Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Parlour Ballads (2024) [Hi-Res]

“Parlour Music” is a genre that has been much derided over the centuries. Its heyday was the Victorian era when many middle-class houses had pianos and many middle-class sons and daughters could sight-read piano scores to a high level, musical literacy being highly prized. Many parlour songs are cloying, nationalistic, pompous and irritating to modern ears, but nestling among the dross there are many shining gems to be found. The early folk song collectors despised all these songs as fakery, usurping the place of the naturally occurring folk songs of the rural working class. This album is not a collection of parlour songs in the technical sense of the term, but it does seek to awaken the sound of the old, well loved, slightly out of tune domestic piano and to reunite it with (or introduce it to) songs that might feel glad of the acquaintance.

Jon Boden vocals, piano, guitar, fiddle
Rob Harbron vocals, concertina, harmonium, banjo
Sally Hawkins fiddle, oboe, cor anglais
M.G. Boulter vocals, pedal steel guitar, dobro, guitar
Sam Sweeney vocals, drums, fiddle
Ben Nicholls vocals, double bass, bass guitar

Tracklist:
1-1. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - On One April Morning (04:57)
1-2. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Bonny Bunch of Roses (05:34)
1-3. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Clock O’ Clay (05:02)
1-4. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Merry Mountain Child (03:58)
1-5. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Mortal Cares (04:57)
1-6. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Oggie Man (02:42)
1-7. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Old Brown’s Daughter (04:39)
1-8. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Prentice Boy (04:10)
1-9. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Danny Deever (06:36)
1-10. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - Rose of Allendale (05:47)
1-11. Jon Boden, The Remnant Kings - London Waterman (03:43)