Various Artists - The Rough Guide To English Folk (2011)

Forged with the knowledge of many roots, a new generation of artists from Bellowhead to Eliza Carthy has taken English folk by the scruff of the neck. This Rough Guide is a vibrant celebration of this new golden age of English folk music.

While the last decades of the twentieth century saw a revival of the genre, the twenty-first century has brought not only continued relevance, but a new appreciation for English folk music. An ever-growing audience embraces the brilliant, fresh crop of musicians, who enrich the tradition with novel takes on old songs and new tunes. This album features the super talented singer-songwriter Eliza Carthy, who duets with her mom, the legendary Norma Waterson, both Mercury Award nominees. Multi-instrumentalist Pete Coe has been one of the most consistently excellent traditional musicians and songwriters to remain inspired since the 1970s. Ian King came from outside the folk scene with radical reworkings of traditional English songs made with the help of reggae producer Adrian Sherwood and Little Axe guitarist Skip McDonald. Glastonbury-born Emily Portman quickly distinguished herself in the trio Devil's Interval before flattening everybody with her extraordinary songs dealing with the weird and dark side of folklore.

One of today's key groups, Bellowhead, is an energetic and spectacular English folk big band - scooping up awards as the best live act in the land. Formed by melodeon guru Rod Stradling, the Old Swan Band is the brand leader of the 'new wave of English country dance music.' One part of England that maintains a distinct Celtic tradition is Cornwall, whence come flag bearers Dalla. They play two Cornish tunes on this compilation, both echoing of the music made in Celtic neighbour Brittany.

The bonus disc presents Coope, Boyes &;amp Simpson, a powerful and outstanding trio, which has taken English roots into radical new directions. In 2011, they were nominated in the Best Group and Best Album categories at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards thanks to their unique unaccompanied singing and songwriting.



1.01 - Bellowhead - Yarmouth Town (3:50)
1.02 - Emily Portman - Tongue-Tied (4:22)
1.03 - Ian King - Adieu to Old England (4:42)
1.04 - Kathryn Tickell - The Wedding/Because He Was A Bonny Lad (3:42)
1.05 - Pete Coe - Byker Hill (3:22)
1.06 - The IM - My Son John (6:10)
1.07 - The Copper Family - The Banks of the Sweet Primroses (Bob, John, Jim & Ron) (2:07)
1.08 - Nancy Wallace - The Welcome Sailor (3:46)
1.09 - Any Cutting - Charlie/Come Back (3:25)
1.10 - Chris Wood - Lord Bateman (7:58)
1.11 - Eliza Carthy & Norma Waterson - Bonaparte's Lament (3:22)
1.12 - Marry Waterson & Oliver Knight - Revoiced (3:16)
1.13 - Jason Steel - The False Bride (2:55)
1.14 - The Old Swan Band - Walter Bulwer's No. 2 & 1 (3:56)
1.15 - Bella Hardy - The Herring Girl (4:17)
1.16 - Shirley Collins / Dolly Collins - Just As the Tide Was Flowing (1:40)
1.17 - Dalla - Bishop's Jig/No Song No Supper (4:15)
1.18 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - The Forward March (Bonus Track) (2:27)
1.19 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Horkstow Grange (Bonus Track) (3:49)
1.20 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Fairground Attraction (Bonus Track) (4:09)
1.21 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Uttoxeter Souling Song (Bonus Track) (1:18)
1.22 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Heaven's Waiting Room (Bonus Track) (4:05)
1.23 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - John Barleycorn (Bonus Track) (4:14)
1.24 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Living It Up (Bonus Track) (4:34)
1.25 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - The Sea Must Have An Ending (Bonus Track) (4:03)
1.26 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - The River Flows (Bonus Track) (5:18)
1.27 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Twenty-Four Seven (Bonus Track) (3:39)
1.28 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Cold Coast Of Iceland/Three Ships (Bonus Track) (6:49)
1.29 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Shuffling Jack (Bonus Track) (2:29)
1.30 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Since The Exodus Began (Bonus Track) (3:27)
1.31 - Coope, Boyes & Simpson - Shallow Brown (Bonus Track) (3:18)