72 - Devon Folk

Reviewsevenings, ascratch band, good songs and plentyof rapport with the "audience". Plenty of traditionhere too with mention of old singers like GeorgeBelton and Hary Holman. Thanks Harry Ienjoyedthis.Mike Palmer.Note: this disc is not commercially available butcopies can be obtained from Harry Mousdell.Contact Colin on 01363 877216THERE'S ACLEAR CRYSTAL FOUNTAINSongs from Southern England"Gwilym Davies Forest Tracks FTCD 205www.forest-tracks.co.ukGwilym Davies is one of the tireless band ofpeople without whom the rest of us who sing andlove traditional English song would have poorfare indeed. By collecting from singers whowould otherwise leave no record of their songsand variations they enrich the whole folk community.This CD contains 20 songs Gwilym hasgathered from singers in the South of Englandand I would argue makes Gwilym himself animportant "source" singer for future generations.He sings the songs straightforwardly without anyaudible processing to the voice, some unaccompanied,some with melodeon (there are acouple oftunes in this selection). If you like your musicarranged and your taste is more Artisan orSteeleye Span this simple production may not befor you. If you are a singer wanting unusualmaterial or alover of traditional song then do notpass this by -there are some real gems here.Ifind it takes time to "tune in" to asinger's voice,especially for the first time, and really the onlycriticism Iwould make is the choice of the firsttrack - Fathom the Bowl from which the title istaken. This variation differs in words and tunefrom the well known version you will hear atevery singaround, but only in afew places, and Ifound it unsettling while I was acclimatisingmyself to Gwilym's delivery. Indeed, if Ijustpicked this CD up and started it playing Imightnot have got past this first track, and then Iwouldhave missed such delights as the gentle innuendoof Shooting Gallery, the insight into harvesting inAll amongst the Barley or the licentious LedburyClergyman . My favourite is the second track Boxon her Head, a lovely full story of the girloutwitting the Highwayman and getting herself ahusband by her marksmanship.TheBarn OwlsCountry Dance BandDennisCook01822832002Many of the songs will be familiar but thesewere passed onto Gwilym with all their oddtwists and turns of phrase preserved so they ringso much more true than the usual versions foundin song books. The Fox here contents himselfwith abrown duck while the Three Men wenta-Hunting discuss haystacks, hedgehogs, donkeys,cowpats and a black pig. This is aninteresting selection of songs, agreat resourceand avaluable contribution to our folk heritagefrom someone who has spent years enjoying thecompany of vernacular singers in the South ofEngland.Jerry BixFOOTPRINTS IN THE WINDRichard Cowen MRLAC003, AMCCD003Enquiries 01271 372608This is an own produced CD (recorded at theArial Music Centre) by asinger/songwriter withaguitar. As such it joins thousands of othersimilar offerings -so what is it that makes thisrecording so special? And believe me, Ido thinkthis is quite special. It's quite hard to put yourfinger on why, perhaps it's because the songs areabout real things and gives us glimpses intoRichard's life (which appears to have been moreinteresting than most of ours). Perhaps it'sbecause some of the songs address real concernsand issues, but always with anice twist of wryironic humour. Perhaps it's the tunes and arrangements,which have afreshness and drivethat set them apart from most in this genre. PaulCarpenter on guitar and Bill Harvey on fiddlecomplement Richard's guitar accompanimentsand add greater dimension to the songs. Ilovethe driving arpeggios on Travelling in Disguise;the tropical sensual rhythm of Market Streetwith sultry fiddle or the laid-back feel of OtherPeople's Houses.36There are too many little insights to list here,PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.com