#2537: Story Ballads

New Sounds | May 24, 2010
For this New Sounds, gather round for some story ballads, old and new. Traditional British and American ballads from Fairport Convention, Darol Anger, and Traffic meet their contemporary descendants in songs by The Knitters (members of X), Bill Morrissey, and The Decemberists. Listen to selections ranging from the story of the ill-fated leader of the Peasant’s Revolt to burials at sea, and possibly a version of "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair. Perhaps even a murder ballad will grace the mix, and more.

PROGRAM # 2537, Story Ballads - Old and New (First aired on Wednesday, April 19, 2006)

ARTIST(S)

RECORDING

CUT(S)

SOURCE

Fairport Convention

Liege& Lief

Matty Goves [8:00]

A & M #4257
Available at Amazon.com* Info at www.fairportconvention.com

Darol Anger’s Heritage

New Interpretations of American Roots Music

Pretty Polly [8:30]

Six Degrees #7569 **
www.sixdegreesrecords.com *

The Knitters

The Modern Sound of the Knitters

Little Margaret [3:00]

Zoe Records #1057 **
www.rounder.com

Traffic

John Barleycorn Must Die!

John Barleycorn [6:30]

Island #548541 Available at Amazon.com*

The Decemberists

Picaresque

Eli The Barrow Boy [3:00]

Kill Rock Stars #KRS425 Available at www.insound.com

Various Artists: Bill Morrissey

Legacy: A Collection of New Folk Music

Handsome Molly [3:30]

Windham Hill Records. Out of print. Try instead Bill Morrissey-The Essential Collection on Rounder Records, #11595, available at www.rounder.com or Amazon.com*

The House Band

Live, WNYC, 11/1987

My Bonnie Light Horseman [4:00]

Appears on the House Band CD “Word of Mouth,” Green Linnet #3045. Available at Amazon.com*

Robin Williamson

A Job Of Journey Work

Geordie Gordon [3:30]

Pigs Whisker #5010 www.thebeesknees.com*

Mark Knopfler

Music from the Film Cal

Irish Boy [2:00]

Mercury #822769 available at Amazon.com*

*, ** - Find the recordings you've heard - go to the New Sounds Recordings Information page

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

The Latest on the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Marcia Brown breaks down the latest news regarding the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Brooklyn’s dollar vans squeezed by Mamdani’s Flatbush Avenue bus plan

For years, MTA Chair Janno Lieber has called on the city to crack down on dollar vans, which peel away fares from the transit agency's buses.
Gothamist |

NYC's Office-Space Boom

Greg David talks about the recovery of the office-lease market and economic effects of the World Cup.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Every good night you've ever had at the club owes a debt to New York City

With Webster Hall, the city invented the modern night club. Night life impresario Susanne Bartsch breaks down what makes the dance floor such a special place.
Gothamist |
YOU ARE ONLINE