Gillian and David have put incredibly beautiful guitar music and melody singing to this hundreds-years-old Child Ballad (Child 20) collected deep in the Appalachian Mountains by Cecil Sharp in the very early 1900's. It originated in England as a folksong (unknown writer) in a time unknown but perhaps in the 1600's. It died in England but was rediscovered in the Appalachians a couple of hundred years later. It had been brought over by English settlers who had sang it only amongst themselves on their porches until heard by Mr. Sharp, who notated the songs in a book then transcribed them to sheet music. The original, if you hear it from someone in the Appalachians singing it, without accompaniment (these are "unaccompanied ballads") would be virtually unrecognizable to this recording, for various reasons. It has been recorded many dozens of times by mostly unknown folk artists but also by Judy Collins and Joan Baez. There are hundreds of versions of this folk song. Gillian has picked through many of them to create her own version. I hope they record their versions of these Child and Roud Ballads. It would be a wonderful service to humanity and help many to be able to listen to these documents of the early American folk music tradition. These are the songs that created Bluegrass, hill music, folk music and then rock music. This music is one of the greatest gifts America made to the world and it all came from the Appalachian Mts. and the Appalachian people but people nowadays know nothing of it. But it is arguably one of their greatest heritages as Americans.
Her song, Orphan Girl, reminds me of the Carter Family song, "Motherless Children". Motherless Children has a hard time when the mother is dead. Motherless Children has a hard time when the mother is dead. They are driven out in the cold, God knows where to go, Motherless Children has a hard time when the mother is dead. Orphan Children has a hard time in this world. Orphan Children has a hard time in this world. Sister does the best she can but she really don't understand. Orphan Children has a hard time in this world.
When I first heard Orphan Girl in 1996 as the opening track of Revival I guessed that there was an autobiographical element to it. This was well before the inception of consumer dna testing. I'm wondering if Gillian has since gone down that road to exploring her biological roots. It can be quite a journey.
Great interview and music. Thank You!
Just sublime: Wish they would put Cruel Mother on an album
First time hearing The Cruel Mother, any version. Floored by it.
Gillian and David have put incredibly beautiful guitar music and melody singing to this hundreds-years-old Child Ballad (Child 20) collected deep in the Appalachian Mountains by Cecil Sharp in the very early 1900's. It originated in England as a folksong (unknown writer) in a time unknown but perhaps in the 1600's. It died in England but was rediscovered in the Appalachians a couple of hundred years later. It had been brought over by English settlers who had sang it only amongst themselves on their porches until heard by Mr. Sharp, who notated the songs in a book then transcribed them to sheet music. The original, if you hear it from someone in the Appalachians singing it, without accompaniment (these are "unaccompanied ballads") would be virtually unrecognizable to this recording, for various reasons. It has been recorded many dozens of times by mostly unknown folk artists but also by Judy Collins and Joan Baez. There are hundreds of versions of this folk song. Gillian has picked through many of them to create her own version.
I hope they record their versions of these Child and Roud Ballads. It would be a wonderful service to humanity and help many to be able to listen to these documents of the early American folk music tradition. These are the songs that created Bluegrass, hill music, folk music and then rock music. This music is one of the greatest gifts America made to the world and it all came from the Appalachian Mts. and the Appalachian people but people nowadays know nothing of it. But it is arguably one of their greatest heritages as Americans.
The Cruel Mother was Absolutly gorgeous!
Great find, thank you!
Seconded. Great find and thank you!
Her song, Orphan Girl, reminds me of the Carter Family song, "Motherless Children".
Motherless Children has a hard time when the mother is dead.
Motherless Children has a hard time when the mother is dead.
They are driven out in the cold, God knows where to go,
Motherless Children has a hard time when the mother is dead.
Orphan Children has a hard time in this world.
Orphan Children has a hard time in this world.
Sister does the best she can but she really don't understand.
Orphan Children has a hard time in this world.
When I first heard Orphan Girl in 1996 as the opening track of Revival I guessed that there was an autobiographical element to it. This was well before the inception of consumer dna testing. I'm wondering if Gillian has since gone down that road to exploring her biological roots. It can be quite a journey.
Two sessions?
Snuffing nose a lot... cocaine, allergies, cold? The musical segments are awesome.
Definitely not cocaine!