Search Results for:

EARTH RECORDINGS

Scott Fagan

South Atlantic Blues - 2024 Reissue

    The long lost 1968 debut album by singer-songwriter, Scott Fagan, once tipped to be bigger than Elvis, is set for release on 9th February 2024 via Earth Recordings. ‘South Atlantic Blues’ will be reissued for the first time in its original artwork, with an iconic portrait of Fagan by famed rock photographer, Joel Brodsky, following a widely celebrated 2015 release.

    Revisiting his mystical, mythical, and deeply soulful masterpiece, this psych-folk gem doffs a Tropicalia hat direct from downtown New York. “His songs embrace a broad sonic fantasia, swirling in ’60s New York R&B and ’40s jazz, as well as the Caribbean rhythms of calypso, meringue and Pachanga.” New York Times

    Scott Fagan’s story is worthy of a movie in itself. A swinging hipster who landed in 60s Greenwich folk scene, escaping the abject poverty of his U.S. Virgin Islands upbringing, Fagan found himself mentored by the Brill Building’s Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, and feted as the next big thing. “Forget Rodriguez, forget Searching for Sugar Man,” says Sharyn Felder, daughter of the late Doc Pomus, the legendary songwriter who signed Fagan to management in 1964. “Scott was so much more. He was cut from a different cloth.”

    ‘South Atlantic Blues’ is the perfect soundtrack to this tale, an epic song cycle wrapped around an impassioned love story, driven by Fagan’s dense, allusive lyrics, and production by Elmer Jared Gordon (Pearls Before Swine) and rich arrangements by Horace Ott (Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, The Shirelles). The Earth Recordings reissue coincides with a resurgence in activity for Fagan, with a new album in the works – the never-recorded soundtrack to ‘Soon’, the 1971 Broadway rock musical he co-wrote and starred in – and a documentary ‘Soon: the Story of Scott Fagan’ currently filming through Scissor Kick Films, from director Marah Strauch, writer Chris Campion (who rediscovered the singer-songwriter in 2015), and producer Eric Bruggeman.

    TRACK LISTING

    A1. In My Head
    A2. Nickels And Dimes
    A3. Crying
    A4. The Carnival Is Ended
    A5. South Atlantic Blues
    B1. Nothing But Love
    B2. Tenement Hall
    B3. In Your Hands
    B4. Crystal Ball
    B5. Madam-moiselle

    Dave Evans

    Elephantasia - 2023 Reissue

      ‘Elephantasia’ is a glorious folk opus from 1972, long lost and attaining a legendary reputation for its candour and creativity, from the late Bangor-born singer/songwriter Dave Evans. Finally, the LP sees the light of day again via Earth Recordings, it is a true gem from the vaults of British folk history. For fans of Nick Drake, Bill Fay and Davy Graham – with a touch of Michael Chapman, Bert Jansch and Fahey for good measure.

      Dave Evans’ story is like a Pinter play; he sailed the seas in the merchant navy, was taught guitar in a brief interlude by the “mythical” Morocco John, wound up sharing a room with Steve Tilston in 1963 when they attended Loughborough Art College and ran the local folk club, while learning to make stringed instruments, the art of wine making and ceramics. Over the next year, Dave got a domestic 2-track reel-to-reel tape recorder and experimented with its two speeds to produce the tracks ‘Elephantasia’ and ‘Lady Portia’. He pulled in members of local prog band Squidd, including latter day Hawkwind member Steve Swindells on keyboards, John Merritt on bass and Rodney Matthews on drums, who also designed the ‘Elephantasia’ album cover, and went on to become a renowned fantasy artist.

      ‘Elephantasia’ the album was originally released in 1972, fully exposing Dave’s finger picking style, lilting vocal and his dalliance with the tape manipulation. It sold around 2000 copies and over the years became a talked about rarity, deemed too progressive for folk, too folk for the new prog heads. In best plot-thickening style, Dave tried two more releases and then disappeared. The scant sleeve notes recounted the songs’ creation, featuring tales of experimentation in sound inspired by elephants, old memories recounted with all of the unpleasant bits edited out, storylines for escapists, the residents of St Agnes Park, broken beauty queens and a fat feline. It’s an eclectic but beautifully fluent narrative from a finger picking maestro with a warm and engaging vocal style that wowed Peel and Whispering Bob back in the day.

      Dave Evans sadly died in April 2021. Earth Recordings is proud to reissue ‘Elephantasia’ for the first time in over 50 years, in collaboration with his estate and original Village Thing producer Ian A. Anderson.

      TRACK LISTING

      Side A
      A1 Only Blue
      A2 Elephantasia
      A3 Lady Portia
      A4 That's My Way
      A5 On The Run
      Side B
      B1 St. Agnes Park
      B2 Beauty Queen
      B3 Ten Ton Tasha
      B4 Earth, Wind, Sun & Rain
      B5 Take Me Easy

      Bert Jansch

      Avocet (Limited Art Print Edition)

        Bert Jansch was often quoted as saying “I’m not playing for anyone, just myself” and this feels no more apparent than on 1979’s ‘Avocet’, his beautifully meditative paean to British birds. This isn’t to say that Jansch was throwing commercial success to the wind, or was unaware of his audience, more that this album feels like a uniquely personal reflection of him. (The subject of British birds is one that Jansch held close to his heart. Indeed, just preceding this album was his 1978 split 7” single with Shirley Collins - with proceeds in aid of the RSPB.)

        For fans of Jansch this is often the album that is singled out as his best work. The freedoms of a post-Pentangle career are much in evidence; folk rock and even trad folk give way to an album that is not only without lyrical accompaniment but really quite orchestral, classical even, in its composition. There are surprises in particular in ‘Lapwing’ (a dirge-like waltz that wouldn’t be out of place on a Nils Frahm album) and ‘Bittern’ (which speaks of Arthur Russell’s more experimental pieces).

        Featuring ex-bandmate Danny Thompson, alongside Martin Jenkins (Dando Shaft, amongst others) with sleeve notes by Jansch aficionado Colin Harper (author of ‘Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues revival’).

        Limited Art print edition, reissued as part of ‘Bert Jansch 80’, celebrating the enduring legacy of Bert Jansch’s peerless guitar playing and songwriting, comes with 6 high-quality, lithograph art prints (by UK illustrator Hannah Alice) representing each of the birds on the album, held in a heavy board die-cut gatefold sleeve. This unique packaging is fully interactive - the cover image is interchangeable with any of the prints, though each one is perfectly frameable too. This edition also features three bonus tracks as a download, recorded live in Italy in in 1977 (‘Bittern’; ‘Kingfisher’; ‘Avocet’), as well as Danny Thompson’s recollections of the making of ‘Avocet’, recorded by Dave Thompson (Mojo Magazine) in typical style.

        TRACK LISTING

        01: Avocet
        02: Lapwing
        03: Bittern
        04: Kingfisher
        05: Osprey
        06: Goldfinch Bonus Tracks ( DL Only ) Recorded Live In Italy, 1977
        07: Bittern
        08: Kingfisher
        09: Avocet

        Bert Jansch

        Toy Balloon (RSD23 EDITION)

          THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

          Toy Balloon receives itís long overdue debut vinyl pressing, featuring new artwork. Caught somewhere between traditional folk and Janschís penchant for the blues, ëToy Ballooní, from 1998, was the elder statesman of British folkís 20th studio album. Featuring a host of fantastic solo performances along with a brace of bigger sounding moments with a band including former Dire Straitsí Pick Withers on drums and the legendary Pee Wee Ellis on sax, the mainly self-penned opus also boasts a hypnotic cover of the standard ëShe Moves Through The Fairí and an evocative reading of Jackson C Frankís ëCarnivalí.

          Bert Jansch

          When The Circus Comes To Town (RSD23 EDITION)

            THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

            When The Circus Comes To Town receives it's long overdue first vinyl pressing, featuring new artwork. From 1995, the 19th studio album from the revered legend of the British folk community, saw Bert Jansch in a purple patch surrounded by the umpteenth folk revival and new generations "discovering" his virtuoso playing. Featuring 15 self-penned originals and bringing both sax and slide guitar into the mix on occasion, 'When The Circus Comes To Town' finds Jansch in fine voice as well as with swift fingers which feature on a brace of standout solo acoustic numbers.

            Pearls Before Swine

            One Nation Underground (RSD23 EDITION)

              THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

              Double LP expanded re-issue of Pearls Before Swine's classic debut, plus unreleased extras, including demos, rehearsals and alternative versions. With faithfully recreated original sleeve and extensive notes, all created in collaboration with the Tom Rapp Estate. The psychedelic-folk debut from "one of the most erudite, literate minds in rock" a stunning piece of work, from the nightmarish sleeve art - the "Hell Panel" from Hieronymus Bosch's 15th century painting "Garden Of Delights" - to the strange yet powerful songs." AllMusic. "From moody, poetic gems to the anger and intensity of the bitter anti-war anthem, "Uncle John". Fiercely unique and individual sounding." Goldmine. "A high of psychedelic delicacy and deceptive urgency, one of his masterpieces." Rolling Stone.

              Pearls Before Swine

              Balaklava (RSD23 EDITION)

                THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

                Double LP expanded re-issue of Pearls Before Swine's follow up to "One Nation Underground", plus a second disc of unreleased extras including demos, rehearsals and alternative versions. With a faithfully recreated original sleeve and extensive notes, produced in collaboration with the Tom Rapp Estate. "The near-brilliant follow-up intended as a defiant condemnation of the Vietnam War, it doesn't offer anthemic, fist-pounding protest songs. Instead, Tom Rapp vented his anger through surrealist poetry, irony, and historical reference." AllMusic. "A high point in his recorded output." Goldmine. "A high of psychedelic delicacy and deceptive urgency, one of his masterpieces." Rolling Stone.

                Pearls Before Swine

                The Wizard Of Is

                  Remastered and re-appraised 31-track collection of Pearls Before Swine rarities from the private tape collection of the late, great Tom Rapp. Also available as an expanded 45 track double CD collection.

                  For the first time on vinyl, this beautiful collection brings together alternate versions of Rapp originals ‘The Jeweler’, ‘Translucent Carriages’ and ‘Rocket Man’. It also includes jaw-dropping covers of Rapp’s contemporaries Cohen, Dylan and Joni Mitchell, with bonus download material featuring seven amazing live versions plus a never before released intimate show at The Other End circa 1976.

                  A goldmine of possibilities from a prospector with a silver tongue and stories to tell. ‘The Wizard Of Is’ is a weird and wonderful trip inside its creator’s mind, from sonnets and space hymns to stories of revolution and the war. It’s an American Gothic fantasy that straddles old tyme America and the outer edges of an imagined stratosphere.

                  “Extremely influential.” Rolling Stone.
                  “A more intoxicating version of folk psychedelia.” Wire magazine.
                  “Shimmering folk hymns.” Spin magazine.
                  “Unabashedly poetic.” Crawdaddy.

                  TRACK LISTING

                  VINYL
                  Side A
                  A1 Where Is Love?
                  A2 Butterflies (Alternate Version)
                  A3 Love, You Are Not Alone
                  A4 Grace Street
                  A5 Translucent Carriages (Alternate Version)
                  A6 Space
                  Side B
                  B1 Rocket Man (Alternate Version)
                  B2 City Of Gold (Alternate Version)
                  B3 For Free
                  B4 Wizard Of Is (Alternate Version)
                  B5 Riegal (Alternate Version)
                  B6 Sail Away (Alternate Version)
                  B7 Footnote/When The War Began
                  Side C
                  C1 Everybody's Got Pain (Alternate Version)
                  C2 Crawling Towards Bethlehem
                  C3 I'm Going To The City (Alternate Version)
                  C4 Can't Go Back
                  C5 Prisoner Of War
                  C6 Another Time (Alternate Version)
                  C7 If You Don't Want To (I Don't Mind) (Alternate Version)
                  C8 (Oh Dear) Miss Morse (Alternate Version)
                  Side D
                  D1 The Jeweler (Alternate Version)
                  D2 The Lincoln Dream
                  D3 There's No Other (Like My Baby)
                  D4 Roadside Hotel
                  D5 Song About A Rose (Alternate Version)
                  D6 Mary Mary
                  D7 Crew Man
                  D8 Suzanne
                  D9 Oh Sister
                  D10 Full Fathom Five/I Shall Not Care
                  Bonus Download Tracks
                  1 Translucent Carriages (Live)
                  2 Island Lady (Live)
                  3 Morning Song (Live)
                  4 Marshall (Live)
                  5 Ballad To An Amber Lady / I Saw The World (Live)
                  6 Prayers Of Action / Candle (Live)
                  7 Rocket Man (Live)

                  CD
                  Disc One
                  1 Where Is The Love?
                  2 Butterflies (Alternate Version)
                  3 Love, You Are Not Alone
                  4 Grace Street
                  5 Translucent Carriages (Alternate Version)
                  6 Space
                  7 Rocket Man (Alternate Version)
                  8 City Of Gold (Alternate Version)
                  9 For Free
                  10 Wizard Of Is (Alternate Version)
                  11 Riegal (Alternate Version)
                  12 Sail Away (Alternate Version)
                  13 Footnote / When The War Began
                  14 Translucent Carriages (Live)
                  15 Island Lady (Live)
                  16 Morning Song (Live)
                  17 Marshall (Live)
                  18 Ballad To An Amber Lady / I Saw The World (Live)
                  19 Prayers Of Action / Candle (Live)
                  20 Rocket Man (Live)
                  Disc Two
                  1 Everybody's Got Pain (Alternate Version)
                  2 Crawling Towards Bethlehem
                  3 I'm Going To The City (Alternate Version)
                  4 Can't Go Back
                  5 Prisoner Of War
                  6 Another Time (Alternate Version)
                  7 If You Don't Want To (I Don't Mind) (Alternate Version)
                  8 (Oh Dear) Miss Morse (Alternate Version)
                  9 The Jeweler (Alternate Version)
                  10 The Lincoln Dream
                  11 There's No Other (Like My Baby)
                  12 Roadside Hotel
                  13 Song About A Rose (Alternate Version)
                  14 Mary Mary
                  15 Crew Man
                  16 Suzanne (Alternate Version)
                  17 Oh Sister
                  18 Full Fathom Five / I Shall Not Care
                  19 Frog In The Window (Live At The Other End, 1972)
                  20 There Was A Man (Live At The Other End, 1972)
                  21 The Jeweler (Live At The Other End, 1972)
                  22 Another Time (Live At The Other End, 1972)
                  23 Every Change Is A Release (Live At The Other End, 1972)
                  24 Rocket Man (Live At The Other End, 1972)
                  25 Love/Sex (Live At The Other End, 1972)

                  Bert Jansch

                  Bert At The BBC

                    Bert At the BBC is a comprehensive collection of Jansch’s appearances at the BBC, featuring over eight hours of rare and unreleased recordings, including live-on-air spots, studio sessions and full concerts straight from the BBC vaults, delving further into this legendary performer’s canon. Bert Jansch was the very essence of folk music, providing inspiration for everyone from Paul Simon and Neil Young to Led Zeppelin and countless folk revivalists.

                    This unparalleled limited-edition compendium is available as a 4xLP and 8xCD set, housed in a coffee-table book set with a lavish 40-page book tracing the recordings from Bert’s earliest moments at the BBC. It includes interviews and insights from Lauren Laverne, Jools Holland, Johnny Marr, Jacqui McShee, Bob Harris, Bernard Butler, Mark Radcliffe and many more. Twenty broadcasters, producers and collaborators contribute at length to the booklet, with great affection for this gentle, maverick genius.

                    Bert’s BBC legacy remains the most significant and exciting untapped reservoir of his music. The undeniable advantage of recordings made for broadcast is that they were, by their nature, created for public consumption and, barring live-on-air appearances – which might go well or go badly, but were going out either way – were explicitly signed-off by the artist as representations of his art that were good enough to be heard.

                    The set is compiled by Colin Harper, author of Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British folk and blues revival (Bloomsbury, 2000), who contributes detailed liner notes to the package. The release is mastered by IFTA award-winning engineer Cormac O’Kane.

                    The vinyl release features 48 tracks on LP and is accompanied by a download card with over six hours of extras spanning 1966–2009, including BBC4’s St Luke’s concert (2003), and a complete Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh concert (2004) for BBC Radio Scotland. It is also available as a special 8xCD set containing all 147 tracks and encased within a coffee-table book.

                    Bert Jansch At The BBC is an epic and enduring trail, 45 years in the making.

                    “He was that rarity, a musician who really did deserve to be regarded as a legend.” The Guardian.

                    “As a guitar player there was no one like him. He was jazz and blues and folk but there was a whole world in there that was just him, esoteric” Johnny Marr.


                    TRACK LISTING

                    Vinyl Tracklisting:
                    Disc One - Side A
                    A1 Whiskey Man (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    A2 Running From Home (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    A3 Interview (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    A4 The Wheel (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    A5 Orlando (Top Gear, BBC Radio 1, 1968)
                    A6 Thames Lighterman (Night Ride, BBC Radio 1, 1968)
                    A7 I Am Lonely (Radio 1 Club, BBC Radio 1, 1969)
                    A8 Speak Of The Devil (The Pentangle, BBC Radio 1, 1970)
                    Disc One - Side B
                    B1 Blues Run The Game (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    B2 Daybreak (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    B3 Running From Home (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    B4 Up To The Stars (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    B5 Heartbreak Hotel (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    B6 Angie (Russell Harty, BBC1, 1982)
                    Disc Two - Side C
                    C1 Sweet Rose (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    C2 Knight’s Move (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    C3 The Snows (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    C4 Been On The Road So Long (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    C5 Bogie’s Bonny Belle (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    Disc Two - Side D
                    D1 Heartbreak Hotel (Anderson On The Box, BBC NI, 1992)
                    D2 Stealing The Night Away (Bob Harris, Unbroadcast, 1993)
                    D3 Walk Quietly By (Bob Harris, Unbroadcast, 1993)
                    D4 Trouble In Mind (Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, 1993)
                    D5 When The Circus Comes To Town (Later... With Jools Holland, BBC2, 1996)
                    D6 The River Bank (Later...with Jools Holland, BBC2, 2000)
                    Disc Three - Side E
                    E1 High Days (Liz Kershaw, BBC 6 Music, 2004)
                    E2 Blues Run The Game (Liz Kershaw, BBC 6 Music, 2004)
                    E3 The Auld Triangle (Freak Zone, BBC 6 Music, 2008)
                    E4 A Woman Like You (Freak Zone, BBC 6 Music, 2008)
                    E5 It Don’t Bother Me (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2, 2006
                    E6 Angie (Freak Zone, BBC 6 Music, 2008)
                    Disc Three - Side F
                    F1 Empty Pocket Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    F2 Courting Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    F3 Rosemary Lane (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    F4 October Song (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    F5 Summer Heat (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    F6 Texas Cowboy Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    Disc Four - Side G
                    G1 Crimson Moon (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    G2 Blackwater Side (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    G3 Train Song (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    G4 Fool’s Mate (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    G5 Carnival (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    Disc Four - Side H
                    H1 Running From Home (Celtic Connections, BBC Scotland, 2008)
                    H2 In The Bleak Midwinter (Teddy Thompson And Friends, BBC Radio 2, 2008)
                    H3 Angie (Radio 2 Folk Awards, BBC Radio 2, 2009)
                    H4 Blues Run The Game (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music, 2009)
                    H5 Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music, 2009)
                    H6 One For Jo (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music, 2009)

                    DOWNLOAD CARD: Includes An Additional 6 Hours Of Music From The BBC Archives

                    CD Tracklisting:
                    Disc 1 (1966–77)
                    1. Whiskey Man (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    2. Running From Home (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    3. Interview (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    4. The Wheel (Guitar Club, Light Programme, 1966)
                    5. Tic-Tocative (Wonderful Copenhagen, BBC Radio 2, 1967)
                    6. The Time Has Come (Wonderful Copenhagen, BBC Radio 2, 1967)
                    7. Soho (Top Gear, BBC Radio 1, 1968)
                    8. Orlando (Top Gear, BBC Radio 1, 1968)
                    9. Thames Lighterman (Night Ride, BBC Radio 1, 1968)
                    10. Sarabande (The Pentangle, BBC Radio 1, 1969)
                    11. I Am Lonely (Radio 1 Club, BBC Radio 1, 1969)
                    12. Reynardine (The Pentangle, BBC Radio 1, 1970)
                    13. Speak Of The Devil (The Pentangle, BBC Radio 1, 1970)
                    14. Introduction (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    15. Poor Mouth (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    16. Blues Run The Game (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    17. Daybreak (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    18. Pretty Saro (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977
                    19. Ask Your Daddy (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    20. If I Had A Lover (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    21. Come Back Baby (Folkweave, BBC World Service, 1977)
                    Disc 2 (1980–87)
                    1. Poor Mouth (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    2. Running From Home (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    3. Kingfisher (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    4. Let Me Sing (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    5. Sovay (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    6. Alimony (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1980)
                    7. Introduction (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    8. Love Is Lost (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    9. Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    10. Up To The Stars (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    11. If I Were A Carpenter (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    12. Sit Down Beside Me (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    13. Is It Real? (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    14. Heartbreak Hotel (In Concert, BBC Radio 1, 1982)
                    15. Angie (Russell Harty, BBC1, 1982)
                    16. Is It Real? (Round Midnight, BBC Radio 4, 1985)
                    Disc 3 (1988–94)
                    1. Sweet Rose (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    2. Knight's Move (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    3. Strolling Down The Highway (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    4. This Land Is Your Land (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    5. Ain't No More Cane (Folk On 2, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    6. Been On The Road So Long (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    7. Bogies Bonny Belle (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    8. Sally Free And Easy (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    9. The Snows (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    10. Poor Mouth (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    11. Heartbreak Hotel (Anderson On The Box, BBC NI, 1992)
                    12. Stealing The Night Away (Bob Harris, Unbroadcast, 1993)
                    13. Walk Quietly By (Bob Harris, Unbroadcast, 1993)
                    14. Interview (Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, 1993)
                    15. Lily Of The West (Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, 1993)
                    16. Trouble In Mind (Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2, 1993)
                    17. The Bonny Boy (Gloria Hunniford, BBC Radio 2, 1994)
                    18. Sally Free And Easy (Gloria Hunniford, BBC Radio 2, 1994)
                    19. Interview (Gloria Hunniford, BBC Radio 2, 1994)
                    20. Chasing Love (Gloria Hunniford, BBC Radio 2, 1994)
                    Disc 4 (1996–2009)
                    1. When The Circus Comes To Town (Later... With Jools Holland, BBC2, 1996)
                    2. Blackwater Side (Later... With Jools Holland, BBC2, 1996)
                    3. She Moved Through The Fair (Cunningham And Co, BBC Radio Scotland, 1998)
                    4. The Riverbank (Later...with Jools Holland, BBC2, 2000)
                    5. Crimson Moon (Cambridge Folk Festival, BBC4, 2004)
                    6. High Days (Liz Kershaw, BBC 6 Music, 2004)
                    7. Blues Run The Game (Liz Kershaw, BBC 6 Music, 2004)
                    8. Angie (Folk Britannia, BBC4, 2006)
                    9. Interview (Freak Zone, BBC6 Music, 2008)
                    10. The Old Triangle (Freak Zone, BBC 6 Music, 2008)
                    11. A Woman Like You (Freak Zone, BBC 6 Music, 2008)
                    12. Angie (Freak Zone, BBC 6 Music, 2008)
                    13. Interview (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2, 2006)
                    14. High Days (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2, 2006)
                    15. It Don't Bother Me (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2, 2006)
                    16. The Old Triangle (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2, 2006)
                    17. High Days (Celtic Connections, BBC Scotland, 2008)
                    18. Running From Home (Celtic Connections, BBC Scotland, 2008)
                    19. In The Bleak Midwinter (Teddy Thompson And Friends, BBC Radio 2, 2008)
                    20. Angie (Teddy Thompson And Friends, BBC Radio 2, 2008)
                    21. Moonshine (Teddy Thompson And Friends, BBC Radio 2, 2008)
                    22. Blues Run The Game (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music, 2009)
                    23. Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music, 2009)
                    24. One For Jo (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music, 2009)
                    Disc 5 (BBC4 St Luke’s Concert 2003 & Radio 2 Folk Awards 2001)
                    1. Introduction (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    2. Blues Run The Game (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    3. Blackwater Side (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    4. Running From Home (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    5. Moonshine (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    6. Angie (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    7. Edge Of A Dream (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    8. Crimson Moon (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    9. Bruton Town (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    10. Train Song (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    11. I've Got A Feeling (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    12. It Don't Bother Me (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    13. Fool's Mate (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    14. The River Bank (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    15. Strolling Down The Highway (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    16. Carnival (60th Birthday Concert, LSO St Lukes, BBC4, 2003)
                    17. Presentation Speech (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Radio 2, 2001)
                    18. Poison (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Radio 2, 2001)
                    Disc 6 (Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 17/8/04, BBC Radio Scotland – Set 1)
                    1. Carnival (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    2. Come Back Baby (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    3. Rosemary Lane (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    4. Black Water Side (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    5. She Moved Through The Fair (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    6. Crimson Moon (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    7. The River Bank (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    8. Empty Pocket Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    9. The Old Triangle (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    10. Poison (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    11. October Song (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    Disc 7 (Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, 17/8/04, BBC Radio Scotland – Set 2)
                    1. Strolling Down The Highway ( Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    2. Angie (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    3. Blues Run The Game (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    4. Lily Of The West (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    5. Down Under (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    6. Summer Heat (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    7. Weeping Willow Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    8. Let Me Sing (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    9. Walking This Road (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    10. La Luna (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    11. Watch The Stars (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    12. It Don't Bother Me (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    13. Step Back (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    14. High Days (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    15. Courting Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    16. A Woman Like You (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    17. Texas Cowboy Blues (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    18. Candy Man (Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, 2004)
                    Disc 8 (Extras 1968–2000)
                    1. I Am Lonely (Top Gear, BBC, 1968)
                    2. Tree Song (Night Ride, BBC, 1968)
                    3. I Got A Woman (Night Ride, BBC, 1968)
                    4. I Loved A Lass (Night Ride, BBC, 1968)
                    5. The Snows (Unabridged On Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    6. Knight's Move (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    7. This Land Is Your Land (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    8. Strolling Down The Highway (Night Ride, BBC Radio 2, 1988)
                    9. Come Back Baby (Look North, BBC Yorkshire, 1994)
                    10. Blues Run The Game (We Stayed In With… Jungr & Parker, BBC Radio 2, 1993)
                    11. Dobbin's Flowery Vale (We Stayed In With… Jungr & Parker, BBC Radio 2, 1993)
                    12. Paper Houses (Bob Harris, GLR, 1998)
                    13. How It All Came Down (Bob Harris, GLR, 1998)
                    14. Crimson Moon (Edinburgh Fringes, BBC Radio 4, 2000)
                    15. The River Bank (Edinburgh Fringes, BBC Radio 4, 2000)
                    16. Moonshine (Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2, 2004)
                    17. Angie (Radio 2 Folk Awards, BBC Radio 2, 2009)
                    18. Crimson Moon (John Bennett, BBC Radio Ulster, 2000)
                    19. The River Bank (John Bennett, BBC Radio Ulster, 2000)

                    Trees

                    Trees (50th Anniversary Edition)

                      Trees classic albums, beautifully packaged as a four-disc anniversary edition includes 12” book with liner notes from founder member David Costa and comedian Stewart Lee - Features two new discs of alternate mixes, early demos, BBC session tracks and 2018 live recordings in London - Includes lost demos of ‘Polly On The Shore’ and ‘Streets Of Derry’ It’s now over fifty years since Trees’ formation and, although ‘Acid Folk’ has now become a sub-category in the lexicon of record dealers and music critics, and although founder member David Costa feels the original noughties reissue helped consolidate a gathering wave of curiosity, they themselves remain in the shadows. Earth’s new Trees collection brings together both albums adding shiny alternate mixes of key tracks along with a selection of radio sessions and demos, all sounding brighter and cleaner than ever before.

                      Trees first album, ‘The Garden of Jane Delawney’ (1970) snuggles nicely into contemporary nu-folkies’ idea of the genre, and shares some of the pastoral-whimsy that characterised The Incredible String Band or Donovan, offset by some stunning interpretations of traditional material and Bias’ own songs, which were somehow part of the tradition Trees had adopted. Readings of ‘Lady Margaret’, ‘Glasgerion’ and the old standard ‘She Moved Thro’ The Fair’, and the extended fade of the group’s own ‘Road’, presage the explosive instrumental duelling that would come to characterise the follow up album, ‘On The Shore’.

                      There’s a definite shift between the records, the second being darker and more ambivalent. Here Trees don’t tell you what to think. You’re left to formulate your own response to this odd, opaque music. The ‘Streets of Derry’ session version leans into the brain vibrating drone-groove they somehow found at the traditional tune’s centre. ‘Polly On The Shore’, another traditional tune, is one of the definitive moments of English folk rock.

                      This special expansive collector’s edition celebrates the bands 50th anniversary.

                      “A beautiful hybrid, Trees found a unique space between intimate folk and freewheeling psychedelia. Musically ambitious yet brilliantly balanced, they have left an enduring legacy for those lucky enough to be in on the secret” Edd Gibson, Friendly Fires.

                      TRACK LISTING

                      Disc One - The Garden Of Jane Delawney (EARTHLP036)
                      Side A
                      Nothing Special
                      The Great Silkie
                      The Garden Of Jane Delawney
                      Lady Margaret

                      Side B
                      Glasgerion
                      She Moved Thro' The Fair
                      Road
                      Epitaph
                      Snail's Lament

                      Disc Two - On The Shore (EARTHLP035)
                      Side A
                      Soldiers Three
                      Murdoch
                      Streets Of Derry
                      Sally Free And Easy

                      Side B
                      Fool
                      Adam's Toon
                      Geordie
                      While The Iron Is Hot
                      Little Sadie
                      Polly On The Shore

                      Disc Three - Fore & After (Part 1)
                      Side A
                      Soldiers Three (Remix 2007)
                      Murdoch (Remix 2007)
                      Streets Of Derry (Remix 2007)
                      Geordie (Remix 2007)

                      Side B
                      Polly On The Shore (Remix 2007)
                      Fool (Remix 2007)
                      Polly On The Shore(demo 1970) Previously Unreleased
                      Streets Of Derry (demo 1970) Previously Unreleased

                      Disc Four - Fore & After (Part 2)
                      Side A
                      She Moved Thro' The Fair (Demo 1969)
                      Pretty Polly (Demo 1969)
                      The Great Silkie (BBC 1970) Previously Unreleased
                      Soldier's Three (BBC 1970) Previously Unreleased
                      Little Black Cloud (demo 1969 )
                      Forest Fire ( BBC 1970)

                      Side B
                      She Moved Thro' The Fair (Live At Cafe Oto 2018)*
                      Murdoch (Live At Cafe Oto 2018) *
                      Black Widow (2007)
                      Little Black Cloud Suite (2007)

                      Pearls Before Swine

                      The Exaltation Of Tom Rapp

                        Featuring many unreleased recordings and rarities from the cult favourite and all endorsed by the Tom Rapp estate. The grand masters of acid folk, Pearls Before Swine outline the genius of leader Tom Rapp on an album created from a dusty box of tapes left behind by the incisive tunesmith. Never before heard recordings remastered to create the perfect route into the essential ‘Balaklava’ and ‘One Nation Underground’ albums that kick started a whole genre. This new vinyl compilation was made in collaboration with, and fully endorsed, by the Tom Rapp estate. 

                        TRACK LISTING

                        1 State U
                        2 Translucent Carriages
                        3 Ring Thing (Three Rings)
                        4 The Jeweler
                        5 Harding Street
                        6 New Man
                        7 I Saw The World
                        8 For The Dead In Space
                        9 From The Movie Of The Same Name
                        10 Rocket Man
                        11 Teacup Kingdom
                        12 Images Of April
                        13 If You Don’t Want To (I Don’t Mind)
                        14 Sin Of Jesus 

                        Anne Briggs

                        The Time Has Come - 2021 Reissue

                          ‘The Time Has Come’ is an absolute master class on words and guitar twisting into one another - the poetry goes beyond simple observation into deeply personal and profound lore. A timeless document of sweet and haunting melodies. My favorite record of all time.’ Ryley Walker. // "I've never written songs, regularly, because I never considered myself a song-writer. I've only ever really considered myself a ballad singer, which is what is most important to me. The stories... the ancient nature of the situations and the human condition. And obviously, it's changed so much over the centuries that those songs have been sung, but it always retains that essence of something that's universal... to humanity, and I've always wanted to touch that. I think I wanted to understand people; I think I wanted to understand myself. It's a way of finding the truth. I felt I belonged to that music.” Anne Briggs // Offering some of her first original compositions, ‘The Time Has Come’ was a break from tradition in more ways than one for Anne Briggs.

                          Where previous recordings displayed the unaccompanied melodies of her voice, this album - originally released by CBS in 1971 - brings additional instrumentation in the form of guitar and bouzouki. The result is that her vocals are not submerged, but heightened - the plucked strings providing the perfect foil for her crystalline inflection. ‘The Time Has Come’ is a mix of Anne’s own songs alongside some notable covers (Lal Waterson, Steve Ashley, Stan Ellison, Henry McCulloch). All are graced with the quietly self-assured elegance of Anne’s playing, with sounds ranging from the breezy ‘Clea Caught A Rabbit’ to the terrible beauty of ‘Wishing Well’ - each song typifying the bouzouki or guitar style. To say that Anne was an accomplished picker is to do her something of an disservice - the intricacy of her finger-work rivals - and more often than not eclipses - any number of her contemporaries.

                          TRACK LISTING

                          1 Sandman's Song
                          2 Highlodge Hare
                          3 Fire And Wine
                          4 Step Right Up
                          5 Ride, Ride
                          6 The Time Has Come
                          7 Clea Caught A Rabbit
                          8 Tangled Man
                          9 Wishing Well
                          10 Standing On The Shore
                          11 Tidewave
                          12 Everytime
                          13 Fine Horseman 

                          Bert Jansch

                          The Ornament Tree - 2021 Reissue

                            The world renowned guitarist, Bert Jansch, has long been celebrated for his innovative playing style, influencing generations of musicians and fans alike.

                            A companion piece to 1966’s Jack Orion, The Ornament Tree gets newly reissued with liner notes from Colin Harper, who wrote the biography of Bert and the new folk Revival, Dazzling Stranger.

                            Bert's eighteenth studio album comprises Scottish and Irish traditional songs. Filled with ballads like the title song and instrumentals ‘The Rocky Road to Dublin’ and ‘Lady Fair’. Tradition is threaded throughout with the accompaniment of Celtic fiddles, flutes and bodhran. It features performances from Maggie Boyle, Peter Boyle, Steve Tilston and Michael Klein.

                            It’s been over thirty years since The Ornament Tree’s initial release, here Jansch continues to prove his importance in contemporary folk with this timeless and invigorating offering.

                            TRACK LISTING

                            Side A
                            A1 The Ornament Tree (Bonny Portmore)
                            A2 The Banks O'Sicily
                            A3 The Rambling Boys Of Pleasure
                            A4 The Rocky Road To Dublin
                            A5 Three Dreamers
                            A6 The Mountain Streams

                            Side B
                            B1 The Blackbirds Of Mullamore
                            B2 Ladyfair
                            B3 The Road Tae Dundee
                            B4 Tramps And Hawkers
                            B5 The January Man
                            B6 Dobbins Flowery Vale

                            Trees

                            On The Shore

                              Following the recently released and highly praised Trees 50th Anniversary box set on Earth Recordings, Trees reissue 3 their second album as a standalone release. “A beautiful hybrid, Trees found a unique space between intimate folk and freewheeling psychedelia. Musically ambitious yet brilliantly balanced, they have left an enduring legacy for those lucky enough to be in on the secret” Edd Gibson, Friendly Fires. It’s now over fifty years since Trees’ formation, a band who helped define ‘Acid Folk’, creating a subcategory in the lexicon of record dealers and music critics alike. Released just months after their debut second album, ‘On The Shore’ sees a shift from the first record into something darker and more ambivalent with an arcane Englishness.

                              The product of an era characterised by clunky polemic, arcadian sentimentality or English fuzzy-felt surrealism, the album, like all classic records, is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Opening with ‘Soldiers Three’, learned from Dave Swarbrick, the album includes another traditional tune and one of the definitive moments in English folk rock ‘Polly On The Shore’ alongside ’Sally Free and Easy’ and ‘Streets of Derry’. // “The music’s arcane power remains intact” Mojo // “A fantastic band” Record Collector. // “Spectacular” Uncut. // “Sublime” Shindig. // “Timeless” Prog. // “It’s these two original albums that stand as pinnacles of form” The Wire.

                              TRACK LISTING

                              A1. Soldiers Three
                              A2. Murdoch
                              A3. Streets Of Derry
                              A4. Sally Free And Easy
                              B1. Fool

                              B2. Adam's Toon
                              B3. Geordie
                              B4. While The Iron Is Hot
                              B5. Little Sadie
                              B6. Polly On The Shore 

                              Trees

                              The Garden Of Jane Delawney

                                Following the recently released and highly praised Trees 50th Anniversary box set on Earth Recordings, Trees reissue their debut album ‘The Garden of Jane Delawney’as a standalone release. It’s now over fifty years since Trees’ formation, a band who helped define ‘Acid Folk’, creating a subcategory in the lexicon of record dealers and music critics alike. “When we are talking about psych folk or acid folk, we are really talking about music like this by Trees” Stuart Maconie, BBC6 Music. Trees first album, ‘The Garden of Jane Delawney’ (1970) snuggles nicely into contemporary nu-folkies’ idea of the genre, and shares some of the pastoral-whimsy that characterised The Incredible String Band or Donovan, offset by some stunning interpretations of traditional material and Bias’ own songs. The record includes readings of ‘Lady Margaret’, ‘Glasgerion’, the old standard ‘She Moved Thro’ The Fair’, and the extended fade of the group’s own ‘Road’, presage the explosive instrumental duelling that would come to characterise the follow up album, ‘On The Shore’.

                                TRACK LISTING

                                A1. Nothing Special
                                A2. The Great Silkie
                                A3. The Garden Of Jane Delawney
                                A4. Lady Margaret

                                B1. Glasgerion
                                B2. She Moved Thro' The Fair
                                B3. Road B4. Epitaph
                                B5. Snail's Lament

                                Bert Jansch

                                Crimson Moon - 20th Anniversary Reissue

                                  One of Bert Jansch’s later recordings, ‘Crimson Moon’ is some of his finest work and sees the musician at the top of his game, with appearances from Johnny Marr, Bernard Butler and many more. Earth Recordings revisits the album on its 20th Anniversary with its first standalone cut to vinyl. Originally released in 2000, there is a brooding resonance in ‘Crimson Moon’ centred around his accomplished guitar style that brings his contemplative songwriting to the fore. Traditional ballads have touches of jazz and blues adorned by contributions from guitarists Johnny Marr, Bernard Butler and Johnny “Guitar” Hodge along with guest vocals from Bert’s wife Loren Auerbach (‘My Donald’).

                                  The addition of electric guitar subtly compliments Bert’s percussive fingerpicking bringing new depth to his compositions. Title track ‘Crimson Moon’ is a take on traditional song ‘Omie Wise’ and was written about his wife Loren, ‘Caledonia’ conjures pastoral images of Scotland alongside covers of The Incredible String Band’s ‘October Song’, Guy Mitchell’s ‘Singing The Blues’ and Owen Hand’s ‘My Donald’. Otherworldly tale ‘Neptune’s Daughter’ sees a mermaid-like creature recount the death of her relatives from a poison in the sea. Passionate about nature, the song carries an underlying ecological message. Released in his 60s, ‘Crimson Moon’ proves Bert Jansch to still be an innovator and a unique talent

                                  TRACK LISTING

                                  A1 Caledonia
                                  A2 Going Home
                                  A3 Crimson Moon
                                  A4 Downunder
                                  A5 October Song
                                  A6 Looking For Love

                                  B1 Fool's Mate
                                  B2 The River Bank
                                  B3 Omie Wise
                                  B4 My Donald
                                  B5 Neptune's Daughter
                                  B6 Singing The Blues

                                  Various Artists

                                  Dennis Hopper's 'The Last Movie'

                                    THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2020 RELEASE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY AS PART OF THE AUGUST 29TH DROP DAY AT 6PM.
                                    LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.


                                    Yellow Vinyl.After the incredible success of the film Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper was given complete freedom to direct and star in the bizarre, surrealist The Last Movie ñ released in 1971.Filmed in a drug fuelled haze in Peru with Hopper, Peter Fonda, Kris Kristofferson, Dean Stockwell, Michelle Phillips, Russ Tamblyn, and Samuel Fuller ñ there has never been a soundtrack to this film until now! Featuring the first ever performances of Kristofferson's legendary "Me and Bobby McGee" plus sublime country-folk songs from John Buck Wilkin, Peruvian folk & dance music ñ all recorded live on set in Peru ñ nothing was overdubbed! Plus, provocative movie dialogue from Dennis Hopper, Sam Fuller and others ñ coupled with the ambient sounds of the mountains and villages of South America ñ reissue producer Pat Thomas and Hopper Estate archivist Jessica Hundley have assembled a groovy listening experience that will melt minds.Packaging includes rare vintage photos, detailed liner notes, et al.The Last Movie recordings are being released for the first time ever in any audio format ñ taken from the original movie reels!

                                    Bert Jansch

                                    Avocet (Expanded Anniversary Edition)

                                      Newly expanded audio. New liner notes from Pentangle bandmate and collaborator Danny Thompson. Vinyl only, limited to 500 copies worldwide. Expanded 40th anniversary edition, featuring newly discovered live tracks and notes from Pentangle bandmate (and Avocet collaborator) Danny Thompson. Bert Jansch was often quoted as saying “I’m not playing for anyone, just myself” and this feels no more apparent than on 1979’s ‘Avocet’, his beautifully meditative paean to British birds.

                                      This isn’t to say that Jansch was throwing commercial success to the wind, or was unaware of his audience, more that this album feels like a uniquely personal reflection of him. (The subject of British birds is one that Jansch held close to his heart. Indeed, just preceding this album was his 1978 split 7” single with Shirley Collins - with proceeds in aid of the RSPB.) For fans of Jansch this is often the album that is singled out as his best work. The freedoms of a post-Pentangle career are much in evidence; folk rock and even trad folk give way to an album that is not only without lyrical accompaniment but really quite orchestral, classical even, in its composition. There are surprises in particular in ‘Lapwing’ (a dirge-like waltz that wouldn’t be out of place on a Nils Frahm album) and ‘Bittern’ (which speaks of Arthur Russell’s more experimental pieces). Featuring ex-bandmate Danny Thompson, alongside Martin Jenkins (Dando Shaft, amongst others) with sleeve notes by Jansch aficionado Colin Harper (author of ‘Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues revival’). This new edition also comprises three never-before heard tracks, recorded live in Italy in in 1977 (‘Bittern’; ‘Kingfisher’; ‘Avocet’), as well as Danny Thompson’s recollections of the making of ‘Avocet’, recorded by Dave Thompson (Mojo Magazine) in typical style. Remastered by Brian Pyle from original tapes. 

                                      TRACK LISTING

                                      01: Avocet
                                      02: Lapwing
                                      03: Bittern
                                      04: Kingfisher
                                      05: Osprey
                                      06: Goldfinch Bonus Tracks ( DL Only ) – Recorded Live In Italy, 1977
                                      07: Bittern
                                      08: Kingfisher
                                      09: Avocet

                                      Bagpuss, dear Bagpuss

                                      Old fat furry cat-puss

                                      Wake up and look at this thing that I bring

                                      Wake up, be bright

                                      Be golden and light

                                      Bagpuss, Oh hear what I sing

                                      12th of February, 1974, and for an audience of small children at 1:45pm, a life irrevocably coloured by the wayward wonderings of one saggy cloth cat. Some 44 years later and Earth Recordings opens the door to Bagpuss & Co. once again, revealing for the first time the original music in all its newly-mastered splendour.

                                      The 32 tracks that make up the main body of the compositions are – like all good folk music – a patchwork of traditional pieces, half-remembered tunes and pure improvisation. It's testament to Sandra Kerr and John Faulkner's musicianship that the recordings work so well, not only within the context of the television episodes, but as an album in its own right. Of the recording, Oliver Postgate (in his exquisite autobiography 'Seeing Things') says: "Between them Sandra and John could play every sort of instrument from a mountain dulcimer to an Irish fiddle. They knew and could sing every tune in the world and didn't bother with written music, except as a last resort. They were exactly suited to Gabriel the Toad and Madeleine the Rag Doll and in those roles were happy to play whatever music and sing whatever songs would be needed."

                                      Those songs manifested themselves as reworkings of familiar tunes ('I Saw A Ship'; 'Row Your Boat'; 'Bucket's Burning'), takes on traditional ballads ('Brian O'Lynn'; 'The Frog Princess'; 'Weaving Song'; 'The Old Woman Tossed Up in a Basket') and delicious flights of fancy ('The Bony King of Nowhere'; 'Turtle Calypso'; 'Uncle Feedle'). The counterpart to Madeleine and Gabriel's more polished ditties are the interludes from the mice; a raggle-taggle chorus that accompanies the creatures' efforts of help (with the mice once famously going on strike when they were not permitted sang as they worked). Again, Postgate muses: "Once I had worked out a few episodes I would make a very rough list of the bits where I though music would be appropriate. I would send it to [Sandra and John] to think about. Then we would borrow a fairly silent room in a remote house and, taking the various articles that we intended to celebrate with us, would spend a happy day with a tape recorder, thinking up and recording whatever songs and tunes came to mind."

                                      The outtakes provide an intimate – and often very humourous – insight into the trio's work ethic, if it can be called such a thing. (By all accounts they sound as though they're having a very jolly time indeed.) Highlights include alternative opening words and end music, as well as Postgate sound-checking in character as Bagpuss. This never-before heard audio provides a real treat for fans (and indeed those new to the Smallfilms stable) – affirmation again to the enduring quality of these special recordings, and the beloved programme that inspired them.

                                      "An accidental classic of the folk-roots underground that we never dared hope we’d hear with such clarity." -Stewart Lee.

                                      And so their work was done.

                                      TRACK LISTING

                                      1 Opening
                                      2 We Will Wash It
                                      3 I Saw A Ship
                                      4 We Will Rub It
                                      5 The Bony King Of Nowhere
                                      6 Cat And Bird Tone Phone
                                      7 Princess Suite
                                      8 The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe
                                      9 Row The Boat
                                      10 We Will Lace It
                                      11 Ballerina Music Box
                                      12 Porcupine Song
                                      13 Here's A Pin
                                      14 We Will Fix It
                                      15 Turtle Calypso
                                      16 The Elephant's Fable
                                      17 The Miller's Song
                                      18 We Will Find It
                                      19 The Town Band
                                      20 Song Of The Flea
                                      21 We Will Do It (Undo It)
                                      22 The Weaving Song
                                      23 Charliemouse Weaving
                                      24 Bucket's Burning
                                      25 Brian O'Lynn
                                      26 Lullaby For Cabbages
                                      27 We Will Do It (Go Through It)
                                      28 The Old Woman Tossed Up In A Basket
                                      29 Mouse Ragtime
                                      30 We Will Fold It
                                      31Uncle Feedle
                                      32 Closing
                                      33 Opening Words (Outtake)
                                      34 Introducing The Characters (Outtake)
                                      35 Characters Waking Up (Outtake)
                                      36 Bagpuss Soundcheck
                                      37 I Saw A Ship A-Sailing (Alternate Version)
                                      38 Mermaid Song
                                      39 Captain Bagpuss Poem
                                      40 Owls Of Athens Story
                                      41 Birdsong
                                      42 Princess Suite (Outtake)
                                      43 The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe (Outtake)
                                      44 Porcupine Song (Outtake)
                                      45 Bagpipes
                                      46 Brian O'Lynn (Outtake )
                                      47 Agricultural Jig
                                      48 Percy Pratt Poem
                                      49 End Music (Outtake) 


                                      Latest Pre-Sales

                                      158 NEW ITEMS

                                      E-newsletter —
                                      Sign up
                                      Back to top