William Williamson's "Cruel Mother"

Subject: William Williamson's Cruel Mother
From: Roberto
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 09:38 AM

In the book Traveller's Joy – Songs of English and Scottish Travellers and Gypsies 1965-2005, Compiled by Mike Yates – EFDSS 2006, there is the text and a musical transcription of The Cruel Mother as sung by William Williamson. The CD that goes with the book hasn't got this track. Does anyone know if this version by William Williamson is available (on CD, cassette, etc)? Thanks . R

Subject: RE: William Williamson's Cruel Mother
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:29 PM

Check out the 'Musical Traditions' website. A lot of Mike's stuff is available there on CDs.

Subject: RE: William Williamson's Cruel Mother
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 04:56 PM

The song is titled 'Fine Flowers in the Valley' in Traveller's Joy. You can hear William Williamson sing the Dowie Dens of Yarrow on the Kyloe 100 CD Traveller's Tales Volume 1, produced by Mike Yates, but as far as I can tell there isn't any available recording of 'Fine Flowers in the Valley'.

It seems that William is related to Duncan Williamson, as Mike Yates recorded them both in Ladybank, Fife on various occasions.

Mike Yates sometimes posts here so perhaps he will be able to add more.

Matthew

Subject: RE: William Williamson's Cruel Mother
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 05:12 PM

I should have checked more closely; William is Duncan's son.

Matthew

PS. Could someone add quotation marks around Cruel Mother in the thread title before confusion sets in?

Subject: RE: William Williamson's "Cruel Mother"
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 02:10 AM

Sorry, but this version of the ballad "The Cruel Mother" is not available on CD. A shame really, because William's recording is really powerful.