Nowt so ***** as folk

Savage wrestling match for all-time fave between Liege and Lief in the red corner and Shirley & Dolly Collins Anthems In Eden in the blue corner.

Favourite recent folk probably Owl Service - Garland Of Song
Myspace

I tend to see if Richard Thompson is on the album . So generally means Fairport, He and the Mrs, Solo/RT Band.
Our folk tastes also includes Gaelic so Runrig, Horslips,Capercaillie ,Altan and Clannad feature.
Pentangle,Chieftains, Shirley Collins, and Bob Dylan are in there too.
New(er) acts Oysterband, Liza Carthy and Seth Lakeman.

This is a very large can to open.

Re: Owl Service, it's a bit strange, not unpleasant, but weird.

A Garland of Song, sounds a bit more normal. A very good it is too.

Looking at folk music has made me search out the music I have known for a good while, that has its roots in folk.

Percy Grainger is an early 20th century English composer, who spent his life dashing about the English countryside recording the folk music of England. All of these, he transcribed, and the ones he loved most got set in various arrangements.

"Benjamin Britten salutes Percy Grainger" is a Decca/London 60s recording available on CD. The recording has outstanding immediacy and clarity, and Grainger brings all of the powers of the orchestra and the human voice into the service of these songs. On no other album am I so struck by the raw and pristine truth of the male tenor and baritone.

If you love folk music, you should hear this one.

And if you want to hear the rhythmic secrets that lurk in this music in all their diversity, then "Grainger plays Grainger" is not to be missed.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
Re: Owl Service, it's a bit strange, not unpleasant, but weird.

A Garland of Song, sounds a bit more normal. A very good it is too.

Weird? Weird??? You should try Stone Breath. No, on second thoughts, don't ;-)

Good shout for Oyster Band in modern stuff - they're all good but their album with June Tabor is a corker.

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Shaw:

Weird? Weird??? You should try Stone Breath. No, on second thoughts, don't ;-)

Good shout for Oyster Band in modern stuff - they're all good but their album with June Tabor is a corker.

I was referring to the tracks on their myspace page, "Garland" is pretty good,if a little difficult to find, their website goes round in circles, with no "buy" options.

Yes Oysterband with June T is great ,(as is she).

Should have had The Albion Band (various guises and names) on my original list.

Ah. There's some shenanigans with their label Midwich Records currently - I think it's just changed hands. Anyway Garland is triff - remember Alex S? He was impressed - and he's the man who brought Porcupine Tree to us all!

oh for American folk early Judy Collins and Peter Paul and Mary all had terrific singing and selections. I miss hearing that genre on the radio.

Also have to consider a lot of appalachian music as it is basically the old British hymns and songs brought over with settlers. Tho I've not collected it I have seen it used in films and a couple documentaries way back on musicology.

I'd probably have to agree with you on L&L. In the new folk corner, Seth Lakeman would be right up there though Spiers & Boden just edge it for me. Can't get enough of their mix of old and new, vocal and instrumental. And they put on a fine gig too.

Anybody a fan of Dougie MaClean?

He's a bit to 'clean' if you know what I mean....but he's written some absolute classic songs in recent years. Scythe Song etc...and Riof, is still a great favourite album in our house.

It's great to see young kids coming into folk again...should be some great years ahead.