VA - 'John Barleycorn Reborn' 2 x CD (Cold Spring CSR84CD)
A discovery of folk music from dark Britannica. 'John Barleycorn Reborn' explores seasonal birth, death and rebirth on this double CD. This compilation explores the darker side of British folk music, evoking the mystery of our ancient past and peoples, the strangeness of their beliefs, arcane traditions and the remnants of this carried down the centuries as folklore. The set has an extended booklet with articles, essays and explorations of the album's concept. Curated by Mark Coyle (Woven Wheat Whispers). Features 33 artists:
CD1: Alphane Moon, Andrew King, Charlotte Greig & Johan Asherton, Damh The Bard, English Heretic, Far Black Furlong, Mary Jane, Pumajaw, Peter Ulrich (Dead Can Dance), Sharron Kraus, Sieben, Sol Invictus, The Horses Of The Gods, The Owl Service, The Story (Tom & Martin Welham / Forest), The Triple Tree (Tony Wakeford / Andrew King).
CD2: Clive Powell, Doug Peters, Drohne, Electronic Voice Phenomena, Martyn Bates (Eyeless In Gaza), Quickthorn, Sand Snowman, Stormcrow, The A Lords, The Anvil, The Kitchen Cynics, The Purple Minds Of Lazeron, The Straw Bear Band, Tinkerscuss, Venereum Arvum, While Angels Watch, Xenis Emputae Travelling Band.
VA - 'John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth' 2CD (Cold Spring CSR150CD)
The compilers of 'John Barleycorn Reborn' (2007), faced an embarrassment of riches - a testament both to English folk heritage and the health of the contemporary folk music scene. So here we have the second crop from that original sowing. Originally released for download only, now finally available as a stunning double CD, with every track completely remastered to the highest quality. 33 tracks from the cream of current dark British Folk music.
CD1: Charlotte Greig & Johan Asherton, David A Jaycock, Far Black Furlong, James Reid, JefvTaon, Magpiety, Novemthree, Paul Newman, Sedayne, Steve Tyler, Telling The Bees, The Big Eyes Family Players, The Owl Service, The Story, The Straw Bear Band, The Wendigo, Wooden Spoon, Xenis Emputae Travelling Band and Yealand Redmayne.
CD2: Clive Powell, Cunnan, Daughters Of Elvin, James Reid, Mac Henderson Of Grand Union Morris, Mary Jane, Misericordia, Novemthree, Orchis, Sundog, Sunshine Coding, The Anvil, Twelve Thousand Days and Venereum Arvum.
