Today’s Song of the Day is very special as it’s also a sneak peak at the forthcoming album from the incredibly talented Rachel Newton (The Shee and The Emily Portman Trio). Queen of Elfan’s Nourice from Rachel’s new album ‘Changeling‘ out September 2014. The track also features Lauren MacColl on fiddle, Su-a Lee on cello and Matiie Foulds on percussion.
Queen of Elfan’s Nourice is a Child ballad (No 40). It tells the story of a mortal woman being taken from her four day old son to Elfland to nurse fairy babies. The Queen of Elfland promises that if she nurses the queen’s child, she will be returned to her son. According to Carole B. Silver’s Strange and Secret Peoples: Fairies and Victorian Consciousness it was not an uncommon belief that women were in particular danger of being taken by the fairies immediately after giving birth.
We had nothing but praise for Rachel’s 2012 solo debut album The Shadow Side (read our review here) and Neil McFadyen, from our review team concluded:
…innovative harp/electro-harp loops and experiments; the darkest of traditional ballads; soothing Gaelic song and enchanting vocal performances. With The Shadow Side, Rachel Newton has accomplished something quite remarkable and released an album that heralds the emergence of an exceptional talent.
It sounds like we are in for a treat.
You can pre-order Changeling via Rachel’s website: www.rachelnewtonmusic.com