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Sources for Child and same age songs?

26 Nov 06 - 05:01 AM (#1893760)
Subject: Sources for Child and same age song tunes?
From: Richard Bridge

My recent (disappointing so far) experience with the Heritage Muse Child CDs has started me thinking again (careful there...).

It is such a disappointment that Child collected (mostly) only words when for me the most important thing is the tune to the song (I'm not into diddly (Celtic) or humpty (English) tunes with no words either), that I wonder what other people find the best sources, if not for traditional song tunes, at least for tunes that go well with the old words (for example the Lykewake dirge, or the Joan Baez version of the Great Silkie of Soulskerrie - or even the Dylan version of Fenario which I am slowly putting back to the earlier words of Pretty Peggy of Derby).

Suggestions? I read dots so badly that audio versions would be the bestest.


26 Nov 06 - 05:32 AM (#1893773)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: nutty

Richard ... can I suggest that you look into the abc tune files on the Bruce Olson WebSite which is accessed through 'Quick Links' at the top of the page.

On this site Bruce, (who sadly died some years ago), was able to link many old ballads to tunes he also identified through his research.
These may help you in your quest.


26 Nov 06 - 05:38 AM (#1893777)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: Richard Bridge

Thank you Nutty. It seems only recently he was still posting here....


26 Nov 06 - 11:38 AM (#1893971)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: Susan of DT

Prof. Child was a literature professor and was not interested in tunes. Bronson collected tunes, but has been out of print for a while and copies go for too much money on ebay. Heritage Muse is planning a digital Bronson, which sounds wonderful, but it will be a while before it appears.

There are many wonderful CDs of Child ballads sung by source singers and careful revival singers. Here are a few:

Classic Ballads of Britain and Ireland, volumes 1 and 2, Rounder
The Muckle Sangs: Classic Scots Ballads, Greentrax
Voice of the People, vol 3 and 17, Topic
Ballads, Fellside
Child Ballads, 3 CDs, Ewan MacColl
Blood and Roses, 5 CDs, Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger
Ballads from her Appalachian Family Tradition, Jean Ritchie
Ballad Tree, Alison McMorland
Ballads Thrice Twisted, Margaret MacArthur
Songs from Aberdeenshire, John Strachan
Ballad Legacy, Texas Gladden
On ae bonny Day, Moira Craig

all available from Camsco Music :-)


28 Nov 06 - 07:42 AM (#1894492)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: Susan of DT

refresh


28 Nov 06 - 08:59 AM (#1894555)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: Richard Bridge

Thank you Susan - I had better start planning the application of my Xmas money.....


28 Nov 06 - 08:44 PM (#1895165)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: Maryrrf

I have the 5 CD set "Blood and Roses" CD and it is an excellent source for ballads, most of them Child. I can also highly recommend Moira Craig's "On Ae Bonny Day". Another one I recently got was "Dark Ships in the Forest" - Ballads of the Supernatural by John Roberts and Tony Barrand and if I'd known how good they were I'd have gotten their other albums too.


29 Nov 06 - 12:27 PM (#1895696)
Subject: RE: Sources for Child and same age songs?
From: dick greenhaus

Maryrf-
Have no regrets--there's always phone orders. 800/548-FOLK (3655)