Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs

Subject: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From:
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 03:25 PM

Does anyone know the history of that great tune "Cruel Sister"? Who else has performed it other than the OBDs? Any other links or original lyrics would be helpful too.

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 03:31 PM

Just got this to offer...

OBD sure to kick the hell out of that song... I keep meaning to work up a cover based on thier version...

Sorry I'm not of more help here, orther than mutual admiration, but I'm sure someone here will be able to help ya out!

:-)

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: MikeOQuinn
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 03:31 PM

The Scottish Folk group Clandestine, out of Houston, TX, USA performs it on their album, "The Haunting." Reading the liner notes, and talking with my roommate, I think they conglomerated quite a few versions of it into one for this particular version.

Let me know if you want the lyrics they sing, and I'll post them. Clandestine's website is here. While they don't have this particular song available, they've got plenty of info and other songs available if you want to give 'em a listen.

-J

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 05:08 PM

I think I remember asking Ian Benzie where he got his version, and I think I remember him replying that he got it from Pentangle.

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: Jeanie
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 05:42 PM

All kinds of versions to be found from www.contemplator.com, starting from The Twa Sisters which has links to other related background, lyrics and tunes on that website, and references back to the Digitrad here.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:33 PM

The OBD learned the song from a Pentangle record, not from a traditional source; the tune and refrain don't belong to The Cruel Sister (Child 10) but to Riddles Wisely Expounded (Child 1). This has been discussed many times here in the past, but at the moment the search engine returns no results at all for the Forum (where most of the information is held) so the history of the song-family (which is complicated and extensive) will have to wait just for now. Let's hope that everything starts working again soon, so that we don't wind up repeating everything yet again in this new thread...

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: Snuffy
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:48 PM

Look at the top of the thread for links to about 15 versions of the song in the DT and 30-40 previous threads discussing it. Should keep you busy all night!

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:52 PM

Now, there's a relief! The long list of links above appeared after my last message and just before Snuffy's. Should be no need to add further to this thread, with luck.

Subject: RE: Origins: The Cruel Sister - Old Blind Dogs
From: Maryrrf
Date: 11 Dec 02 - 07:54 PM

Just wanted to second CH's praise for the Old Blind Dogs version. I don't care where they got it - I love the way they perform it!