English folk recommendations please. Ades piano quintet recommended

I'm not sure there are any "English" folk bands who would want to be considered as sounding like the Chieftans - but you might want to try listening to The Albion Band.

Strange indeed! I don't suppose that anything could have been further from Tom Ades's mind, when composing his piano quintet, than "English folk music". Has someone suggested that it purports to be?

I don't have a recording (yet). I believe that it's available as an EMI release, coupled with Schubert's "Trout".

Graham

Graham,

You're quite right as to the coupling. I too am mystified as to how anyone could suggest it as folk music.

That said the recording is well worth having. A good reading of the Trout and the Ades quintet is very fine too (so long as you like Ades, which I do).


regard, Tam

Stephenjohn

For english folk music please try Shirley Collins.

I think you'll find No Roses by Shirley and the Albion Country Band to your liking, and I'd also give Anthems in Eden a try.

There are no bad Shirley Collins recordings to my knowledge and I have lots of them.

Whilst I like both Van Morrison and the Chieftans, I think Shirley is in a league above either of these artists. My favourite Irish folk group is Planxty, but Shirley is my favourite singer and has has been for around 40 years.

Best regards, Rotf

Other folk albums to consider (some are Scottish rather than English, but assumed you're just after great music rather than collecting folk music from a specific region)

You could start with English Folk Anthology (Retro Records)

I'd recommend any or all of the following

5000 Spirits - Incredible String Band
England - Amazing Blondel
Forest - Forest
Fotheringay - Fotheringay
Gryphon/Midnight Mushrumps - Gryphon
Hero and Heroine - The Strawbs
Just Another Diamond Day ~ Vashti Bunyan
Leige & Leif - Fairport Convention
Morris On - Albion Country Band
Moyshe Mcstiff and Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart - COB
Northumberland Forever - High Level Ranters
Parcel of Rogues - Steeleye Span
Pastures of Plenty - JSD Band
Poly On The Shore - Trees
Shropshire Lad - Fred Jordan
Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal - Dr Strangely Strange

Many thanks for the recommendations. I'm looking forward to exploring what is for me a new area. I'll keep folks posted as to how I get on [very bad pun not intended at first writing].

Regarding the Ades, sorry I've confused people, I wasn't suggesting it ws folk music, just recommending it as very enjoyable

best weishes and thanks again

stephenjohn

As well as some Shirley Collins/some Steeleye Span, some Maddy Prior and a lot of June Tabor might suit.

A couple more:

Martin Carthy with Dave Swarbrick - Byker Hill
The Pentangle - Basket of Light

Nick

Just working my way through Within Sound (again) by Shirley Collins and it is marvellous.

I also agree with the recommendations of Chumpy and Nick - though I'll have to check out Byker Hill as I'm not familiar with it (mere mention of Carthy and Swarbrick is endorsement enough for me), "Basket of Light" should have been in my earlier list, how could I leave it out when it is so good and one of my favourite albums for 30 odd years.

Eric Bogle (an australian scot but superb songwriter)
Bill Caddick
Champion String Band
Bob Fox
Vin Garbutt
The Hush
Nic Jones (if you get nothing else!)
Kathryn Tickell
Jez Lowe
Oysterband
Kate Rusby
Spiers and Boden

You won't go far wrong with Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span.

A lot of English Folk music is a bit obsessed with folklore tales (and no that isn't what folk music is all about). A band I particulary like are the Whiskey Priests who sing some fantastic songs and tales of everyday life in the North East at various points in history. Fantastic stuff with some great brass and Northumberland pipes sections. You could try 'Nee Gud Luck' for starters.

Jonathan

Sandy Denny and the Strawbs - All our own work

Come to think of it, anything by/with Sandy Denny.

Peter

Have been playing June Tabor - Always a 4 disc set from the local library.Bloody good it is too. Covers all her work a pretty varied collection.
I'm waiting for a Shirley Collins CD to come in.
I think the Albion Band should be on the list as well.

Howard

Can't believe the to date absence of the Waterson family, particularly Norma's solo work, or Anne Briggs - both highly reccommended imho

Wow, I didn't expect so many replys. Thank you.
I've ordered: No Roses, Shirley Collins/the Albion Country Band, from Amazon for a starter. Looking forward to trying some of the rest
thanks again
stephenjohn

quote:

Originally posted by Huwge:
Can't believe the to date absence of the Waterson family, particularly Norma's solo work, or Anne Briggs - both highly reccommended imho

Huwge - I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'm not very familiar with the Waterson's work - any particular recommendation for a good place to start.

Thanks, Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by stephenjohn:
Wow, I didn't expect so many replys. Thank you.
I've ordered: No Roses, Shirley Collins/the Albion Country Band, from Amazon for a starter. Looking forward to trying some of the rest
thanks again
stephenjohn

Please post back your impression when you've had a good listen - thanks, Rotf

ROTF,
I love Norma's first solo album but the best way to dip in is with "Mighty River of Song," it is a tremendous overview of the entire output of the extended family. It's an expensive way to start, but probably no more than buying a selection of individual CDs.
Happy listening
Huw

Thanks Huwge - will investigate.

I feel hesitant to say this but... Ididn'tliketheNoRosesalbum.
The electric instruments didn't appeal nor [very very sorry fans] did Shirley Collin's voice. I wonder if I'd prefer a male singer with acoustic instruments.
I suppose this sort of thing happens when trying a new genre
stephenjohn

Stephenjohn

It is very difficult to recommend albums for others - I love Shirley Collins voice and just about everything she does. Most of Shirley's albums are acoustic - she was married to Ashley Hutchins at the time of No Roses and he has influenced the musical style. However, if you're not keen on Shirley's voice then many of the female singers I have recommended may not appeal as most would cite Shirley as a very big influence.

Im sorry ytou didn't enjoy No Roses - I'd treat the rest of my recommendations with some caution as you may find these too similar.

I notice some others prefer June Tabor (I find her quite hard work to listen to and she tends to work with people like Elvis Costello who are not really to my taste), but you may find you enjoy what she does - many do.

Good luck with your search.

Rotf

The mighty POGUES, of course!

SLAINTE!

stephenjohn

You claim that you live in London which must house the greatest natural resource of music anywhere on Earth. Get thee hence to a library of your choosing (nay even a music library should such exist in Olde England) and use the skills of the librarian to search out something better to your taste. Buying music unheard is a mug's game IMHO.

It is rare indeed that I have less than 20 CDs on loan from my local libraries. But I do have the advantage of free loans. I believe you may have to offer a few small coins for CD loans in Merrie Englande.

Nime, now I feel stupid. A brilliant idea [but why did you say 'claim' to live in London, are there people who don't live in London but claim to? If so why?].
I've also ordered Nic Jones, Penguin Eggs, before I'd read Nime's advice. I'll keep in touch
Stephenjohn