Old recording of The Lark in the Morning

Subject: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 09:46 AM

I'm trying to remember who recorded the song The Lark in the Morning in the early or mid-seventies. I think it was a solo artist - could it have been Tom Gilfellon? This version was not the Steeleye Span one in 3/4. This was in 4/4 with more of a hornpipe rhythm. I reckon if no one here knows it, no one knows it!

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 10:16 AM

The Dubliners did a 4/4 (I think) track of it at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4B1kyHb4Lc

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 10:20 AM

I realize that's not the take you are looking for, but it might help someone else who's more familiar with music from that part of the world.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 10:32 AM

Ha ha! I started listening and thought, 'that's a jig', i.e. in 6/8. But yes, it does change to the hornpipe-like rhythm I mentioned. It's not the recording I was after, but it is the same song. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: cnd
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 10:38 AM

Discogs.com lists 155 recordings of songs matching that search criteria (Genre: Folk, World & Country, and Year: 1970s) but their search function tends to be more liberal than conservative. You could try applying more filters if you know which country it came from or there are additional styles (ie, Folk, Celtic, Baroque, etc) that you feel applies to it. Though the list is daunting you can probably just scroll through and remove a few.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Reinhard
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 10:46 AM

My favourite Lark in the Morning is Tony Rose's on his 1971 album Under the Greenwood Tree. He sings double tracked in a duet with himself.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 10:54 AM

But sadly, not what I'm looking for, as I didn't have a Tony Rose LP back then.

Nice idea, cnd. I looked at all 155 references (twice), but the one I'm after isn't there. The search goes on ...

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,John Bowden
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 11:14 AM

Could it have been Dave Arthur (and Toni Arthur in the chorus) on their 1969 LP "The Lark in the Morning"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAam1DqKu1o

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 11:21 AM

Afraid not, John.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 11:23 AM

John, that link doesn't work here in this part of North America, so I've added the following which I hope is the same thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY9xfZqz4d0

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 11:24 AM

Scratch that.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:14 PM

George, you may be able to ask Mr Gilfellon via Facebook.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:21 PM

Paul Brady certainly recorded it with "The Johnstons", possibly late 60s. Fairly sure I have the LP record somewhere. Possibility ?

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:21 PM

That's also a good idea. George is out right now, so I'll do it ;oO

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:22 PM

Sorry Kenny, I never had a Johnstons LP. Unforgivable really, given that Mick Moloney is my favourite mandolin player!

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:22 PM

https://youtu.be/lsWKeDCHY0A

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:29 PM

Just listened to The Johnstones. Much more jig-like than I remember it, but we're talking 50-odd years ago! Good though.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jun 20 - 12:44 PM

Jaysus, Joseph and Mary, Gordon. My memory ain't what it used to be and never was. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 12:00 AM

Paddy Tunney

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,Me up there, harpgirl
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 12:05 AM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf8pSsrJGXo

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 04:54 AM

Thanks, I know the Paddy Tunney version, but it's not the one I'm looking for.

I realise, as I write this, that 'version' is ambiguous. It could refer to (1) one recording as opposed to another (say, Paddy Tunney's vs the Arthur's); (2) it could refer to slight differences in words or tune between different renditions (again, PT vs the Arthurs); or (3) it could mean the same or similar words set to completely different tunes (e.g. PT vs Steeleye Span).

So, when I say I know the Paddy Tunney version, I mean that under meanings 1 and 2. The 'version' for which I seek is a meaning 1 version: a different recording (1) of that or a similar set of words and tune (2), but not meaning 3.

I hadn't realised 'version' could have so many different meanings in a single context; a bit like the word 'wicket' in the noble game of cricket, which has at least three different meanings.

Sorry to be so verbose - blame it on the lockdown! And still my search drags on ...

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 06:13 AM

"Paddy Tunney
A-*****-men
I was praying someone hadn't forgotten him
He was the singer who manged so sound most like the beautiful bird he was singing about - miles ahead o most mentioned so far
Jim

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 06:29 AM

Yes Jim, Mr Tunney was a damn fine singer. However, I started this thread because I was searching for a particular recording - I didn't want to get into 'this singer's better than that singer' - that way lies arguments and madness!

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 06:58 AM

Not necessarily
It seems to be a little fanzine for people to just put up their favourites rather than be prepared to discuss why
Any genre of soong - or anything is doomed to disappear up it's own self-importance, in my opinion
Jim

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: clueless don
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 07:18 AM

I had never heard the song in question. When I see "The Lark in the Morning", I think of this jig.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 07:46 AM

Yes, one of the first jigs I learned. I suspect (with no supporting evidence, just a feeling) the jig took its name from the song.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,P. Asserby
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 07:52 AM

Tony Rose?

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 07:54 AM

Nice playing, too, from Chris McMullan. I first heard it in about 1971. Fairport Convention were blasting it to hell at about 200mph! This is a much more sensible tempo. Nowadays, it seems everyone session blasts along at high speed, with little or no ornamental subtlety.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 07:55 AM

I never owned a Tony Rose LP, so that's not the one I'm after, thanks.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 08:40 AM

Is this recording of a solo voice, male, not a youthful voice, and probably a "field recording" (to judge by the quality of the sound reproduction)?

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 08:59 AM

Paddy Reilly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oROYNK3uXr8

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 10:18 AM

Nope. Although this version of the song is Irish, I think, I'm fairly sure it was an English singer, male.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 12:35 PM

You're a hard man to please, Mr Jackson!

His version of this song gave its name to a wonderful early (1956) LP on the Tradition label- it gave me a taste for his lovely lyrical singing which has lasted since I bought the LP in Dublin in 1964- on the cover it says I paid 19/11.....

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 12:37 PM

ps I'm sure Tom Gilfellon would have got it from Paddy Tunney- a regular visitor to the Northeast i the late 60s.....

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 12:50 PM

Heh heh, please call me Gordon! It's really not about being difficult to please. I'm just looking for an LP I had fifty-odd years ago. Actually, I don't think it was Tom Gilfellon after all. The only album I had of his - and long lost - was Loving Mad Tom, and according to Discogs The Lark in the Morning wasn't on it, so I'm even more perplexed. It's not that I must have that LP, it's just an annoying little puzzle I can't solve.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 04:35 PM

paul brady with the johnstones alternatively the bothy band

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 05:45 PM

I already said that above, and the Bothy Band never recorded the song "The Lark In The Morning".

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,harpgirl
Date: 16 Jun 20 - 08:46 PM

Maybe you’ll find it inThe Roud Collection, Gordon

https://www.vwml.org/search?q=lark%20in%20the%20morning&collectionfilter=RoudFS;RoudBS&is=1

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 02:35 AM

Thanks harpgirl, but no, it's not there.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 04:56 AM

I can think of a few other possibilities - all from Ireland - but if it's not any of these, I think I'm done with this.
I seem to remember "The Matthews Brothers" singing "The Lark" in St. Andrews Folk Club, would have been early 1970s. I think they made 1 or 2 LPs around that time.
A group called "Tara" who played mainly on the continent may have recorded it.
I used to have an LP record which featured 4 acts from Dublin around the late 1960s. Not at all sure about this, but I have a feeling that Al O'Donnell may have sung "The Lark" on one of the tracks.
These are no more than suggestions which might jog your memory, Gordon. Don't think I can add any more.
Best of luck, Kenny

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 05:34 AM

Thanks Kenny, but it's none of these. I do appreciate your and everyone's, efforts. I wonder if my quest is destined to fail?

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Reinhard
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 05:36 AM

Do you remember any other songs thar have been on the same album? Maybe that'll help us searching.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 05:49 AM

Great question, Reinhard, but I'm afraid I don't. The song just popped into my head the other day, and I thought 'Oh yes, was on on ...'s album'. I just don't remember who, and it's almost become an obsession. For some obscure reason I've got it in my head that the 70s' revival singer was solo (possibly duo), male and English.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 08:37 AM

the matthews brothers

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 08:40 AM

and your point is?

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Gordon Jackson
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 09:26 AM

If you mean The Mathews Brothers, an Irish folk band of the 70s, no, I’m afraid it’s not them, but thanks.

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 01:48 PM

Irish?>

Subject: RE: Old recording of The Lark in the Morning
From: Vic Smith
Date: 17 Jun 20 - 03:02 PM

When Bob Copper was working for the BBC in the mid-1950s, collecting folk songs for the BBC archive, he recorded the fine voice of an old lady, Lily Cook singing "The Lark In The Morning" and it is now on the Topic 'Voice of the People' album You Never Heard So Sweet.
Lily lived about four miles north of us in the village of South Chailey.