A Fourth Selection Of Ten Essential UK & Irish Folk Music Songs From 1960s-1980s

Introduction

This is the fourth episode in this series and I am trying to not repeat myself and to include artists that have not appeared in previous ones. I don't think I will have any problem with that, and I am lucky enough to start this off with someone that I have met a corresponded with.

If you are not a Vocal member, if you sign up you will be able to leave comments on the article here, but I am fine with you just reading and maybe commenting in UK & Irish Folk Music 60s-80s where you can discover even more musical treasures.

So without further ado, we will enjoy some more wonderful folk music.

Mike Harding - "Christmas 1914"

I was first introduced to Mike Harding after hearing "Rochdale Cowboy" and loved his brilliant comic routines, saw him in the early seventies at Preston Guildhall.

Since then he has become a veritable folk icon with shows and podcasts on the BBC.

Each year I go to Settle for a holiday where he lives and one year I was privileged to meet him in The Golden Lion and correspond with him on Facebook.

This is a beautiful serious song and a great opener for this playlist.

Mike also features on this amazing folk mash-up by the KLF which is a totally absorbing listen and you learn quite a lot from it.

Here is his Desert Island Discs from 1982

Incredible String Band - "Painted Chariot"

I wasn't too sure of when this was released, but "Liquid Acrobat As Regards The Air" was 1971 and it is my favourite song by the band. Very mystical, almost Wicker Man worthy. I do love all their albums and they are well off the beaten path, but that is how I love my music and so much folk music is in that universe.

Amazing Blondel - "Siege Of Yaddlethorpe"

Amazing Blondel were pleasant to listen to but I love the sound of this piece. While not on my main listening list, I never needed to skip a track or change he radio station when they came one. Take a listen, if you haven't heard them they may be a new treasure for you.

Shirley Collins and Davy Graham - "Hares On The Mountain"

I've always loved Shirley Collins and she will appear in more of these lists with one of her many collaborations. Davy Graham has already appeared with "Anji", and his playing on this is exemplary. This is a traditional song arranged by Shirley and Davy.

Claire Hamill - "Geronimo's Cadillac"

Although this is a song written by Michael Murphey (an American) about American displacement Claire is a wonderful folk singer from the North East, which is why I have included this beauty.

Murphey was inspired to write "Geronimo's Cadillac" by a photograph showing Geronimo at the wheel of a luxury touring car with a backseat.

The Albion Band - "Poor Old Horse"

Composed by Ashley Hutchings who I have seen many times in various incarnations of The Albion Band as well. This is a stand-out song from "Rise Up Like The Sun" essentially a collaboration between Ashley and John Tams

The Battlefield Band - "The Presbyterian Hornpipe / The Watchmakers Daughter / The Hurricane"

The Battlefield Band were a Scottish traditional music group. Founded in Glasgow in 1969, noted for their combination of bagpipes with other non-traditional instruments. I remember them from listening to John Peel

Anne Briggs - "She Moved Through The Fair"

This is a recording from 1963, sixty years ago. This is an unaccompanied take on the song and is beautiful.

Although she travelled widely in the 1960s and early 1970s, appearing at folk clubs and venues in England and Ireland, she never aspired to commercial success or to achieve widespread public acknowledgement of her music. However, she was an influential figure in the British folk revival, being a source of songs and musical inspiration for others such as A. L. Lloyd, Bert Jansch, Jimmy Page, The Watersons, June Tabor, Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, and Maddy Prior.

Taken from Wikipedia:

Lal Waterson and Oliver Knight - "At First She Starts"

I think this is the first mother and son collaboration that I have featured in this series.

This is an absolutely beautiful song.

Oliver Knight was born in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Son to George and Elaine Knight (Lal Waterson) with one sister Maria Knight (Marry Waterson)

Silly Sisters - "Grey Funnel Line"

From 1976 a beautiful duet from Maddy Prior and June Tabor. A wonderful way to end this playlist.

I hope you have found some music to enjoy and explore further

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