DOCSLIB.ORG

Recordings It Is Nonetheless Fortunate That This Edinburgh Big Bill Broonzy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Recordings It Is Nonetheless Fortunate That This Edinburgh Big Bill Broonzy Recordings It is nonetheless fortunate that this Edinburgh Big Bill Broonzy. On Tour in Britain, 1952. concert was not the only one to survive by means rd Jasmine JASNCD 3011/2. Unit 8, Forest Hill of an amateur recording on acetate discs. On 3 Trading Estate, Perry Vale, London SE23 2LX; December 1952 Broonzy played Hove Town <www.hasmick.co.uk> Hall, near Brighton in the south of England. The recording quality was not as good, but on the whole the concert was much superior. By now Big Bill was in full command of his ‘folk’ repertoire, and more confident of his audience’s reaction to the songs. The result was a better pacing of his material, although many of the songs were the same as those performed in Edinburgh. Bill had discovered that songs associated with Woody Guthrie were more politically correct than those associated with Burl Ives, so “Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad” replaced “The Blue Tail Fly”, and the chosen spiritual was one beloved of the British peace movement, “Down By the Riverside”. One of two collaborations with a British Trad band called the Christie Brother Stompers ( “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover”), was undistinguished and easily forgotten, but, surprisingly, a fast-paced rendition of “Careless This is a double CD of ‘warts and all’ recordings Love” with the same band was a great success, of two concerts given by Big Bill during his thanks in no small part to excellent solos by lengthy stay in the UK during 1952. The first, in trumpeter Dickie Hawdon and trombonist Keith Edinburgh during February of that year, caught Christie. Nonetheless, the highlights of the Broonzy in a very mellow mood but still concert were those blues on which Bill cut loose struggling to perfect the role of an acoustic with his most uninhibited vocals and wailin’ folksinger rather than the electric urban guitar. They included two urban blues standards, bluesman he was back in the USA. He had “Willie Mae” and “Kansas City Blues”, and apparently been asked to demonstrate the variety Broonzy’s own “Make My Getaway”, perhaps of black folk music in the Deep South, and he the stand-out performance on these two CDs. responded by singing a spiritual (“Nobody Clearly Broonzy was now comfortable with the Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”), a plantation acoustic format, with exploring his own varied song (“The Blue Tail Fly”), a folk ballad (“John blues roots, and with introducing some of his Henry”), a classic blues (Bessie Smith’s “Back favourite material from the early years of urban Water Blues”), and a country blues (“Plough blues in Chicago. We are lucky that this Hand Blues”), as well as material popular in historical performance was preserved on acetate. Chicago in the thirties. This included Leroy Carr’s “In the Evening When the Sun Goes It would have been possible to make an excellent Down” and several Broonzy originals, including single CD of the best songs from these two “Louise, Louise”, “Just a Dream” and an anti- concerts. I will probable create my own private racism anthem, “Black, Brown and White”. To compilation CD, cutting out all the talk and judge from his slightly slurred speech, Broonzy omitting a few of the less successful was feeling no pain, and his performance was performances. Still, I’m glad that Paul Pelletier marred by incoherent and excessively lengthy and Robert Riesman (the brains behind this introductions to the songs. His tempos were project) resisted the temptation to do so for this sometimes very slow, especially during the first release on the Jasmine label. I dislike tampering half, so this concert lacked momentum. There with the past – Rounder, please take note – and were still some fine renditions, especially of such these Broonzy concerts are most certainly Broonzy favourites as “Keep Your Hands Off important historical documents that deserved to Her” and “House Rent Stop”, and his skill as a be presented ‘in the raw’. Robert Riesman, who I blues guitarist was never in doubt. believe is working on a new biography of Big 22 Bill, has contributed an excellent background Sharp) of the song better known as “The essay and commentary on the recordings. Lincolnshire Poacher”. Dave Gregory, Athabasca, Alberta The remainder of the disc comprises jigs, hornpipes and schottisches, plus a few songs Fanfare for the South West. Fellside FECD from the Stanchester Quire. I couldn’t help 182. Fellside Recordings Ltd., P.O. Box 40, feeling that these would have been better Workington, Cumbria, CA14 3GJ, UK; performed by individual singers since the Quire <www.fellside.com> makes them sound rather like hymns. On the other hand, I have to admit that the alternation between choir, solo singers and instrumentalists on the “Suite” works well. All told, an interesting and innovative project, in the main well executed, and well worth investigating. Dave Gregory, Athabasca, Alberta Aengus Finnan. North Wind. Borealis BCD 148. The Borealis Recording Company Ltd., 225 Sterling Rd., Unit 19, Toronto, ON M6R 2B2; Tel 1-877-530-4288; <www.borealisrecords.com> Although released on a northern English label, this CD is a project of Folk South West and features revival musicians associated with that admirable organisation, including director Eddie Upton. It can also be purchased direct from FSW, via the website at www.folksw.org.uk. The dominant musical voice and instrumentalist on the CD is John Kirkpatrick, who expertly plays a variety of accordions, melodeons and concertinas. The CD is named after a medley of seven folksongs (including “The Holy Well”, This is a beautiful recording, and it vies with “Searching for Lambs”, “Dark Eyed Sailor”, “Ye David Francey’s Skating Rink as my favourite Mariners All” and “The Sailor and the Soldier”) singer-songwriter CD of the year. Yes, I know mainly collected in the counties of Cornwall, the release date is 2002, but I only just now Devon, Dorset and Somerset by Cecil Sharp and discovered Aengus Finnan, having somehow Henry Hammond. Titled “Fanfare for the South missed his first CD Fool’s Gold, which was West Suite” this medley takes up rather more issued back in 1999. One of my New Year’s than half the CD and includes various bridging resolutions is to track down a copy of that one. instrumental tunes composed by Gina Le Faux, Anyway, North Wind is an excellent record, and one of the musicians performing it. The two solo my only difficulty in reviewing it is to decide singers are Eddie Upton and Philippa Toulson; which tracks to single out for special praise. I the latter sounds rather tentative, but Upton is in enjoyed the one traditional ballad on the CD, an fine voice on “Searching for Lambs” and “Ye Ontario version of “Lost Jimmy Whelan” Mariners All”. Incidentally, the tunes employed apparently derived from Edith Fowke’s for “Dark Eyed Sailor” and “Greensleeves” are collecting. I was moved to tears by Aengus’ a not the best-known ones, and the “Poaching cappella rendition of “O’Shaughnessy’s Song” with which the suite concludes is a Lament”, a poignant ballad about a hardrock Gloucestershire version (again collected by 23 miner’s loss of his wife in childbirth. I liked the Korth, a musician who is well known for his simple poetry of his love songs, in particular work with the bluegrass group Jerusalem Ridge. “Moon on the Water” and “My Heart Has I would never attempt to categorize Bankview Wings”. And he has a real gift for evoking other than that it is an amazing demonstration of Canadian landscapes and the call of the road. acoustic music played with drive, enthusiasm, There are some hard-hitting songs of social originality and diversity. commentary here too: take “Ruins” (about the bitter loss of a family farm) or the cover of Maria There are 13 selections on this CD; eight of them Dunn’s “Orphan Hand” about young children are original instrumentals, two on guitar and four shipped from England and worked as virtual on banjo, composed by Craig Korth. The slave labour on the Prairies. The musicianship by assorted blends of banjo, guitar, mandolin, (among others) Finnan himself, guitarist David acoustic fiddle and upright bass are superb, and Rogers and multi-instrumentalist Jeremiah Craig achieves a tone on his banjo that many of McDade is first class, and Jeremiah’s soprano us who play the instrument can only dream sax solo on “Apple Blossom Tyme” is about. An example is the original instrumental outstanding. The recording is clear and warm, "Beyond the Ridge", which Craig co-wrote with but I did feel that the CD was just a touch guitarist Byron Myhre. The melody has a unique, overproduced - there is a certain homogeneity to sensitive bluegrass/folk feel, as the guitar, banjo the sound that at first hearing makes a wide and mandolin weave in and out of the lead lines. range of different kinds of material sound too Byron’s 1954 Martin D28 guitar, Craig’s 1941 alike. That was probably intentional, but I still Gibson top-tension banjo and John Reishman’s think it was a mistake. Yet don’t let my one Gibson F5 mandolin provide a tone that will criticism of a fine CD put you off buying it. This make listeners shiver. (Thank you Craig, for is an exceptional album, and I look forward including the section "Instruments the Players eagerly to Finnan’s next recording. He is a very Used" in the liner notes.) talented song-writer. Dave Gregory, Athabasca, Alberta Each of the original instrumentals on this CD has a story behind it.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hutman Productions Publications Each Sale Helps Us to Maintain Our Informational Web Pages
    Hutman Productions Publications Mail Order Catalog, 4/17/2020 P R E S E N T S: The Very Best Guides to Traditional Culture, Folklore, And History Not Just a "good read" but Important Pathways to a better life through ancient cultural practices. Each sale helps us to maintain our informational web pages. We need your help! For Prices go Here: http://www.cbladey.com/hutmanbooks/pdfprices.p df Our Address: Hutman Productions P.O. 268 Linthicum, Md. 21090, U.S.A. Email- [email protected] 2 Introduction Publications "Brilliant reference books for all the most challenging questions of the day." -Chip Donahue Hutman Productions is dedicated to the liberation of important resources from decaying books locked away in reference libraries. In order for people to create folk experiences they require information. For singing- people need hymnals. Hutman Productions gathers information and places it on web pages and into publications where it can once again be used to inform, and create folk experiences. Our goal is to promote the active use in folk experiences of the information we publish. We have helped to inform countless weddings, wakes, and celebrations. We have put ancient crafts back into the hands of children. We have given songs to the song less. We have provided delight and wonder to thousands via folklore, folk music and folk tale. We have made this information freely accessible. We could not provide these services were it not for our growing library of 3 publications. Take a moment to look them over. We hope that you too can use them as primary resources to inform the folk experiences of your life.
    [Show full text]
  • A. L. Lloyd and the English Folk Song Revival, 1934-44
    A. L. Lloyd and the English Folk Song Revival, 1934-44 E. David Gregory Abstract: E. David Gregory outlines the genesis and contents of A.L. Lloyd's 194-4 history of English folk song, The Singing Englishman. Focusing on Lloyd's working-class childhood, subsequent jobs in Australia, London and Antarctica, contact with A.L. Morton, studies at the British Museum, leftist journalism, and BBC broadcasts, Gregory counters criticisms of Lloyd's writings by Maud Karpeles and Vic Gammon and demonstrates Lloyd's importance for the post-1945 Revival. It is now 30 years since the publication of A.L. ship.... The project was doomed to failure" (1986: Lloyd's magnum opus, Folk Song in England (1967). 151). However, the jury is not yet in on this Although currently out of print, the book remains the controversy. Indeed, Lloyd blended a Marxist most systematic survey of English traditional song, approach to cultural history with Cecil Sharp's and the most detailed account of its evolution from analysis of folksong melody and oral tradition. But the 14th century to the 20th. Essentially, Lloyd this approach was not necessarily doomed to failure. broadened, in a legitimate and necessary way, Cecil Sharp's conception of folk music as a product of oral Gammon premises his critique of Folk Song in tradition. Lloyd recognized urban and rural song England's methodology on his dismissal of Cecil traditions, and explicitly extended the study of Sharp's legacy as a middle-class misappropriation traditional music to include ritual songs, carols, sea of working-class music, a perspective apparently songs, industrial songs and political songs.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Peace Songs: a Documented Playlist Over 100 Years of Music
    Introduction to Peace Songs: A documented playlist over 100 years of music Collected and documented by Holger Terp, The Danish Peace Academy 2 Fredssange Saks eller skriv den sangtitel du er interesseret i, ind i din favorit søgemaskine eller i You Tube, så vil det for en stor dels vedkommende være muligt, at høre musikken. Peace Songs Cut or write the song title you're interested in, into your favorite search engine or You Tube, so will it to a large extent be possible to hear the music. Chansons de la paix Couper ou écrire le titre de la chanson qui vous inté- resse, dans votre moteur de recherche favori ou You Tube, ainsi il dans une large mesure être possible d'en- tendre la musique. Lieder des Friedens Ausschneiden oder schreiben Sie die Liedtitel, der Sie in- teressiert, in Ihrem Lieblings–Suchmaschine oder You Tube, so wird es zu einem großen Teil möglich sein, die Musik zu hören. 3 4 Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................14 A Song Of Peace.........................................................................................................26 L'homme armé............................................................................................................27 The Armed Man.........................................................................................................27 A Farewell to Arms....................................................................................................28 A Hymn on Peace.......................................................................................................29
    [Show full text]
  • Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = the National Library of Wales
    Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Cymorth chwilio | Finding Aid - J. Mansel Thomas Papers, (GB 0210 JMTHOMAS) Cynhyrchir gan Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.3.0 Generated by Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.3.0 Argraffwyd: Mai 06, 2017 Printed: May 06, 2017 Wrth lunio'r disgrifiad hwn dilynwyd canllawiau ANW a seiliwyd ar ISAD(G) Ail Argraffiad; rheolau AACR2; ac LCSH Description follows ANW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.;AACR2; and LCSH https://archifau.llyfrgell.cymru/index.php/j-mansel-thomas-papers-2 archives.library .wales/index.php/j-mansel-thomas-papers-2 Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Allt Penglais Aberystwyth Ceredigion United Kingdom SY23 3BU 01970 632 800 01970 615 709 [email protected] www.llgc.org.uk J. Mansel Thomas Papers, Tabl cynnwys | Table of contents Gwybodaeth grynodeb | Summary information .............................................................................................. 3 Hanes gweinyddol / Braslun bywgraffyddol | Administrative history | Biographical sketch ......................... 3 Natur a chynnwys | Scope and content .......................................................................................................... 3 Trefniant | Arrangement .................................................................................................................................. 4 Nodiadau | Notes ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Pwyntiau mynediad
    [Show full text]
  • A Trail of Gower Churches
    Introduction Introduction All of the churches listed on this leaflet are part of the Church in Wales, a province of the Anglican Christian worship has taken place on Gower for at Christian worship has taken place on Gower for at Communion. The Church in Wales was disestablished least fifteen hundred years, and in many cases least fifteen hundred years, and in many cases and became separate from the Church of England in churches stand where simpler structures of the Celtic churches stand where simpler structures of the Celtic 1920. At this time it was divided into four dioceses; period stood. The oldest are over eight hundred years period stood. The oldest are over eight hundred years by 1923 two more had been created, one being the old, and most newer ones rest on even older old, and most newer ones rest on even older Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, of which all the foundations. A great number of carved and lettered foundations. A great number of carved and lettered Gower churches are a part. stones and other remains connect us to their ancient stones and other remains connect us to their ancient past, and to the faith of those who worshipped there. past, and to the faith of those who worshipped there. The churches contain a wealth of fascinating features The churches contain a wealth of fascinating features A sample short walk visiting Cheriton and Llanmadoc of architectural, historical and artistic interest, of architectural, historical and artistic interest, churches: showing the high regard in which they have been showing the high regard in which they have been Turn right out of St Cadoc’s Church.
    [Show full text]
  • Area 2 Development Control Committee
    CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA NOTICE OF MEETING You are invited to attend a Meeting of the AREA 2 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE At: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, SWANSEA On: Tuesday 19th April 2011 Time: 2.00p.m. Members are asked to contact John Lock (Planning Control Manager) on 635731 or Phil Baxter on 635733 should they wish to have submitted plans and other images of any of the applications on this agenda to be available for display at the Committee meeting. AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence. 2. Declarations of Interest To receive Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests from Members in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea. (NOTE: Members are requested to identify the Agenda Item /minute number/ planning application number and subject matter that their interest relates). 3. To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Area 2 Development Control Committee held on 22nd March 2011. FOR DECISION 4. Town and Country Planning - Planning Applications:- (a) Items for deferral/withdrawal. (b) Requests for Site Visits. (c) Determination of Planning Applications. Roderic Jones Acting Head of Legal, Democratic Services & Procurement 13th April 2011 Contact: Democratic Services 01792 636820 ACCESS TO INFORMATION LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 (SECTION 100) (AS AMENDED) (NOTE: The documents and files used in the preparation of this Schedule of Planning Applications are identified in the ‘Background Information’ Section of each report. The Application files will be available in the committee room for half an hour before the start of the meeting, to enable Members to inspect the contents) Item No.
    [Show full text]
  • Area 2 Development Control Committee
    CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA NOTICE OF MEETING You are invited to attend a Meeting of the AREA 2 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE At: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, SWANSEA On: Tuesday 30th August 2011 Time: 2.00p.m. Members are asked to contact John Lock (Planning Control Manager) on 635731 or Phil Baxter on 635733 should they wish to have submitted plans and other images of any of the applications on this agenda to be available for display at the Committee meeting. AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence. 2. Declarations of Interest To receive Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests from Members in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea. (NOTE: Members are requested to identify the Agenda Item /minute number/ planning application number and subject matter that their interest relates). 3. To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 2 Development Control Committee held on 2nd August 2011. FOR DECISION 4. Town and Country Planning - Planning Applications:- (a) Items for deferral/withdrawal. (b) Requests for Site Visits. (c) Determination of Planning Applications. 5. Tree Preservation Order No 555 6. Appeals Information Report. 7. Enforcement Information Report. 8. Exclusion of the Public. The Proper Officer has determined in preparing item that paragraph 18 should apply. His view on the public interest test was that the authority’s statutory powers could be rendered ineffective or less effective were there to be advance knowledge of it’s intention/ the proper exercise of the Council’s statutory power could be prejudiced by public discussion or speculation on the matter to the detriment of the authority and the inhabitants of the area.
    [Show full text]
  • Area 1 Development Control Committee
    CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA NOTICE OF MEETING You are invited to attend a Meeting of the AREA 2 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE At: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, SWANSEA On: Tuesday 27th September 2011 Time: 2.00p.m. Members are asked to contact John Lock (Planning Control Manager) on 635731 or Phil Baxter on 635733 should they wish to have submitted plans and other images of any of the applications on this agenda to be available for display at the Committee meeting. AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence. 2. Declarations of Interest To receive Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests from Members in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea. (NOTE: Members are requested to identify the Agenda Item /minute number/ planning application number and subject matter that their interest relates). 3. To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 2 Development Control Committee held on 30th August 2011. FOR DECISION 4. Town and Country Planning - Planning Applications:- (a) Items for deferral/withdrawal. (b) Requests for Site Visits. (c) Determination of Planning Applications. Patrick Arran Head of Legal, Democratic Services & Procurement 20th September 2011 Contact: Democratic Services 01792 636820 ACCESS TO INFORMATION LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 (SECTION 100) (AS AMENDED) (NOTE: The documents and files used in the preparation of this Schedule of Planning Applications are identified in the ‘Background Information’ Section of each report. The Application files will be available in the committee room for half an hour before the start of the meeting, to enable Members to inspect the contents) Item No.
    [Show full text]