Back in February, EFDSS launched a new video series titled “In the Archive…”. Essentially, an artist is invited to browse through the record collection at Cecil Sharp House and select some choice releases to talk about. While it’s a simple concept, it’s the choice of selections available that make this such an enjoyable prospect.
The first featured Jon Boden, during which he revealed his father once purchased him a set of pipes and that he attended the world-famous Willy Clancy week in Co. Clare when he was 16. As I said then, watching artists talk about the music they love, especially when it’s vinyl, is something I could watch for hours.
The next in the series has been a while coming, no doubt disrupted by Coronavirus, but spending just over 5 minutes in the company of John Jones of folk rock legends Oysterband is worth the wait.
John sums up my feelings on selecting music from their archives…”how long are you going to give me? I could be here for days?” Watch it first, as what follows has some spoilers.
He waxes lyrical about Joseph Taylor and how he can make even single-syllable words sound musical. We hear a lovely excerpt of Unto Brigg Fair to prove the point which was recorded in 1908 by Percy Grainger.
The pace picks up with a Folksound Of Britain album and includes the Padstow May Song performed by The Hobby Horse Party. The album was recorded live during the concert presented by EFDSS at the Royal Festival Hall on 4th June 1965. He talks of the world-famous Obby ‘Oss festival of Padstow and we’re even treated to an extract from Alan Lomax’s Oss Oss Wee Oss! documentary from 1953 which was made by Lomax, Peter Kennedy and George Pickow.
It ends on a touching note, A Song For Every Season by The Copper Family. He talks fondly of the family and especially Bob Copper who passed away in 2004 and “who could be the living embodiment of tradition.” As many of you may know, John Jones is a keen walker, something he touched on in our Artist of the Month interview with him in 2015 here – following the release of Never Stop Moving, his second solo album inspired by the Reluctant Ramblers:
It started with the simple question, “Why not walk to a gig?” But several years, several hundred miles and many gigs and pub sessions later, it’s become something of a monster.
John recalls, “It started with just three musicians, none of whom really wanted to walk, so all of the gear went with them in a car. Rob Chalice from our live agency, gave me a few contacts and I did all of the organising myself, but it’s grown to the point where there can be 50 people walking. We have to find venues big enough and sell out tickets in advance.” John continues, “Tom Povey who runs BunkFest takes time out of his job to research pubs and Caz White, who does my publicity, also helps out, it’s almost got to the point where it’s too big.”
Simon Holland, Folk Radio
In the video, he recounts one such walk along The South Downs Way which ended at a pub where The Copper family turned up in their ‘fantastic old car’. John got to sing Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy, it’s a lovely moment to end the video on as you can see how fond he still recalls that memory.
Magical.
Thank you EFDSS and John.
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