In an exciting new duo collaboration between two leading lights of their generation of traditional singers, George Sansome (Granny’s Attic, Queer Folk) and Matt Quinn (Dovetail Trio, Matt Quinn & Owen Woods) have come together to create Sheffield Park, an album of traditional folk songs from the British Isles, released on Grimdon Records on 28th April (pre-order here). The duo will be launching the album with a 12-date tour in April, and at festivals throughout the summer (see information below).
Watch them performing the title track below, on which they shared the following:
This version of Sheffield Park was collected in 1907 by George Gardiner from Moses Blake in Lyndhurst, Hampshire and subsequently included in The Wanton Seed, published by the EFDSS. There is an estate called Sheffield Park in Sussex near Haywards Heath, but other Hampshire collected versions pronounced it as Sherfield Park, and there is a Sherfield-on-Lodden in Hampshire, so there could be a link there. Maybe we’ll never know…
I’ve always loved the combined sound of mandolin and guitar. Two different timbres of picked strings, there’s something really great about it. I’ve known George for a while and have admired his guitar playing for years. Making music with him is an absolute pleasure.
The White Room at Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield provided us with an excellent space to shoot the video. The acoustics are just right for what we needed, and as you can see in the video, only two microphones were needed to get the balance exactly right.
Video and audio by Will Killen
Sheffield Park is out on Grimdon Records on 28th April 2023 (CD/streaming/download), and is available to pre-order now on CD and download via https://sansomequinn.bandcamp.com/
The duo will be sharing these songs with audiences on their album launch tour in April at venues across the country, including Cecil Sharp House, Royal Traditions, Upton upon Severn Folk Festival, and an online gig for Live To Your Living Room. For a full list of dates, head to here.