70-3 Autumn 2008

This issue marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the composer and folk song collector, Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Singer, Song and Source article features exciting young singer, Lisa Knapp, written by Joan Crump, and the song Wild and Undaunted Youth. The source is Robert Hurr of Southwold, whom Ralph Vaughan Williams visited to collect songs in 1910, contributed by Katie Howson.

There is a feature on Vaughan Williams’ folk song collecting by editor Derek Schofield, with additional contributions from classical music writer and Vaughan Williams expert Michael Kennedy, author Roy Palmer, singer and author Shirley Collins, film maker Tony Palmer and singer Jim Moray.

Young social folk dance duo Folkus Pocus are featured, alongside their new CD on the EFDSS label.

Pete Rees explains his approach to calling for ceilidhs.

Haddenham Ceilidhs celebrate their 35th season, and organiser John Heydon and resident Haddenham caller Hugh Rippon explain the philosophy behind this long-running ceilidh series.

The recent visit to Britain of Australian dance and song band Wongawilli is an opportunity for Jenny Coxon to show the links between the tunes and dances of the two countries.

There is a brief review of the BBC Proms Folk Day.

In The Seeds of Love, EFDSS Chief Executive Katy Spicer previews the visual art exhibition at Cecil Sharp House by David Owen. Katy also writes about the new Education Director, Rachel Elliott.

There is a report on the EFDSS’s Take 6 project event at Redriff School in south London, new developments with London Links and plans for future EFDSS fund-raising.

Reviews

Including Maddy Prior, Bellowhead, Jim Moray, Mawkin:Causley, Chris Foster, Balshazzar’s Feast, Eliza Carthy, Kerfuffle, Mabs & Gordon Hall, Crucible, Brian Peters, Methera, Neil Brookes & Tony Weatherall, Dick Gaughan, Tony Hall, Paul & Liz Davenport, Skyhook, melodeon players from East Anglia, Seth Lakeman, Whapweasel, Steve Turner, blue blokes 3, Mary Hampton, and The Claque. Book reviews include Maypoles to Mistletoe, Set into Song (Radio Ballads), Hamish Henderson’s biography, part 1 and Mike Cherry’s book on clog dancing.

Regular Features:

Branching Out (a Blue Plaque for Norfolk traditional singer Sam Larner); Festive Round-Up; Lives Remembered (including Cliff Hall); News; The Autumn Dancing Season (list of dance events); EFDSS Matters and a list of events taking place as part of The Big National Ceilidh.

Music credits

Sound files that complement the features are included here:

‘Wild and Undaunted’ sung by Lisa Knapp from her CD Blacksmith.