Need recs on Pentangle/Fairport Convention

[danasgoodstuff]

10 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

I'm not sure which Denny box you mean - there are several. If it is the 19CD behemoth (which I don't know) then 'A Sailor's Life' comes up a couple of tracks after 'Si Tu Dois Partir'. Plain singing of a folk song with no beat, instruments embroidering around; then the beat kicks in and the song part rises to a climax followed by an extended instrumental jam hitting another peak, finally ebbing away to just cymbals. Ring any bells? Check here:

If it's that one you're talking about, it's the song that (arguably) launched folk rock. There's not a lot in that vein but I can recommend a few things. 

You puzzled me with the Weather Report reference. WR were usually pretty 'funky' and English folk rock was rarely funky (apart from when they did covers and then they could be like Uncle Bob 'getting down' at the wedding!). I suspect you meant the spacier side of the early WR records. 

 

It was indeed "A Sailor's Life" that I was thinking of, from this more modest boxset http://www.amazon.com/A-Boxful-Treasures-Sandy-Denny/dp/B0004O5STA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_15_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=61E7S42LF9L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0DRF2JZWCRWH5HKEDF1Z  and Weather Report was more a qualitative reference than a stylistic one and I think we have different understandings of 'funk', to me anything that smells of real life is funky.  But thanks to you and uncle Bob!

[Aggie87]

On 12/11/2015, 11:59:19, Jazzjet said:

Mark Hollis's solo, self-titled album is well worth hearing. He was a member of Talk Talk, the 80s band who had a few pop hits like 'It's My Life' and 'Life Is What You Make It'. They took a sort of left turn in the late 80s and their albums 'Spirit of Eden' and 'Laughing Stock' are worth seeking out, a mixture of experimental, ambient, folk and jazz.. Sometime band member and producer, Tim Friese-Greene is the great grandson of pioneer photographer and inventor William Friese-Greene.

 

Mark Hollis' career arc is fascinating. In a very small discography of 5 Talk Talk albums and 1 solo, he went from pure synth pop new-wave to a classic pop album, and then evolved from there into more improvisational, tranquil, minimalistic music.  I don't listen to the first one very often, but the rest are wonderful albums.  

I wish Hollis had kept making music instead of disappearing off the face of the earth.

[A Lark Ascending]

13 hours ago, danasgoodstuff said:

It was indeed "A Sailor's Life" that I was thinking of, from this more modest boxset http://www.amazon.com/A-Boxful-Treasures-Sandy-Denny/dp/B0004O5STA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_15_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=61E7S42LF9L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0DRF2JZWCRWH5HKEDF1Z  and Weather Report was more a qualitative reference than a stylistic one and I think we have different understandings of 'funk', to me anything that smells of real life is funky.  But thanks to you and uncle Bob!

As you probably know Fairport began playing West Coast (California, not Cornwall!) music - covers of Airplane, Dead, Elektra stuff etc. They'd do long jams on things like 'East-West' (no recorded evidence) and 'Reno Nevada' (tracks have appeared). 'A Sailor's Life' was their experiment to try this on a traditional English folk song (although it was probably Irish, Scottish or even Appalachian! Most were!).

Not a lot around of that type. Most folk music tends to be short without much jamming even in the folk rock variety...unless it's a 175 verse Child ballad when the instruments tend to colour or embroider a little. 

The things that come to mind in the more jammy area:

Fairport: Sloth

This became the staple for solo display. The original is on their 'Full House' album of 1970 after Denny left with Thompson afire in the two solo bits:

There's also a brilliant version on 'Fairport Live Convention' from 1974 when Denny had rejoined. Dave Swarbrick using his electric effects on fiddle to the max, a fine bass solo and then, best of all, one of the most carefully constructed guitar solos on a rock record I know from Jerry Donahue.

Fairport: Poor Will and the Jolly Hangman

 Wasn't released initially but turned up on compilations and is now on the 'Full House' reissue. Blistering soloing from Thompson.

The Albion Band: The Gresford Disaster

This might sound like a dirge for the first two minutes (it is about a mining disaster!) but then a wonderful instrumental section kicks in - treated fiddle and then guitar. 

Sandy Denny's 'John the Gun' and a lot of Richard Thompson's later music might also fit the bill - he's fond of sticking in hurdy-gurdies and crumhorns in unlikely places, even when the music is a long way from folk.  

*************************************

Always sad this area was not mined more. Improvisation in the jazz sense has never been a big thing in British folk music and after 1976 it got a dirty name. 

Edited December 13, 2015 by A Lark Ascending

[danasgoodstuff]

Thanks

[A Lark Ascending]

There's a nice little interview with Wizz Jones here about the infamous Beatnik problem in Newquay, Cornwall of 1960:

 

You can see the original 1960 TV report here:

If the councillors of 1960 only knew what was coming with Club 18-30! 

 

Edited January 20, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[Jazzjet]

On 12/11/2015 at 5:44 PM, A Lark Ascending said:

 

 

13 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

There's a nice little interview with Wizz Jones here about the infamous Beatnik problem in Newquay, Cornwall of 1960:

 

You can see the original 1960 TV report here:

If the councillors of 1960 only knew what was coming with Club 18-30! 

 

Nice clip. I seem to recall that Donovan was one of the beatniks around this period. I'm not sure whether he was one of the originals but he was definitely there during this period. There's a good book by Rupert White called 'Folk In Cornwall' that covers this period and much else in great detail.

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, I read that book. Fascinating if you know the area. My Chemistry teacher was involved in the late 60s folk club just outside Newquay.

I suspect Donovan arrived a bit later - interesting to hear Jones chatting about how informal it was in 1959, then a flood of followers in 1960. The funniest bit was Jones being out-Kerouaced by the 'square' Alan Whicker. 

At the Normafest event earlier this month Norma Waterson mentioned how she was in Padstow in the mid/late 60s and a resident had a similar reaction to Newquay council, complaining about Cyril Tawdry and them there hippies. 

 

[A Lark Ascending]

For anyone with an interest in British (and beyond) folk music who can also access BBC Radio 3. 

Lots of folk related programmes coming up this weekend in a mini-theme called 'Folk Connections'.

Schedule here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/programmes/schedules/this_week

Most available on iPlayer for following week.

Of particular interest (to me, at least):

• Sat 9.00 +: Record Review - the programme that usually reviews classical releases has a section on recent folk releases. Sadly no Oxford don plumily reviewing all the recordings of 'Barbara Allen' in order to tell us which recording we need to be seen admiring. 
• Sat 15.00: Folk Connections: Programme about song collecting in the past and today (and tomorrow). 
• Sat 21.45: Return to Brigg Fair - Between the Ears - Musician Jim Moray bends sound and time to recreate the circumstances surrounding a chance encounter between the composer Percy Grainger and elderly farm bailiff Joseph Taylor which marked a major turning point in the history of traditional folk music. (That one is a must!)
• Sun 12.00: Private Passions - Shirley Collins talks to Michael Berkeley about her musical favourites (health warning...Berkeley has the poshest accent in the universe).
• Sun 13.00: Sam Lee in concert - one of the most interesting of the current singers/arrangers. 
• Sun 18.45: Cecil Sharp's Appalachian Trail - Andy Kershaw documentary

Even Geoffrey Smith's jazz programme has an 'influenced by folk' theme. Lots of other things too but they jumped out. 

There's also a nice little article by Verity Sharp describing how she went from being irritated by folk music to becoming entranced by it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio3/entries/dfb89eb3-418f-4fb2-afc4-b3520d6d434f

Can't fault her ten tracks to try....

• Martin Hayes The Lonesome Touch
• Chris Wood The Lark Descending
• Leveret New Anything
• Sam Lee The Fade in Time
• Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick Prince Heathen
• Karine Polwart Traces 
• Shirley Collins Sweet England
• Furrow Collective At Our Next Meeting
• Kathryn Tickell Debateable Lands
• Steve Turner Rim of the Wheel

Makes a nice change from "Beethoven Week"!

Edited January 28, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[Jazzjet]

• 'Sat 9.00 +: Record Review - the programme that usually reviews classical releases has a section on recent folk releases. Sadly no Oxford don plumily reviewing all the recordings of 'Barbara Allen' in order to tell us which recording we need to be seen admiring. '

Reminds me of that joke about how many folk singers it takes to change a lightbulb. Five - one to change the bulb and the other four to sing in four part harmony about why the old one was better.

Seriously, thanks for the information about the programmes. I'll have to try and catch them via iPlayer.

[A Lark Ascending]

16 hours ago, Jazzjet said:

Reminds me of that joke about how many folk singers it takes to change a lightbulb. Five - one to change the bulb and the other four to sing in four part harmony about why the old one was better.

How many jazz/classical aficionados does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to put the new one in and the other, armed with a box containing 20 other brands, to moan about how he's chosen the wrong one.  

****************************************************

Nice little article in today's Guardian:

Graham Coxon: Bert Jansch's music is a great gift for everyone

[seeline]

On 1/28/2016 at 2:54 AM, A Lark Ascending said:

Sun 13.00: Sam Lee in concert - one of the most interesting of the current singers/arrangers.

I would rather hear this than all of the other programs combined. He's very, very good - there's a nice live set of 3 songs for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series available on YouTube. (He toured over here last fall; wish he'd been within 100 miles or so of where I live, as I'd have loved to have seen him. Great band, even if smaller ensemble for him than usual.)

Edited January 30, 2016 by seeline

[A Lark Ascending]

10 hours ago, seeline said:

I would rather hear this than all of the other programs combined. He's very, very good - there's a nice live set of 3 songs for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series available on YouTube. (He toured over here last fall; wish he'd been within 100 miles or so of where I live, as I'd have loved to have seen him. Great band, even if smaller ensemble for him than usual.)

He's a marvellous singer with a very distinctive take on selection of material and the presentation of 'folk' music. Though not as unique as perhaps some of the hype suggests - Susan Mckeown was doing something similar some years back. Someone I've yet to catch live. I'm on the lookout! 

[A Lark Ascending]

This will break your heart:

 

A 7 year old from the gypsy community recorded in the 50s. Shirley Collins chose it on one of the programmes mentioned above. Less than 2 minutes - pure bliss. 

[seeline]

On 1/31/2016 at 3:20 AM, A Lark Ascending said:

He's a marvellous singer with a very distinctive take on selection of material and the presentation of 'folk' music. Though not as unique as perhaps some of the hype suggests - Susan Mckeown was doing something similar some years back. Someone I've yet to catch live. I'm on the lookout! 

Yes, she was, but I think he's doing it better, overall. Her results were a bit hit and miss, and sometimes too "world music"-ish, for my taste, anyway.

But her more recent material (past 15 years or so) is very good indeed. 

Edited February 3, 2016 by seeline

[A Lark Ascending]

Haven't heard her more recent records (too many releases, so little time). 

*********************************

Some strong Brit-folky releases for late winter/early spring.

Just out:

Songs of Separation is stunning. Yet to hear the new Leveret. 

And up soon...

And a third album from Maz O'Connor. A young singer with one of those voices and good song writing instincts - she's been in the 'new talent deserving attention' slot for a few years. I suspect this might see her moving into the mid-league of the folk world (assuming it's good!). Jim Moray is involved - hope he hasn't swamped her in synths!    

Edited February 4, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[jlhoots]

pre-ordered the Fay Hield!!

[A Lark Ascending]

It'll be good...if the things she played at a concert in November are anything to go by. Seeing her again next week (I'm not stalking her....she happens to be playing somewhere where I have free evening between two other concerts). 

[bluenoter]

(I discovered this thread recently and have only glanced at a few posts; please forgive any gratuitous duplication!)

Anne Briggs accompanied by Bert Jansch on a song that he'd learned from her much earlier---it's a showcase for Anne:

 

Here's an example of what Bert Jansch did with the song solo:

 

I think it's fair to say that everyone else was covering, however inventively, a rendition by Anne, Bert, or both.

The first video was drawn from

the DVD at Amazon.com   (there's also a soundtrack CD)          An article:  Acoustic Routes: celebrating a legend

The second video was drawn from the DVD Fingerstyle Guitar: New Dimensions and Explorations, Vol. One

Edited February 7, 2016 by bluenoter

[A Lark Ascending]

There's a bit here about the influence of the Briggs/Jansch; also mentions where Briggs got it from (Mary Doran via A..L Lloyd):

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_by_Blackwaterside

The first version I heard was the Sandy Denny on her first solo album...one of the places I first got hooked on 'folk' music.

That Acoustic Routes programme is excellent - I saw it on a rented DVD a couple of years back. The CDs from it are good too. There's also a 'tribute' album from around the same time that I've enjoyed:

  

There was an all-star tribute to Jansch a week or so back in Glasgow - fellow players plus influencees from Plant to Blur! 

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/01/bert-inspired-concert-bert-jansch-old-fruitmarket-glasgow-celtic-connections

Nice to see Martin Simpson there - any Jansch fans who've never come across Simpson should give him a listen. Jansch is very clearly an influence but he then strolls his own highway. 

Edited February 7, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[A Lark Ascending]

Not talkin' bout a revolution: where are all the protest songs?

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/22/protest-songs-folk-music-nancy-kerr-martin-carthy

Interesting article - though a bit one-swallow-making-a-summerish with regard to the 'Sweet Liberties' project. 

(A rare Guardian article that is not about Taylor Swift or David Bowie)

Edited February 23, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[A Lark Ascending]

Another interesting one just out:

Guitar/Nyckelharpa, Bass, Vocals and Sarangi

Has the feel of Pentangle album with dippy ISB vocals overlain with Indian music (Very 60s!). The bass is particularly effective, heping to loosen everything up and provide a flexible rhythmic feel, a la Danny Thompson. Getting quite a bit of attention outside the folk world:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/24/folk-jon-thorne-james-yorkston-suhail-yusuf-khan

Clearly a light day on the Adele/Taylor Swift/Amy Winehouse front at The Guardian. 

 

 

[Jazzjet]

15 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

Another interesting one just out:

Guitar/Nyckelharpa, Bass, Vocals and Sarangi

Has the feel of Pentangle album with dippy ISB vocals overlain with Indian music (Very 60s!). The bass is particularly effective, heping to loosen everything up and provide a flexible rhythmic feel, a la Danny Thompson. Getting quite a bit of attention outside the folk world:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/24/folk-jon-thorne-james-yorkston-suhail-yusuf-khan

Clearly a light day on the Adele/Taylor Swift/Amy Winehouse front at The Guardian. 

 

 

Thanks Bev. I've just checked this album out on Spotify and the feel is exactly as you describe.

[A Lark Ascending]

1 hour ago, Jazzjet said:

Thanks Bev. I've just checked this album out on Spotify and the feel is exactly as you describe.

I had a feeling you'd like that one.

Have you heard this:

Came out at the end of last year. Starts more from the Indian musical direction but the female vocalist is Welsh; some songs are Welsh but absorbed seamlessly into the more eastern feel. One of my favourites from last year.

Sadly not on Spotify.  You can hear a few tracks here:

The Guardian review is a bit imperious (there's a surprise! 'We don't do pretty! We eat nails for breakfast!') but most reaction I've come across has been instant love! 

[Jazzjet]

7 hours ago, A Lark Ascending said:

I had a feeling you'd like that one.

Have you heard this:

Came out at the end of last year. Starts more from the Indian musical direction but the female vocalist is Welsh; some songs are Welsh but absorbed seamlessly into the more eastern feel. One of my favourites from last year.

Sadly not on Spotify.  You can hear a few tracks here:

The Guardian review is a bit imperious (there's a surprise! 'We don't do pretty! We eat nails for breakfast!') but most reaction I've come across has been instant love! 

I enjoyed it, maybe not so much as the Yorkston/Thorne/Khan one but definitely worth a listen. I hadn't made the connection that Thorne was the Jon Thorne who made a nice album with Danny Thompson (Watching The Well) and one with his own Oedipus Complex (Manchester Road), both albums I bought a few years ago and enjoy a lot.

[A Lark Ascending]

Yes, both Thorne and Yorkston seem to have extensive backgrounds. I must admit to being immediately attracted to an album with the title of "The Cellardyke Recording and Wassailing Society" by the latter. Wish we had one in Worksop. 

Edited February 28, 2016 by A Lark Ascending