Favourite sources for new repertoire

Subject: Finding songs on the web
From: Saro
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 05:47 AM

I'm interested in finding out what are people's favourite websites for finding new repertoire. I'm specifically thinking of songs here NOT tunes, and rather more interested in traditional songs than more recent. So what are the websites that you go to most frequently, and how easy are they to use? If you can send me a link, that's brilliant, if not a website address, or something that will enable me to locate the site will be good.

And please don't all say DT - I know that's brilliant!!!
Saro

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 07:09 PM

http://www.peterpaulandmary.com/music/songlist.htm

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 07:30 PM

Lesley Nelson-Burns' Contemplator website

I think I came across this site even before I found Mudcat and the DT. Find a song, the text and copious notes are displayed while a rich arrangement of the tune plays. Sometimes the arrangements are a bit too dense, making the bare tune difficult to figure, but I have found some great songs here.

Ross

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 09:40 PM

Part of that same site is Barry Taylor's Tunebook. Yes, tunes, BUT many of them also have lyrics available.

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 09:54 PM

Pavane gets the credit for this brilliant link, not me, because he's the one who pointed me to it:

Bodleian Library Broadside Ballad Collection: http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ballads/ballads.htm

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Saro
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 06:23 AM

Thank you very much - and Bonnie, how ridiculous of me to have forgotten the Bodleian Colection which is, as you say, wonderful. Any more ideas out there?
Saro

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 07:52 AM

Martin Carthy and Watersons CDs!

Oh, and Elliott Family Vinyl too.

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: the button
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 08:47 AM

My most recent addition is The Trees They Do Grow High, which I learned initially by listening to Walter Pardon's version on "World without horses" on repeat. Now all I need to do is get Peter Bellamy's concertina arrangement out of my head (easier said than done), and I'll be away. ;-)

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Tootler
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:27 PM

From CD's I buy on guest nights at local folk clubs.

Also don't forget U-tube. I learnt "Down by the Sally Gardens" from this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2UZReQGNVI.

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:32 PM

Anywhere a good song is to be found

Charlotte (the view from Ma and Pa's piano stool)

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 06:34 PM

A well-done version - but I found the instruments intrusively celtic in their delivery.

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 09:34 PM

"Down By The Sally Gardens" sung by Maura O'Connell and Karen Matheson

From Transatlantic Sessions series 2 (1998)
fiddle: Aly Bain
accordion: Donald Shaw
flute: Ronan Browne
dobro: Jerry Douglas
guitar: Russ Barenberg
bass: Danny Thompson

How exactly does this line-up sound "intrusively celtic"? I'm a bit puzzled.

Ross

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 12:05 AM

Subjectively

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Saro
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 08:40 AM

Could I very gently remind people of the original request - internet sites that you can recommend as sources of material?
I might start a new thread about books/albums etc....but not just now, though of course someone else might like to do that, and probably already has. Thanks all who have sent me very useful links!!
Saro

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: RTim
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 03:45 PM

Hi Sarah,

I know your main interest is English music - but you should look at the Max Hunter Collection - it is Wonderful!!
http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/

Tim Radford (see you soonish!)

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: peregrina
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 03:51 PM

The Yorkshire Garland Group website has 15 songs up for now in its taster phase;
by the end of April or beginning of May there will be 80 songs.

Google Yorkshire Garland or paste in:
www.yorkshirefolksong.net

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 04:28 PM

Try www.folkinfo.org. Mainly English trad.

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Saro
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 06:14 AM

Brilliant, many thanks to all of you for these.   Tim, CMR actually sing a song which we learned from the Max Hunter Collection ( a version of Beautiful Star of bethlehem) and yes, the site is excellent, isn't it. See you very soon.
saro

Subject: RE: Favourite sources for new repertoire
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 10:46 PM

I lost my bookmark for the Max Hunter Collection - thanks for reminding me - here it is:- Max Hunter Folk Song Collection

A few more from my bookmarked sites:-

Musical Traditions Internet Magazine Their own CDs usually have lyrics listed on the website.

The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics by David Dodd Carries some amazing stuff.

Lesley Nelson-Burns' Contemplator website Already mentioned above, one of my favourites.

traditional Music Library of online books Contains all sorts of odd books you would be hard pushed to find in hard copy.

Monologues at "Make 'Em Laugh!" Has a huge selection of comic songs and monologues.

King Laoghaire - The Ballad Archive The collection of a Swedish band - their repertoire of English, Irish and Scottish songs would put many local bands to shame - can they really sing all of these?

Drinking Songs, Rugby Songs, Hash House Harrier Ditties and Rude Rhymes Does what it says on the box.

Dick Gaughan's Website - Songs Archive - Index page Huge collection from Scotland's most influential singer - includes his own material.

Robokopp - Folk Song Index Wide-ranging German site with lyrics from USA, England, Ireland and Scotland, Wales, France, Germany and Austria

Tom Lewis - Index to Song Lyrics Another large collection, with Tom's own songs and some clickable audio links.

The Official Michael Marra Website All his own work - the website cycles a selection of songs.

MySongBook - Folk Song Lyrics and Tunes Another wide-ranging German site covering American, English, Irish and Scottish songs

AUSTRALIAN FOLKLORE UNIT - Warren Fahey Fantastic archive put together by collector and publisher (and singer) Warren Fahey. You have to run the cursor over the song titles to find out if there's a clickable link.

Chris Kempster Project Chris died a couple of years ago. Known for his own songs, he also put tunes to many of Henry Lawson's poems. His Henry Lawson Songbook was recently reprinted with additions from other contributors to the Lawson canon.

Union Songs An Australian website.

Folksongs of Various Countries Another German site with a huge collection of lyrics - also has a Deutsche Volkslieder section.

CD Baby I occasionally find an audio version of something here, when I've found the lyrics elsewhere and the tune's not linked.

YouTube Also here.

MySpace And here.

Good luck!
And don't forget about actually learning and singing some of these songs!

Ross