Wondrous Fair

Miss Waters goes all out on a centuries-old traditional folk song. Haunting as hell throughout and getting weirder by the minute, this is a masterly performance in a free jazz style. Phew. Even the incomparable John Jacob Niles, who set it to music back in 1941, or the mighty Nina Simone didn't manage to scale such dizzying heights.

Patty Waters - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
Nina Simone - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
John Jacob Niles - Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair

Slack It For Awhile

I recall Tia Blake appearing on my radar through a thorough feature on the always inspiring Aquarium Drunkard some years back, which told the remarkable story of an unknown singer from Pinehurst, North Carolina who recorded a breathtaking folk album in early seventies Paris. Since then, Tia's Folksongs & Ballads has never been far from the stereo at FTSOTS headquarters. Here's a fine example of her style.

Tia Blake - Hangman

Did Hangman ring a bell somehow? Could very well be. Maybe not because of the first recorded version from 1920 by one Bentley Ball, but if you've got some Leadbelly, Charlie Poole and/or Zep in your collection, as you should, chances are you've heard Child Ballad 95 before.

Bentley Ball - Gallows Tree
Leadbelly - The Gallis Pole
Charlie Poole & The North Carlina Ramblers - Hangman, Hangman, Slack The Rope
Led Zeppelin - Gallows Pole

Stop press: with reader Marie coming to the rescue, we now have a fine version by Odetta, too. And I found I had yet another wonderful take on it, courtesy of John Jacob Niles, the 'Dean of American Balladeers'. Enjoy!

Odetta - Gallows Tree (Gallows Pole)
John Jacob Niles - The Maid Freed From The Gallows

Flower & Tree

Calling all folkies to check out Forest Mountain Hymnal and their new project Dear Balladeer. In installments of two a month, Nashville husband-and-wife duo Rebecca and Jonathan Moody will be releasing 24 previously unrecorded folk tunes as collected by the legendary 'dean of American balladeers' John Jacob Niles. Try on their Shirt Of Lace for size below.

Forest Mountain Hymnal - Shirt Of Lace

And just in case you're wondering what all the fuzz is about, here's the maestro himself. "And bid me farewell for ever-o..."

John Jacob Niles - The Gypsy Laddie

Rose And Briar

"They buried her in the old churchyard, sweet William's grave was nigh her..." Ye ancient folk song Barbara Allen has been covered by many over the years. Here's a six pack of personal faves. "And from his heart grew a red red rose, and from Barbara's a briar..."

John Jacob Niles - The Ballad Of Barberry Allen MP3

The Lilly Brothers & John Stover - Barbara Allen MP3

Texas Gladden - Barbara Allen MP3

Shirley Collins - Barbara Allen MP3

Bob Dylan - Barbara Allen (live '62) MP3

Bob Dylan - Barbara Allen (live '91) MP3