This came up as I was roaming Qobuz. Not great but good to hear the old line up.
3 Likes
Just sent me down a rabbit hole of the 1974 Ebbets Field recordings (of which this is a version). Before the Moon [sic] was released as a double CD. ‘Live archive recording from Ebbets Field in Denver, Colorado, USA on May 23 1974.
Original first release was a 2xCD limited edition in 2002 containing the two sets played that day. Later reissues are single disc package, omitting the second set, whose sound quality is sub-standard because of tape deterioration with age.’ [Discogs]
In 2011 Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny - Ebbets Field 1974 was released. The album Rising for the Moon is of course a different set of songs/ recordings.
1 Like
Sandy Denny Early Home Recording now released on CD with a short book.
2 Likes
Olivia Chaney, Circus of Desire.
I missed the Nick Drake prom, but many say her versions of Hazy Jane 1 and other songs were outstanding.
3 Likes
If she sang the phone book it would sound great. I love her voice.
2 Likes
Much discussed over a pint today.
1 Like
Martin Depp, who is writing about The Unthanks has an interview in Tradfolk. https://tradfolk.co/music/music-interviews/in-winter-the-unthanks-find-new-musical-landscapes/
I’ve listened to the double album once this morning rather quietly. I’ll listen again with headphones. Wintery, sad and sombre was my initial thought. Quite beautiful too in places.
Jude Rogers Christmas Folk Suggestions with Spotify List
[Guardian]
The Unthanks- In Winter
The Young Tradition - The Holly Bears a Crown recorded 1969, not released until 1995
Burd Ellen- Says the Never beyond
John Fahey- The New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar Soli Christmas Album 1968
Topic Records compilation Various Artists – Four Seasons in Folk: Winter 2021 includes D*ck Gaughan - The Snow it Melts the Soonest and Martin Carthy’s version of January Man
The Poor Clares – Songs from Midwinter 1998
Alula Down – Postcards from Godley Moor 2020/21
Kate Gathercole and Mark Waters
Various - Plygain sung in Welsh 2010
Ensemble Alioni – A Georgian Christmas a ccapella singing from the Black Sea. 2013
Janice Burns & Jon Doran – Great Joy to the New, 2024
1 Like
I’m borrowing this from the Rick Wakeman thread because I consider the Strawbs to be a folk band (discuss!?). DC’s voice has lost most of its charm, but RW is a virtuoso.
Followed by … with DC in finer voice.
3 Likes
Listening to ‘The Holly Bears the Crown’ which had previously escaped me. The 1995 album was released years after the 1969 recording of some of the tracks. The Young Tradition:Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood and Heather Wood are joined here by Shirley and Dolly Collins. Later augmented by Adam Skeaping – bass viol and Roderick Skeaping – recorder. Very seasonal.
1 Like
Thanks, I’d somehow missed this in spite of being a fan. Listening to it now and just loving the way the sisters embrace the bleakness of the season rather than trying too hard to jolly it away. They are so clever in the way they seem to almost re-invent themselves with each new album.
My Christmas album of 2024 without a doubt.
1 Like
This is a bit off beat, but relevant - sort of. This is a predominantly Welsh thing; it has a Christmas theme, or form of service. Traditionally, it takes place in January; however, the timing is flexible. The tunes are traditional, often folk based. As a bonus Jeb Loy Nichols signs on two of the tracks. Just beautiful. See more: www.plugin.org
2 Likes
I think I posted that on the Christmas thread. It’s rather lovely albeit that I think the English singing in the latter stages detracts from the impact somewhat.
More detail on Plygain at Plygain - Wikipedia although I’d argue, as ever, that it’s not 100% accurate as there is very much a North/Mid Welsh tradition of going around at Christmas time collecting singers as you go and asking that they throw their own solo song In (not necessarily a hymn) before they join in with the rest.
2 Likes
Have to say that after being alerted to this via this thread this has very much been my most played thing of the last few weeks.
1 Like
@mikehughescq A welcome album and collaboration with Ben Seal. Eliza Cathy has always sung eclectic material and her website describes her as ‘a modern English musician.’ She’s collaborated with Paul Weller, Jools Holland, Patrick Wolf, and Kae Tempest…
Thx.
I know her well; have enjoyed her live with her band; solo and with her Mum and Dad but one of the more enjoyable things was meeting her at the Louder Than Words Festival a few years back. I have some great photos from that but I’m struggling to find them.
The offspring and Mrs. H. also enjoy parts of what she does. I don’t necessarily keep an eye on what she does as to some extent she’s an artist where you feel as though you have “enough” when you have a few but I’d completely missed this one and think it’s absolutely terrific.
EDIT: Found.
1 Like
Thanks Mike, great photo. I have ‘Red Rice’, but haven’t played it recently. Bought ‘Queen of the Whirl’ CD 2022 as a Christmas present for my wife from the gig. Her recent work with Ben S is promising. I like it very much too.
1 Like
I think we’ve agreed “folk” doesn’t have to be based in England so …. to Québec:
Genticorum performs traditional Québécois music. I have no personal connection to Québec or its music and my school French is tested to destruction, but I find their album rather addictive and It raises my spirits in gloomy December. If this doesn’t make your foot tap, nothing will!
Roger
4 Likes