The True Lover's Farewell: Appalachian Folk Ballads

by Baltimore Consort, Custer LaRue

Overview

The European folk music that British, Scottish and Irish immigrants brought with them to the U.S. paved the way for at least three forms of music: country, bluegrass and American folk. Essentially, American bluegrass is an extension of the Celtic jigs and reels of Ireland and Scotland, and the storytelling of country and American folk stems from British and Celtic folk traditions. Illustrating the parallels between English and Appalachian folk ballads, this 1994 recording consists primarily of songs that were published in the 1932 book English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians. The liner notes are quite comprehensive, letting us what folk singers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia or North Carolina had performed the songs in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. On all of the songs, the Baltimore Consort features Custer LaRue, an excellent singer who joined the outfit in 1983. The expressive LaRue, who grew up in Virginia, sings in a soprano, and she often reminds us of early Joan Baez. From "the Rebel Soldier" and "Lord Baterman" to "Johnny Home from Sea" and "Arise, Arise, You Slumbering Sleeper," the charismatic LaRue has no problem brings these pastoral songs to life. Highly recommended. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/28/1995
Label:	Dorian / Dorian Recordings
UPC:	0053479021328
Rank:	203914

Tracks

1. Turtle Dove, folk song
2. Fair Margaret and sweet William (Child 74)
3. Gypsen Davey
4. Arise, arise, you slumbering sleeper
5. Soldier boy for me
6. Lord Bateman (Child 53)
7. Berayna
8. Outlandish knight (Child 4)
9. Lady Gay (The Wife of Usher's Well), folk song (Child 79)
10. Johnny home from sea
11. Charlie's sweet
12. Earl Brand (Child 7)
13. The Lady and the dragoon
14. Nightingale
15. The Rebel soldier
16. The True lover's farewell

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Custer LaRue   Primary Artist,Soprano (Vocal)
Baltimore Consort   Primary Artist
Ronn McFarlane   Lute
Mary Anne Ballard   Bass Viol,Treble Viol
Mark Cudek   Cittern,Bass Viol

Technical Credits

David H. Walters   Engineer,Engineer
Katherine A. Dory   Editing,Preparation,Booklet Editor,Booklet Preparation
Vikki J. Heath   Booklet Editor,Booklet Preparation
Traditional   Composer
Mary Anne Ballard   Research
Baltimore Consort   Performer
Craig D. Dory   Engineer
Douglas Brown   Editing,Engineer,Producer
Brian M. Levine   Editing,Preparation,Booklet Editor,Executive Producer,Booklet Preparation