Ahead of the release of Frankie Armstrong‘s new album ‘Cats of Coven Lawn’, she shares two new singles – ‘Bread & Roses‘ and ‘Marcy’s Guest House‘. The album is released on January 22nd 2021 to mark Frankie’s 80th birthday, but is available to pre-order now (via Amazon here).
Having heard a preview copy of the album, and being longstanding fans and supporters of Frankie, Lankum shared their thoughts on the new record:
“Frankie is a big hero of ours and we’re so happy that she is still making music. This is a really interesting and varied album and Frankie’s voice is clear as a bell and strong as ever. Here’s hoping there’s plenty more to come.”
Daragh Lynch
“Delighted to hear that Frankie’s voice has lost none of its punch or appeal in this latest album and her selection of songs is bold and varied, ranging from Northern European Yoiks to incestuous murder ballads.”
Radie Peat
Bread and Roses
Frankie: “Bread & Roses is a song I’ve loved for 40 or more years since first hearing the moving poem written about the largely women’s strike in the textile mills in 1912. Leon Rosselson created this beautiful new arrangement for Roy Bailey, myself and him to sing and record in the 80s.
As you can see the trio who sing it on the album call ourselves Bread and Roses after the words of the poverty-stricken strikers. ‘We want bread but we want Roses too’ These words seem as powerful and relevant today as they did over a century ago.”
Marcy’s Guest House
Frankie: “When we were planning the CD, Ben (Bird in the Belly, Jinnwoo, Green Ribbons) told me he’d like to write a song for me. He confessed as he sent it to me that he was scared that I wouldn’t like it. Of course being Ben I knew it would be strange, imagistic with a wonderful weaving of words. I loved learning and singing it. It is an extraordinary evocation that inhabits a world neither naturalistic nor totally metaphorical. It speaks of “outsiderness” and breakdown – she is both real and unreal – and this is such a glorious challenge for a singer.”
Cats of Coven Lawn is released on January 22nd 2021and is available to pre-order now via Amazon here.
Website: http://frankiearmstrong.com/