November 2014
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Alan Stivell – 1971 Let’s blur the line of history even further. What does French-born musician Alan Stivell (real name Alan Cochevelou) have in any way, shape, or form to do with English neo-folk? Could you believe this same man created the first strains of Celtic rock. The music of all the Gaelic traditions owe…
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Spirogyra (Martin and Barbara far right) Now here’s another interesting band. One that highlights the importance of giving equal providence to other voices, feelings, and sounds that English neo-folk was exploring. Spirogyra, appropriately enough, another band hailing from the mystical Yorkshire Dales area (home of Mr. Fox if you can remember!) has a very distinct…
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Bridget St. John in France. Have you been noticing a pattern in England’s neo-folk movement? For myself it’s the important role women played in shaping this music. Somehow, its interesting that while other genres were becoming increasingly segmented off by race and gender, English Neo-Folk was increasingly becoming a genre where women didn’t have to…
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Roy Harper You know, for me, there’s one reason I’ll give Jimmy Page a lifetime pass, it’s for his brief period supporting the genuinely offbeat, yet equally brilliant Roy Harper, and in doing so delivering both of their best work. Released in 1970, “The Same Old Rock” from Roy Harper’s Stormcock ushered in a new age…
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Now here’s a great English neo-folk artist lost to time. Shelagh McDonald, born in Edinburgh, was a gorgeous Scottish folk singer destined for stardom. Her style was uniquely urbane, mixing Joni Mitchell sonics with Nick Drake-like singing and atmosphere. Some of the upper echelon of English folk-rock luminaries like members from Fotheringay, Fairport Convention, Mighty…
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C.O.B. (Clive Palmer far right) Seems appropriate today, on the Day of the Dead, to post something from Clive Palmer’s C.O.B. band. This is another English neo-folk group which was continuing the show of strength this new genre had. Their hymnal sound was heavily indebted to the polyglot of influences early Judeo-Christian music had absorbed…
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Shirley Collins and Ashley Hutchings – No Roses photo session. Continuing on the quest to detail England’s neo-folk sound, I have to go back to the story of one of the artists who started it all. Shirley Collins, by the time of this recording was thought of as bit stubborn traditionalist, one more prone to…
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