Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow

Subject: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: jonniewilks
Date: 23 May 17 - 04:06 PM

I'm new to the forum, so I thought I'd stop in and say hello, and by way of starting a conversation I'd like to know what other people have thought of Lisa Knapp's new album - especially her version of 'Hal-an-Tow', which goes under the name 'Til April is Dead'. I can't get it out of my head.

For more on the singer, here's a Lisa Knapp interview I ran on my own folk blog a couple of weeks ago. I can't recommend her highly enough.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 May 17 - 04:50 PM

Here's Lisa Knapp's YouTube recording of "Till April Is Dead":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe-WWMHQASg

It's certainly an interesting interpretation, but I don't know that I'd want to listen to it too many times.

The recording by the Watersons is hard to beat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiwLDI7jNQU

For good measure, here's Oysterband:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUkaMjZzyFs

I have mixed feelings about the Oysterband recording, but I sure love the Watersons rendition.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST,Guest Jim Younger
Date: 23 May 17 - 09:22 PM

The Oysterband version always makes me think of The Ramones.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 17 - 10:19 PM

A nice unaccompanied rendition from Jon Boden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zVYRIayoaU

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 24 May 17 - 04:41 AM

Intrigued, I stuck with Ms Knapp's 'artistic' muddle preserving my hopes til the song began. Not rewarded. Maybe she stopped flattening out the riches of the original tune eventually, but life is too short for me to have stopped around there to find out.
And here was me so pleased to find a younger person actually essaying a traditional song rather than their own acoustic composition with light trad flavouring.
Oh well, back to the songs in my head.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 24 May 17 - 04:58 AM

Flora Day, Helston

The Hal an Tow contrasts with the sedate Furry Dance on Flora Day.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: Andy M
Date: 24 May 17 - 09:42 AM

Why would anyone not want a 20 something to play around with this song?
Whether anyone personally likes it or not is a side issue, and disliking it if you are (like me) a baby-boomer is just generational, or worse - MacColl pedantry.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 24 May 17 - 10:37 AM

I don't think there's any criticism of Lisa Knapp for recording the song.

Some people like her version, some people don't. That's par for the course.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 25 May 17 - 05:30 AM

Whenever I've heard Lisa Knapp sing solo, live and unaccompanied, or even just accompanying herself on fiddle or guitar or whatever, she has a directness and simplicity that I find a lot more potent than her arrangements, which sound a bit over-precious to me. Just my opinion etc etc.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 25 May 17 - 09:33 AM

I admire the artistry and imagination behind a piece like this.

And I think the album would be great performed at a concert, with all of my attention focused.
But there are only a couple of tracks that I'd choose to play again from the cd.

Subject: RE: Lisa Knapp's Hal-an-Tow
From: GUEST,CJ
Date: 25 May 17 - 11:02 AM

I think LK does an interesting take on folk things. Her Gaberlunzie Man is pretty special.


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