Bookending the latest Folk Show are two tracks from Hirta Songs, a 2013 collaboration between Alasdair Roberts and Scottish poet Robin Robertson. The album, which I revisited here earlier today, also featured Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band on Hardanger fiddle and Corrina Hewat on harp. Further on in the playlist is a track from Robin Williamson and His Merry Band‘s 1979 album ‘a Glint at the Kindling’.
We also have double helpings from:
Plúirín Na mBan, a new project featuring Cathy Jordan, Claudia Schwab and Irene Buckley. Their debut album, Rambling Female Sailor, is out now; read more here.
And Nuala Kennedy‘s new Shorelines album, on which she explores the representation of women in traditional folk song (read our recent album review here).
There’s also music from Brigid Mae Power‘s new album Dream from the Deep Well, Kalos‘s Headland (ft Ryan McKasson, Eric McDonald and Jeremiah McLane), Dàimh‘s latest album Sula, reviewed here, Rab Noakes & Brooks Williams‘ Should We Tell Him, Liz Hanks‘ Land, Lauren MacColl‘s new album Haar, Kalos’ Headland, and Sam Sweeney & Louis Campbell‘s Shapes.
Alongside some older favourites from Pentangle, The Jellyman’s Daughter and Kathryn Tickell, we also have a number from The Owl Service‘s English Country Music (available on Bandcamp).
After reviving the collective in March 2021 following a 5-year hiatus, Owl Service main man Steven Collins decided that now is the time to fully embrace their outsider stance with new projects that unapologetically marry traditional folk song with decidedly non-traditional musical backing.
With English Country Music (an exclusive commission for the FPG Sounds project from Southend’s Focal Point Gallery), Collins has fused traditional folk songs collected in his native Essex with the music that has shaped him the most over the previous three decades. This set of songs is a reconciliation of his desire to explore our musical heritage, but from the standpoint of an upbringing in a concrete modernist new town with no sense of tradition, the project’s musical cues coming mostly from genres inextricably linked to urbanity.
Music Played
Alasdair Roberts and Robin Robertson – The White-Handled Knife
Plúirín Na mBan – Sadhbh Ní Bhruinneallaigh
Dàimh – Chaidh Mis’ A dh’Eubhal Imprig
Brigid Mae Power – Ashling
Robin Williamson – Me & The Mad Girl
Nuala Kennedy – Sea Reels (Downtown Troy – Haul Away Da Hauser – Distant Colours)
Pentangle – A Woman Like You
Rab Noakes & Brooks Williams – Since You Broke My Heart
The Owl Service – Bushes & Briars
Kalos – Brakeman’s Daughter
The Jellyman’s Daughter – I Hope
Nuala Kennedy – Sally Sits Weeping, Blue Devils’ Jig
Plúirín Na mBan – Female Rambling Sailor
Lauren MacColl – An-raoir
Kathryn Tickell – Border Widow’s Lament
Liz Hanks – Glind (enclosure)
Sam Sweeney & Louis Campbell – Shape #3 (E)
Alasdair Roberts and Robin Robertson – The Well Of Youth