#4261: New Versions of Old Folk Songs
Hear new and newer versions of traditional folksongs of the British Isles (Ireland, Scotland, England, and Cornwall) for this edition of New Sounds from Martin Hayes and Brooklyn Rider, Sam Lee and Friends, the Irish band Planxty, and the rock band Traffic.
From a new record by Brooklyn Rider and Martin Hayes, listen to arrangements of old Irish fiddle tunes – like “O'Neill's Cavalry March” and some not so old, like Martin Hayes’ original “Maghera Mountain.” Plus, from Planxty, the Celtic folk revivalists, hear a dark song of incest and murder, usually avoided by folk singers, "The Well Below the Valley," sometimes known as "The Maid and the Pilgrim."
Listen to a version of the traditional English song "John Barleycorn (Must Die)," which might be as old as the 1300's, as popularized by the band Traffic. The song tells the story of the grain from planting to harvest and beyond, including the making of sweet ale. Also, hear an old song from Cornwall, the Celtic region of England from French singer and Celtic harpist Alan Stivell - "An Try Marrak." Sung in Cornish, it's a tale about three knights courting a young woman, and it ends badly for the young woman, by her brother's hand.
Listen to music by Sam Lee, a traditional English folk singer from North London, who apprenticed with the great Scottish Traveller singer Stanley Robertson. He collects traditional English songs and repurposes them for a new place and time. Listen to Sam Lee and Friends, and their version of "Over Yonders Hill." Plus, a bit of music from Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene, playing an "old pop music" tune, the Scottish traditional song, "Johnny Faa." And more.
Program #4261: New Versions of Old Folk Songs (First aired 8/09/2019)
ARTIST: Martin Hayes and Brooklyn Rider
WORK: Maghera Mountain [1:45]
RECORDING: The Butterfly
SOURCE: In a Circle Records
INFO: brooklynrider.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Sam Lee & Friends
WORK: Over Yonders Hill [6:24]
RECORDING: The Fade in Time
SOURCE: The Nest Collective Records TNCR 003
INFO: samleesong.co.uk
ARTIST: The House Band / Ged Foley
WORK: Bonnie Light Horseman
RECORDING: WNYC Live, 1987
SOURCE: This performance not commercially avaiable.
INFO: Appears on the House Band CD “Word of Mouth,” Green Linnet #3045. Available at Amazon.com
ARTIST: Martin Hayes and Brooklyn Rider
WORK: O'Neill's March [3:19]
RECORDING: The Butterfly
SOURCE: In a Circle Records
INFO: brooklynrider.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Martin Hayes and Brooklyn Rider
WORK: Maghera Mountain [4:48]
RECORDING: The Butterfly
SOURCE: In a Circle Records
INFO: brooklynrider.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Planxty
WORK: The Well Below The Valley [5:35]
RECORDING: The Well Below The Valley
SOURCE: Shanachie 79010
INFO: shanachie.com or Amazon.com / Spotify
ARTIST: Alan Stivell
WORK: An Try Marrak [5:52]
RECORDING: Une Journee a la Maison
SOURCE: Rounder #3062
INFO: Try Amazon.com. OR Stivell's site: alan-stivell.com
ARTIST: Traffic
WORK: John Barleycorn (Must Die) [6:26]
RECORDING: John Barleycorn (Must Die)
SOURCE: Universal Distribution #90772 (Most recent reissue)
INFO: Apple Music, Amazon.com, Spotify
ARTIST: Bjarte Eike & Barokksolisten
WORK: Johnny Faa [3:52]
RECORDING: The Alehouse Sessions
SOURCE: Rubicon Classics 1017
INFO: rubiconclassics.com
