Previously featured on Folk Radio, The Wilderness Yet are folksinger Rosie Hodgson, traditional fiddler Rowan Piggott, and guitarist-flautist Philippe Barnes. They are to release a new single on 30 October which includes a beautiful cover of John O’Dreams. It also happens to be an all-time favourite song from the pen of the late Bill Caddick who, in 2014 played at one of the live evening events ran by Folk Radio UK at the time. Watch the accompanying live video:
The release also features two other tracks: an original Wedding Waltz and their harmony setting of Ae Fond Kiss which you can read more on below.
The Wilderness Yet:
These three tracks were commissioned earlier this year as part of our crowdfunding campaign for our debut album. We offered an “add your own topping” reward where people could ask us to record an extra track for them and we’re now delighted to share a few of these.
John O’ Dreams was requested specifically by Jim McAdams, who thought it would suit our style and we’re inclined to agree! The words are by Bill Caddick, who took the tune from Tchaikovsky (Symphony No. 6, Pathetique) who in turn borrowed it from a southern Italian lullaby entitled Piva Piva, so in that way the melody came full circle!
The waltz that follows was written by Rowan and dedicated to James Luscombe and Laura Attrill on the occasion of their wedding. Thanks to Barbara and David who commissioned it as a gift.
Finally, our thanks go to Michael who asked us to record this beautiful Burns poem in memory of his wife, Ellie (10 April 1967 – 5 August 2019). The a cappella arrangement is our own and can be found in our new songbook available from www.thewildernessyet.com
Pre-Order via Bandcamp here: https://thewildernessyet.bandcamp.com/album/john-o-dreams
The Wilderness Yet are already planning their next release, a collection of secular folk carols, wassails, and old yule songs with an emphasis on harmony singing, due out in December. Keep up with them here:
https://www.thewildernessyet.com/
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