Request for singers: Firth - Naval Songs

Subject: Request for singers: Firth - Naval Songs
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 09:19 AM

A little while ago Dr.Sam Willis from the Navy Records Society contacted the Mudcat Forum about this book, which they published in 1908. (See the post here: Naval Songs and Ballads). He was interested in recordings of the songs, with a view to putting them on their online publications website (Navy Records Online).

The publication is mainly songs from broadsides and I did most of the legwork, coming up with three sets of songs available: 1) Those for which actual recordings exist for some version of the song 2) Those for which publications exist with versions of the song with tunes 3) Those broadside songs for which we have the actual tune named with the song in the publication.

After looking at the lists, he decided he would like to use option 3 and have the song words as they appear in Naval Songs and Ballads using the tune specified there. We finally produced a short list of about a dozen on these that might be used.

However, being a poor charity they can't afford a commercial recording, so he asked if I knew anyone who might be willing to record some of these. (It doesn't need to be a studio recording - just enough to go on a website, so a tape/digital recorder, computer or video recorder would do).

I've already contacted several people who said they would look at the songs and see if any took their fancy (Jim Mageean and the Keelers, Dave Fletcher and Bill Whaley, Bob and Gill Berry, Tom and Barbara Brown, Graeme Knights, Derek Gifford, Tim Edwards, Kitty Vernon and Derek Burgess), but if anyone on Mudcat is interested and willing to have a look at them we'd be grateful.

I'll put together the words and tunes for the selected songs later this week and either email them on request or put them up in this thread (if it's not too long). Sam's preference was for any arrangement except solo unaccompanied, though even that wasn't ruled out (But I'll take whatever we can get, was the quote!)

Post here or pm me if you're interested.

Thanks
Mick

Subject: RE: Request for singers: Firth - Naval Songs
From: Artful Codger
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 12:47 PM

I don't understand the selective exclusion of solo unaccompanied, particularly since this would be the most authentic form for the forebitters, the preponderance of songs in the collection. I was interested until I read this preposterous qualification.

Subject: RE: Request for singers: Firth - Naval Songs
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 01:16 PM

I was surprised at his preference too Artful. I'd rather expected it to be the other way round - that unaccompanied would be the preferred option. But as I said above that is not ruled out.

If you're interested don't let it stop you having a look at the songs. I'll cheerfully take unaccompanied solo singing along with anything else.

Mick

Subject: RE: Request for singers: Firth - Naval Songs
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 01:29 PM

Mick - I could be tempted , but having looked at the list you posted , I can't see more than a couple I might know , and my music reading is virtually non existent !

Subject: RE: Request for singers: Firth - Naval Songs
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 05 Jul 13 - 09:20 AM

Terry - I'll send out midis of the tunes along with the music and lyrics, so you can still have a listen if you like.

Mick