English Originals

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: City Hall

Notes: Released at the beginning of the 21st century, English Originals is a compilation illustrating where Topic, England's premier folk label, had been since the 1970s. Initially, one is surprised by the sheer amount of modern material included here. Kicking things off is fiddler Eliza Carthy (Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy's daughter) with "Whirly Whorl," a track that doesn't showcase the complete range of her eclectic abilities, yet with its drums, electric instruments, layered (and somewhat raw) strings, and jumpy rhythm, it is nonetheless a clue as to where the proceedings are going. Other cuts, such as Brass Monkey's "The Flash Lad," with its multiple male voices and a simple squeezebox for accompaniment, show a far more trad side of things. These cuts, of course, being all things Topic, are far more the norm, such as the a cappella "Sheepshearing" by the Watersons, "The Bold Princess Royal" by Harry Cox, and "Reynardine" by Anne Briggs. June Tabor is here, as well as Martin Simpson and the stunning Tarras. Add in a budget price and one has a solid sampler that will provide delight to anyone interested in the British folk lineage. ~ Thom Jurek

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