October 30, 2019

Dark Ships in the Forest: Ballads of the Supernatural

Folk-Legacy Records CD-65

Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: US
Released: 1997
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklis]
01 Oak, Ash And Thorn (2:36)
02 The Broomfield Wager [Child 43] (4:11)
03 The Wife Of The Usher's Well [Child 79] (2:43)
04 Tom Of Bedlam (3:57)
05 The Dreadful Ghost (4:18)
06 The Foggy Dew (5:09)
07 The Derby Ram (3:27)
08 The Maid On The Shore [cf. Child 43] (3:41)
09 Reynardine (3:01)
10 The False Lady [Child 68] (3:21)
11 Polly Vaughn (3:18)
12 The Two Magicians [Child 44] (5:19)
[Credits]
John Roberts (vocals) Tony Barrand (vocals) Fred Breunig (accordion/fiddle) Steve Woodruff (accordion/fiddle)
Liner Notes: John Roberts , Recorder, Designer & Photographer: Sandy Paton, Designer: Lani Herrmann
[Notes]
This disc is a reissue of an LP that originally came out who-knows-when (Folk Legacy's insert copy is typically reticent on that score), and consists of one well-known old ballad ("The Foggy Dew"), several songs from the Child collection, and a number of other, more obscure tunes, all chosen for their supernatural themes (though, as the artists acknowledge in the liner notes, "The Foggy Dew" is something of a stretch in that regard). Roberts and Barrand are accompanied by Fred Breunig and Steve Woodruff, both of whom play fiddle and button accordion. As one might imagine, the resulting sound is stark and, it must be said, haunting; the subject matter of the songs, all of which deal with such topics as magical flora, woodland enchanters, and the ghosts of dead children and lovers, only adds to the eerie tone of the proceedings. These two really are remarkable singers; tenor Barrand has a sound that cuts like a reed whizzing through the air, while baritone Roberts moans with a plaintive, almost nasal sound. Description doesn't work, obviously these two must be heard to be appreciated. --AllMusic Review by Rick Anderson

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