis goodness from Richard Thompson's official site."

Alpha Cat Boogie - LegalTorrents - Your source for legal BitTorrent files

2004-08-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

LegalTorrents - Your source for legal BitTorrent files:

Alpha Cat Boogie MP3 Archives

"A remarkable set of 7 freely downloadable albums from the Alpha Cat Boogie collective (Bubzigohn, Drubius, etc..), blending vocals, folk, psychedelia, concept albums, spoken"

3hive: Devendra Banhart

2004-08-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

3hive: Devendra Banhart

"Banhart's voice and eerie gaze only add to the fragility of the song. 'The Body Breaks' is hardly a pick-me-up, but it's good to hear a songwriter with genuine eccentricity freely create something that nobody else can.
The Body Breaks [MP3, 2.5MB, 128kbps]"

Drekka - Take Care to Fall

2004-08-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Drekka - Take Care to Fall

This may be folk but it ain't no Buffy St. Marie. Drekka (aka Michael Anderson) seem to be the kind of band/chap that lovingly creates something beautiful and then takes great pains to hide it beneath layers of sonic filth until it becomes something unpleasant - interesting perhaps but difficult to embrace. Of course I imagine that's the whole point and anyone entranced by the idea of low-fi industrial folk - sort of like Cowboy Junkies meets Metal Machine Music at times - should by all means sample dresses wares.

Recommended tracks: The closest to a listenable "song" would be the three songs with "Fracture" in their title, beyond that it's pretty much grating atmospherics and low-fi noodling.

From Drekka - The Sound of Silence

"Q: - What's the most accurate description you've heard of Drekka?

Drekka: - My friend Thax Douglas, a noted poet in Chicago, once told me that he liked to listen to Drekka with the windows open in his small apartment which is right by a busy intersection. He liked how the music changed every time, depending on the time of day & amount of traffic outside. Another person told me at a show that he kept trying to concentrate on the show, but found himself staring at the ceiling thinking about something he hadn't ever thought about before. Both of those are nice descriptions. "

A generous and interesting selction of MP3's.

*SIXEYES: the folk of psych-folk

2004-08-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

*SIXEYES: the folk of psych-folk:

"Psych-folk is a small movement in the music industry. At this point quite a bit smaller than the indie rock machine, but still, in small pockets around the globe, a few of these psych"

Nice post at SIXEYES - includes links to tunes from:
Devendra Banhart, Vetiver, joanna newsom, The Skygreen Leopards and Charalambides.

Theme Song Collection - # 3

2004-08-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

The "She Moved Through the Fair" Theme Song Collection

# 3 - Marianne Faithfull - She Moved Through the Fair

Previously:
1: Richard Thompson & David Byrne
2: James Galway

BlueSanct Recording Corporation: a world of tone and silence...

2004-07-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

BlueSanct Recording Corporation: a world of tone and silence...:

Nice selction of MP3's from the likes of The Iditarod, Drekka and In Gowan Ring

Mandy Morton & Spriguns - Magic Lady

2004-07-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Mandy Morton & Spriguns - Magic Lady

After losing their place at Decca, (or forgoing it to go indie as claimed by the liner notes) Spriguns was, for all intents and purposes, disbanded and retooled as Mandy Morton & Spriguns. The result of this creative re-structuring was the Morton/Sprigun groups best album yet, Magic Lady. Singer, songwriter Mandy Morton takes center stage as Magic Lady is clearly more of a solo effort with Spriguns now merely a back-up band, and Morton lives up to her new top billing with a beautifully crafted and mature effort that finds her moving stylistically from the ranks of would be Maddy Prior's to a worthy successor to Sandy Denny - the talent against whom all folk songstresses are eventually compared and to whom the album is dedicated. (Ms. Denny passed away during the recording of what was originally going to be titled "Music Prince".)

Lush, though not opulent, arrangements augment a fine collection of tunes - for the first time in their discography, there's not a sub-par track to be found. If there's to be any complaint it would be that Morton's vocals still occasionally lack emotional conviction, her laid back style sometimes seems to hold her songs back a bit. Restraint is a wonderful tool that many of today's divas would be wise to learn to use but Mandy Morton's songs are so expertly crafted and lyrically rich you can't help but wish she'd invest a bit more of herself emotionally within them.

A fine effort and a must buy for fans of classic UK folk.

"For You" - A page dedicated to Mandy Morton and Spriguns

2004-07-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

"For You" - A page dedicated to Mandy Morton and Spriguns

Informative site dedicated to 70's folksters Spriguns and lead singer, solo-performer Mandy Morton.

Theme Song Collection - Song #2 - James Galway

2004-07-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the second in the She Moved Through the Fair theme song collection.

MP3 - She Moved Through the Fair - James Galway

In case you missed it, the first was a live take by Richard Thompson (and David Byrne).

Spriguns - Time Will Pass

2004-07-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

Artist of the Week - Spriguns

Time Will Pass (1977)

A tremendous improvement over the band's previous two albums - on this second Decca release Many Morton finds her footing both vocally, showing far more emotional range and natural phrasing than before, and musically - the tunes now truly support her already strong lyrics - instead of deadening their impact. Where before Spriguns were merely second division Steeleye Span Time Will Pass shows a mature and self confident band willing to augment their spare folk tales with more full blooded arrangemnts and wider instrumentation.

It's a pity that Time Will Pass marked the end of Sprigun's major label days - punk and new wave were culling all but the most profitable folk and prog bands from most label rosters by this time - for it stands up against the other Brit-Folk of its time from far better known bands including Steeleye, Fairport, Pentangle, Strawbs and the rest. There not a bad song here - the weakest track, their version of the oft covered Blackwaterside, is merely pretty good.

Top Tracks: All Before, For You, Time Will Pass, You're Not There,Letter to a Lady

MP3 - Time Will Pass

Maddy Prior - Hooked on Winning

2004-07-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

Maddy Prior Hooked on Winning | CD Review

Solo outing from 1978 sees Steeleye Span's Maddy Prior making some effort to distance herself from the traditional based folk rock she's become best known for. Similar to, though less compelling than, the lesser works of such artists asJudy Tzuke and Joan Armatrading or Linda Thompson's ill fated post Richard and Linda Thompson solo work.

Opening with the rather unfortunate, if not truly awful, cod-reggae of "Long Holiday" followed by the strained boogie of "Information Station", Hooked on Winning tries too hard to redefine Prior as an eclectic singer/songwriter. Song after song put her mmediately recognizable voice in unfamiliar, and occasionally unwelcome, territory where, more often than not, she fails to convince. If there was no back catalog of Steeleye Span, Silly Sisters, Carnical Band and so on, to compare it to Hooked on Winning would fare much better - a more consistant style would have helped as well, for there are tracks that fall well without the stereotypical Steeleye sound without veering into pub rock cliche - the thoughtful, Fairport-esque "Commit the Crime", the more straightforward MOR stylings of "Friends" and "Love's Not Just a Word" and the "Part of the Union" Strawbs-ey "Anthem to Failure" are the best of a mediocre lot.

While still desireable to hardcore Steeleye/Maddy fans there's little hear worth repeated listenings when compared with the huge amount of far more compelling fare Prior has amassed over the decades.

Six Organs of Admittance 'Somewhere Between' - moebius rex

2004-07-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

ready rock moe rex:

MP3 Blog moebius rex offers:

"Six Organs of Admittance 'Somewhere Between' - Back on earth--marginally, anyway--we have this lovely folk-worn drone/chant/raga composition from the Six Organs of Admittance..."

Spriguns - Revel Weird and Wild

2004-07-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Artist of the Week - Spriguns

Spriguns - Revel Weird and Wild (1976)

Major label debut from second division brit-folksters in the Steeleye Span style. Revel Weird and Wild shows distinct growth from their previous, privatly pressed, Jack with a Feather (see previous post for review) - especially lyrically. However vocalist Mandy Morton lacks the emotional depth that sets apart the likes of Maddy Prior, Sandy Denny, Annie Briggs and others. The tunes also lack distictiveness, often working against a perfectly good lyric - an example is the albums lead track "Trysting Tree" - the tragic, if rather far fetched, tale of a doomed knight desperate to see his lover one last time marries the overheated lyric...

"What a rueful sight for a gallant knight
'Twas there for him to see
Oh the lady Isobel blackened and scorched
By the lightning blast of heaven
And that stately tree where they oft had met
Was leafless blasted and riven
And he kneeled him down o'er the lifeless form
And the death owl o'er him flew"

...to a benign and frankly monotonous set of stock folk chords that steal the emotional weight of the words rendering the entire song sadly forgettable.

So, not a classic of the genre but a worthy effort with a number of fine tunes (When Spring Comes In, Lord Lovell) and tasteful playing throughout.If your love for Brit-folk extends beyond the marquee names you'll find much to enjoy here.

Top Tracks: Outlandish Knight, Lord Lovell,Nothing Else to Do, Laily Worm, When Spring Comes In

Artist of the Week - Spriguns - Jack With a Feather

2004-07-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

Artist of the Week - Spriguns

Spriguns of Tolgus - Jack With a Feather

Playing the same sort of electric/acoustic trad-folk hybrid pioneered by Ashley Hutchings with first Fairport Convention and then Steeleye Span, Spriguns of Tolgus (later known simply as Spriguns) employ the same dual male/female vocals, tasteful period arrangements, instrumentation (electrification not withstanding) and archaic song selection that defined early Steeleye - though the results on this, their first official album, are less often as inspired.

Formed by husband and wife team Mike and Mandy Morton, Spriguns began as a local folk act taking their name from a " a rather evil Cornish pixie" (Spriguns) and a local Cornwall tin mine (Tolgus), and were soon spotted by Steeleye's Tim Hart, who contributes a song here, eventually signing a major label deal. This first album, independantly released, is understandably rough around the edges but never the less shows great promise - promise that would soon be realised on their subsequent Decca releases.

Top tracks:Derby Ram, Curragh Of Kildare, 8 Keys Of Canterbury, Seamus The Showman

Buy Jack With a Feather from Amazon

MP3 - Derby Ram (128k/2.6mb) Limited time only.

Maddy Prior & the Girls - Bib and Tuck - CD Review

2004-07-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

Maddy Prior & the Girls - Bib and Tuck

Often gorgeous, frequently accepella gift of harmony from Steeleye Span chanteuse Maddy Prior, her daughter Rose and talented vocalist Abbie Lathe.

Well stocked with inspirationals, old English ballads, sailor's tunes and tasteful modern pop adaptations (I Need You to Turn To, True Colors) plus the moving song suite "Cotten Triangle", Bib and Tuck is a vocal lover's dream. At times veering nearer to "world" music Bib and Tuck may not be as Brit-Folky as Prior's best know work but it is a worthy addition to any folk-philes collection.

Buy Maddy Prior & the Girls - Bib and Tuck from Amazon

Bards of a Feather, 'Birnie Bouzle" | Broadcasts from Planet Blarg

2004-07-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Broadcasts from Planet Blarg:

"- Celtic Folk: Bards of a Feather, 'Birnie Bouzle' (2.1MB)Nothing against celtic music itself; due to my own experiences, I tend to associate it with overheated festivals and pewter dragons."

She Moved Through the Fair

2004-07-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

She Moved Through the Fair
Padraic Collum

My young love said to me my mother won't mind,
And my father won't slight you for your lack of kind,
And she stepp'd away from me and this she did say,
'It will not be long love till our wedding day.'

She stepped away from me and she moved through the fair,
And fondly I watched her go here and go there,
Then she went her way homeward with one star awake,
As the swan in the evening moves over the lake.

The people were saying no two were e'er wed
But one has a sorrow that never was said,
And I smiled as she passed with her goods and her gear,
And that was the last that I saw of my dear.

I dreamt it last night that my young love came in,
So softly she entered, her feet made no din;
She came close beside me, and this she did say,
'It will not be long love, till our wedding day.'

She Moved Through the Fair is surely one of the most popular of all Celtic folk songs - having been covered myriad times by a vast array of artists. Everyone from Sinead O'Connor, Sarah Brightman, Mary Black, All About Eve, Loreena McKennitt and Charlotte Church through Van Morrison, Art Garfunkel, Alan Stivell, Richard Thompson and Shane MacGowan have covered it. Sandy Denny's version with Fairport Convention may be the best known version but nearly every Brit- and Celtic folksinger on the planet has likely had a go at one time or another. When performed well it is a moving, haunting work of wonder.

The Padraic Colum Collection at Bartleby.com

The score (in various formats) at Digital Tradition

All Music Guide has an incomplete but still impressive 107 versions listed - plus dozens more under such variations as She Moves Through the Fair.

New Zealand's Lothlorien (official site) do an exceptionally lovely version on their album Greenwood Side Sample MP3's

Here's a live version from (mostly) Richard Thompson and (lessly)David Byrne. (very limited availability) - Update - Link no longer active