Today marks the release of the festive titled “Wesselbobs“, the new album from that powerhouse Yorkshire folk duo Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones. Last year, the duo delivered their beguiling debut album, “A Year Too Late and a Month Too Soon.” I’m sure you’ll find this new offering equally enchanting as they present a brand new collection of winter songs and tunes sourced from their beloved native county.
The album title, “Wesselbobs”, refers to a local pastime whereby folks would decorate evergreen boughs built around a spherical frame; these were carried door to door by Wassailers or carol singers in the 1800s and 1900s. Also known as Wessel-bobs, Wassail-bobs or Wesley-bobs, it most notably occurred in the communities of West Yorkshire.
The album’s accompanying sleeve notes are beautifully interspersed with images and give full lyrics and extensive source information illustrating Bryony and Alice’s commitment to the journey and history of each song and tune. You can order it via their store here: https://bryonyandalice.sumupstore.com/product/wesselbobs-by-bryony-griffith-and-alice-jones-cd-audio-and-28-page-booklet
Together, they have unearthed a treasure trove of traditional gems featuring uniquely local versions of more classic seasonal songs, intuitively arranged to cast a spotlight on the rich traditions, tales and winter rituals they depict.
To mark the release, we have the pleasure of premiering their video for “I Traced her Little Footmarks in the Snow”. Sung in their trademark regional accents, with lush fiddle and sparkling guitar work, it unveils the English roots of a popular Bill Monroe bluegrass classic, which was, in fact, an immensely popular music hall song published in 1875, written by Harry Wright for his wife the singer, actress and dancer Nellie Gannon. It was such a huge success that it was printed all over the country, with words changed to avoid copyright laws. It appears in three Broadsides in the Frank Kidson collection and quickly entered into the oral tradition, featuring in the repertoires of traditional singers, including Walter Pardon, George Belton and Yorkshire’s own Frank Hinchliffe.
The video was filmed and edited by Ben Griffith and Hugh Vincent
Don’t miss their upcoming tour dates; see below.
Original lyrics and tune by Harry Wright
Arranged by Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones
Bryony Griffith – vocals and fiddle
Alice Jones – vocals, harmonium, tenor guitar
Recorded by Joe Rusby at The Arch Recording Studio
Mastered by Nick Cooke Mastering
Filmed and edited by Ben Griffith and Hugh Vincent
Track Listing
1. EARLY PEARLY 3.28
2. THE ’OLLINS AND THE IVIN 3.20
3. I TRACED HER LITTLE FOOTMARKS IN THE SNOW 4.36
4. HAGMAN-HEIGH 2.47
5. RIPON SWORD DANCE 4.07
6. THE TAILOR’S BRITCHES/New Year’s Day 3.41
7. THE YORKSHIRE WASSAILING SONG 3.51
8. TIME TO REMEMBER THE POOR 3.09
9. HARK, HOW ALL THE WELKIN RINGS/The Spinning Wheel 4.00
10. CHANGE FOR A GUINEA (The Christmas Goose)/The Christmas Tale 4.59
11. CHRISTMAS 2.56
12. KING CHRISTMAS 3.41
Upcoming Live dates
November 11th – Lewes Saturday Folk Club, East Sussex
December 2nd – Hepworth LIVE!, Holmfirth
December 3rd – Warrington Singers Night, Cheshire
December 8th – The Globe, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
December 9th The Duke of Wellington, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
December 16th – The Grayston Unity, Halifax
December 21st – Crumpsall Folk Club, Manchester
2024
January 17th – The Willows Folk Club, Wrea Green, Preston
January 25th- The Topic Folk Club, Bradford
February 2nd Stapleford Granary, Cambridge
February 16th Nailsea Folk Club
February 26-27th – Costa Blanca Folk Club, Alicante, Spain
More here: https://bryonyandalice.com/