I own some folk music – lots of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, a couple of Unthanks albums, the best of Fairport Convention, some Nick Drake et al. and I’ve always been vaguely interested in its ability to tell a story. But there’s so much of it about that I’ve no idea where to start when it comes to exploring any further. Therefore, I would like you lot to give me a few tips as to where I could next go on my quest for good versions of traditional ballads, shanties and protest songs etc.
As a guide, the two Fairport songs that always stick in my mind are ‘Meet on the Ledge’ and ‘Matty Groves’, I really like Nick Cave’s ‘Murder Ballads’ and The Decemberists ‘Hazards of Love’ albums so I think I want songs with a bit of controversy in them, and I don’t think I’m too bothered about Celtic music as such.
Tony Japanese says
Meet On The Ledge
Kaisfatdad says
If you like dour, bleak, gloomy tales, Alasdair Roberts fits the bill very nicely.
deramdaze says
Never heard it but on 4th August the almost mythical “Bright Phoebus” by Lal & Mike Waterson is finally getting a reissue. The 2-CD version is about £15.
Vulpes Vulpes says
It’s not a beginner’s folk album, is how I’d put it. It’s one I came to a long while back and at first was not impressed. Its charm takes a while to appreciate. Its one I already own on vinyl, the digital reissue of which I have already pre-ordered.
bigstevie says
I think, going by the artists you mention, that it’s probably singer-songwriters that you’re looking for.
If you want traditional ballads and shanties, then Celtic is where to find them.
Tony Japanese says
I realise by ‘Celtic’ I meant songs with fiddles like ‘The Hens March/Four Poster Bed’. – which is probably not Celtic at all.
nickduvet says
Cruel Sister, for that matter, or any album by The Pentangle.
Richard Thompson, one of the great story tellers. Try ‘I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight’
Sandy Denny’s Northstar Grassman… Also worth checking out
Artery says
Shirley Collins – No Roses
Morris On – Morris On
Unhalfbricking and What We Did On Out Holidays – Fairport Convention
Penguin Eggs – Nic Jones
Martin Carthy – any, but self titled first LP is my favourite
Upcetera by Jim Moray (2016)
Offa Rex – Offa Rex (2017 with Colin Melloy and Olivia Chaney)
Vulpes Vulpes says
Yes! To almost all of these.
retropath2 says
How about something so new it’s positively 40 years old in it’s referencing, of songs sometime 400 years old: Offa Rex (Olivia Chaney and the Decemberists):
But it doesn’t all have to be ye old folk rock, it fits many a more modern idiom also, with a clear link back to your reference points, Jim Moray’s False Lights
Tony Japanese says
Actually, it was listening to a few Offa Rex tracks that made me want to go back to the source as it were.
The Jim Moray song is lovely by the way.
Baron Harkonnen says
You won`t be disappointed with the `Offa Rex`, I`ve been playing it all week. I don`t know much about Olivia Chaney but she has a beautiful voice, The Decemberists I do know. They are favourites of mine and Colin Melloy has done a great job with this album, especially bringing Olivia Chaney in.
Tony Japanese says
The ‘rists are favourites of mine too so I’m looking forward to hearing it. By the way, does anyone know what instrument Olivia Chaney is playing in the videos (the one that looks like an expanding box file)?
Artery says
It says in the CD booklet that she plays Electric Harpsichord on Queen Of Hearts.
I came across her at one of Joe Boyd’s Nick Drake shows at Brum Symphony Hall a couple of years back. I was impressed enough to buy her album The Longest River. It is a very intricate and carefully assembled record but grows on you with careful attention and repeated plays. She is a substantial talent.
NigelT says
Local heroes Show Of Hands are well worth exploring given your references – there is a Best Of which is a good start, and their latest ‘The Long Way Home’ is one of their best. The Oysterband’s album with June Tabor ‘Ragged Kingdom’ is a modern classic – rightly won them Radio 2 Folk awards. Both of these two bands aren’t too precious about the ‘tradition’, but nevertheless draw upon it, as well as covering unusual songs – the latter’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ is a great take on that tune.
pete says
This will change your life. For the better. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anthology-American-Music-Edited-Harry/dp/B000001DJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500727728&sr=8-1&keywords=anthology+of+american+folk+music+harry+smith
minibreakfast says
I bought a John Renbourn CD in a chazza today. Good move?
H.P. Saucecraft says
Can’t go wrong with anything on the Renbourn/Jansch axis, Mini. Their importance in keeping traditional English music alive can’t be overstated, but who cares about that? Their music is virtuosic, idiosyncratic, original in its own way, and often very beautiful. Gentle stuff that’s strong enough to last beyond a lifetime.
(The elsewhere-mentioned Rosemary Lane is a favourite, as is the Bert & John album.)
minibreakfast says
Thanks HP. It also received the Concheroo seal of approval via the twitters yesterday.
Sitheref2409 says
Try Kris Drever and/or Lau for some really good contemporary stuff. He won at the last Folk Awards for the last album.
For the female ‘finger in the ear’ folk, I’d get the Annie Briggs collections, or Vashti Bunyan. For modern female folk, you can’t go too far wrong with Awkward Annie by la Rusby
Twang says
Oh yes, good call. You can get the first Kris Drever album with a bonus live CD version of the songs which is a gem all the way through.
Otherwise my standard answer to this question is “Penguin eggs” by Nic Jones which is a key folk album (as mentioned above).
bang em in bingham says
Rosemary Lane-Bert Jansch
Full House-Fairports
North Star Grassman-Sandy Denny
Anthem In Eden-Shirley and |Dolly Collins
Pour Down Like Silver -Richard and \|Linda Thompson
Dogbyte says
I second the Kris Drever suggestion from above.
If you want songs with a story check out Martin Simpson, in particular ‘Never Any Good’ and ‘Jackie & Murphy’.
Pajp says
I love June Tabor’s voice, especially on this very poignant song: He Fades Away
bang em in bingham says
Ashore and A Quiet Eye are also perfect records
Vulpes Vulpes says
Stan Rogers, an unsung hero of fine Canadian story songs, is an old favourite of mine;
Vulpes Vulpes says
Then there’s Bruce Cockburn; the earlier albums are more acoustic and the later ones get more electric; something excellent on every single one of them:
Artery says
My favourite old time record label ever is Island, home of Fotheringport etc. They released a little 3CD box set called “Meet On The Ledge: Island Folk Rock Anthology” in 2009 that is absolutely wonderful. You should be able to pick up a copy for a tenner or so, Here’s the contents:
Disc: 1
1. Cocain – John Martyn
2. She Moves Through The Fair – Fairport Convention
3. Withering Tree – Traffic
4. Seven Black Roses – John Martyn
5. A Sailor’s Life – Fairport Convention
6. The Ocean – John Martyn, Beverley Martyn
7. Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal – Dr. Strangely Strange
8. Living In The Past – Jethro Tull
9. Matty Groves – Fairport Convention
10. John Barleycorn (Must Die) – Traffic
11. Banks Of The Nile – Fotheringay
12. One Of These Things First – Nick Drake
13. Sir Patrick Spens – Fairport Convention
Disc: 2
1. Dirty Linen – Fairport Convention
2. On The Road To Find Out – Cat Stevens
3. Late November – Sandy Denny
4. Flowers Of The Forest – Mike Heron
5. Spring Season – Amazing Blondel
6. Time Slips Away – Bronco
7. The Man Who Cannot See Tomorrow’s Sunshine – Claire Hamill, Michael Coles
8. The Siege Of Yaddlethorpe – Amazing Blondel
9. Dear Old Battlefield – The Incredible String Band
10. Dark Eyed Lady – Robin Williamson
11. Poor Ditching Boy – Richard Thompson
12. The Nutting Girl – Morris On Band
13. Bushes And Briars – Sandy Denny
14. Black Jack David – The Incredible String Band
15. Sailing – Sutherland Brothers
16. Over The Hill – John Martyn
17. Things Behind The Sun – Nick Drake
18. Haste To The Wedding/The Triumph/Off She Goes – Ashley Hutchings, John Kirkpatrick
Disc: 3
1. Hanged I Shall Be – Albion Country Band
2. Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail – John Martyn
3. Withered And Died – Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson
4. Spencer The Rover – John Martyn
5. Darlin’ Cory – Bryn Haworth
6. The Sun Never Shines On The Poor – Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson
7. Stone – Ronnie Lane
8. Dimming Of The Day / Dargai – Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson
9. Upton Stick Dance – Ashley Hutchings
10. Calvary Cross – Richard Thompson
11. I’m A Dreamer – Sandy Denny
12. May You Never [BBC – John Peel 4/2/77]] – John Martyn
13. Meet On The Ledge – Fairport Convention
Gatz says
That’s a very good shout. I could almost make a playlist of those from records already in my collection.
count jim moriarty says
All these posts and no mention of the wonderful Eliza Carthy? Martin and Norma’s young ‘un is IMO, along with the Unthanks, the greatest talent in the current British folk scene.
Junior Wells says
I’d go for some compilation or sampler discs from some of the famous folk / folk associated labels.
Peanuts Molloy says
Some suggestions not yet mentioned:
1. if you want to explore music that’s connected to the English folk tradition this box set is a good starting point for around a tenner
2. if you want to explore the American folk / roots tradition try this excellent box for around £20
3. Listen to Mark Radcliffe’s Folk Show on BBC2 and their Folk Awards CDs
A lot of the above stuff is on Spotify
4. if you want to explore further afield buy Songlines magazine, listen to the covermount CD and follow their lead.
Hope this is helpful.
Askwith says
My favourite folk artistes are the Scottish band Malinky.
This kind of goes against your “not bothered about Celtic” brief but “Last Leaves” and “3 Ravens” are very fine albums indeed.
retropath2 says
Another trail is from the Albion Band, circa Light Shining, that begat the Home Service. In downtime many became the John Kirkpatrick Band before JK himself replaced John Tams in a reformed home Service. The recurring theme is ex-Gryphon guitarist Graeme Taylor and drummer Michael Gregory and a shedfull of brass monkeys.
This song is their template, I always feel:
mikethep says
There’s a marvellous 4-CD anthology called Anthems in Eden: an Anthology of British and Irish Folk 1955-79, obviously referencing the Collins sisters album. Unfortunately it’s out of print on CD (or yours for 60 notes on Amazon), but available for download at a mere £10.49, which is a helluva bargain. Highly recommended.
PS it’s on Spotify.
pencilsqueezer says
Think you may dig The Imagined Village Tony.
Junior Wells says
That was great @Pencilsqueezer. Will be furrowing that field.
Mike_H says
If you want some proper trad. folk sung in harmony, maybe try something by The Watersons.
“Frost And Fire” is the one that the traditionalists seem to rave about. £8.67 on Amazon.
OTOH “The Definitive Collection”, a 19-track compilation on Highpoint Records, is good for sticking a toe into their water, as it were. Currently £7.42 from Amazon.
Also in the same vein, “Come Write Me Down” by The Copper Family is a great 28-song set of trad. vocal harmony singing and comes with full lyrics and a 60-page booklet on the history of the family. That one is currently £12.78.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbYdpHOYHkE
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
Good stuff, although Waterson Carthy might also be worth a look for something a bit more Meet on the Ledge
Phil Pirrip says
I started dipping into ‘folk’ about ten years ago and I’m afraid lack the encyclopaedic knowledge of many around here, but increasingly find it a genre that hits a spot with me. First of all and my album of the moment, the Olivia Chaney/Decemberists venture Offa Rex is more than worth a listen. I recently received Olivia’s solo album “Longest River’, which I must admit has yet to engage me, but she does have a superb voice. Beyond that, I’d say Lau make a joyous noise. Worth tracking down is the Evergreen EP by Lau Vs Karine Polwart, or indeed anything by Karine Polwart.
Twang once described an Oysterband performance at Folk by the Oak as hee-hawing through the set. From my PoV this was good – a rollicking show and one to get the tail feathers twitching. They are a great live band who can deliver to large and small audiences. That said, recorded they may be a little sterile though.
I saw Faustus (Paul Sartin, Benji Kirkpatrick, Saul Rose) last year who put on an excellent performance in a small venue. Traditional narrative folk with a hint of modern. The latest songs focus a bit too much on death for my current situation, but shouldn’t detract from performers who know their craft and can deliver.
Then of course as winter beckons, Thea Gilmore and Kate Rusby are your friends.
murkey says
I posted this last week, but it seemed to be stuck in moderation, so here it is without so many links!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I put together a couple of Spotify playlists of ‘English Roots’. They are a few years old now, and a couple of the tracks have fallen off Spotify, but still a decent introduction I like to think. You can find me by my name, Christopher Conder.
There are lots of great suggestions above, but here are a few of my current favourites that have not made the thread yet. I should declare that the first two are friends of mine with UK shows coming up that I have helped them organise (for the fun of it, no money!). In both cases, I fell for the music first and got to know them subsequently.
Firstly, Bush Gothic are an Australian trio on violin/piano, double bass and drums. They take hackneyed old Ozzie folk songs like ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘Botany Bay’ and totally reinvent them to draw out the dark heart at the centre of them. They’re on tour in England and Ireland in September, and as they’ve not yet put the details on their website I hope you’ll forgive me cramming the dates in here (all tbc):
SEP 14 SHEFFIELD, Hagglers Corner, SEP 16 NEWCASTLE, Home Gathering festival, SEP 20 LIVERPOOL, venue tbc, SEP 21 OXFORD, The Jericho, SEP 22 LONDON, The Nest Collective – Campfire Club in London Fields, SEP 23 BATH, The Old Theatre Royale, SEP 24 BRISTOL, The Tobbaco Factory, SEP 27 DUBLIN, Cobblestones, SEP 28 DERRY, Berrigans, SEP 30 LONDON, The Slaughtered Lamb
I’ve long thought it a shame that there are so many European folk bands who tour all over the continent but never get a look in in the UK. Check out Zlabya (France), Pan de Capazo (Spain), Tref (Belgium/France) and Lou Dalfin (Italy) for starters. I’m pleased I’ve finally persuaded one of my favourite bal-folk duos to make their UK debut this year. French-Hungarian violinist Baltazar Montanaro and Ango-Italian-Belgian squeezeboxer Pablo Golder are I Fratelli Tarzanelli, and they are playing at Book & Kitchen in Notting Hill on Friday the 29th of September (and probably somewhere in Bristol the day after). Come along and beat the Brexit blues!
Sam Lee made his name first as a concert promoter and general do-er on the folk scene, so I can’t have been the only one to be surprised by the inventiveness and musicality he revealed when he finally made his (Mercury nominated) first album. He did the only-slightly-cheesy theme song for the recent King Arthur film, but his two proper albums are what to listen to.
Jarlath Henderson is a mind-blowingly talented piper from Northern Ireland, but he’s also a strong singer and interpreter, with a voice that recalls Paul Brady.
Somewhere between Kate Bush and Shirley Collins is Lisa Knapp, a singer and songwriter who really deserves attention beyond the folk niche.
The Furrow Collective – Emily Portman, Rachel Newton, Lucy Farrell and the above mentioned Alasdair Roberts – really are a band of talented individuals.
Keeping it raw are Stick in the Wheel from East London and Lankum (formerly Lynched) from Dublin.
And finally, from over in Appalachia, Anna (Roberts-Gevalt) & Elizabeth (LaPrelle) are pretty wow, with strong mountain voices, raw playing and a line in storytelling ‘crankies’.