The Landfill Proect - curator: Sedayne.

2011 is the 40th anniversary of many significant albums, not least of which is Martin Carthy's Landfall, with its iconic cover (actually from the Topic re-issue of 1977) declaring the unashamed pastoral nature of the folk scene of 40 years ago. These days, our environmental concerns are perhaps a little different, hence Landfill rather than Landfall, thus I might ask if there are any visual artists out there in Mudcatland who could provide a suitable homage of the 1977 Topic edition of Landfall, but actually depicting a Landfill. I guess the seagulls, rolling contours and ominous skies would be a constant, whilst the proud ploughman would be driving some class of landfill compactor over this atrificial landscape.

As for the songs - Landfall is a rugged mix of the traditional & the contemporary, many of which I still hear sung today in clubs and singarounds, so the initial appeal would be to those floor-singers (primarily) who have any of these in their regular repertoires and would like to donate a recording. Here are the songs:

Here's Adieu to All Judges and Juries
Brown Adam (Child 98)
O'er the Hills
Cruel Mother
Cold Haily Windy Night
His Name Is Andrew (Dave Ackles)
The Bold Poachers
Dust to Dust (John Kirkpatrick)
The Broomfield Hill
The January Man (Dave Goulder)

Given that this will be an on-line download edition only, there will be no limit to the amount of people covering each song, giving each their own distinctive spin, variations etc. so - the more the merrier really - accompanied, unaccompanied, solo, groups, come what may. This will be an open venture reflecting the democratic nature of the Folk Scene of today; no money will be involved at an level - time will be given freely and the music will be avaiable for all.

Most importantly, there will be no vetting for quality control at any level other than at the discretion of each singer, it being assumed that if you are prepared to sing a song in a folk club or singaround then it is more than worthy of being featured here. Field recordings heartily encouraged and professional singers welcome (Martin Carthy especially!) but there will be no deference given. The Landfill Project is about all singers who have been touched by this truly remarkable album and moved to sing the songs themselves. Likewise, there will be no limits on the number of visual interpretations of the cover image.

If the response is good, I should like to host it as a blogspot throughout 2011 featuring full graphic material and biographical info on each singer with links to the downloadable material and encourage as many Landfill themed singarounds as possible throughout the year. The Durham Folk Party might be a good place to start - other suggestions welcome. If singers wish to make their contributions via YouTube, this will be seen as A Very Good Thing too.

I'm not presently PM-able but should anyone wish to contact me personally please do so at sean@sedayne.co.uk.