Double-CD released for social folk dancing
The English Folk Dance and Song Society has published a brand-new set of recordings to accompany its much-loved and long-established Community Dances Manual. The new set of recordings will inspire and help dancers, callers, and dance teachers in all types of situations, to learn and enjoy the basics of English country and ceilidh dancing.
The tunes were recorded by some of the most respected English ceilidh and country dance bands from across the country: 422, Banter, BoldWood, Contrasaurus, The Diatonics, and The Oxford Nags. The recordings were produced by Gareth Kiddier and recorded, mixed and mastered by Martin Appleby.
The new two-disc release features a total of 33 tracks of tunes, each of which are matched to favourite dances in the Community Dances Manual. Many of the tunes will also fit many other English social folk dances, in the Manual and elsewhere: so the accompanying track notes give the tune structure, number of bars, dance rhythm (reel or hornpipe etc), and time signature.
The Community Dances Manual has been the essential publication for generations of enthusiasts of English social folk dance. A classic collection of English and American dances and tunes, it is designed for practical use by callers and musicians. Its original seven volumes were published between 1947 and 1967 by the English Folk Dance and Song Society and it was extensively revised and republished in 2005, with the most recent reprint in 2015. It features more than 130 dances and tunes, which are laid out on facing pages for ease of use.
Katy Spicer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, said: ‘We are delighted to release these wonderful recordings by excellent musicians, prepared under the expert oversight of Gareth Kiddier. The Community Dances Manual is the cornerstone of the English social folk dance world, and has been for many decades. In common with the folk arts as a whole, the Manual and its associated materials constantly evolve and develop – and these recordings promise to introduce new generations to the joys of social folk dancing.’
You can buy the double-CD release from the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Folk Shop, priced at £16. The music is available from 14 February 2020 on all major download and streaming platforms. The Community Dances Manual (reprinted in 2015) continues to be on sale for £15, and you can also buy the new release together with the Manual for a combined price of £25. Delivery is additional to all of these prices.
Buy the new release
Buy the two-CD and book set
