Well, Rita, it's a very delightful "Helenesque" story, but apocryphal. The song in question, by the way, is on her recording titled "Ballads, Broadsides and Hymns," Folk-Legacy CD-50. I did the recording, and programmed the final product, but I never really acted as "producer," telling any of our artists what they should record or how. I may have suggested that Helen might want to record a "straight" version and decide in the cold light of the morning which would be preferable for the album (some things are great fun in the "doing," but don't hold up well over many listenings), but I've never attempted to control an artist's work. I felt controlled on my own first American recording (on another label), and soon learned to detest the sound of it.
    Helen was a great artist, and Caroline and I are going to miss her powerful presence terribly. I hope her performance of "The Cruel Brother" will be on the soon-to-come CD. Mary Cliff played the ballad (as Helen sang it at the LOC concert a couple of years ago) as part of her tribute program and it was absolutely stunning! Caroline heard her sing it at Indian Neck (the last song she ever heard Helen sing), but I missed it. Will it be on the new CD, Kathy?
    Sandy