Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,David Baril
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 05:17 PM

Thanks Thomas! Since my previous post I had discovered the last one you mentioned but not the previous two.

Regards,

David

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 03:40 PM

"Black is the Color" was recorded by Jean Ritchie
on her first Elektra 10-inch LP EKL-2 Jean Ritchie (1952).
It was reissued on:
EKL 125 Jean Ritchie (1957)
60402 O Love is Teasin'-Anglo American Balladry (1985)
Rhino/Handmade RHM2 7867 Mountain Hearth & Home (2004)

Best wishes, Thomas Stern

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,David Baril
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 08:09 PM

I am looking for a recording Jean Ritchie singing "Black is the Color of my True Love's Hair". I have searched through iTunes and Amazon's mp3 downloads to no avail. I have found the MIDI file and the lyrics but would like to hear the original. Suggestions?



Thanks,

David Baril
Almonte, Ontario
dpbaril [atsign] sympatico [dot] ca

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Severn
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:25 AM

Nobody's mentioned "From Fair To Fair-Folk Songs Of The British Isles" 1966 Henry Z. Walck Inc. New York), a copy of which I stumbled across in a used bookstore in Columbus Ohio. A story thread about a roving minstrel ties together songs from different regions and can be apprieciated by both kids and adults. Is this one still in print?

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 12:50 PM

"Carols of All Seasons" has been digitally re-mastered and has just been released (July 9, 2009). Essential Media Group. Price about $12.98.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 11:21 PM

Possibly I missed my favorite recording by Jean in the many posts to this thread, but that LP was one on the Tradition Records label I think. It is called CAROLS OF ALL SEASONS.

Art Thieme

Subject: Wild Horses
From: GUEST,Choirgal
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 06:29 AM

does anyone know where the song "Wild Horses" originated from. I know it talks about Harlan and I am assuming Kentucky. (In a debate with choir director over it as we are sing this piece must say iti s a tounge twister learning it.)

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 03 - 03:38 PM

so when does the box set come out?

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Peter T.
Date: 16 May 03 - 03:34 PM

Worth noting is that Smithsonian Folkways has come out with "ballads", a reissue with new notes of the 1961 album, with new notes.


It happens that on a cold wet day I am working through her wonderful book "Singing Family of the Cumberlands" (never read it before, it is a true example of pure writing), and alternating chapters with a cut from the ballads. This is a fine way to spend a day in one's own "Corner".

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 05:29 PM

Well- is my face red! I DID instruct my webmaster to add THE SWAPPING SONG BOOK to the website, soon after it was re-published by UK Press. I guess I won't fire him, as he's my son Jon, but you know he'll hear about it. You should be able to find it listed with the other books VERY soon. And thanks to all for the reminder.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: RolyH
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 04:35 PM

A book which I have treasured for many years is 'Jean Ritchie's Dulcimer People'(Oak)
Can't remember where I got it from, but it made me go out and buy a dulcimer (not too common in the UK in the 70's) and I have struggled to hack a tune out of it ever since!(it looks so easy)
The book contains details of past and present players,tuning,playing styles,how to make a dulcimer,a few songs,many photos and loads more info.

Subject: Jean Ritchie's Swapping song Book
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 04:04 PM

Hi, Mick - I got it from one of the online sites, maybe Barnes & Noble. You would think it would be available at http://www.jeanritchie.com, wouldn't you? [attn:kytrad - this is a hint]. It's also available at University Press of Kentucky, publisher of reissues of Jean's Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians and Singing Family of the Cumberlands. The University Press of Kentucky has a number of music books that look interesting (click).
I have the Oak Publications (1963) edition of "Singing Family." It has illustrations by Maurice Sendak. I see that the new edition of the book has those same illustrations, but I wonder if the new editions of her books are all the same as the originals, or if changes have been made. "Swapping" and "Folk Songs" both have photos by George Pikow, and they're absolutely beautiful in the University Press editions.
My favorite Ritchie book is Celebration of Life, which also has George Pikow photos (although I note that I said above that my favorite was Singing Family).
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:58 PM

Thanks, Willa!!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Willa
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:44 PM

Thanks Joe. your link was the one I wanted, though my mother's version was a little different. Big Mick, Amazon have copies of Jean's Swapping Song book on offer; I just looked at the website.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:29 PM

Joe, I am interested in where you got the copy. From Jean's website? I would love to have this.

Mick

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Willa
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:50 PM

Kytrad,
I'm intrigued to know whether Old Woman And The Pig is the story my mother used to recite to us. "fire won't burn stick,stick won't beat dog, dog won't bite pig...".I had been trying to track down a copy of the poem for a long time, then took my little niece to a local museum last week and found a booklet with it in.It brought back happy memories, and now I can pass it on again.

Subject: Index: Jean Ritchie's Swapping Song Book
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:04 PM

I just picked up a copy of this wonderful little book, which was originally published in 1952. The was also a 1964 edition, and the edition I have was published by the University Press of Kentucky in 1999. Photos in the book are by Jean's husband George Pickow.
Here's the index:

• The Swapping Song 2
• Lazy John 6
• The Tree In The Valley-O 10
• I Built My Love A Big Fine House 14
• Over The River To Feed My Sheep I8
• Old Roger Is Dead 22
• Jubilee 26
• Two Dukes A-Riding 30
• Shady Grove 34
• The Old Soap-Gourd 38
• Old Woman And The Pig 42
• The Old Man In The Woods 46
• Pretty Fair Miss 50
• Jackaro 54
• Ground Hog 58
• The Deaf Woman's Courtship 62
• Skin And Bones 66
• The May Carol 70
• Hush, Little Baby 74
• Little Bitty Baby 78
• Pretty Saro 82

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 12 Dec 01 - 11:10 AM

Jean Ritchie alert! I just finished reading "Clay's Quilt" by Silas House. This is a must read excellent first novel. And you have to love a book in which the main characters listen to Jean Ritchie recordings.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Sigma Alpha Rho
Date: 12 Dec 01 - 08:29 AM

Hello Jean,

One of my treasured LPs is "A Time For Singing." Is there any chance that you'll put it out on CD?

All the best,

SAR

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Banjer
Date: 12 Dec 01 - 06:17 AM

What about 'A Musical Anthology by Jean Ritchie' or maybe 'Songs For All Seasons, An Anthology by Jean Ritchie'? I would stand in line for days to get one!!!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Abby Sale
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 11:03 PM

Er, what Summer Solstice Festival is that? Where?

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 10:36 PM

OOOOOO....That's good 'Gin boy! A shift perhaps to include Jean's name....."Jean Ritchie's Appalachian Seasons".......

Okay Jean, we'll keep talking about it huh? Maybe after New Year's? In the interim........A very Merry Christmas and my finest wishes to you and George and your sons for the Holidays!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 09:49 PM

maybe include a book with it or something....like a music book of some of the songs in it....

maybe Seasons of Appalachia....

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 05:58 PM

Sorry Jean....I didn't see you had posted before! Howecer.....I DO see what you mean about the connotation of "Boxed" Set.......Never thought of it that way......and now dammit, I'll always think of it that way!(:<))

Actually, if you do it....and you SHOULD....maybe we can think of a different name.....I could see it done as songs through different periods of your life, spring, summer, fall....but no winter, make that one a collection of Holiday/Christmas tunes......Call it the "Seasons of Jean Ritchie." Or toss it out for some creative Mudcat guesswork.....I think we can come up with something besides "Boxed" set!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,CTMS Member
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 05:44 PM

Jean,

I am so excited that you are going to be at the Summer Solstice Festival in June this year! I can hardly wait!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 11 Dec 01 - 05:13 PM

Spaw and Big Mick- Humble apologies- my wierd sense of humor sometimes escapes when it shouldn't... Of course I think a boxed set is a fine idea, and I'm quite honored and very appreciative of the suggestion. Happy Holidays to all, Jean

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 10 Dec 01 - 12:21 AM

Welcome back, Jean!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 06:26 PM

Hello all, Back from travels, and intrigued with the ideas you put forth, Spaw, BigDaddy, Mick. I had lost this thread- it never comes up for me when I type it in; have to go to a Joe O. letter with blue clicky to find it, and I hadn't thought of it in awhile. Anyway, I'll talk with the family about the boxed set thing (Boxed Set sounds so- Confining! and, Permanent!) and see what they think. Thanks for caring. I think I'm getting nodes or something, so probably won't be singing much longer nohow! Maybe it's time for a- Boxed Set. (I'm not kidding- just say that, authoritively, a few times, and see how it sounds. Love to all, Jean

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 12:45 AM

Here's the response from JuneAppal: "Jay, Thank you for your interest in Sweet Rivers, and I apologize for taking so long to respond. We have talked with Jean a bit about releasing it on CD but no firm plans on the horizon. We have an amazing back catalog of music available only on cassette and vinyl, and though we'd like to bring them up to current technology, it will probably be slowly, one at a time. Sweet Rivers is currently available on cassette tape for $8 plus $3.75 shipping and handling. If you're interested you can send a check or money order, made out to Appalshop, to JuneAppal Recordings, 91 Madison Avenue, Whitesburg, KY 41858. Be sure to note on your check that it is for Sweet Rivers. I look forward to hearing from you. David Reynolds"

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 12:12 AM

Jean, a box set would be a wonderful thing. It could be a musical autobiography, complete with old studio and field recording. I would love to see this project happen.

Mick

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 03:53 PM

I'm with you, Spaw. I just tracked down the June Appal site and ordered "Sweet Rivers" on cassette. I also emailed them to say I would really appreciate the same on CD. If all the kytrad fans out there did the same, they might be moved to do so. I've always heard that when a business or even political entity gets a written request, they figure it's worth at least ten similar opinions. Once upon a time, I made a recording that I wasn't that pleased with; but for the sake of the "band," I managed to get it on the shelves of Elderly Instruments, Barnes & Noble, Border's Books and Music and more. I (and hopefully others) should be able to do the same with music from a prolific artist like Jean.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 02:46 PM

Well hell....I might as well ask since I'm sure it's been brought up before and this thread is going that way anyhow...............

Jean, have you talked about a boxed set? I hate the term "best of" but that's the general idea. Maybe it would be broken down onto say 3 or 4 CD's with Part One as Jean and Trad, Part Two as Jean Sings the Mountains, Part Three as Jean and the Folk Revival, Part Four as Jean for the Holidays...........I dunno', just yakkin' off the top of my head here.........Obviously different names then I used, but some of your favorite trad songs you learned over the years, some Ritchie family favorites, some composed songs you've done..........Theree are a lot of ways to put it together.

There are very few true folk artists that could pull this off but you are certainly one!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 11:43 AM

Well, thanks- I get embarrassed at compliments like that, but behind the blushes, they are appreciated!

"Sweet Rivers" is actually available now from Juneappal as an audiocassette; it's the CD they're afraid of, economically... Jean Leaving now for 2 weeks. Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all (leftover from my Savannah trip)

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 10:16 PM

P.S. My seven-year-old is a fan as well. He especially likes "None But One." :)

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 10:13 PM

No. I know I have a sentimental fondness for "Clear Waters Remembered," perhaps because it was the first LP of yours I owned (and still do). Apart from that, to me (and I'll bet there are many others), it's just about as perfect an album as can be. Yes, I can find many of these songs on other recordings, but it's just not the same. It's like telling a Beatles fan he can't ever replace his copy of "Sergeant Pepper," but he can listen to most of the songs elsewhere. Sometimes I think you will never fully realize what a faithful and appreciative following you have out here. The last time I was in Elderly Instruments store in Michigan, I gave them a piece of my mind about what a limited selection of your work they offer. I'm willing to pester Juneappal, and I'm sure others will, too, if it means getting "Sweet Rivers" back on the shelf. My mother was as much a fan of yours as myself, up until her death at 83 on Thanksgiving of 1995. I recently introduced a twenty-something friend of mine to your music and she's "hooked" as well. Even considering taking up the mountain dulcimer.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 04:29 PM

The SWAPPING SONG BOOK was originally published by Henzy Walck books, which was an outgrowth of Oxford University Press's young-folks division (can't recall exact wording). Oxford was the first publisher of SINGING FAMILY OF THE CUMBERLANDS, so there's the connection.

BigDaddy, these are things we think about, but so far I haven't been able to talk Juneappal into making "Sweet Rivers" into a CD- they're afraid they'll lose money on it, and they're probably right. "Clear Waters Remembered" we could do, but I've recorded several of those songs onto later CDs, so it seems it would be too much of a duplication of materials. No?

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 11:08 PM

Hey there Jean, Any chance of getting "Clear Waters Remembered," and "Sweet Rivers" re-issued on CD? Also, you have such a lovely voice, speaking as well as singing...any chance of you recording an audio book (book on tape or CD) of "Singing Family of the Cumberlands," or anything else? Anything we Mudcatters could do to encourage any of these possibilities?

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:12 PM

A Google Search for Karen Carter-Schwendler (click) brings up some interesting information, including the KET/PBS Websites for Mountain Born: The Jean Ritchie Story (Spaw linked to the PBS site, which seems almost identical).
Apparently, the University Press of Kentucky has reissued Jean Ritchie's Swapping Song Book, but it does not appear to be for sale at Jean's Website. I thought I had all Jean's books, but here's one I missed. Looks like it's a reprint of an Oak Publications songbook.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:00 PM

Afterthought: The HMV recordings explain how, "Lovin' Hannah" got recirculated around the British Isles and Ireland. The records were just out, and on our visit to Bess Cronin I gave her one as a gift. Right away she learned, "Lovin Hannah" and began singing it. When Sandy and Caroline came collecting, years later, she sang it for them, and when asked about it said, "Well I learnt it off a wee record from Jeannie Ritchie!"

Meanwhile, others had learned it from her, and also from the "wee record" I guess, for it appeared on one of Mary Black's early recordings. We met her three or so years ago, and she said, I believe, that her brother had learned it from, "an old lady down the lane from him." It's fascinating how songs travel.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 06:46 PM

Well, Karen Carter-Schwendler's is the most complete, as far as it goes (1977). It's her PhD Dissertation, U.of KY, 1995- TRADITIONAL BACKGROUND, CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT: THE MUSIC AND ACTIVITIES OF JEAN RITCHIE TO 1977. I don't know how hard it is to look up things in dissertations, but it must be available in a library or something, at UK. Or maybe she has it all online; I have not tried to find it.

Johnross- The two-set HMV 78 rpm were released in England in 1953, during my Fulbright trip. Four of the songs are on other albums- Charlie (Over the River to Feed My Sheep), Goin' to Boston, Loving Hanna, A Pretty Fair Miss. I don't think I have recorded the others, Blackeyed Susie, and The Dear Companion (this the traditional one, not my written song, My Dear Companion). Aside from Lovin Hannah (Mt. Born CD)and Goin'to Boston (Vanguard- Trad. Music at Newport, 1964, Part 2) the recorded songs were on albums now out of circulation.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Stewie
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 06:44 PM

I have that old 'Brand and Ritchie' album too. I had wondered why it was so short - barely 17 minutes. No indication was given on the sleeve that it had formed part of a longer album.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: johnross
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 06:15 PM

Is there a more complete and up-to-date discography of Jean's recordings than the one in the insert to the 1974 LP, "Jean Ritchie at Home"? That one doesn't list the Library of Congress LPs, or Classic Editions CE-1043 "Music For a Child's World". And of course, it doesn't include anything more recent than 1974.

Jean, I'd also be interested in learning more about the pair of HMV 78s in my collection: two 10-inch 78s of "Appalachian Mountain Songs" "Recorded Under the Auspices of the English Folk Dance and Song Society".

When and where were those recorded? Have those six tracks ever been re-issued, either on LP or CD?

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 04:22 PM

BigDaddy- The original record for which those songs were recorded was, "Shivaree!" recorded for Esoteric Records, 238 E. 26th St. New York City, in 1955. Apparently the Archive of Folk Music Records lifted only Oscar's and my songs, because Harry and Jeannie West, and Tom Paley were also on the record. The Wests' titles are, "Bury Me Beneath the Willow," and, "Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow." Paley did, "Down the Old Plank Road," "Roll on the Ground," and, "Railroad Bill." Wests and Paley, also billed as, The Ensemble, did, "Cripple Creek," and a medly consisting of, "Bile Them Cabbage Down,", "Joe Clarke," and, "Pretty Little Willow."

All our pictures are on the back of the album...what young'uns we were then!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 04:04 PM

T in Oklahoma- My older sisters remembered when Lorraine Wyman came to Knott County, collecting songs. Her variant of, Fair Nottamun Town, is probably from the same root, but is not ours. And no, in my travels I haven't run across that melody. Some have the same SOUND or FEELING (e.g. The Poor Old Husband, or, My Good Old Man), but the melodic structure, and the timing, are very different.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 12:25 AM

I was just going through some vinyl LPs and found one I'd forgotten about: "Oscar Brand and Jean Ritchie." It was from "Archive of Folk Music" records. The cuts are: "The Devil's Nine Questions," "A Farmer's Wife," "The Good Peanuts," "Shortnin' Bread," "Cripple Creek," "Devilish Mary," "The Blackest Crow," "I Wish I Was Single Again," "Raise a Ruckus," "My Boy Billy." Cuts 1, 5, 9 and 10 are sung by Jean and Oscar. 2, 4, and 7 are by Jean. 3, 6 and 9 are Oscar. There is no indication when these recordings were made. Apparently Archive of Folk Music Records" was a subsidiary of Everest Records in LA.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 06:21 PM

Jean, thanks for your insider's account of that period in the 50s and 60s when, as Oscar Brand put it, "If I were to sing 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic' on a program, the 'music clearance' department would insist on knowning the name of some book or publisher who would be willing to claim authorship. "

I think the record labels and others had been spooked by a case called George v.Victor Talking Machine Co., in which the plaintiff claimed to have been the true author of the words to "The Wreck of the Old '97", and that Victor's recordings of it were a violation of his common-law right of first publication. The district court believed him, the court of appeals didn't, but due to a technical error on the part of defendant's counsel the case dragged on until 1940. Victor had tried (and succeeded) in finding the author, and they still had to fight off this lawsuit from another claimant. My guess is that the "music clearance" people mentioned by Brand were trying to give themselves maximum protection against out-of-nowhere right-of-first-publication claims of this kind. Folk in the 1950s may still have remembered the "Home on the Range" case as well, in which it took months of investigation during 1934 to turn up evidence that the Arizona couple who claimed to have written "Home on the Range" were not the authors.

However, though the fear may have died down, I don't know that users of traditional material are any safer now from spurious claims of the kind that were made in the "Home on the Range" case. In fact the danger may be greater now, since the term of copyright is so much longer.

The melody of a song called "Fair Nottiman Town", collected in Knott County and published in Wyman and Brockway's Twenty Kentucky Mountain Songs (1920) somewhat resembles the melody that Cecil Sharp collected from your sisters. Have you encountered other variants of the same melody in your travels ?

T.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 06:47 AM

Thank you, Jean!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Alice
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 10:00 PM

Wonderful, Jean.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 06:57 PM

Oh, Joe, DON'T ask what my favorite songs are! Impossible to answer- there are so many. Usually it's the one I'm singing at the moment. Well, of my written ones, I'd pick, "Now is the Cool of the Day," for one, and "L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore," for another. The ones that started as poems, then got a tune, like, "Wintergrace," and "None But One." "Wild Horses" has a great driving rhythm, unusual for a song of mine, but I love singing it, also, "One More Mile." See what you've done now- got me started...

Of the old ones, the list goes on forever..."Brightest and Best," Granny Catty's Christmas hymn, is right there at the top. Our family's "Bachelors' Hall," ALL the ballads, beginning with Uncle Jason's and Dad's, "Fair Annie of the Lochroyan."

About the electric instruments on, "None But One." One day George said, "Let's make a record that'll get played on AM radio." I replied, "I couldn't care less." But he never listens, so started making plans, and pretty soon, Ron Frangipane had heard about it, and asked to be music director- and Art Steckler called and said, "I'd love to produce this album if you'll promise to do that orphan song, "Two Little Children." Don't know where he had heard it, consorting with the Beatles as much as he did, and I thought it a weird song to flip over, but I liked it well enough, so said of course.

Ron and Al thought it would be good to have guests, so we asked around amongst friends and acquaintances, and Mary Travers, Janice Ian, Oscar Brand,Susan Reed and chorus, and a few others joined our sons Jon and Peter, Eric Weisburg and his Deliverance Band, and when Deliverance showed up with electric guitars, synthesizers, and worse, I quailed inside but then thought, "Look, Jean, you have a log cabin in the Kentucky Mountains, furnished with old family furniture and local antiques,-- and an electric stove, refrigerator, radio and tv, lights, a gas water heater and furnace, and you're the same person you have always been. I'm sure that old songs can survive whatever surrounds them, as well." So, I cautioned everyone to use their innate good taste, and respect the music, then served them coffee and homemade carrot cake and we did the recordings. In the end I thought the accompaniments very tasteful- especially the jamming section in the title song, "None But One." And most of my old friends liked the record. One man started his letter, "I see that you've finally sold out. I was madder'n a wet hen when I put that record on. Now it's been a week and it's still the only thing I've had on the turntable!"

Just one or two yells, and complaints, but most folks approved. Old friend Paul Nelson, in announcing the Rolling Stone Critic's Award for that year, wrote a review that made me cry.

It was an experiment. The album has held up over the years, though I have not done another like it. I guess I wanted to prove something. The songs survived.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie Books & Recordings
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:24 PM

Jean, of the songs you've written yourself, which ones do you like best? Which are your favorite traditional songs?

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a rounder reissue of two Jean Ritchie LP's on on CD, "None But One" and "High Hills and Mountains." The first cut is Fair Nottamun Town and I couldn't figure out why the tune was so familar. Now I know. The second cut is a nice country-sounding song, "Too Many Shadows." I swear I hear electric guitars in the accompaniment. Could this be? Did Jean Ritchie go electric the same time Dylan did? Whatever the case, it's a terrific CD.

-Joe Offer-