Sacred Harp, the music of the Shakers, Anonymous 4, Salli Terri, Jonathan Byrd, Kevin Conneff, Paul Brady singing "Arthur MacBride", Martin Carthy, Kate Rusby, Custer LaRue, Anne Briggs, Dolores Keane, Scandinavian folk music, plainsong, and the Anglican choral tradition....etc.
I love to sing a song that might have been sung by a shepherd in a shade or a dairymaid in a cow byre or a traveler along a dirt road some hundreds of years ago. I like to sing these songs as I work – to sing as I sew, spin, walk, chop vegetables, or poke about in the garden. I think of singing as a necessary part of life, to be carried out whether or not there is anyone lingering about to listen.
I am a singer and a writer, but I do not write songs. What need have I to write new songs when the old ones are so winning? I know that even the oldest must have been new in some long-ago realm – but there is a kind of poesy clinging about these timeworn things that new songs are hard-put to achieve. For that, and for their rarity in this modern world, I am sure they deserve a little singing.
And so, since I am no songwriter myself, I present to you a handful of old songs in all their simple glory, with no adornment but that of the human voice.
My recording was made in the summer woods, with the birds and cicadas permitted to do as they willed in the background. Each song was captured just as it was sung, with no second tries (except, admittedly, in the one or two instances of ridiculous mistakes in the lyrics that muddled the story). I meant it to sound as though the listener had simply come upon the singer in a wild green wood, and remained to eavesdrop for a while.
oohh new music?? :) btw, have you ever heard of "flatfooting?" my friend has been showing me videos and i am crazy wanting to learn how to do it. here's an amazing documentary on this style (also clog and tap): http://www.folkstreams.net/film,121
On behalf of our small group of itinerant musicians, let me thank you for befriending us. How very kind of you!
If I may be so bold, I can tell you that we all enjoy what we've heard you do, and wish only that you lived near us so we could enjoy your musical efforts face-to-face. Though Louisiana is terribly warm for a few months of the year, and our humidity is such that you can nearly scoop a glassful or water from the air (so some claim), it truly is a beautiful place to be. Louisiana has a most hospitable atmosphere for those of your caliber of talent.
Perhaps I am too bold here. If so, it stems from a selfish desire to enjoy more of your music.
Again, thank you for your kindly befriending us. We appreciate you.
Hello, Elizabeth! Thank you for the comment you made on my picture! Yes, I believe I have been time traveling a little. :) I wish we could go back in time together again. *sigh* Btw, I read your article and it was wonderful and I may have said this before, but your voice really is amazing! Take care and keep warm out there!!
Hi, Betta Barlow. Just checking. :-)xoxoxo Excited for l'afternoon. I look so forward to things like this- sometimes more than Big Events. You know? Knitting and music-making and arranging peacefully is bliss. And eating lentil-potato stew. I will make something too!
