Johnny Flynn recently put together a very tasty playlist of songs he likes to listen to whilst he’s on the road. We’ve done a few guest artist mixes over the years and there were some very pleasant surprises in this one.
Guest Mix: Johnny Flynn – Songs for the Road by Folk Radio Uk on Mixcloud
For those who have Deezer you can also find it here**
The Tracks
The Albion Band – Ample Forth / Lay Me Low
This is a A fiddle tune followed by a hymn from the American non-conformist New Lebanon Church of 1838. It featured on The Albion Bands 1978 release Rise Up Like The Sun. The album is in part a collaboration between John Tams on vocals and melodeon and Ashley Hutchings on electric bass. The album also featured former compatriots from Fairport Convention, Dave Mattacks on drums and tambourine and Simon Nicol on vocals and electric and acoustic guitars. In addition another ex-member of Fairport, Richard Thompson, contributed songs and backing vocals. Having assembled the principal contributors and an ambiance that encouraged their friends to drop in, Hutchings gave Tams the freedom to act as the project’s musical director. They were joined by Philip Pickett on shawms, bagpipes, curtals and trumpet, Pete Bullock on synthesiser, piano, clarinet, sax, and organ, Michael Gregory on percussion, Ric Sanders on violin and violectra and Graeme Taylor on electric and acoustic guitars. Kate McGarrigle, Julie Covington, Linda Thompson, Pat Donaldson, Martin Carthy, Andy Fairweather-Low and Dave Bristow make guest appearances.*
Townes Van Zandt – At My Window
This version of At My Window is from the soundtrack from the 2004 documentary Be Here to Love Me which was directed by Margaret Brown. It was also the title track of his 1987 album release which was also his first studio album in the nine years that followed 1978’s Flyin’ Shoes.
Michael Hurley – Blue Mountain
Anyone that listens to FRUK will know how much of a fan I am of Hurley. This track is from Hurley’s debut album First Songs which was recorded for Folkways Records in 1964 on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Lead Belly’s Last Sessions.
Jimmie Rodgers – Blue Yodel No. 1 (T For Texas)
This was Jimmie Rodgers first Blue Yodel (there were many) and was recorded on 30 November 1927 in the Trinity Baptist Church at Camden, New Jersey. When the song was released in February 1928 it became “a national phenomenon and generated an excitement and record-buying frenzy that no-one could have predicted”.
Bob Dylan – Time Passes Slowly #1
Time Passes Slowly featured on Dylan’s 1970 release New Morning but this version is taken from the recently released The Bootleg Series Vol 10: Another Self Portrait (1969-1971).
The Kinks – Strangers
Strangers featured on the oddly named Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One which was released in 1970. The song was written by Dave Davies and although very popular with fans it was never released as a single. It got an added boost following its inclusion in the soundtrack for the 2007 Wes Anderson film The Darjeeling Limited.
Shirley Collins / Davy Graham – Hares On The Mountain
Another folk classic, this time from the famous pairing of Shirley Collins & Davy Graham. The album Folk Roots, New Routes was released in 1964 and is still one of the most influential British Folk releases. It helped redefine the very nature and future of folk music with Graham’s eclectic influences ranging from jazz, blues, and Middle Eastern music and Shirley sounded like no one else. Her voice was golden and there was no way Shirley was going to follow the rigid approach laid down by the likes of Ewan MacColl’s The Critics Group. She helped push British Folk music in new directions and that influence is still obvious even today.
The Melodic – Hold On
London based band The Melodic who once went under the title of Melodica Melody And Me have had a great year, they signed to Anti- and released On My Way an EP from which this track features. Their forthcoming album Effra Parade is due for release in early 2014 (for UK).
Taj Mahal – Shady Grove
This 18th-century folk song must surely rate as one of the most popular, especially in the US where there are numerous bluegrass versions. This track is a previously unreleased studio track which can be found on The Hidden Treasures Of Taj Mahal 1969 – 1973, a great album, the second disc for which contains a full live concert from 18 April 1970 at Royal Albert Hall.
Fletcher Henderson – Take Me Away From The River
Just as Johnny opened with a suprise he also closes this mix with one…Fletcher Henderson was a well known bandleader and composer who was important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. His was one of the most prolific black orchestras and his influence was vast. He was often known as Smack Henderson (apparently due to his college baseball hitting skills). *
Johnny Flynn – Tinker’s Trail
Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit UK and European live dates
27 March – Stockholm, Strand
28 March – Oslo, Blaa
30 March – Copenhagen, Vega Small Hall
31 March – Hamburg, Molotow
01 April – Berlin, Magnet
03 April – Cologne, Gebäude 9
04 April – Rotterdam, Motel Mozaique
05 April – Brussels, AB Club
08 April – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
09 April – London, Koko
10 April – York, Fibbers
11 April – Newcastle, Cluny
12 April – Liverpool, Leaf
13 April – Cardiff, Glee Club
*Wiki
**running order differs slightly