Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09

Subject: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 07:33 AM

Wendy's new album is due out to coincide with the Saltburn Folk Fest where she is appearing. It's called "Seeds Of Fools" and should physically arrive in all it's glory tomorrow. So if anyone would like an advance copy!!!!!!

It features not only Wendy Arrowsmith (said wife) but The Young'uns, Blind Summat!, Marjorie Paterson (from Fyrish) and a certain young guitarist.

It was recorded at The Forum in Darlington and is totally self funded (so we hope you don't mind the blatant publicity!).

You can hear 4 tracks from it here and buy it (if you would like to) from her website .

Cost is £10 + £1.50 P& P for the physical CD but there are some special deals available! It will be available in due course on CD Baby for our American friends and as digital downloads from all the leading on line retailers.

We really hope someone like it!

Full Track Listing is:

1. The Blacksmith (Trad. arr. K. Guy/ W. Arrowsmith))
2. Sleep Well 'til Morning (W. Arrowsmith)
3. Holy Ground (Steve Bailey)
4. The Cruel Mother (Trad. arr. W.Arrowsmith
5. The Ribbon (W.Arrowsmith)
6. Archie & Daisy (W. Arrowsmith)
7. The Gypsy Laddie (Trad. arr. W.Arrowsmith
8. John Anderson (R. Burns)
9. Twa recruitin' Sergeants (Trad Arr. W.Arrowsmith)
10. Counting Dolphins (W Arrowsmith)
11. Seeds of Fools (W. Arrowsmith)
12. Land o'The Leal (Music: W. Arrowsmith Lyrics: Lady Nairne)
13. Gaza To Argyll (W. Arrowsmith)
14. Hearth Song (W. Arrowsmith)

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: GUEST,Rebekah on a borrowed computer!
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 07:48 AM

Well I have had a sneaky pre-release listen and I can assure you that it is well worth it and will sell very well indeed!!!
Well done Wendy!

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Brother Crow
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 11:04 AM

Good luck folks....look forward to hearing it.

Graeme,
Brother Crow.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM

Thanks Rebekah, thanks Brother Crow.



Go on, just have a little listen. It won't hurt and you might like it!

Please.......

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: GUEST,Admirer
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 05:15 PM

Dear Wendy,
Listened to some tracks which were great but spoilt slightly by your address: North Yorkshire, Northeast United Kingdom.
The Northeast United Kingdom is Aberdeen.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 06:11 PM

Yep, the people who invented the MySpace address options are American!!

Though she (and me) will be in Aberdeen on August 26th.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: wrotham-arms-jen
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 06:53 PM

is that further north than yorkshire??

good luck with the album wendy

jen xxx

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 09:35 PM

Shit, after meeting & hearing Wendy only a few days ago at the Black Swan & the Scarborough Seafest, had I known then I'd have bought one up front & gladly waited. I'll be ordering when I get home.
BTW, loved your singing of your "Gaza To Argyll" as well as some of the others that I've just recently heard. Looking forward to hearing them again

Barry

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 03:45 AM

Thanks Jen, thanks Barry.

We'll see you both down the road we hope.

Gaza to Argyll is about the kidnap and subsequent release of the BBC journalist Alan Johnston in Gaza in 2007. The image of journalists worldwide holding a silent vigil in support was a very powerful one.

Paul & Wendy

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 01:06 PM

Just when you think all the hard work is done the courier screws up!

CDs have been delivered back to Bump studios rather than to us.......apparently they MAY be here tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 02:57 PM

Good luck....you went with Bump again in the end then....they've been good to us, and we wouldn't now go anywhere else...

....look forward to hearing it,

Graeme,
Brother Crow.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Ken Schatz
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 11:31 PM

Hi Arrowsmiths, Congratulations Wendy! Will do, looking forward to it!

Ken

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 06:45 AM

Yep, Bump again. No CDs until Monday though.........

Thanks Ken. See you next year we hope.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 01:16 PM

Some lovely early comments about Wendy's songs & songwriting on this album:

"Hearth Song" has an elegant melodic line that supports the warmth of the lyric in a very engaging way and her performance was a fine example of her 'simple professionalism'; Wendy's trade mark for just about everything she does.

I'm sure I am not the only one watching her progress with a measure of keen anticipation."
                                                Dave Goulder

"one of the best growing song-writing talents in the area"

                                                Richard Grainger

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 10:51 AM

Hey......the CDs have just turned up out of the blue! We'll get them out to those who have ordered them on Monday!

We're going away in 2 hours time!

Justto keep you going have a listen to Sleep Well, with the Young 'uns doing heavenly harmonies .

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 02:44 AM

Anyone want a copy to review for your publication/ website etc?

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Barry Finn
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 06:11 AM

I'll be ordering as soon as I'm back home, can't wait to hear it
Love to the Arrowsmiths, from Manchester
Barry

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 11:56 AM

Great stuff I've been having a listen to Wendy's tracks on Myspace and it's all sounding good. And with an added bonus like having the Young'Uns on your record...well, it's giving me ideas. Maybe they could enhance the Boat Band's next effort? Good luck with this Wendy

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Nick
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 08:54 PM

>>Justto keep you going have a listen to Sleep Well, with the Young 'uns doing heavenly harmonies .

Very enjoyable. Perhaps a bit too heavy on the reverb which got a bit in the way of the solo singing

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 09:16 AM

Thanks Barry, Greg & Nick.

To reverb or not to reverb .... that's always the question!

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 08:03 PM

Hi Paul & Wendy
Just got home last night & had to order as soon as I got rested. Just bought the both of them, can't wait to get my hands on them.
Thanks for all the good times
Will stay in touch

Barry

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 01:19 PM

Wendy says that she loves you Barry! She hopes you enjoy them both.

Let us know what you think when you've had a listen.

Cheers

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 02:17 PM

The first reviews have come through today:

One here

and this one is lovely:

We had a 'Folk Group' in my school, the teacher who ran it was a great man, he taught me much. He said when you sing, sing as if you are singing to one very special person in the corner of the room and every one in the audience will know that you are singing for them.

I do not know if Wendy Arrowsmith had the same teacher as me, I doubt it because I went to a boys school in South London, she was raised in Glasgow and I, surely, have a good few years on her ! Nonetheless it seems to me that in her live performance and on her studio recordings Wendy makes her audience feel as though they are that special person in the corner, well that is how she makes me feel, and I am no more or less special than anyone else.

'Seeds of Fools' is a great, second, album which brings a mix of traditional folk songs, sparkling with new energy, and some terrific new songs which have a traditional magic about them.

Wendy makes tunes that you think you already know, she writes lyrics that you, some how, think you heard before, but you think again and realise that they are absolutely brand spanking new.

I have never got on so well with the superficial songs that are said to be great simply because they sold more copies than any other, to me there is something more to a great song than just catching the ear of the masses. Take a glimpse at some of the great songs Wendy has come up with 'The Ribbon' it makes me feel that I am on the dock side, experiencing something I have never experienced………. 'Archie and Daisy' a touching true life drama without which may be this review would never have been written…….. 'Counting Dolphins' takes me stright to the cliffs of Cullen Bay in North East Scotland and the ruins of Finlater Castle searching the waves for Bottle Nose Dolphins…… 'Gaza to Argyll' song is about protest as much as anything and it seems to me that there are not enough protest songs these days………..

Well produced, the songs are supported wonderfully by her own guitar and with the help of several other fine musicians. The album is professionally packaged; it would make a fine gift for all your friends.

Almond Greenway
11 August 2009

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 08:59 AM

Hi Wendy and Paul...I happened on this page while looking for lyrics to Cruel Mother for Haylie!

Love the new CD Seeds of Fools.
We played it twice on the long drive home yesterday and were singing very loudly along while in an hour traffic jam much to the amusement of the lorry driver next to us! : )

Have a lovely gigging holiday : )

Love Yvie and H x

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: stallion
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 05:50 AM

What I would like to know is why it takes you all so long to "discover" people like Wendy, the first time I heard her sing she knocked me out and look what we have now,same with Barry. nough said, crackin cd

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 05:37 PM

But the Banjo! the banjo!!!
can no one else hear it?
LOL
I still love listening to the first one...
Looking forward to this un too.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: GUEST,Another Admirer
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 05:55 AM

I found this review on Folkwords. Thought it might help. It's a really good album.


'Seeds of Fools' - remarkable self-penned songs with inventive variations on traditional tunes (August 18, 2009)

When you hear some albums you know from the first that it will be a thorough pleasure. As the vocals kick in with the opening track on 'Seeds of Fools' (the second album by Wendy Arrowsmith) you know this is one such album.

And what a change an album makes. The musical ground Wendy has covered between this work of art and her first album is nothing short of vast - and her debut 'Now Then?' was no mean album. If you heard that and liked it then prepare to fall in love with this. Wendy's voice sounds even better this time around. It still carries the same depth and control but now there's a feeling of more richness and latent power. Throughout the album this new-found potent vocal authority reflects through each song.

Arrowsmith'Seeds of Fools' blends remarkable self-penned songs with inventive variations on traditional tunes – a balance that works to perfection. The first track confirms that. I've heard many versions of 'The Blacksmith' but none better than this. The voice, fiddle and cello are just right. And while on the subject of flawless songs, 'Holy Ground' is breathtaking, Wendy's voice adds a mixture of longing and beauty to Steve Bailey's moving song. 'Cruel Mother' is another example of her developing vocals - the song loves her slightly lower register as it adds so much expression.

Wendy's storytelling songs hold you rapt. 'The Ribbon' I could listen to all day. (I nearly did as I hit 'replay' to have it carry me round the hateful M25). There's a chorus to catch your ears and lyrics that place faith in the past and fear for the future. And the accent added by the banjo gives just the right edge. 'Archie and Daisy' builds its story around her grandparents, and I've rarely heard a more moving tribute. Unless you've had your heart surgically removed and replaced with a lump of granite it's a tear-jerker.

Think you've heard every variation on the 'gypsy laddie' theme? Then listen to Wendy's delivery of 'The Gypsy Laddie'. It's garden-fresh, and never were whistle, congas and bodhran better matched. Again, her original touch on the traditional adds new life to 'Twa Recruitin' Sargeants'. When it hits the mark it's hard to beat guitar and voice to carry pure beauty, with 'Seeds of Fools' - a simply beautiful song, simple as that. By contrast 'Gaza to Argyll' is as tough as they come and makes you thankful for your own situation.

This collection of storytelling songs takes you from the depths to the heights as Wendy's voice brings each one to life. Some sad, some joyous, some hopeful - together they make this album perfect.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 08:11 PM

Hi Paul
Just got Wendy's 2 CD's yesterday (thanks). WOW, great. I started on the "Seeds of Love" CD & got past her really wonderful, beatufill (pun) handling of the Blackbird (not so fond of it up til now cuz it's been covered so much by so many but this was a brand new wash) & then got stuck on "Sleep Well Till Morning" (I keep thinking of it as "Horee Horo"). I just kept replaying the song over & over again & working on harmonies for the rest of the guys to work on when I tell them we gotta steel this one. I heard Wendy sing this after the close of the Seafest that night on the pier & I remember thinking "why haven't I heard this trad sea song up til now". Now I know, nice job writing it Wendy. So yesterday was spent replaying that one song & it wasn't until today I got to hear the rest of the CD's. I'm even more impressed. I also sing a version of the Great Silkie, so I ended up singing along in various harmonies & replaying that over & over again. I had been driving all over the world today & when I pulled over to get something to eat I wouldn't get out of the car for listening to what was playing next. It was tough, it was a very tough day, having to stop, get out, get back in & start the song over again or just stay put till I broke away before the next song started. I haven't had life so hard on me since I worked for a living.
Till Wendy thanks a million. Now I'm a home & can listen & live. I could die like this & not care

Barry

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Mrs Banjiman
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:07 AM

Thank you all for you kind comments. It is such a relief when people enjoy what you have slaved over.

Barry, I can't wait to hear the Finn, Haddie & Ken version of "Sleep Well".

We're sat in the van in Stonehaven on the east coast of Scotland having done a gig at the folk club here a couple of nights ago and looking forward to Aberdeen tomorrow night. Paul & the kids were fishing in the harbour last night and chatting to some of the ex-fisherman from the almost completely vanished Stonehaven fishing fleet. "Sleep Well" seems really appropriate here.

Thanks again.

Wendy x

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:38 AM

It is indeed a tremendous cd.

There's another review of Seeds Of Fools on www.folkandroots.co.uk, I think it appeared a couple of weeks ago at least.

And Sleep Well's on my "sing" list too, Wendy!

Enjoy your vacation!
MM x

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 04 Sep 09 - 12:29 PM

MM.......

Wendy says she looks forward to your version as well.

Tim, you'll be pleased to know that there is very little banjo (one track!) on this one! Plenty of beautiful fiddle and cello though.

Jim Giddings also wrote a review:

Wendy Arrowsmith - Seeds of Fools - A (rave) Review

24 Aug 2009, 01:46
I am delighted finally to have received Wendy Arrowsmith's new CD Seeds of Fools in last week's mail. This has been another case (along with that of Red Shoes's CD Ring Around The Land) of watching an album come together gradually on MySpace and take on a concrete form that is even better than the initial bright sparks of song heard in the player had led me to expect.

I don't remember whether she befriended me on MySpace or I befriended her, but as soon as I heard the songs in the music player, mostly from her first album, Now Then?, I was an instant fan. Her award-winning song "The Visitor", about a midwinter shipwreck rescue, even wormed its way into my dream life during the cold New England Winter. "Skipio", a historical song like the Visitor, tells of an African who landed on the shores of Scotland in the 18th century and was adopted by one of the leading families of the country. Skipio broke a fair number of hearts and fathered a fair number of babies; he may even be one of Wendy's ancestors.

Slowly, more and more songs that were to be part of the new CD began to appear on the music player. The title song "Seeds of Fools" is a powerful exposition of how prejudice in all its forms can be either reinforced or minimized by a parent's actions. When I first heard the album version of this song a couple of days ago, I was overwhelmed with the power and controlled emotion of Wendy's voice as she switches from a sweet expository mode to a deep firm demand that mothers "...love your children... help them sow the seeds of love, not reap the seeds of fools..." When I first heard "Sleep Well 'Till Morning" I thought I had heard it before, but it is an Arrowsmith original, a traditional Scottish ballad snatched directly from the Akashic record perhaps? Her version of Steve Bailey's "Holy Ground", which has been covered by numerous Irish and American singers, is the best I've heard. "Counting Dolphins" is one of those children's songs that delight all generations. "Gaza to Argyll" is a good topical song that celebrates the role of quietness and diplomacy in the freeing of a journalist held hostage in Gaza. For her version of Lady Nairne's "Land of the Leal", she chose to write a new tune, which is every bit as good as the original, and more folk-like.

To me, the high point of this album is her "Archie and Daisy", a fresh new addition to the canon of 19th-century "Songs of Happy Love", with a strong, loving heroine.

Get hold of this album. You'll not regret it! http://www.wendyarrowsmith.com or http://www.myspace.com/wendyarrowsmith.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 01:24 PM

You can now order the album or individual tracks as downloads from CD Baby .

All tracks should be available soon via all the other main digital on-line retailers as well.

You can also preview all tracks on CD Baby.

Cheers

Paul

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 02:40 PM

It seems ages since Aerosmiths last LP so am really lookig forward to this.
Luv with a banjoloator picking it up when you should pluck down.
YOu are such a talented bunch and Wenders is one cool dude.

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: theleveller
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 03:40 AM

It's fantastic album - well done, Wendy!

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 03:01 AM

Mike Wilson's review of "Seeds of Fools"

Wendy Arrowsmith moves forward in leaps and bounds on her second album, Seeds of Fools, sounding ever more comfortable and confident. Exploring the lower registers of her voice, Wendy reveals gorgeously moody and stirring tones, that are put to particularly good use when instilling life in the six traditional songs included here. This is evident from the opening track, a stunning interpretation of "The Blacksmith," where Wendy manages to instil equal amounts of longing and rage. The Child ballad "Cruel Mother" receives a similarly rich and dramatic vocal treatment, with Rebekah Findlay's haunting fiddle arrangement and the ominously menacing beat of Joolz Cavell's congas furthering the brooding atmosphere.

Wendy's own song writing is also much to the fore on Seeds of Fools, and the well-chosen title track is a perfect example of the frankness and sense of justice with which Wendy writes, telling of the passing of prejudices from one generation to the next, all in the name of love: "prejudice is like a seed when watered, it grows strong / so mothers love your children, and teach them all the rules / help them sow the seeds of love / not reap the seeds of fools." Wendy expresses her own motherly instincts in her lullaby "Counting Dolphins," punctuating her soothing vocals with a gently hypnotic mandolin. "Sleep Well 'till Morning" is a similar song of comfort for the son of a fisherman, where Wendy manages to write a song that skilfully bridges the gap between the traditional and contemporary.

I favoured the tracks with minimal accompaniment where Wendy's voice doesn't strain to reach over the instrumentation, and she is able to achieve a more relaxed vocal. In particular, Wendy delivers a wonderful unaccompanied performance of Burns' "John Anderson" that demonstrates both control and serenity, offering a beautiful stillness and possessing almost hymn-like qualities.

Seeds of Fools is sure to command further attention, with both Wendy's writing and performance being worthy of wider recognition, and likely to ensure that she becomes a mainstay of the folk scene.


You can hear some of the tracks here


You can buy the album here (if you want to of course)

Subject: RE: Wendy Arrowsmith: New Album 1/8/09
From: Banjiman
Date: 24 Nov 09 - 07:40 AM

Album and individual tracks are now available from iTunes

A new review from FATEA:

Multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter, Wendy Arrowsmith, makes a return to the recorded world with her "Seeds Of Fools" album and once again proves that as well as being a fine writer of songs, she's also an excellent interpreter. The result is an album that seemlessly fuses the contemporary and traditional into an album that cannot fail to impress. Whilst it seems stripped back it's full of subtle touches to emphasise passages in the songs, some excellent woodwind especially. It's an album that's a real joy to listen to and one that rewards the effort of doing so.

..... and from R2 (Rock 'n' Reel):

Wendy Arrowsmith has a voice that could stop you in your tracks .It is particularly suited to big, dramatic traditional songs like "The Blacksmith" and Cruel Mother", both included here on her second album.

Wendy Arrowsmith is also a songwriter with a strong feel for the roots of her music. She even admits to doubts that she actually wrote "Sleep Well 'Till Morning", so traditional does it sound. The real test comes with "Archie And Daisy", a song written in memory of her Grandparents. It could have been dreadfully sentimental but by concentrating on a couple of significant episodes in their lives it avoids that trap and paints us a vivid picture of their characters.

Wendy is also a multi instrumentalist: Guitar, banjo, whistles and accordion all feature in her arrangements and although supported by her band, Blind Summat!, Wendy doesn't actually need much help.

The weakest feature is Steve Baileys' "Holy Ground" simply because it doesn't sit easily with the other material and although the title track is a bit heavy handed, Wendy's own songs are generally stronger.