We sadly note the passing of Doug Dillard: Founding member of the Dillards, a bluegrass band that made headway for the country folk/rock genre. The Dillards were also well-known for their recurring role the Darlings, a gritty and fun bluegrass … Continue reading →
Study for “There Were Three Maidens Pu’d Flower” by Charles H. Mackie Death Before Dishonor?The themes in “Babylon” pointed me back to reviewing Pat’s excellent series of posts on “Edward,” (Child 13), particularly this one, which is a careful, reluctant, … Continue reading →
51st Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival August 17-19, 2012 Upper Salford Township (near Schwenksville), PA PHILADELPHIA – It’s hard to imagine the summer without the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL. This beloved event is the longest continuously-running outdoor musical festival of its kind … Continue reading →
Thereby Hangs a (Folk) Tale In the last post, I suggested that there seemed to be a certain implausible, or perhaps contrived, quality, to the narrative of “Babylon,” “The Bonnie Banks o’ Fordie,” or “Fair Flowers of the Valley,” … Continue reading →
“The Bonnie Banks O’Fordie,” by Charles Hodge Mackie (1892) Fair Flowers of the Valley While it’s not exactly our intention to ring the changes on the varieties of family-based murder ballads, we’ll turn this week to Child Ballad 14, “Babylon” … Continue reading →
Introduction My first post this week introduced “Hiram Hubbard”, a Kentucky murder ballad from the era of the Civil War. The performance of Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson was our springboard. For the sake of avoiding multiple clicks across posts, … Continue reading →
“Come all you friends and neighbors…” Every spring, as I finish teaching my unit on the American Civil War, my thoughts turn towards that most terrible of American experiences. Me being who I am always makes that rather intense. This … Continue reading →
Rorey Carroll Part Two of Murder Ballad Monday’s Interview with Rorey Carroll Read Part One of the interview here. Read about the song, “Head Hung,” here. MBM: If you don’t mind me asking about this, your brother died tragically … Continue reading →
Rorey Carroll “…it’s such a powerful thing to take someone’s life. It’s one of the most powerful things, and it’s something that anyone could do. I think people are fascinated with death and murder for the fascination with their own darkness.” Part One … Continue reading →
I found the music of Colorado-based songwriter and recording artist Rorey Carroll, when she “liked” our Facebook page. I looked up her web site, and gave “Head Hung” a listen, and heard something I recognized in this original murder … Continue reading →
