Tis yet another "Sunday In The Shires".

Down in the woods the bugs are swarming; Summer heat at long last! Could be
a Mississippi day, instead it's a rare, long hot hazy day in the Southern
Shires. England in a short Summer, and perhaps natures price-paid for Global
Warming.

We 'Tip Our Hats' and sincerely thank all of the singers, songwriters,
storytellers and performers who have made this edition of "Sunday In The
Shires" possible.

Thank you all!

Ragamuffins Mike & Brian

SUNDAY IN THE SHIRES

Latest Ragamuffin playlist
Full listing

http://www.ragamuffin.biz/sundayshires.html

Podded and cast:

http://www.ragamuffin.biz/sundayshires/shires240708.wma

Time to put some charcoal on the Barbeque, the coffee pot on the boil, pull a cold tin from the cooler, butter the toast and play some good old 'Storytelling' music. This week we're Mississippi bound: stories of Mark Twain and Life On The River. Music from the late John Hartford, Terry Clarke, David Byboth, Ruthie Foster, Chuck Brodsky, Maura O'Connell, and fine deep South Stories from Minton Sparks.

The playlist:

No One Will Ever Know - Billy and Harry
from Back to Basics - Billy and Harry

PICK OF THE WEEK FROM RAGAMUFFIN MIKE
Sea Song: The Shelley River Terry Clarke
Shelley River Terry Clarke
from Terry Clarke, album Shelley River: an English singer/songwriter in the Irish-American tradition. Truly a great album

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI
Ragamuffin Brian gets the Steam Boat Bug! Early stories of Mark Twain: Life On The Mississippi. Wonderful music of the River from the late John Hartford. Get a real feel for life of a river Steam Boat Pilot. Extracts from the P.B.S. movie (1981) Life On The Mississippi, and excerpts from a 'Wired For Books' interview with John Hartford and John Swaim 1986.
The Julia Bell Swain John Hartford
Steamboat Whistle Blues John Hartford
Mississippi Queen John Hartford
Mama Plays The Calliope John Hartford

Interview with John Hartford and John Swain: Wired For Books 1986.
Sound Track Excerpts from 'Life On The Mississippi': P.S.B. 1981.
Get a musical taste of 'Life On The Mississippi: yesteryear and today!

MY MINDS EYE - DAVID BYBOTH
David & Louene
(The King & Queen of Melrose Drive) David Byboth
The Engineers Song David Byboth
Stunning First Album from David Byboth. Wonderful stories in song from this 'fresh' talented singer/songwriter, about life and histories past. Beautifully recorded, and sung with a rare passion and interpretation.

STORIES IN SONG
Church - Stages Ruthie Foster
Walk On - Stages Ruthie Foster
From Ruthie's Album: 'Stages'. You cannot help but get the real 'Feel' for that Southern-Hope Baptist Church, 'Sunday Swing'. Like the characters from a 'streetwise book': Ruthie's music trips, dances and laughs through a Sunday in the Southern States: a rare musical treat!

Clare & Johnny - Colour Came One Day Chuck Brodsky
Just how many of us have had to deal with a similar situation in our own lives? Worth buying the album just for this one track alone, but make no mistake, this album holds a wonderful collection of Chuck's music. Unique storytelling in song: sympathetic and accomplished musical accompaniment!

Put Her To Rest - This Dress Minton Sparks
This lady tells a story, like Mama bakes my cakes: 'sweet and wholesome',with a twist of humour and a lesson to be learnt. True Southern storytelling at its very best, where the characters and reality leave indelible pictures in your mind: a rare treat! The interwoven vocal by Maura O'Connell: simply emotively stunning and just a small taste of this wonderful Irish singers range and musical talents.

VALERIE SMITH/BECKY BULLER - HERE'S A LITTLE SONG
Just To Hear You Whisper Baby - Here's A Little Song Valerie Smith/Becky Buller
Three Little Pigs - Here's A Little Song Valerie Smith/Becky Buller

Two wonderful tracks from a brand new album on Bellbuckle Records, featuring Valerie Smith and Becky Buller. Valerie and her Band: Liberty Pike are currently touring the UK. (Tour Schedule List.) and this Tour coincides with the release of a completely unique album from the two lady members of the Band: highly recommended: not to be missed! Mmmmmm Has anyone seen Ragamuffin Mike? Rumour has it that he was last seen heading north and west:tent under his arm: heading for South Wales and the musical company of Huw Pudner and Chris Hastings. There must be a welcome in the Welsh Valleys this Summer!!

Closing music:
No One Will Ever Know - Billy and Harry
from Back to Basics - Billy and Harry from Bellbuckle, Tennessee.
A Ragamuffin Media Production

Enjoy!

Ragamuffins Brian & Mike.