Home Cooking is a new mix from Folk Radio UK. 100% wholesome music: an upbeat intro followed by a gentle swaying finale! Featuring: Lisa Hannigan, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Mountain Goats, Dave Rawlings Machine, Sam Brookes, Mount Moriah and more!

playlist

Breathe Owl Breathe – Dragon
Neutral Milk Hotel – The King Of Carrot Flowers, Part One
The Mountain Goats – Woke Up New
Lisa Hannigan – What’ll I Do
Maple Mountain – Devon Dream
Caitlin Rose – Answer In One Of These Bottles
Asylum Street Spankers – Black Eyed Blues
Dave Rawlings Machine – It’s Too Easy
Polly And The Billets Doux – To Be A Fighter
Bonny Billy and The Picket Line – May it Always Be
Spirit Family Reunion – Alright Prayer
mount moriah – lament
Lisa Hannigan – Passenger
Sam Brookes – Like A Butterfly
Charlie Winston – Calling Me
Hms ginafore and king creosote – No gesture is tender enough
Balmorhea – Bowsprit

An alt-folk mix that seemed to fit the quiet frozen mornings very well. It’s all very relaxed, featuring some of the most wonderful and ethereal voices including Rachel Dadd, Rachael Sermanni, Nick Drake, This is The Kit, Tess and more!

Playlist

Tiny Ruins & A Singer Of Songs – Feathers
our feathered embers – down by the sally gardens
Robin Pecknold – Where Is My Wild Rose
This Is The Kit – Moon
Nathaniel Rateliff – You Should’ve Seen The Other Guy
Pete Roe – A Bird on a wing
The Pines – Pray Tell
Panda Su – My Sorry Little Heart
This Is The Kit – Earthquake
Sarah Blasko – I Never Knew
Treetop Flyers – Is It All Worth It
Nick Drake – one of these things first
Tess – River
The Meadowlarks – Graves
Wes Swing – Sleeping Moon
Tiny Ruins & A Singer Of Songs – Little Notes
Rachael dadd – Following the geese
Rachel Sermanni – Black Current

We have a new mix featuring more traditional music of the British Isles. The second in our Traditonal music mixes features both new and old folk music from an old pub session of 1967 featuring Bobby Casey to Christy Moore, Kris Drever, Kate Rusby, Gavin Davenport and more! The image for the mix cover is of a young Bobby Casey of Co. Clare (1926 – 2000). He features in the mix on an old recording (1967) of a London Irish music session recorded by Bill Leader. You can hear all the banter and glasses in the background. Still one of the most magical recordings made. The album is Paddy in the Smoke: Irish Dance Music from a London Pub (Topic Records) and the album cover (see above) shows some after hours dancing outside ‘The Favourite’ as the pub shut for lunchtime. I was told by a good friend who frequented the pub back then that the landlord used to leave a crate or two outside to keep them going until he re-opened. It was a hugely popular pub for Irish sessions in North London attracting some of the biggest Irish musicians around at the time.

playlist

Karen Matheson – O Nach Eisdeadh Tu ‘n Sgeul Le Aire
Pauline Scanlon – Wearin’ The Britches
Kris Drever – Sweet Honey In The Rock
Fidil – Tá Do Mhargadh Deanta
Kate Rusby – The Wishing Wife
Gavin Davenport – Seven Gypsies
Alasdair White – The Weatherman
Christy Moore – Weekend In Amsterdam
Bobby Casey – The Bank Of Ireland
Julie Fowlis – Co Ni Mire Rium
The Long Notes – Come By The Hills
Andy Irvine And Paul Brady – Plains Of Kildare
Nic Jones – Boots Of Spanish Leather
Dick Gaughan – Song For Ireland
Northern Lights – Ardai Chuain
Dougie Maclean – Seanair’s Song

Stephen Cracknell has put together a perfect mix for this time of year titled Midwinter which includes some great classic names of British folk music. Stephen plays in The Memory Band whose last album ‘Oh My Days’ was reviewed back in April. Enjoy!

Tracklisting

Derek & Dorothy Elliott – Wassail Song
Fotheringay – Nothing More
Mary Rhoads – Golden Slippers
Wizz Jones – Dazzliung Stranger
Steeleye Span – Lowlands Of Holland
Flora Macneil – Beninn a’ Chethaich
Anne Briggs – Living By The Water
Ashley Hutchings – Sir Roger de Coverley
Pentangle – Cruel Sister
Tim Hart & Maddy Prior – Maid That’s Deep In Love
The Watersons – Here We Come A Wassailing
Bridget St. John – Goodbaby Goodbye

www.thememoryband.com

We will be featuring some special guest mixes from artists and friends of Folk Radio UK on the run up to Christmas this year and to kick things off our good friends at Folk Police Recordings have put together this incredible mix!

Folk Police Case Report No 1:

Spirit of ‘71, Pastoral Interludes and Winter Songs

Manchester’s Folk Police Recordings have put together a case report featuring some of the songs that have inspired the label’s approach. The mix includes a smattering of classic 70s folk rock alongside more recent music steeped in the folk rock spirit. This is followed by a short detour though some of the more pastoral byways of the folk revival and the psychedelic folk fringes, and concludes with a handful of seasonal songs for the long winter nights. We hope you enjoy them…

Track Listing

Shelagh McDonald – The Dowie Dens of Yarrow (Stargazer, 1971)
Mick Softley – Ship (Sunrise, 1970)
Starless & Bible Black – Up with the Orcadian Tide (7” single, 2007)
Malicorne- Quand J’Etais Chez Mon Père (Almanach, 1976)
Kiila – Kehotuslaulu (Tuota Tuota, 2009)
The Woods Band – As I Roved Out (The Woods Band, 1971)
Wolf People – The Banks of Sweet Dundee Part 1(Steeple, 2011)
The Janet and Johns – I was a Young Man (7” single, 1980)
The Straw Bear Band – Lyke Wake Dirge (The Inner Octave, 2011)
The Owl Service – Time is Ripe (Echoes from the Mountain, 2011)
In Gowan Ring – Hazel Steps (Hazel Steps Through a Weathered Home, 2002)
Silly Wizard – Carlisle Wall (Silly Wizard, 1976)
COB – Eleven Willows (Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart, 1972)
John Goodluck – The Lover’s Ghost (The Suffolk Miracle, 1974)
Bread Love and Dreams – Brother John (Amaryllis, 1971)
Steve Ashley – Candlemas Carol (Stroll On, 1974)
Crazy Man Michael – Winter Song (The Green Light, 2008)
Carolanne Pegg – Winter People (Carolann, 1973)
PG Six – Come In/The Winter it is Past (The Well of Memory, 2004)

About the Tracks

Shelagh McDonald – The Dowie Dens of Yarrow (Stargazer, 1971)

A beautiful version of a traditional ballad from the woman tipped to be Scotland’s answer to Joni Mitchell before her abrupt exit from the music scene. Proof, if any was needed, that there should always be a place in folk for funky electric organ. This track is the Folk Police’s favourite folk-rock recording. Ever.

Mick Softley – Ship (Sunrise, 1970)

Epic. Towering. Monumental. Slightly bonkers. Is it folk? Do we care? Whilst we aren’t huge fans of most of Mick’s more troubadour-esque output, in our book this sprawling monster of a song is a space- rock psych-folk classic.

Starless & Bible Black – Up with the Orcadian Tide (7” single, 2007)

Featuring Pete from the Woodbine & Ivy Band in his previous incarnation, this limited edition 7” single from the excellent Static Caravan label is probably Starless’s finest moment.

Malicorne- Quand J’Etais Chez Mon Père (Almanach, 1976)

Folk-rock took a firm hold in France in the mid 70s, and Gabriel and Marie Yacoub’s Malicorne were the undisputed rulers of a scene that spawned a slew of great bands like Sourdeline, La Bamboche, Avaric and Asgard. Their 1976 album Almanach is a must-have addition to any respectable folk-rock collection.

Kiila – Kehotuslaulu (Tuota Tuota, 2009)

The spirit of folk-rock lives on in Finland! Coming out of the vibrant and diverse Finnish freak folk scene, on the Tuota Tuota album, Kiila ease their way towards a more structured sound.

The Woods Band – As I Roved Out (The Woods Band, 1971)

After being two fifths of the first and arguably best version of Steeleye Span, appearing on the masterful Hark! The Village Wait, Gay and Terry Woods carried on where they left off on their 1971 album. Folk-rock never had such a dangerous swagger.

Wolf People – The Banks of Sweet Dundee Part 1(Steeple, 2011)

One of our favourite moments from the 2010 Green Man Festival was watching The Wolf People’s frenzied summoning up of the spirit of ’71. This is a band who live in a special place where afghan coats, patchouli and loon pants never went out of fashion.

The Janet and Johns – I was a Young Man (7” single, 1980)

We know nothing about record, other than the fact that it came out on the independent Vindaloo Records in 1980 and was recently anthologised on the Messthetics 104 compilation of DIY music from South Wales. The label was based in Birmingham and was home to Robert Lloyd’s marvellous Nightingales.

The Straw Bear Band – Lyke Wake Dirge (The Inner Octave, 2011)

Only the Straw Bear Band could turn Lyke Wake Dirge into a stirring Ennio Morricone flavoured spaghetti western romp. A parallel universe folk-rock disco classic.

The Owl Service – Time is Ripe (Echoes from the Mountain, 2011)

More from the consistently brilliant Rif Mountain label. This is the Owl Service’s contribution to Rif Mountain’s tribute to fRoots editor Ian A. Anderson’s 1970s record label, Village Thing, and is a shimmering reading of one of Ian’s best songs.

In Gowan Ring – Hazel Steps (Hazel Steps Through a Weathered Home, 2002)

Possibly one of the architects of the pysch-folk revival, modern American troubadour B’eirth’s In Gowan Ring ploughed a lonely furrow when they first started out. We suspect that this beautiful song owes as much to Simon and Garfunkel as it does to the Incredible String Band.

Silly Wizard – Carlisle Wall (Silly Wizard, 1976)

We knew this Cruel Mother variant from Alasdair Roberts’ version on his No Earthly Man collection of traditional songs. Silly Wizard were one of his key sources. Their version is more low key than Alasdair’s, but is still shot through with a palpable air of dread.

COB – Eleven Willows (Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart, 1972)

This is from our favourite ever album. After he’d left the Incredible String Band, Clive Palmer eventually found his way down to Cornwall – the two COB albums were amongst the results of this move. Allegedly the band were all living together in a derelict caravan when they went into the studio with Ralph McTell to record this.

John Goodluck – The Lover’s Ghost (The Suffolk Miracle, 1974)

Suffolk folk singer John Goodluck released four albums in the 1970s, all of which are well worth tracking down. We know very little about him other than the fact he is still living quietly in rural Suffolk and is active in Pagan circles. For some reason he recorded for a Macclesfield-based record label.

Bread Love and Dreams – Brother John (Amaryllis, 1971)

A lovely slice of psych-folk whimsy from the Scottish duo. Amaryllis, reissued on the Sunbeam label, is probably the best of their three albums. We were going to include the epic title track but as it’s about 20 minutes long we thought we’d be pushing it!

Steve Ashley – Candlemas Carol (Stroll On, 1974)

The first instalment of our brief foray into seasonal offerings. Steve’s Stroll On is a wonderful album featuring various members of Fairport Convention, where traditional ballads like Lord Bateman rub shoulders with self penned numbers, including this, which features a haunting string arrangement by the late Robert Kirby.

Crazy Man Michael – Winter Song (The Green Light, 2008)

Taken from the Woodbine & Ivy Band’s Michael Doward’s 2008 solo album, and featuring strings that pay homage to Robert Kirby’s arrangements. We love this album and what’s the point in doing a mixtape if you can’t include your mates? Mike is part of Manchester’s Little Red Rabbit Collective.

Carolanne Pegg – Winter People (Carolann, 1973)

The history of Mr Fox usually centres on the songwriting and subsequent solo career of Bob Pegg, and with good reason – he’s probably one of the best songwriters the UK folk revival produced. In feting his Bobness, however, we should not overlook Carolanne Pegg’s one solo album, containing as it does some beautiful and haunting songs delivered in that voice.

PG Six – Come In/The Winter it is Past (The Well of Memory, 2004)

We conclude with one of Pat Gubler’s finest moments. Anything with the name PG Six on it is worth listening to, but 2004’s The Well of Memory is probably his finest and folkiest offering. 

Visit Folk Police Recordings: www.folkpolicerecordings.com

A little mix we threw together for the weekend featuring some new artists and new releases. Enjoy the Weekend!

Playlist
The Wiyos – Don’t Spill the Sugar
Jamie Harrison – Sam’s Song
Eilen Jewell – Queen Of The Minor Key
Communist Daughter – Not The Kid
Hey Marseilles – Rio
Lisa O’neill – Give It Up
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West – Over There
John Doyle – Clear The Way
Old Sledge – Danville Girl
Jamie Harrison – Dance To Your Daddy
Butcher The Bar – Silk Tilts
Daughter – Youth
Kathleen Edwards – Wapusk
Hurray for the Riff Raff – Daniella
Iarla O Lionaird – The Goat Song
Roy Harper – North Country
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West – Won’t Be Long
The Wiyos – Uncork the Whiskey

Stephen Cracknell of The Memory Band has just put together a great new folk mix which you can listen to below. The playlist reads like a classic and includes the likes of Hedy West, Shirley Collins, Robin & Barry Dransfield, Mike Waterson, The Young Tradition and many more. Enjoy!

Playlist

Aileen Duinn By Flora Mcneill
Shady Grove By Roger Nicolson
Kingfisher By Bert Jansch
Lady Margaret And Sweet William By Shirley Collins
Dreams For Me By Sweeney’s Men
The Truth Sent From Above By The Young Tradition
Come, Love, Carrolling By Sydney Carter With Bob & Carol Pegg
Doorway By Dave Evans
The Wife Of Usher’s Well By Hedy West
Who’s The Fool Now By Robin & Barry Dransfield
Jack Frost By Mike Waterson
Blue Crystal Fire By Robbie Basho
Yellow Roses By Heron

Earlier this year they also did a mix for Sean Rowley’s BBC radio show:
The Memory Band – All Back To Mine mix by The Amnesia Orchestra

Download (mp3)

Playlist:
Jimmie Spheeris – The Nest
Shawn Phillips – Withered Roses
Gabor Szabo – Three King Fishers
The Startled Insects – Cheetah
Soft Cell – Youth (The Memory Band mix)
Ronnie Lane & Pete Townsend – April Fool
Eugene McDaniels – The River
Sandy Denny – By The Time It Gets Dark
Bert Jansch – Bird Song
Merle Travis – I Am A Pilgrim
Nara Leao – Nana
The About Group – Gone Away

For the last three years, Django Django have been busy doing great things in the East London bedroom slept in by their drummer, producer and de facto leader David Maclean. Amongst those great things is their brand new single ‘Waveforms’ which Because are proud to release on October 17th followed by a full tour of the UK in November (dates below)

Vincent Neff (singer and guitarist), Jimmy Dixon (bassist) and synth operator Tommy Grace make up the quartet, who met at art school in Edinburgh. First coming to peoples’ attentions after a gradual migration to London a couple of years back with double A-side single ‘Storm’/’Love’s Dart’, the track laid the blueprint for a confident, adventurous and psychedelically-bruised strain of art-rock that melds intangible electronic flourishes to the visceral rub of live instrumentation.

In case you missed it check out Django Django’s last mix which blends soul, jazz and psych:

Django Django UK TOUR

03/11 – Pressure @ Thekla – Bristol
04/11 – Hooga – Chelmsford
06/11 – Les Inrocks – Cigale, Paris
08/11 – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen – London
11/11 – The Hope – Brighton
17/11 – Nation of Shopkeepers – Leeds
18/11 – The Other Rooms – Newcastle
19/11 – The Bowery – Sheffield
24/11 – Sneaky Pete’s – Edinburgh
25/11 – Tunnels – Aberdeen
26/11 – Nice n Sleazy – Glasgow