"The Songwainers" (1971) Argo ZFB 31

Side One
Robin Hood and the Three Squires
The Three Knights
The Deadly Wars
Stormy
Tom O'Bedlam's Song
Old Jonas

Side Two
News From Holland's Leager
Bright Phoebus
The Old And New Courtier
The False Fox
The Glittering Dewdrops
George Ridler's Oven
John Barleycorn

Apparently The Songwainers were mainstays of the Cheltenham Folk Song Club, and on the evidence of this LP it must have been a good place to hear some fine songs. As far as I know this was their only recording, but I'd like to hear otherwise. These chaps may look like The Yetties' less handsome cousins, but they were a great bunch of singers, their powerful voices carrying this unaccompanied (save for a little percussion) album with great aplomb

What makes this LP such a favourite of mine is the choice of material, most of which I've never heard elsewhere. Even the familiar opening song of Robin Hood switches midway to a different melody, a refreshing twist. Other highlights for me are The Old And New Courtier, a compelling chant, and The False Fox, a nursery rhyme set to an original tune. Best of all, though, is the brief reading of Old Jonas, in an squawking accent thicker than clotted cream

Does anyone know what the singers are up to these days?