And it did, instantly. Currently only on track one but… yes, something worth exploring here. I’m a fan of anything with a Creole lilt and this certainly seems to be in that ball park.
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Radio 3 played La Bottine Souriante a Québécois folk band over many years. My French isn’t good enough to follow all the words, but they play catchy tunes.
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We saw them play this in Worthing on Saturday. It’s way better live than on the album. Do go to a gig if you get the chance.
@HungryHalibut I know that live performance is special, but I missed this one when they came to Birmingham. Monday not the best day. Maddy Prior’s Carnival Band Christmas concert booked for tomorrow!
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From Jools on FB “This week on Earlier with Jools Holland I am joined by folk legend Eliza Carthy who shares music she loves by Purcell, Handel and Rimsky-Korsakov, and talks about starting out on the fiddle and why social dancing should remain wild and raucous. Tune into BBC Radio 3 at midday on Saturday.”
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I saw the Unthanks too this weekend - poor quality pic:
Never see them before and thought the whole thing worked really well. It struck me how the style and mood of parts of the new album echo the sound of Robert Wyatt circa Rockbottom (makes sense in the context of their live album covering his songs).
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We saw Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band in their 40th anniversary and final tour in Worcester. There’s still some dates to go. Medieval folk and carols with plenty of comedy in the second half. Maddy’s voice is obviously not what it was, but she still can make a spirited performance.
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My favourite R&L album; whilst it’s not a critics’ favourite it has Pavanne and first light, two great songs.
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I’m more a fan of her solo and family stuff nowadays. First Light never clicked with me at all.
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Fran and Flora Precious Collection.
Jude Rogers’ year list of ‘Best Folk Albums of 2024’. Some familiar, others less so.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/16/10-best-folk-albums-of-2024
Spiers and Boden An English Folk Christmas with Ian Giles (baritone), Giles Lewin (fiddle, flute) from 2008. Mostly familiar songs in a hearty blokish presentation.
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I’ve always thought they were at a different level.
A lot of people I listened to have unfortunately departed this world but it was the loss of Bert that I missed the most.
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Pentangle’s music is timeless and has lasted well beyond the time when folk music was fashionably mainstream. They were also influential on other musicians. The mix of blues, jazz and folk was remarkable.
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The big influence on Pentangle was Davy Graham. I saw him play at a Norfolk pub towards the end of his life but sadly not one of his better performances.
Another brilliant performer, John James played several times at The Neptune, Old Hunstanton. Golden times for acoustic guitarists.
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Apart from the obvious, I’m not that familiar with the western folk genre, especially the more modern artists, so a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed.
There is some really interesting and fantastic material in this thread.
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One of my tasks for 2025 is to finally give Pentangle a listen. I never really “got” them although I liked some Bert and saw him live several times. My fave was at a South Manchester folk club when Marr tried to join him and was firmly told to “@@@@ off” although they later did play together at the Lowry.
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I never saw Davy Graham play, sadly. But I’ve played recordings of ‘Angie’ by him and then Bert back to back a few times. Don’t know if there’s a biography of Graham these days? A legend! Remarkable guitarists. John James I don’t know, so he’s someone to listen to in that gap between Christmas and New Year. Thanks!
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