TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Does anyone know anything about this release?  Is it likely to be of interest, or is that the sound of yet more barrel scraping??
http://www.spincds.com/coming-soon/19-rupert-street

Dave Cousins has talked of this tape for a while now. Good to see it being made available at last.

Awful cover though!

1. The leaves of life
2. Willie Moore
3. Balulalow
4. The sans day carol
5. Trouble in mind
6. Jimmie Brown the newsboy
7. The midnight special
8. Milk and honey
9. Who knows where the time goes
10. Fairytale lullaby
11. She moves through the fair
12. (And so to bed) Chuffa chuffa chuff/Clementine/Jesus loves me

The information I have is that Sandy is on all the tracks. Solo on 1,3, 8-11. Track 2 is a duet with Patsy Campbell. It could be interesting. John Martyn's 'Fairytale Lullaby' was apparently a song she wanted to record.

But Witchwood really should hire a professional designer. That cover is dreadful!

Thanks gentlemen.

Unspeakably so...

Maybe they had a job lot of 1970's Fablon sticky back plastic going spare? ;)

Joking aside. It does sound like it might be worth checking out. :)

Glen

Coming soon... Sandy reads the London phone directory!  Bargain at only £20!

Sorry, does that sound cynical? :-\

When does this stuff date from?  1966-7 kind of time?

Jules

As stated in the Spin link above, Jules... 5 august 1967

Can you download it? Then you don't have to worry about the cover ;)

It's the only possible option  ;)

I have to say, in all honesty, I'll be passing on this...I'm not a big fan of pre-Fairport Sandy.  

You couldn't just give me the answer without making me feel stupid, could you?  I blame the toothache.   :P

Jules

Both you and David are quite good at the above Jules!!!!!!!   ;)

Apart from the actual design of the cover though, its a wonderful photo of Sandy isn't it?

I'm aghast!   :o

Jules

Oh yeah, I bet you are!!   :P

I know what you mean, but she started developing her own sound even before Fairport. Sandy with the Strawbs already is a different voice, compaired to the Sandy of 1966, who did her very best to sound like Joan Baez.

I like all and any Sandy, but I think I'll be passing- this stuff was never meant for release, and I'd only listen to it once for curiosity's sake. And yes, the cover could be better.

No, really!  I had no idea I indulged in very much patronising talk.

And no, I don't think I'll be getting this.  The pre-Fairport stuff doesn't really register much with me either.

Jules

I'm actually a little curious about this one. The little bit of pre-Fairport Sandy I have heard I thought interesting. There was one or two on that Fairport Companion cd a few years ago, especially Been On The Road So Long which I really enjoyed. Plus I love Sail Away To The Sea on that (at this point) old box set that came out years ago. She did sing differently then, but its not enough to put me off this set.

If you don't already have it, the Sandy and the Strawbs album might be a better buy.

My favourite Sandy period is Fairport first time around/Fotheringay, but I enjoyed those early days at the time, and I guess as a completist I'll get it.

I've noticed for similar-minded folk (if there are any!) that it's on Amazon UK cheaper at £9.74.

I heard I review copy of this album today, and I have to say that I enjoyed every second of it.

Sure, the sound quality is dreadful. It was recorded on a domestic tape recorder after all, and even the boffins at Abbey Road can't perform miracles!

The content, however, was a joy to listen to. There's some lovely performances in there (including a fine She Moves Through The Fair) and the conversations between Sandy and Alex Campbell are wonderful. Call me easily pleased (no doubt you will), but it was lovely to hear Sandy laughing so much!

Clearly not for everyone; the novelty of hearing Campbell goad Sandy into playing a 'guitar solo' on the Carter Family cover will, no doubt, wear thin after a couple of listens. And be warned, the final track consists of the Campbell children singing bedtime songs, which you may or may not find charming.

So, not essential listening by any means, but a worthwhile release, and one that certainly cheered me up on a gloomy afternoon at work!

Cautiously recommended. I should, of course, qualify my comments by making it clear that I adore early Sandy.

Not a bad review in Record Collector.

http://www.recordcollectormag.com/reviews/review-detail/7526

I can't imagine I would have played this more than once even if it had come as an extra disc in the box set. I'm giving it a miss although I do  enjoy the two pre-Fairport cds in the box set and play both loads.