Who records the English vocal tradition?

Subject: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 03:43 AM

I like English vocal harmony. I like English traditional songs.

I used to be able to rely on a range of well known groups to record stuff that I would like to listen to and perform. But I don't hear the descendants of their stuff today. I don't hear it on CD, I don't hear it in clubs. I certainly don't hear it on radio or CD. I don't even hear much of it at festivals.

What groups are now recording and performing and arranging traditional English song in harmony - examples over time having been: -

The Watersons
The Young Tradition
Waterson-Carthy
Salt of the Earth
Ramskyte
Jinx's Stack
The Copper Family

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: treewind
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 04:13 AM

Coope Boyes and Simpson?
Witches of Elswick?
Artisan
Numerous shanty crews (a different style, admittedly)

Do you count duos?
Keith Kendrick and Lynne Heraud
Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman (though fewer of their songs are trad than most people realize: Dave has written a lot of good "trad" songs)

There must be more - I'm not an expert

Anahata

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 05:44 AM

Everyone Anahata said plus:

Dr Faustus
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan
Peta Webb & Ken Hall
Cloudstreet
Damien Barber & Fay Hield
Crucible
Young Coppers
Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher
Magpie Lane

also Lynne Heraud with Pat Turner. And there must be more...

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 08:46 AM

Don't forget my favourites - the Kipper family!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: RichardP
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 11:38 AM

Barrie and Ingrid Temple
The Wilson Family
Quartz
Four 'n' Aft
Threllfall Ellison Edwards

Just to name ones not listed above who are at Saltburn

Richard

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 11:40 AM

A good few, indeed. They tend not to get a lot of mainstream attention, as the "neo-Celtic" style is still more fashionable and a lot of music journalists, sadly, have not yet grown out of their juvenile preoccupation with fingers, ears and the comical aspects of morris dancing. Jim Moray has had some attention from BBC radio 3; there, perhaps, his educational background may have helped. As a college-qualified musician making "art music" arrangements of traditional material, he is more likely to appeal to them. He's a second-generation revivalist, though, just like Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby, 3/4 of Crucible and, indeed, most of the younger singers and musicians mentioned above.

There's a programme on Radio 4 at 1.30 pm on Tuesday 3 August which you may find interesting. Entitled "The Living Tradition", it's a documentary about Sidmouth festival; the write-up indicates that there will be some concentration on continuity over generations, with Mike Harding talking to the Carthys, the Rusbys, the Morays, the Kirkpatricks and so on.

The younger bands, in particular, tend to be involved in the "e-ceilidh" circuit more than the folk clubs (most seem to be players as well as singers, having been started off at a much earlier age than the previous generation, who were often self-taught), so although many are developing quite a high profile, general audiences are likely to see them first at festivals. They've been "paying their dues" much as their parents did, but in a different milieu in many cases.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 12:21 PM

The New Scorpion Band

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 01:59 PM

I just bought a CD on the Fellside Recordings label called "Voices in Harmony - English Traditional Songs", which is 25 cuts from 25 different English harmony-singing groups & duos. Many have been mentioned above, but there are others too.

And, I always like to put in a plug for my favorite singers of English trad songs from my side of the pond - John Roberts & Tony Barrand.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 04:04 PM

The logistics and economics of the business mean that you will not often see "big" harmony groups in clubs. The best place to get a massive dose in a club room type of environment is the National.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: BB
Date: 01 Aug 04 - 04:20 AM

Mary Humphreys & Anahata - he's obviously too modest to mention themselves. Us - Tom & Barbara Brown - or so some club organisers tell us - 'Too traditional for our club'. Mick Ryan & Pete Harris - not all trad., but like Dave & Anni, a number of Mick's songs have that feel to them. In fact, many that record for Wildgoose 'The English Music Label'. It's always worth keeping an eye on their website and Fellside's. Anyone mention Cockersdale? - again not all trad. but very English-feeling.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Aug 04 - 04:33 AM

Thanks all - I should have thought of Coope Boyes and Simpson rather faster than I did (about half an hour after I posted). Am I not right they do no traditional material at all, only self-penned traditional style? Last couple of times I saw them I could not persuade them to perform my favourite of their songs, "Didn't I go like a Lamb to the slaughter".

Salt of the Earth was Barrie and Ingrid Temple's four-piece group, for a while.

I entirely accept that economics is part of the problem (as so often in life). About 5 years ago I think CB+S would take a booking for £300 on a wet monday if they had nothing to do and were on their way back from a profitable gig in Germany. Understandable, but it meant clubs could not afford them.

I thought Artisan were contemporary to the point of being nearly jazz?

But in any event, I have the beginnings of a shopping list, and a fresh spur to go to the Nationals next year: I so nearly went this year (my daughter lives down the road in Nottingham so I could crash on her floor, which she finds amusingly sort of role-reversal) and I have been vowing to get my dogsitters organised ahead of time next year since I gather there is a strong chance of the wholly wonderful Marion Button (former Nats winner) being booked. It's such a shame she cannot sing harmony with herself!

I think I'll print this as a source of reference.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Aug 04 - 04:38 AM

PS - BB - enjoyed the Bodhran workshop at Ely but missed your set - I think there was something else pressingly demanding my attention at the same time. It might have been the medieval song set in the baby tent. But is not most of your material Irish?

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 01 Aug 04 - 07:23 AM

For the avoidance of any doubt, the only reason why I omitted Mary Humphreys and Anahata was that they don't do vocal harmony. Anahata plays loads of instruments but does not sing. At least, I've never heard him...and Mary as far as I kinow cannot sing harmony with herself.

Tim van Eyken has so far survived without a mention though he is, of course, part of Waterson:Carthy, Dr Faustus and - occasionally - a trio with Nancy Kerr and James Fagan. Plenty of vocal harmony there.

As far as the late lamented Jinks Stack is concerned, Graham Callaghan is now singing solo (or was last year when I saw him...)

I'd count CBS and Artisan as representing English harmony singing today in an international setting. Not "traditional", but a good accurate image to provide a gateway for other acts to promote our cultural heritage around the world.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 12:51 AM

CB&S have one CD--"Hindsight"--of all trad songs, and "A Garland of Carols" containing trad christmas carols. Wonderful stuff. Available, of course, from CAMSCO.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 04:10 AM

Derek and Dorothy Elliot + fairly recent update CD, English Tapestry?, The Trugs? see elswhere apparently incuded Eddie Upton

Danny and Joyce Mcloed, were other half of Salt of The Earth and sing good mix shanties and others

Firm Friends - probably yet to record

Holme valley tradition, cassette on VWML 002 Wills Barn

Ruth Price and Sadie Greenwood, see Ruth Price Web Site

Three Sheets to the wind, Derek Gifford, Geoff Higginbottom and Keith Kendrick, new CD out I believe as well as own trad material

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Dave Masterson
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 08:51 AM

Richard – I wouldn't have thought Tom & Barbara Brown's material was mostly Irish. Very English/Cornish to me. Get yourself down to Broadstairs and buy one of their albums. I'm sure they'll be only too glad to sell you one (Barbara's far too shy and retiring to plug them herself!)

You don't have to go to the Nationals (sound like a sporting event) to hear Marion Button – most months she's at the 8 Bells in Tenterden (2nd Tues) and most singers nights at Faversham. She's got a CD out too (Button Box).

I'll stop now - I'm beginning to sound like an agent.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Burke
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 10:05 AM

Check out
Village Carols or
West Gallery Quires

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 11:22 AM

It's an interesting question. According to the late Bob Copper, there wasn't really any English vocal harmony tradition--he told me the Copper fsmily was virtually unique (I exclude choir and religious singing.) I'm pretty sure that shanty didn't sing in harmony until a strong black influence appeared.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,Vic at work
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 03:26 PM

Dick
I can't recall mention or recording of 'groups' but I also feel that joining in the chorus must have gone on.
Richard
As they are defunct I can't be accused of self-advertising, Burdett Simpson and Young recorded two CDs and we got some nice comments.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 03:30 PM

I've got Button Box. I've got the Elliot's Yorkshire Relish, from when Nadine was with them. I do find religious harder to listen to than profane - but the growing list is helpful - and the quote from Bob Copper possibly illuminating, although surely there must ahve been a whole industry of Young Tradition copyists in the 60s, and where are they now?

Are the Wilson Family the same Wilsons as George Wilson, or different Wilsons?

Is it true that Marion has a whole gig to herself at Tenterden this year?

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: synbyn
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 05:32 PM

Hope Richard's right- Marion Button's one of the few singers who can simply stop a pub & have them listening without any compromises.
It's an interesting question whether new songs in the traditional style count- writers like Mick Ryan, Dave Webber, Cockersdale, CBS etc certainly seem to be adding to the repetoire. Sure, many new songs will be whittled down to a few in ten years' time, as has always happened, and it's important. I think (not just because like most Catters I write & sing) that clubs have a welcome for those who respect the tradition by adding to it.
If the key word is 'English', it seems that there is something of a revival of interest which seemed unlikely a decade ago. It can't all be that we're getting to the fireside age! Maybe it's been shown there's a market there...

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: RichardP
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 05:32 PM

The Wilson Family are four brothers and a sister from Middlesborough. In addition there is at least one of the next generation gigging in the NorthEastern folk clubs. It is a considerable undertatement to say that they have a BIG close harmony sound. Unfortunately they do not get down to the South-East often enough but are always well worth looking out for.

Marion definitely has a booking for Tenterden, but I don't know whether it is a set in a concert or some other format or even if it is more than one performance.

Richard

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 01:03 PM

That won't be the same Wilson then as the one in the Fat B*stards?

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 03:10 PM

I had been trying to think of a "source" for English harmony singing, outside of the Sheffield carols I can only think of the Coppers.

The OP was explicitly referring to groups of three or more voices and all of these in the late 60s/early 70s seem to have been a fusion of Copper Family and Sacred Harp with West Gallery as an influence later.

All wonderful to listen to and join in with but not what you would have heard at the Eels Foot or the Butley Oyster.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: treewind
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 03:43 PM

I suspect Dick Greenhaus is right - it's not actually a very typical English tradition. The Watersons and the Coppers did it, and still do, and the Sheffield carols are a very strong vocal harmony tradition, not mentioned much on this thread because they're not "a band" that makes records. For a real national tradition of vocal harmony, look at Wales!

The rest of English trad song (and there's a lot of it) is solo singers, just words and melody. Listen to "The Voice of the People" - there's very little harmony singing, and the few accompanied songs are really simple arrangements. Much of the rest of it is "revival" folk.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 04:31 AM

Traditional singers in vocal harmony, agreed Sheffield/South Yorkshire Carols, hunting fraternity such as Holme Valley and Colne Valley hunts ~ can trace back a long way, enough of 'em to suggests harmony ~ What's a Traditional singer, anyway! Anyone that's been to the Carol sing as a family memeber or part of the hunting sing for a generation or two ~ maybe?

Usual for verse sung solo at trad hunts and everyone joins chorus with gusto (whoever he is) not all specific hunting sungs, lots of comic and recitations, dogs feature a lot!

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: RichardP
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 04:46 AM

Treewind,

I can't disagree with anything you say but:

The Coppers harmony singing has existed for at least five generations, yet Bob Copper started collecting only 50 years ago.

The original collectors were amazed to find anything to collect, so there is at least a strong indication that the English Tradition was collected when its performance had already diminished close to the point of extinguishment and it is at least possible that the first thing to go would be harmony.

Yet again, the early collectors were not disinterested musicologists, they were seeking themes for their compositions and songs for their parlours at least as much as they were undertaking academic reclamation of a dying art form. They had no interest in collecting harmonisation if it existed.

Finally, it really doesn't matter whether there is a long tradition of English harmony or not. When groups like the Young Tradition used it with songs other than Copper Songs it just made them more enjoyable both for performers and listeners.

So whether harmonisation of English traditional songs is a resurrection of a folk tradition or a modern improvement of the singing of traditional songs, lets have much more of it.

Richard

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 11:59 AM

It's reported (and if anyone can recall the reference, I'd love to have it) that English sailors sang chanteys in unison, not harmony. The author commented on the black sailors' "inability" to sing in unison, leaning towards harmony instead.

Harmony singing, (excepting religious music) seems to have been pretty rare in English/Scots/Irish/American tradition--Wales was, for some reason, the exception. Same seems to be true for accompanied singing. Most material collected was solo voice.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 02:00 PM

Reference is Lloyd, Idiom of the People.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: synbyn
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 02:11 PM

Bob Lewis has expounded the theory that many of the tunes used for Hymns Ancient & Modern were folk songs given new words by religious denizens eg The Blacksmith / To Be A Pilgrim- I'm not enough of a muso to know how far this extends, but if so, West Gallery harmonies would seem appropriate. It would certainly hang together with the appropriation of popular culture eg Lord Of The Kings.
See you at Broadstairs!

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: BB
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 03:26 PM

Dave M, you say the nicest things - although that's not how most people would describe me!
Richard B, I think you've got the wrong people. I have in my repertoire one Irish song, and an Irish tune to another song - and I have nothing to do with bodhrans! As Dave said, Tom and I specialise in West Country songs, particularly from Devon and Cornwall, from the latter tradition of which we learnt our harmony singing style.

Harmony singing was, and is, quite strong in the West Country traditions, especially in Cornwall, probably from the strong Methodist singing traditions - in which in earlier times there was no instrumental accompaniment in the chapels, so unaccompanied harmony singing became the norm. This is evident in the construction of some of the more widely spread traditional songs e.g. 'Pleasant & Delightful' when compared with versions from elsewhere in the country.

We've known several West Country singers (not 'revival folk-singers', who, never having heard a particular song previously, on the very first chorus drop straight into a harmony line.

Having said all this, I agree that harmony singing appears not to have been common in the traditions of England, although I think it may have been more usual in the past than early collectors indicate - church and chapel attendance would have been the norm, and many couldn't read the dots, therefore may well have picked up 'natural' harmony. Local carols, sung in harmony, were certainly common in the West Country, as they are around Sheffield, and may well have been elsewhere in England.

Anyway, singing in harmony is satisfying and fun, and traditions change and develop, so I see no harm in anyone having a go at harmonising whatever they wish.

Of course, Mary H. doesn't sing in harmony with herself, but I think I was responding to the question in the subject line, rather than in the body of Richard's post.

Hope to see lots of you at Broadstairs - evening singarounds this year will be in the Broadstairs Cultural Centre, aka the Museum - and some of the chorus singing there compares well with the best anywhere!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: synbyn
Date: 05 Aug 04 - 06:34 PM

Look forward to seeing you, BB- this venue sounds most promising, a dedicated area. Can endorse the last sentence- this singaround is one of the best around.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: synbyn
Date: 31 Aug 04 - 03:51 PM

Re Marion Button- the programme for tenterden has just been published & M is appearing in the afternoon concert on Saturday in the Rainbow room- see the tenterden folk day website for other details. See the barden of England has a singaround too!

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Aug 04 - 08:29 PM

No BB we (well, not you but TB) actually spoke for a while at Ely (at the bodhran workshop), so I definitely know who you are (well, he is)(even if I would not necessarily recognise you (well, him) while I was, if ever, sober - unless of course it was another person of the same name) - but every time I plan to hear your set something else takes me elsewhere so I have only the *impression* created by occasional snatches and young bodhran wizard offspring, Irish and English under 15 bodhran champion.

Of course, if that really was someone else I have a very crossed wire and apologise (hic!).

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 31 Aug 04 - 09:12 PM

From the U.S.A's West coast, the Mudcat's own Dave Swan and his harmonizing trio Oak, Ash and Thorn have been performing English folk songs for 25 years, influenced by the Coppers.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: English Jon
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 09:24 AM

Revival? My family has been singing English harmony songs, certainly as long as I've been alive - No one has mentioned the frightful Whorticulture either....

Oi oi oi...

Jon

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 10:21 AM

Solo singing is the most available kind of performance there is. Anyone can do it. You don't need to be rich enough to buy an instrument, you don't need a special place to perform and you can (pretty much) suit yourself in terms of what you sing and how you sing it. So it's hardly surprising that solo singing is common and often recorded in England, or anywhere else.
But there is a lengthy tradition of English harmony singing. Like most kinds of music, it's got a complicated history and though it was sometimes associated with locally written hymns and carols, it certainly didn't exclude secular music of all kinds. Roger Elbourne's, Music and Tradition in Early Industrial Lancashire 1780-1840 (Woodbridge, Suffolk: Folklore Society, 1980) gives a flavour of the kinds of people involved as do Ian Russell's booklets for the various carol traditions he's recorded. Many would see their performances as 'folk' or traditional.
However, early 20th century collectors, and particularly those influenced by Cecil Sharp's theories, were very clear that English folksong consisted of pure melody - harmony didn't fit in their definition of the genre. So for a long time, harmony singing was simply discounted and not collected where it existed. Even the Copper Family, whose songs were collected by Kate Lee and published in the first Folk-Song Society Journal, disappeared from view for almost half a century. When Revival groups like The Young Tradition, The Watersons and Swan Arcade started up, they were all told that singing in harmony 'wasn't really traditional'. Even today, you still hear comments about local carols and hymns being 'not properly traditional'. So it's not a case of harmony singing not occurring in English tradition, it just wasn't counted for a long time - and in some quarters, still isn't.

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 06:02 PM

Why you say "the frightful Whorticulture"? They drink for the English Olympic team, no? - and at least one of them is covertly a very impressive musician...

And thank you Georgina - what you say makes sense and might explain why I feel it to be so.

Where can I sample Oak Ash and Thorn?

And, EnglishJon, that of which you speak?

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 12:58 AM

Oak, Ash, and Thorn

And while we're at it, Roberts & Barrand.

(Both noted above, but not linked.)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,Richard's other computer
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 04:01 AM

Both bookmarked for future reference thank you...

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: English Jon
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 08:38 AM

Very impressive? That's true. Aidan can actually play properly. The rest of us are shit though. If you want a CD of Whorticulture Richard, PM me, although I'd advise you to spend your money on lager instead.

Jon

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 06:55 PM

I hate to argue with the earlier post of Treewind but for vocal harmony you can't beat Sheffield. Generally acknowledged "Best Male Voice Choir in UK - Bolsterstone (whose singers often form the backbone of the carols); one of the earliest winners of BBC Choir of the Year was from Sheffield, and the harmonies on "Greasy Chip Butty" sung by Sheffield United fans have to be heard to be believed. :-)>

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: treewind
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 04:09 AM

I not sure which part of my post you disagreed with, Dave!

Anahata

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 04:25 AM

For a real national tradition of vocal harmony, look at Wales!

I was being petty nationalist - not a trait I normally exhibit other than that of a normal Yorkshire person - assuming such an entity existed!

:-)>

Dave

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: treewind
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 04:39 AM

I didn't mean choirs - England has plenty of those too (and so has Yorkshire :-)) but spontaneous singing of hymns in harmony in pubs! (and of course Sheffield exceptionally has some of that too)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: BB
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 03:58 PM

Richard, it *wasn't* us! We haven't been to Ely, unless Tom's been there without me - unlikely that I wouldn't know as we live in Devon! - and even if he had, I can't imagine why he'd go to a bodhran workshop - guitar, concertina, melodeon, song maybe, but not bodhran!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 07:30 AM

Well that's odd - I must have had more to drink than I thought - or there are some people with very similar names. I fear I have thrown the programme away or I could find out who they were and maybe even how I came to think they were you. I might even make real effort to find out!

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 07:35 AM

Review from the Ely folk fest site (in part)

"The highlight of Sunday evening, for me, was Adam Brown (of The Brown Family) and his Bodhran solo during the Family's set in Marquee 2. Playing Celtic ballads and tunes the 4-piece have been playing since the children, Erin and Adam, were old enough to hold their instruments and the experience has paid off. Adam is the current 'All Ireland' under 15 Bodhran champion and helped with the Bodhran workshop last year at the Ely folk weekend. With sister, Erin, treating us to a tap solo, this was a slot that should have been seen by more. Committee! Get them on the main stage next year"

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 07:41 AM

PROBLEM SOLVED!

I had the wrong Browns!!

They are here (and they do play Irish)

http://www.thebrownfamily.biz/index.html

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Sep 04 - 08:30 AM

Sorry I'm so late to the discussion. (Been working.)

Norman and Betty MacDonald -- although I don't think they've been recorded "commercially." Roy Clinging of Cheshire (whose wife, Mary, has a wonderful voice as well). Will Noble from Yorkshire. Bob Lewis from Sussex. Carolyn Robson. Sara Grey (American but living in Britain). Brian Peters. Oh, I know I'm forgetting lots.

And don't forget Jeff Warner as a singer on this side of the pond whose repertoire is mostly English . . . or English via American sources collected by his parents Anne and Frank Warner.

Curmudgeon and I do our best, but you'll have to come hear us as no recordings are available.

Linn

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: BB
Date: 05 Sep 04 - 05:29 PM

Ah! Brown is such a common name - and Tom Brown even more so! - which is why we gave our two *daughters* unusual names, Rowan and Freya, good Devonshire maids. But unless you know us as more than names, your confusion is understandable - and quite forgiveable!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 04:00 AM

BB, after hearing you and Tom at Capt. Cook 2001 in Whitby, I don't think I could confuse your excellent and distinctive music with too many other Browns.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: BB
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 02:24 PM

Thank you, kind sir, she said. That was a while ago! We've done a fair bit of work since then - where are you, Chanteyranger? And please don't say, 'Ranging'.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Who records the English vocal tradition?
From: GUEST,Richard's other computer
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 02:28 PM

"Here's to you Tom Brown,
Here's to you with all of my heart,
Here's to you Tom Brown"

A useful, if contemporary (I think) (and adapted for the occasion) drinking song.

Thank you for your understanding.