Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA

Subject: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: GUEST,Josh L
Date: 13 Aug 20 - 12:04 PM

Back in the 80's I happened upon an album (I think it was a cassette) of a famous American folk singer and a famous operatic baritone from the UK singing the same song together but each taking verses from their own country highlighting the differences in the lyrics.

It was wonderful!

Been searching all over, but haven't found a thing. Anybody know anything about it... or anything like it?

Much appreciated!
Josh

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: keberoxu
Date: 13 Aug 20 - 10:05 PM

Was it Benjamin Luxon and
Bill Crofut?

Numerous vinyl albums, more than one label:
Pro Arte; Omega Record Classics; Telarc; Stolat (? sounds like vodka) ; Cousin Jack's Records ...

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: RTim
Date: 13 Aug 20 - 10:40 PM

Ben Luxon is now married to Bill Crofit's widow - Susan....I met Bill several years ago, close to his home in Western Massachusetts. We sang together and drank some gin. He was a cool guy who enjoyed life....and was not as good a banjo player as he claimed...

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Aug 20 - 03:47 AM

wiki/Benjamin_Luxon#Selected_discography

AND not so easy funding this one

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Crofut#Discography

best of luck.............
M. Rouge

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: G-Force
Date: 14 Aug 20 - 03:51 AM

I immediately thought of John Denver and Placido Domingo, who made a record together.

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Aug 20 - 04:25 AM

Josh, were these singers both of the same sex? Any more details you can remember?

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Aug 20 - 09:11 AM

I remember the Domingo/Denver concert was also broadcast on television.

There was another year when Diana Ross stepped up to the mic, I think opposite Luciano? She really struggled - the mic was about 3' in front of Luciano and it was right at Ross' mouth the entire time.

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: Zhenya
Date: 14 Aug 20 - 10:58 PM

I agree the description sounds like Benjamin Luxon and Bill Crofut, in particular the songs on their album Simple Gifts. It doesn't seem to be on my streaming service (Amazon) but there are some tracks on YouTube. It looks like some out of print copies of the CD may be available at varying prices from Amazon and elsewhere.

I heard this years ago on the radio show Woody's Children and have it on CD. It's exactly as you describe, with the English and American versions of the songs being combined in the same track.

Subject: Benjamin Luxon and Bill Crofut
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 16 Aug 20 - 12:38 AM

^^^ Benjamin Luxon and Bill Crofut
the YouTube tracks are here
https://www.youtube.com/user/spitfiremanlizerd
Bonnie Banks o Loch Lomond
I will Give My Love An Apple
Dance To Your Daddy
Simple Gifts\Lord Of The Dance

a Christmas gig
https://youtu.be/3KWoyVXjU9U
1. "Cherry Tree Carol"
2. "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
3. "The Coventry Carol"
4. "The Truth from Above"
5. "Somerset & Kentucky Wassail"
&
https://youtu.be/FFuPB_QFGgw
- Medley

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 16 Aug 20 - 06:30 AM

the albums on discogs :
Folk Songs at Tanglewood & Simple Gifts
Omega (19) ?– OCD 3003
https://www.discogs.com/Benjamin-Luxon-Bill-Crofut-Folk-Songs-at-Tanglewood-Simple-Gifts/release/10418258

Two Gentlemen Folk
Telarc ?– CD-84401
https://www.discogs.com/Benjamin-Luxon-Bill-Crofut-Two-Gentlemen-Folk/release/6230623

All Through The Night: Folksongs of America and the British Isles
ASIN: B002C81T80
https://www.discogs.com/Benjamin-Luxon-Bill-Crofut-All-Through-The-Night-Folksongs-of-America-and-the-British-Isles/master/1386790

Subject: RE: Origins: Folk Singer & an Opera Singer UK vs USA
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Aug 20 - 11:06 AM

Benjamin Luxon is still alive --
remarried, as an earlier post stated,
to Bill Crofut's widow --
and living in southern Berkshire County in Massachusetts,
where he engages sometimes in theatrical performances,
but no more singing.