Entertainment For Lively Minds
Trad.Arr.
Posted by Steve Turner on 18 June 2009 - 9:24pm.
Listening to Spotify tonight I had a sublime John Martyn hour and had completely forgotten how great his version of Spencer the Rover is. I have decided therefore to compile a compilation cd of trad.arr songs - any suggestions what should go on it? First up will most certainly be the Van Morrison/Chieftains version of Carrickfergus however I want American as well as British songs so look forward to the input of my Word mates.
- More from Steve Turner.
- Login or register to post comments
-
Zep
Gallow's Pole
Good shout
Loved the way Page & Plant did it live on the 95 tour - the Glastonbury version was a belter as I recall
The Waterboys
version of Raggle Taggle Gypsy.
Fairport Convention
Reynardine, and Matty Groves.
Steeleye Span
Thomas the Rhymer, Alison Gross, King Henry - all Child Ballads I believe. Also "Scarborough Fair" by Simon and Garfunkel, and any version of "She Moves through the Fair". Oh and "Day-Oh" by Harry Belafonte
Traffic
their sublime version of John Barleycorn.
Don't snicker...
...but Bryan Ferry does a thoroughly lovely version of Carrickfergus, on the album The Bride Stripped Bare. I've held a secret wish ever since that he might do an all-trad.arr set.
Seconded
There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for old smoothiechops around these parts, but I think he is a bona-fide genius as an innovator, songwriter and interpretive artist.
Can I suggest we have some coverage in the esteemed magazine?
Kate Bush
Accapella versions of My Lagan Love (B-side of Cloudbusting 12") and The Handsome Cabin Boy (B-side of Hounds of Love (single) 12"). Both on This Woman's Work compilation.
Haunting, ethereal, swoonsome. Check.
Sinead O'Connor...
..say what you will about the mad cow, her version on "My Lagan Love" on "Sean Nos" is mind-boggling.
Harry Belafonte
I really didn't know Day-Oh was a traditional song as his is the only version I have ever heard. That sounds like a cert for inclusion.
Avoiding the obvious suspects
and knowing you like Dave Alvin, have you heard/got his Public domain, which is, if not strictly trad, songs that are all, literall, in the public domain, american rules of copywrite, which are longer than ours.
O, and due to public demand (Hi, paul)I will add my favourite 2 traddies:
and
(Marvellous)
Actually, listen to 'em, if you can get past the vocals, which may be more wonderful to my ears than yours, being, in both cases, at least to begin with, Sir Martin of Carthy. Who also does the by now near traditional song, Heartbreak Hotel, but not on youtube, more's the pity.
Wow!
Gresford is truly powerful, great churning bit of electric guitar-led instrumental middle bit, thanks for turning me on to it.
You're welcome!
I loved the fact that the Albion band of that time were labelled as folk, yet had 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, a brass section, bass, keyboards and electric fiddle, as well as melodeon and crumhorns. One noisy band.
Trad or not Trad?
Roy Harper insists that North Country (or Girl From the...) is a traditional folk song and not a Dylan composition.
His spendid version (Trad. arr. Harper) can be found on his Valentine album.
Dylan never sued. I wonder why that was?
The Owl Service
do a tremendous version of Turpin Hero on their recent album
Rain And Snow
Think this is Trad Arr.
Loads of versions around, I like The Be-Good Tanyas and Levellers recordings.
Posted this before but I think the nepotiscism put people off
When nephew and niece needed a new song in a hurry I suggested re arranging a Trad song - worked OK I thought.