She Moved Through the Fair - advice

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:06 AM

What are you on, Trevor??

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Trevor
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:04 AM

Has anybody heard Whitesnake's version of this? Or Rolf Harris?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:58 AM

I didn't see any offence being taken!

I'm not necessarily recommending all the versions I listed there, zanderfish, just compiled them from previous postings. Such a compilation CD would make for very interesting discussion though.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,same one
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:52 AM

Oi - Vince, who said I was offended? I was disagreeing, not arguing.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: zanderfish3 (inactive)
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:49 AM

Listen to all the singers Noreen reccomends plus Anne Briggs

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:48 AM

I sing it for my own pleasure Vince, but never have done in public- and that list is of recorded versions.

I must include the lovely version on Cara's Asleep Behind the Settee- lovely singing, uillean pipes and Oakley's fiddle.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:36 AM

Noreen did say , GUEST, 'and no offence intended to anyone'. Hi-ever, with all the versions, it would appear, there are of this song it might be a bit hard to produce another really different version - but then i'm certainly no expert - perhaps its always, as they say in classical music circles, a variation on a theme?

Do you sing it Noreen and if so why are'nt you on that list?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:15 AM

Fair enough, GUEST. The more singing the better!

And I certainly wasn't suggesting that new people coming to the song should sing it in the same way- just because Mary Black or Mick Groves or even Margaret Barry sings it a certain way. It doesn't mean anything unless you have taken a song and made it your own before singing it.

Now, I would love to make a compilation of different people singing this song... Keep your versions coming, folks! So far:

Mrs Ackroyd
Margaret Barry
Mary Black
The Chieftains
Art Garfunkel
Mick Groves
Bert Jansch
John McCormack
Loreena McKennit

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 09:59 AM

Noreen, the world doesn't NEED any version of anything - but those of us who love to sing the song may NEED to sing it our way. I prefer to hear alternative versions of a song than to hear everyone meticulously singing it in the same way. Vive la difference!
But you are right - there are tons of beautiful songs that don't get heard enough - so we'd best all sing those as well.......

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 09:25 AM

This song must be a contender (along with My Way and Yesterday) for the most frequently recorded song- a listing of all those who have recorded it would be as long as your arm.
And in case no-one else does, I'll give Art Garfunkel's version an honourable mention here...

It is indeed one of the most beautiful songs.

But really, (and no offence intended to anyone) does the world need another version of SMTTF?

When there are so many other beautiful songs which are rarely heard?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Den
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 09:02 AM

A beautiful song. I think it helps to think about the story in the song. If you approach it in that way you should do okay. Hope that made sense. Mary Black does a fine version, IMO. Den

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:55 AM

When ever anyone starts this song I take it as a chance to go to the loo.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Fiolar
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:54 AM

Try the great John McCormack's version as well as one done by The Chieftains.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:38 AM

I thought it was bit wet, actually, Trev

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Trevor
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:32 AM

I like Mrs Ackroyd's version. Very.........something!

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Morticia
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:40 AM

I like Loreena McKennit's version....very ethereal

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:11 AM

Have a listen to Margaret Barry. You can find her version on this album:

Click Here

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:48 AM

Hey Tunesmith, to add to the above, Frank Sinatra (or somesuch) sang a song "I Did it MY Way" - THAT is the 'definative' version. Just belt it out the way you like it!

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,minklet
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:38 AM

I think you should approach the song in your own way rather than looking for a definitive version. You clearly love the song, and so if you play with singing it for a while then you will evolve your own interpretation.

I'm working on it at the moment as well - hence I was interested in this thread. I am messing around slightly with the words, with the phrasing/timing and with the pitches - its a song you can really fly with! I'm interpreting it as a woman singing about a man who wants to "anticipate the vows" - is warned off of him by other people & who loses him, then sees him many years later when he is dead & his ghost again tries to persuade her to sleep with him.

Its one of several slightly ambiguous songs that you can really get into & feel a story of. That is why I think a definitive version is a bit of a red herring. I'm waiting for a mellow night to sing it, because my version goes up really high & I need to be relaxed or I'll squeak & spoil it!

I know mine won't be the best interpretation in the world - but it will be my own, - and I'll still love listening to all the other versions.

Best of luck with interpreting it your way Tunesmith.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:11 AM

Ello Tunesmith, I always liked the version by Mick Groves of the Spinners who recorded it many years ago. Mick, if i remember, sang it un-accompanied. Some do say, though, that their are better interpretations. Bert Jansch also does a version. Agreed, Tis a great song tho don't know about a definitive version. i'd be as interested as you to know

Subject: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 05:51 AM

"She Moved Through the Fair" is, to me, a very special song - both lyrically and melodically. It's a song not to mess with. I've known it forever, but, recently, I started working out a version on the whistle, and now I fancy singing it, too. Now, I need some inspiration on how to approach it. I guess there must be some "definitive" classic recordings of this song - both sung and played. Any suggestions appreciated.