Across the western ocean - 1972

Subject: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 04:54 PM

Two remarkable recordings from 1972

Across the western ocean (Episode 26 of 33, Part 1 of 2)

Published 7-Jul-72

British traditional singers John Roberts and Tony Barrand, along with Jeff Warner, Susan Warner and Davey Jones, sing sea shanties and tell stories of the Atlantic sailing packets of the late nineteenth century at WBAI's Free Music Store in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. WBAI's Barbara Oka introduces the program. Part 1 of this recording features the group performing Across the western ocean, New York girls, Eliza Lee, The Black ball line, The crayfish, The dreadnaught, The lowlands low, The flying cloud, Spanish ladies, The black cook, and Rolling home. Produced and recorded in stereo by WBAI's Music Department on July 9, 1972. This recording was originally cataloged as BC0709.24A.

1972-07-07 (WBAI); 1972-09-11 (KPFA); 1972-09-30 (WBAI)

Contributor Pacifica Radio Archives

Notes

John Roberts, Performer; Tony Barrand, Performer; Jeff Warner, Performer; Susan Warner, Performer; Davey Jones, Performer; Barbara Oka, Host;

https://archive.org/details/pra-BC0709.26A

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Across the western ocean (Episode 26 of 33, Part 2 of 2)

Published 7-Jul-72

British traditional singers John Roberts and Tony Barrand, along with Jeff Warner, Susan Warner and Davey Jones, sing sea shanties and tell stories of the Atlantic sailing packets of the late nineteenth century at WBAI's Free Music Store in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. WBAI's Barbara Oka introduces Robert Makla from Friends of Prospect Park, who describes some points of interest in Prospect Park to the audience. The group performs Maggie May, Homeward and outward bound, Paddy West, The limejuice ship, Blow the man down, Heave away, me Johnnies, The banks of Newfoundland, and The seamen's hymn. Produced and recorded in stereo by WBAI's Music Department on July 9, 1972. This recording was originally cataloged as BC0709.24B.

1972-07-07 (WBAI); 1972-09-11 (KPFA); 1972-09-30 (WBAI)

Contributor Pacifica Radio Archives

John Roberts, Performer; Tony Barrand, Performer; Jeff Warner, Performer; Susan Warner, Performer; Davey Jones, Performer; Barbara Oka, Host; Robert Makla, Speaker;

https://archive.org/details/pra-BC0709.26B

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Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 05:05 PM

This may look like nitpicking, CJB, and I've looked at the other thread as well, but this side of the pond we tend to use the term 'traditional singers' to describe source singers, those who come from a community that has little to do with the 'folk scene'; as opposed to 'singers of traditional songs' who might be what we call revival singers or just 'folk singers'. I only point this out for the sake of clarity. This in no way is a criticism of the noble work the people mentioned above do.

Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 05:41 PM

A big problem with calling revival singers "traditional singers" is that it falsely implies that the revivalists' words, music, style, instrumentation, and performance truly represent those of actual traditional communities. But by definition they do not.

A serious related problem is that loose terminology can lead the unwary into studying revival versions for insights into the distant past. For genuine insight they need to go back instead to actual traditional source singers, who usually sang unaccompanied and without "showmanship."

As Steve suggests, some revivalists - including Barrand and Roberts -   are excellent artistic *interpreters* of earlier material for modern audiences. At best they sing authentic texts to authentic tunes (though not always collected from the same person!). They can also convey the emotion of the songs without resorting to pop music tricks, dynamics, rewritten lyrics, etc.

Even the most pop-oriented performers can make worthwhile music for fans devoted to current singing styles. (Celtic Woman is my favorite example.) But they aren't "traditional" singers, and what they do has little enough to do with "folksong."

For Celtic Woman at the top of their form, try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI_TV32jmHc

Beautiful but not very "traditional."

Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 05:46 PM

Who is the royal 'we' FGS? The text was copied and pasted from the original upload on Archive.org - so your quarrel is with Contributor Pacifica Radio Archives.

Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 04:29 AM

Whatever ...

Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 08:32 AM

No royal 'we'; it simply refers to all of the people this side of the pond who are interested in traditional music. It would seem with Lighter's inclusion that at least some on your side of the pond use the same terminology.

Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 10:25 AM

It's a good album. I don't know that David Jones has ever gone by "Davey" though. The CD info is at http://www.goldenhindmusic.com/products/st-4.html

Subject: RE: Across the western ocean - 1972
From: GUEST,CJB666
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 05:50 AM

A less emotional review by shanty singer Gavin Atkin ....

"I'm always interested in older recordings of sea shanties, not least because I tend to feel those sung by singers who have actually heard old time shanty singers have just a touch of authenticity."

http://intheboatshed.net/2015/10/17/sea-shanties-recorded-in-the-70s-john-roberts-tony-barrand/