The traditional British and Irish folk ballad Let No Man Steal Your Thyme has been covered by many over the years including Shelagh McDonald, June Tabor, Anne Briggs and Pentangle. It was the latter version that attracted Zoë Wren, something she attributes to her parents’ good taste:
“One of my earliest musical memories is listening to my parents’ CD of Pentangle songs, and being mesmerized by Jacqui McShee’s voice and the improbable atmospheric blend of jazz and folk sounds. Let No Man Steal Your Thyme has always been one of my favourites”.
The track features on her upcoming EP ‘Inspired’ which is out on 4th July. For those that can’t wait that long, the track will also feature on her new single (on general release this month on 14th June via Folkstock Records), along with a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic, Both Sides Now.
Listen to Let No Man Steal Your Thyme below on which Zoë added “I wanted to pay tribute to Pentangle by creating an arrangement of it that was very different to the traditional version – but also nothing like Pentangle’s version either! I really went to town, changing up the chords, adding pedal effects, and writing an upbeat instrumental middle section.”
https://soundcloud.com/folkstock-records/zoe-wren-let-no-man-steal-your-thyme-master/s-Pfvl7
Since her beginnings as a busker in Camden Zoë has gone on to perform on stages from Cambridge Folk Festival to Glasgow Celtic Connections, and 100 Wardour Street to The Shard. She won a bursary through the PRS Lynsey de Paul Award, and has had airplay on BBC Radio 2 on the Bob Harris show. Usually releasing her own material, which we’ve featured on Folk Radio UK in the past. On her new EP, Zoë has reworked the music of six tracks by female singer songwriters from across the decades, which have been a significant source of inspiration for her.
Let No Man Steal Your Thyme is being released as a single on 14th June via Folkstock Records and will be performed at the launch gig for the EP on July 4th in London’s Camden Chapel supported by Talentbanq and Folkstock. Tickets can be purchased here.