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At the heart of traditional song rest the concerns of ordinary
people - the folk. And folk throughout the centuries have found
themselves entangled with the law: abiding by it, breaking it, and
being caught and punished by it. Who Killed Cock Robin? is an
anthology of just such songs compiled by one of Britain's senior
judges, Stephen Sedley, and most respected and best-loved folk
singers, Martin Carthy. The songs collected here are drawn from
manuscripts, broadsides and oral tradition. They are grouped
according to the various categories of crime and punishment, from
Poaching to The Gallows. Each section contains a historical
introduction, and every song is presented with a melody, its lyrics
and an illuminating commentary that explores its origins and
sources. Together, they present a unique, sometimes comic, often
tragic, and always colourful insight into the past, while
preserving an important body of song for the pleasure and
performance of future generations.
Waterson:Carthy is the parent/daughter/daughter team of Norma
Waterson, Martin Carthy, and Eliza Carthy. Their eponymous first
album was released to much acclaim in 1994. With the exception of
one song apiece from Robert Burns and Ron Kavana (the latter
providing words to the Texas waltz "Midnight on the Water"), and a
tune from Eliza, the material is traditional. Eliza sings "The Grey
Cock" unaccompanied; elsewhere accompaniment is provided by Martin
on guitar or mandolin, Eliza on fiddle, and guests Nancy Kerr and
Jock Tydesley also on fiddle. Norma is most memorable on the
melodic "When First I Came to Caledonia." She takes lead on
"Midnight on the Water," with the remainder of the family joining
on the choruses and three fiddles carrying the tune. "Ye Mariners
All," featuring Martin's vocal and Eliza on fiddle, conjures up
memories of the great Carthy/Swarbrick partnership. All three
voices combine to glorious effect on "Sleep on Beloved," an earlier
variant of the song more widely known via Joseph Spence and the
Incredible String band as "I Bid You Good Night." All in all, this
is a splendid first recording by an excellent live act.
This set is good, but not as stunning as we might expect after a
six-year hiatus in which to work up material. ~ Steve Winick
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