I think I’m probably most familiar with Richard Thompson doing this and it first appeared on his album with Linda, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, but Jon remembers Adrian Matthews, “Adrian from FSC taught me this at an impressionable age (he also taught me Prickle-Eye Bush). Bellowhead used to do a pretty mean version too but it got lost somewhere along the way.” You’ll find this on Richard’s site here.
You can buy the September digital album now from all good download stores:
I liked this one……………..the tempo and the tune exhude melancholy……….
you can almost see the unfortunates slowly, rolling around……… and in my (limited)experience….no matter how “well oiled” a person is…….they always want to join in the chorus with an almost indistinguishable muttering.
I’ve said it before many times, and will say it again now: only a bold man/woman or a fool takes on a Richard Thompson song, especially one like this that has already had some pretty bad cover versions. However this version is just fantastic, bringing out all of the song’s subtlety and brilliance. Bravo, Mr Boden!
Ahhh, a fine version which brings back memories of Farningham Folk Club, Skinner’s Rats leading the club with the chorus resounding down the High Street.
You are Tony Rose and I claim my £5! (If only…)
Works well unaccompanied, too – even in a pub which fits the lyrics.
In a body of work as distinguished as RT’s it is remarkable that the ‘Bright Lights’ album still stands out, but pretty much any song from it would be a fitting addition to Jon’s roll call of the folk canon.
Brilliant song, brilliantly sung and brilliant accompaniment! I think Phil is right and it would work equally well unaccompanied, but oh, it is melancholy!
Anyone wanting a change of mood and tempo, and a second song for today, click on the Propaganda Online link to the left here and scroll down to track of the week which is Fay Hield’s The Huntsman. Cracking! As usual, I had not paid much attention to the links until today. My loss to have missed Fay recently at Otley Folk Club, but signing up to Prop now!
As an aside, we haven’t had a Roud reference since Rigs of Time, but I’ve just bought a book called The English Year by a Steve Roud. Since coming on here, I think I need to learn some stuff! This is a month-by-month guide to English customs and festivals, from May Day to Mischief Night, shortly upon us. Anyone know if there is a connection? Surely must be!
Bellowhead’s performance of this at Sidmouth Festival 2004 stands as the finest renditions I’ve heard at one of the best gigs I’ve ever witnessed. If it goes back in the band’s repertoire I will not complain!
Thanks for putting this song in.
Cheers
Nick
One of my (many) favourite RT songs – and another excellent rendition from Mr. Boden. thanks.
Jane. You should also read Ronald Hutton’s “The Stations of the Sun”-a real masterpiece.
Thank you, Brian! Duly noted!
Thank you, Brian! Duly ordered off Amazon!
Another great song beautifully sung – a pleasure coming on this site.
To support Jane re the English Year, I found the book 2 or 3 years ago, and it is a great guide (encyclopedia?) to various events/traditions.
I don’t work for a book company (honest) but it’s worth a read.
A brilliant song, well sung. I recommend listening to Dave Burland’s rendition of this song on his album “His Master’s Choice”, an album dedicated to the songs of Richard Thompson. Recorded in 1992 on the The Road Goes On Forever label.
By hook or by crook I’ll be the first to comment this time round. Ref Richard Thompson…I hope that you all caught the ‘History of Fairport Convention’ that was on BBC4 earlier in the week………enjoyed this song yet again….Hick…..pass the cider!
Sure did Muzza! Excellent Fairport concert followed it too.
Jon, your version of this is brilliant. Please fit it in the Bellowhead set somewhere on the tour.
I did this in the early days of 52 Folk Songs, unaccompanied:
Down where the drunkards roll
I’m glad I chose a relatively distinctive name for my project, incidentally – googling
song name 52
will generally bring up my version of a song (if I’ve done it!).
A rather plaintive song but lovely – enjoyed the singing and the accompaniment.
Muzza and Pewter – gentlemen it is nice to see you are still commenting – I have missed you!
Hello all! I caught the Fairport/Thompson programmes too. Excellent.
Off to dentist again to have temporary filling temporarily replaced – doh! Kitten re-homing yesterday. Am now angsting about whether will be alright ’til bedded in. Double doh!
Keep calm… and keep on folking… regardless…
@Diana……………Young Pewt and old Muzza……always lurking m’dear!…….
now angsting with Jane until she gets that tooth fixed….and I’ll bet she ends up with Porky Pye…what are the odds eh!
@Muzza: I believe Porkie Pye (now chirstened Pia by new owners-to-be) has left home for new destination. Do hope Jane’s tooth has been fixed – she saw the dentist yesterday afternoon so hope all is well. Glad to see you and Pewt are still here my dearie.
How is Pia these days(after she was chirstened Diana)……….does Jane’s tooth still hurt……..we need to be told
Memories of Bellowhead farewell tour….
I was at the Leicester concert in November 2015 when they closed with this – a super version of a great song
memories down Bellowhead road for an hour or two
Linda, if you would like to stir memoriies of Bellowhead, Faustus are performing this November (line up includes Benji Kirkpatrick and Paul Sartin), while Jon Boden and the Remnant Strings are touring in March
Thanks John Tickets bought!
Jon and the Remnants touring again this November with a new CD l seats booked CD ordered…
Orders for CD via Jon’s website and Hudson records
Believe Jon is releasing the follow up to Songs from the Floodplain and Afterglow next year something to look forward to plus Leveret have just released a double CD Variations Live..available to order on their site. Piers Cawley does a nice version of this song.
Lindy Lou….Oi cheeky pops…..jumping forward four days is not cricket…beehaaaave
(Is that Rita Coolidge I can hear singing “you’re so vain…you think that this song is about you!”….hic !)
Seem to do CD adverts in the comments to this one so here goes Spiers and Boden latest CD
Fallow Ground on sale and its brilliant. Nice to have the duo back….and yes I still love this song
Hello Linda,
Fallow Ground purchased and played, great to have them back as a duo and it is super stuff
Reading the comments there were lots of CD tours etc going on. This song always reminds me of the farewell tour and listening to Piers Cawley sing this at one of the after show sessions. I must mention the sad passing of Paul Sartin he will be so missed by all who had the pleasure of hearing him….R.I.P.
Sad comments from last year…….
A talent taken to soon but fondly remembered