Hello,

My name is Joop and I live in The Netherlands (Europe).
I'm very interested in the history of traditional songs.
When studying "Blackwaterside", I came across this thread.
My starting point was Zep's "Black Mountain Side", which Mr Page took from the guitar arrangement of Bert Jansch's "Black Water Side".
Bert Jansch on his turn had learned "Black Water Side" from Anne Briggs, who recorded her version finally in 1971.
The linernotes suggest that Anne Briggs got her version from a 1952 BBC Archive recording by Mary Doran (probably through the intervention of A.L. (Bert) Lloyd).
But from opinions expressed in this thread it seems most likely that she learned it from Isla Cameron's 1959 recording.
And Isla Cameron on her turn would have learned the song, either directly (from a 1952 BBC Archive recording by Winnie Ryan) or via the intermediary services of the singer A. L. Lloyd.
Thus far I have heard the version of Mary Doran and, although they are similar, it's not the version Isla Cameron based her version on.

But I've not heard Winnie Ryan's version fo comparison.
So if anyone can help me with an MP3 of the 1952 Winnie Ryan version of "Down by Blackwaterside" I would be very thankful.
You can contact me here on the forum or you can contact me directly at jooriginal9 (AT) gmail.com

Joop greets from The Netherlands