Image: Jean Ritchie, Circa 1950. (Photo by George Pickow. AFC George Pickow and Jean Ritchie Collection.)
Week 21 (#2139)
This week, discover colourful characters and dramatic events in the narratives of traditional, broadside, and contemporary ballads.
The Diamond Ring…by Karen Matheson from Still Time (Vertical)
Willie of Winsbury…by Anaïs Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer from Child Ballads (Wilderland)
Ode to Billie Joe…by Sarah McQuaid from I Won’t Go Home ‘Til Morning (sarahmcquaid.com)
The Parting Glass…by Len Graham from Collected (storyandsong.com)
Sheath and Knife…by Jean Redpath from Now & Then (jeanredpath.com)
[ID excerpt] In the Pines…by Sarah McQuaid from I Won’t Go Home ‘Til Morning (sarahmcquaid.com)
Thousands Are Sailing…by Planxty from Thousands Are Sailing (Shanachie)
Rambling Irishman…by De Dannan (with Dolores Keane) from Thousands Are Sailing (Shanachie)
Fair Nottamun Town…by Jean Ritchie from None But One (Greenhays)
The Ballad of Hiram Hubbard…chat and performance with Jean Ritchie (and John Ritchie) at The Swannanoa Gathering, 2008
None But One…by Jean Ritchie from None But One (Greenhays)
Wayfaring Strangers/British Field March…by Timothy Cummings with Caleb Elder and Pete Sutherland from The Piper in the Holler (Birchen Music)
Image: The Ritchie Girls! Fiona Ritchie interviews the legendary ballad singer and song collector Jean Ritchie at the Swannanoa Gathering, 2008 (photo by Arlin Geyer).