Introduction We have rarely strayed far from English language sources at Murder Ballad Monday. Whether the songs we explore pull from the British Isles or from African-American or Maritime traditions, for example, our idiom has typically been English, and our … Continue reading →
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/146088004″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] In the days of Youtube and Spotify, it can be hard to remember that not that long ago the only means of learning a song was via oral tradition or sheet music. It … Continue reading →
Update: Sadly, Ralph Stanley passed away on June 23 2016 at age 89. I believe it’s important to give tribute while the subject is still with us. Ralph Stanley turned 89 on February 25th and although he’s lost a step … Continue reading →
Introduction – “The Cruel Ship’s Captain” Today’s ballad is notable both for its brevity and for the depravity it depicts. The brevity is mostly a product of the Anglophone seamen and laborers who worked the song over time to a fine edge like a … Continue reading →
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/231734634″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Midwestern fiddler John Daniel Lane takes a panoramic high-definition view of American fiddle music and clearly enjoys experimenting with different styles. There’s a distinct and acknowledged John Hartford influence to his playing and … Continue reading →
This week we’ll conclude our two part feature celebrating Black History Month. Last week we heard some classic music from the early days of sound recording plus a set of tunes from the Civil Rights Movement. This week our program … Continue reading →
Murder ballads made for dancing The Corries’ performance of “The Massacre of Glencoe” on our Facebook page several days ago prompted one reader to comment that older songs like it differed with more recent “hardcore” music in that the tenderness of … Continue reading →
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90564026″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] English harmonica wiz Mat Walklate is another incredibly versatile performer on his instrument. While his focus can vary depending on which of the several bands he’s playing with, he works predominantly in Irish … Continue reading →
The next two programs will celebrate Black History Month. The African-American community has produced some of the strongest and most vital music in AmericanRoots Music. On this week’s program we’ll hear some classics from the early days of sound recordings … Continue reading →
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the beloved English folk singer, Roy Harris. Roy died February 9 at the age of 82. Roy was one of the great voices and influences of the English folk revival, … Continue reading →
