61-track, 4-CD set explores the experimental side of the British folk scene, from the folk-rock era to the present. Includes new and unreleased recordings from Imagined Village (the first new music from the band in 9 years, with vocals from Eliza Carthy), Justin Adams, and Stick In The Wheel, unreleased songs from Maddy Prior and Lavinia Blackwall, and rare demos from Sandy Denny and Richard and Linda Thompson.
Compiled by writer and broadcaster Robin Denselow, who also wrote the 24-page sleeve notes, the boxset is released to coincide with publication of the book of the same title (on Omnibus) – which is an updated version of the celebrated story of the folk-rock era The Electric Muse, first published in 1975.
This boxset brings together an extraordinary cast of great musicians for the first time, and tells the story of how British traditional music has been re-worked with influences not just from rock but from punk, rap, electronica, big band brass, and sounds and styles from around the world.
Tracklist
Sweet Greens and Blues 1964 (home recording) - Shirley Collins and Davy Graham
Gilderoy - Shirley and Dolly Collins
Crowlink - Shirley Collins
St Patrick Spens 1989 (live) - Fairport Convention
The Festival Bell - Fairport Convention
The World Is A Wonderful Place (demo) - Richard and Linda Thompson
Who Knows Where The Time Goes'?' (solo home demo) - Sandy Denny
The Quiet Joys of Brotherhood - Imagined Village (vocals Eliza Carthy)
A Sailor’s Life - Lavinia Blackwall
John The Gun - Maddy Prior
Dark Morris Song - Steeleye Span
Harvest - Steeleye Span
What Do You Do In The Day'?' - John Kirkpatrick
I Got New Shoes - Albion Dance Band
My Dearest / To Ireland I Made My Way - Ashley Hutchings
She Moved Through The Fair - Justin Adams
The Ship In Distress - Andrew Cronshaw
The Maid and the Palmer - Brass Monkey
Alright Jack - Home Service
I Am The Common Man - Battlefield Band
Between The Wars - Billy Bragg
Hal-an-Tow - Oysterband
Susie Clelland - June Tabor and The Oyster Band
The Recruiting Sergeant - The Levellers
Plough The Speed - Edward II
Inexile - Capercaillie
Greenwood Laddie/Mrs Caprons Reel/Tune - Eliza Carthy
Worcester City - Eliza Carthy
Ale House - Martyn Bennett
Early One Morning - Jim Moray
Lucy Wan - Jim Moray
England, Half English - Billy Bragg and The Blokes
Cold Haily Rainy Night - Imagined Village
My Son John - Imagined Village
Four Loom Weaver - Ian King
Bonnie Bunch of Roses - June Tabor & Oysterband
I’ll Show You Wonders - June Tabor and Oysterband
Saint Monday - Lau
Les Bras De Mer - Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
Send Her To Holloway - The Rails
Far In Distant Lands - False Lights
A Gay Goshawk - Carole Pegg & Radik Tulush
Believing is Seeing - Rab Noakes
False Bride - Olivia Chaney
Willie O’Winsbury - Offa Rex
House On A Hill - Olivia Chaney
Searching For Lambs - Peter Knight's Gigspanner Big Band
You Know Me - Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band
The Copper Suite - Spiro
Sweet Thames Flow Softly - Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings
Sacred Earth - Sharon Shannon
Hichki - Shooglenifty & Dhun Dhora
The Shearing’s Not For You - Yorkston Thorne Khan
The Water Is Wide - Lizabett Russo
Bristol Slaver - Show of Hands
Rigs of the Time - Lunatraktors
Villon Song - Stick In The Wheel
Top Knot - Stick In The Wheel
100,000 Years/ Brisk Lad - Stick In The Wheel
Spencer The Rover - Sam Lee
The Tan Yard Side - Sam Lee, Lisa Knapp and the Nightingale