Brian Peters Child Ballad CD

Subject: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 11:31 AM

Yes, I know: Shameless Self-Promotion. But several people on here asked me to post up details of this project when it was ready, so here goes:

My new CD of fourteen Child Ballads, 'Songs of Trial and Triumph' is all finished. You can find out more, and listen to samples of all the ballads, here. I'll be putting up full lyrics, sources and admissions of editorial meddling fairly shortly.

You can, of course, order it through the website, but any Catters preferring to use cheque or Paypal can avail themselves of my Special Introductory Mudcat Exclusive Discount, which will save them a pound or so, by sending me a PM.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,Tom Blissq
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 11:33 AM

Brilliant - I'm off to get one. Been waiting AGES

Well done B old chap. T

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,TB
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 11:36 AM

False Foudrage - is that about a custard pie fight? (soreee!)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 11:37 AM

And you can hear Brian discussing this on my radio show tomorrow morning at around 11.00 am.

Details on my myspace or my permathread.

Thanks Brian.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 12:07 PM

Well done Brian, the cheque is as good as in the mail.
I was listening to you just this morning when I found a new battery for my MP3 thingy which has spent the winter in the truck.
Wonderful to be out running again and listening to music.
Folkiedave is your show available online anywhere?
JohnB

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 05:02 PM

Yes John indeed it is. Brian is scheduled to appear around 11.10 am in the second part of the show.

"Thank Goodness It's Folk" broadcasting to England's fourth largest city each Friday 10.00 - 12 noon
Sheffield Live! - 93.2 FM
Broadcast over the internet on www.sheffieldlive.org
Podcast on http://www.canstream.co.uk/sheffieldlive/

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Saro
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 05:04 PM

Bound to be a success with the discerning listener, Brian, Looking forward to hearing your presentation at Chippers (assuming I'm not needed elsewhere at the smae time.
Sarah

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Alan Day
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 05:21 PM

Good luck with the new CD Brian.
Al

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 05:49 PM

Nice one Brian, good luck with this.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 05:53 PM

Good luck Brian - loved the updated Seven Nights Drunk.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Doc John
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 05:58 PM

Good luck with this fine project. When can we see volumes 2,3,4.....please!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 08:41 PM

yah! another Brian Peters CD.

PM sent

sandra

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 10:51 AM

Thanks all for the kind comments. Just to give Greg a plug, there is a former member of the Boat Band on board for two tracks!

"When can we see volumes 2,3,4..."

Yes, I can see it now.... Volume 4: The Robin Hood Ballads. That should be a big seller.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 12:38 PM

Brian Peters,The Glossop Nightingale.hope the cd goes well.
be careful with Robin Hood,was he Yorkshire or Nottingham?

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,mwaha
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 02:42 PM

Yorttingham!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,Steve Gardham
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 03:19 PM

There must have been many Robbing Hoods both in Barnsdale and Sherwood as the Great North Road passed through both. Barnsdale has precedent on historical records but that means notting. No need for further discussion here, this silly pointless argument has its own website.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 07:25 PM

As I look over the Loxley Valley where Rob was of....towards the Robin Hood - where I first went carolling and which has just changed landlords.......

I feel we should listen to Brian's record.

There is great variety in the treatment of the ballads: old timey American; unaccompanied; unashamed folk rock (best bit on the album for me) and a genuinely funny version.

There was a woman's voice singing harmonies that try as I might I could not place.

Well done Brian for keeping the harmonies in the family.

I listen to a lot of records and a lot of new records. One of the best things I have heard for a long time.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 08:08 AM

Brian will be leading an all-day ballad forum at the Lewes Arms on Sunday 1st. March 2009 and a melodeon workshop the day before. He performs at the Lewes Arms folk club (http://www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org/) on the Saturday night. Booking forms will be printable from the club's website a bit nearer the event.

Participants will as usual be invited to sing a ballad of their choice during the day and to select it in advance, so that we can avoid duplication.

These are excellent fora (forums if you prefer) for discussing and learning about ballads as well as listening to them.

All the best,

Valmai

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 05:40 AM

3 copies almost winging their way to Sydney for 3 Ozcatters!

lucky us

sandra (counting the days till the parcel arrives)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 04:01 PM

Brian,

    I finally got to the site. Thanks for letting me know it was there.

--Phil

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Old Grizzly
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 06:23 PM

Looking forward to hearing the new CD Brian.

That should keep the singers busy for a bit .... so while they're otherwise distracted, how about a 'sneaking in' a purely concertina CD next to keep us Anglo Squeezers happy ?

Regards

Dave

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 09:17 AM

Well, Dave, I used up a lot of Anglo concertina repertoire on 'Anglophilia', and have spent the intervening couple of years researching the ballads. Give me time!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 09:22 AM

Wonderful CD, Brian.

All my deliveries took longer than usual today. Each I pulled up outside a customer's premises I had to wait in the van until the current track had finished. It just seemed wrong to silence you in mid flow!

Sir Aldingar is masterful. No other word for it.

Thank you.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 09:32 AM

Thanks, Helen. I guess you were late for a few customers, then. Moral: don't take the Child Ballad CD when doing deliveries!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 10:33 AM

Very interesting. Maybe I will take the afternoon off and listen to it again.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 May 08 - 12:26 PM

They arrived today!

I've played my copy 3 times & will continue playing it tomorrow.

But there are only 14 tracks & I want MORE. Fooey to this idea of making a concertina CD, get cracking on more Child &/or other ballads (please).

I looved the re-write of Seven Drunken Nights - referring to a Harley as a wheelbarrow with twin exhausts is brilliant!

Sir Aldingar definitely needs reviving & I also loved False Foudrage which I'd never heard before.

A great album & I could go on but it's 2.23am & I really must be in bed by 3am or thereabouts, & I have lots more stuff to do.

sandra

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:13 AM

Great album! And can I be the first to congratulate you on the rather fetching "Camembert Electrique" t-shirt?

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Roberto
Date: 11 May 08 - 02:47 AM

I've listened to the cd over and over. The tracks I like the best are Broomfield Hill (I treasure the pub recording by Cyril Poacher with the "hold the wheel" chorus, and Brian Peters' rendition is amusing), Daemon Lover (yesterday I was walking along the sea-shore with my iPod with Brian recording of the ballad and those by A. L. Lloyd and Nic Jones and others, a fine listening, very good unaccompanied singing, and it was along the banks of Italy, of course), Geordie ( a beautiful tune indeed), Banks of Green Willow, Lizie Wan and Three Ravens (this set I know from Ewan MacColl, and it is the one I like the best, I'm glad Brian Peters recorded it). I also like the Cruel Mother and Lord Randall. Less the Mermaid and the Six Nights Drunk, but I wouldn't remove a track from the CD because their different mood makes it varied and always interesting. I hope there will be more recordings of the Child Ballads by Brian Peters. He's already recorded a bunch of them in his previous CDs, among them the best in my opinion are The Dragoon's Ride (#299), Two Sisters, Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom (#1),The Outlandish Knight and Henry Martin. I'm especially interested in the Robin Hood's ballads project, it is since Wallace House and Ed McCurdy we don't have a collection of these songs by a single artist, and I think Brian Peters could do a very special CD with them. Roberto

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: LesB
Date: 11 May 08 - 10:08 AM

For those Brian Peters fans in the NW Brian is tonights guest at Bothy Folk Club Southport kick off 8pm. The Park Golf Club, Park Rd West, Southport, PR9 0JS. (It is situated just north of the town center at the Municipal Golf Course). I'm sure Brian will have a few copies with him.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 12 May 08 - 03:03 AM

Just received my copy and on first couple of hearings I'll certainly add my reccommendation

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 12 May 08 - 05:52 AM

I expected something special, and it's even better than I hoped. Top hole Brian.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Roberto
Date: 18 May 08 - 06:51 AM

The more I listen to it, the more I like it. R

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 May 08 - 07:58 AM

Yes indeeed a terrific piece of work.

As many of you know, I have serious doubts about how a tradition will sustain itself on traditional material alone. (Not an invitation to argument - this thread honouring one of ours is not the place.)

However this is a great work of energy and committment and deserves all our support.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 18 May 08 - 10:30 AM

I intend to pick up a copy of the CD at Chippenham and to see Brian's special feature on ballads at the Festival.

My memory may be at fault, but I rather think one of the reasons Brian learnt 'Sir Aldingar' was to use it at a Lewes Arms ballad forum eighteen months ago. There was certainly much appreciation of this rare ballad and a lively discussion of it at the forum. We look forward to more of the same when he comes back to run another forum on 1st. March next year.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 May 08 - 11:02 AM

Valmai, was there any record of the discussion?

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 18 May 08 - 11:50 AM

Alas, no.

I realise that Lewes is a bit far away from Sydney, but how about persuading your friendly local organiser to book Brian to do something similar next time he goes to Australia? It makes a cracking day out.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 May 08 - 01:39 AM

funny you suggest that, Brian appeared at my club the last time he was here. We've been in contact & he'll (probably) do so again the next time he's here which won't be next year as he is otherwise engaged!

sandra

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 19 May 08 - 12:30 PM

Thank you for that, Sandra - I hadn't come across the review before. Please give my best to John when you see him.

Also thanks to everyone for the comments.

Valmai: my previous Lewes ballad forum did indeed host the public debut of 'Sir Aldingar', although it wouldn't be quite accurate to say I learned the ballad speicfically in order to use it in that workshop. More because it's a fantastic, gothic story, and because no-one else was doing it (this was before I knew that Chris Foster was working on it independently, using a different tune and quite a lot of different words).

Nigel: full marks for spotting the 'Camembert Electrique' shirt hidden behind the guitar (it glows in the dark as well!). There's a surprising number of Gong freaks lurking on the folk scene, y'know.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 20 May 08 - 04:48 AM

We were very priviledged to get the first appearance of Sir A. in Lewes.

Sandra, in case you might consider putting on a ballad forum for Brian (or anyone else) as well as the usual evening performance, I'll pass on the formula we've used for similar days with him, Craig Morgan Robson (twice) and Judy Cook; we've got another one coming up with Marian Button on 6th. September. It might be a useful starting point, although naturally I wouldn't claim it's the only way of running such a thing.

The forum takes a whole day: 10.45 a.m. - 4.45 p.m. with breaks for lunch and afternoon tea or Harveys. The tutor brings a ballad or two and maybe recordings of source singers to listen to and discuss.

We also encourage people to book in advance and nominate the ballad they themselves will sing and discuss; the ballads are listed on the club website as they are chosen. This means we can avoid six versions of one ballad on the day, and also tactfully encourage anyone who is hell bent on doing 'The Fields of Athenrye' to reconsider their choice before the day. We don't insist that people choose exclusively from Child, but we do try to steer them gently away from things that couldn't be considered ballads even if your mind is broad enough to accommodate a small elephant.

Doing things this way has certainly prompted people taking part to learn and think about new and unusual ballads which they might not otherwise have tackled, because the opportunities for unleashing one in a floor spot or singaround are limited.

Tootle pip,

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 May 08 - 06:40 AM

I love it - we've had ballad workshops at Festivals, with a coordinator (I remember Donal Luney doing one) & panel, but I'm not aware of one like yours.

sandra

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 May 08 - 06:42 AM

as I was typing Donal's surname I did wonder if I was mistaken

AND I WAS - it's Donal Maguire who I meant.

sandra (blush)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 08 - 08:51 AM

Got the CD. Quite brilliant. Wishing for a non-YouTube version (i.e., with better sound) of "Hind Horn". While we're wishing, a shame this kind of trad talent is thin on the ground in the US.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Folkiedave
Date: 21 May 08 - 08:56 AM

I think it might be thicker this summer since Brian is going over there.......!!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: vectis
Date: 21 May 08 - 08:32 PM

Yes but not until he's guested at Seaford on June 6th.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 22 May 08 - 12:31 AM

My copy just arrived. Thanks for sending it, Brian. Very well done.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 03 Jun 08 - 09:16 PM

We eventually got the English cheque book out of the chest which was wedged shut with the pillow which now has a big hole in it! and!.
The Cheque is in the Mail.
No seriously I posted it yesterday.
Two copies on their way to the colonies.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jun 08 - 08:18 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 04 Jun 08 - 10:14 PM

Just a prime recording.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Roberto
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 01:07 PM

As promised, Brian Peters has put the lyrics of the ballads on his site at Harbourtown Records. R

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 01:15 PM

Yes, I was hoping that Hind Horn would be on it although False Foudrage is a great song I'd not heard before.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 04:45 PM

In the states it's available through CAMSCO. Of course.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: JohnB
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 07:41 PM

PM Brian too, or follow the link in his initial message, I'm sure he will send them anywhere in the world for whatever postage is. That's how I got mine and it is a great CD too especially if you like songs with a high mortallity rate :)
JohnB

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 04:31 AM

Roberto: Thanks for alerting people to the website additions. There are still one or two tweaks to do but it's more or less ready. In addition to full lyrics, the hard-core authenticity police among us can also read rambling and complicated accounts of the original sources and the tinkering I did to knock them into shape. After the 'Bertsongs' discussion it seemed the least I should do.

Terry: 'Hind Horn' is on 'Lines' (PUGCD 004), if you're interested.

JohnB: Whaddya mean, 'high mortality rate'? I make the final body count 11 adults, 3 infants, 1 cabin boy, 12 little devils and two entire ships' crews (the ship in 'The Demon Lover' has an invisible crew so that doesn't count). Pretty low for fourteen Child Ballads, I'd say. But you're right, I will send copies anywhere on request.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 09:43 AM

the song with the highest mortality rate (which I read as a poem & therefore won the Body Count session last year!) is Eric Bogle's "When the wind blows" where a billion lost souls fall into hell.

No doubt that tops the count of all Child ballads added together.

sandra (refreshing this thread!)

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 09:58 AM

Brian - thanks for that, I'll have a look at it.

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 12:14 PM

Congrats Brian on a great review of this CD by Roy Harris in the latest issue of The Living Tradition Magazine

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 12:25 PM

to take you to the review click on contents at the top of the page and its on page 38. need your reading spex to read it!
Well done Brian!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 12:33 PM

Good review for a very good album. You click on the little magnifying glass, (top mid right), Al, and it gets bigger!

Subject: RE: Brian Peters Child Ballad CD
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 01:07 PM

So it does!

Coming from Roy Harris, that review is just absolutely spot on. Roy is one of my long time heroes. I'm really pleased for you Brian!