SAYDISC SDL 425 - ENGLISH CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

We are grateful to Folktrax for the use of their historic recordings. Originally recorded on open reel tape equipment in the 1950s, these have been remastered on digital audio tape. The aim of this presentation is not to try and give an overall coverage of the many calendar customs that are still extant in England, but rather to give a sound picture of a chosen few, together with some views about the meaning for them of these "Festive happenings". Includes text transcritions, unique colour photographs by Brian Shuel and a brief Bibliography.

1. HELSTON FURRY & HAL-AN-TOW (Cornwall May 8th) - 5'11"

2. PADSTOW HOBBY HORSE (Cornwall May 1st) - 7'43"

3. CASTLETON GARLAND DAY (Derbyshire May 29th) - 6'03"

4. BAMPTON MORRIS (Oxfordshire: Whit-monday) - 5'28"

5. HEADINGTON MORRIS (Oxford) - Dance tunes - 5'32"

6. ABBOTS BROMLEY HORN DANCE (Staffordshire: September) - 5'30"

7. ANTROBUS SOULCAKERS (Cheshire: October) - 5'15"

8. St CLEMENT'S DAY SONG (Hammerwich, Staffs: Nov 23rd) - 0'18"

9. THE SINGING OF THE TRAVELS (Mummers: Symondsbury & Eype, Dorset: Christmas) - 2'52"

10. AS I SAT ON A SUNNY BANK (Carol: Camborne, Cornwall) - 1'09"

11. THE CHERRY TREE CAROL (Cinderford, Gloucestershire) - 2'41"

12. THE BITTER WITHY (Tarrington, Herefordshire) - 2'49"

13. LAZARUS (Bromsberrow Heath, Herefordshire) - 2'12"

14. WEST COUNTRY WASSAILERS - 7'59"

15. JOHN BARLEYCORN (Haxey, Lincolnshire before Jan 6th) - 2'08"

16. SHROVE TUESDAY (Warminster, Wiltshire) - 0'49"

17. WASSAIL SONG (Gower, South Wales) - 2'34"

Recordings & Notes by Peter Kennedy 1950-57. Edited by David Wilkins. Produced by Gef Lucena and published by Saydisc 1997.