Frost and Fire

Product Information

Pareles, Jon; New York Times News Service (10 December 1987). "A NEW VOICE FOR AN OLD TRADITION". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 6 January 2022.

Lal Waterson: Teach Me to Be a Summer’s Morning Plains of Mexico, The The Watersons: The Watersons; Norma Waterson on Bespoke Songs, Lost Dogs, Detours & Rendezvous: The Songs of Elvis Costello Bitter Withy, The The Watersons: Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy; Jo Freya’s Lal Waterson Project: Lal Windham The Watersons: Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy Windy Day Marry Waterson & Oliver Knight: The Days That Shaped Me Winifer Odd Lal & Mike Waterson: Bright Phoebus;On October 28th, a new generation gets the chance to fall under its spell as a fresh edition appears on Topic Records. The vinyl edition has been re-cut 45 rpm for optimal sound quality, and the sleeve is a replica of the original (with minor adaptations for 2022), including the original sleevenotes by legendary folklorist, A.L. Lloyd. And speaking of resurrection, rebirthed record collectors take note: This Frost And Fire gets a timely revisit with Topic Records issuing the vinyl pressing at 45rpm “ for optimum sound quality”. Frost And Fire: A Calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs is re-released on 28.10.2022 on Topic Records. The Watersons on The Season Round Heavenly Aeroplane The Watersons: Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy;

What’s New for the 1st of the October: Horror, time travel, murder and fantasy, and comics journalism; personal Scandinavian jazz, ancient Persian songs, bluegrass, Americana, and a podcast; Johnny Cash on TV; chocolate and empanadas The songs are roughly set around the calendar, as the album’s subtitle says, and as noted by A.L. Lloyd in his original liner notes:Their style is a unique blend of originality and tradition. [2] The Watersons never learned to read music. They began by singing hunting songs, hymns and carols with their grandmother, ones that she probably sang with her parents. One family member would sing the melody, and the rest would join in, choosing a harmony note if the melody was out of their range. [3] Now, amid the historical, theological, and various version comparisons, it is important to note that these tunes, in the hands of The Watersons’ bucolic vocal antiquary, reflect a biblical coat of many colours beauty that reveals all ancient magical wisdom of limestone wear on any aged stone fence after a deep autumnal afternoon rain.

Then, ‘Pace-Egging Song’ details the traditional practice, during springtime(!) of “begging for eggs” (Thank you, original liner notes!). Christian Easter melts into mythology with a pagan belief in the egg’s symbolism for renewed life. It all boggles the mind with yet another (almost) sacred melody. And ‘Seven Virgins (The Leaves Of Life)’, sung by Norma, oozes Christian beliefs, yet touches its spiritual natural roots that still, even after all these years, manage to bless the circular and very magical nature of all things sublime. Norma Waterson at the BBC Folk awards on 27 April 2016, where she received the lifetime achievement award. Photograph: Christie Goodwin/Redferns Various Artists: New Voices: An Album of First Recordings by Harry Boardman, Maureen Craik, The Waterson Family (1965) What to say about the performances? Suffice to say it’s no surprise that this album was so influential and popular in its time. These four people can sing, and they do so with enthusiasm and zero pretension. Mike has a unique, slightly adenoidal voice that, like Dylan’s, grows on you the more you listen. Norma’s burnished alto is one of my favorite voices of all time. Lal doesn’t take lead very often, but when she does as on “Christmas Is Now Drawing Near At Hand” it’s an immediately classic voice and delivery. But of course what really stands out is the group singing, whether in unison or in harmony. Most often, one of the singers will drop down a third or a fifth on the final word of a line or verse (see “Earsdon Sword Dance Song” for especially good examples of this) it’s simply magical. What’s New for the 20th of August: Some favorite mysteries; jazz, country, RT, and a musical grab bag; a hoedown, a big dragon, Hellboy, and of course ice cream!

Tracks

The Watersons: Mighty River of Song Brave General Wolfe The Watersons: Mighty River of Song Brave Ploughboy, The The Watersons: Green Fields Brave Wolfe The Watersons: The Watersons; The Watersons: Early Days All I Have Is My Own (The Brisk Lad) Mike Waterson on The Watersons: Mighty River of Song Altisidora Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight: Once in a Blue Moon Amazing Grace The Watersons on Peter Bellamy: Both Sides Then;