"...The River That Never Runs Dry..."
This
mid-priced CD reissue from Ace’s subsidiary label Big Beat sees Bonnie Dobson’s
rare US Folk debut album from 1960 remastered for the first time and reissued
with it’s original track-by-track liner notes and a new interview with Bonnie
conducted in 2014. Here are the wild mountain thyme details...
UK
released December 2014 – "She's Like A Swallow And Other Folk Songs" by BONNIE
DOBSON on Ace/Big Beat CDWID 324 (Barcode 029667432429) is a straightforward CD
transfer and Remaster of her 1960 US album on Prestige International 13021 in
Mono (46:09 minutes):
1.
The Cruel War Is Raging
2.
She’s Like A Swallow
3.
The Silkie Of Sule Skerry
4.
Across The Blue Mountain
5.
The Prickle Holly Bush
6.
Mistress Bond
7.
Envoyons De L’Avant
8.
Will Ye Go Laddie Go [Side 2]
9.
Frankie Slide
10.
Monsieur Le Cure
11.
The Jam At Gerry’s Rock
12.
The First Time
13.
The Road To Grandmere
14.
The Old Maid’s Lament
The
12-page booklet contains the original vinyl album’s track-by-track annotation
on the history of the songs and a new interview with Bonnie on recording in
Rudy Van Gelder’s then state-of-the-art studio at Englewood Cliffs in New
Jersey (he was most closely associated with Blue Note). The album was
apparently done in only 4 hours with just Bonnie and Acoustic Guitar – mostly
it has to be said first takes. The audio remaster (in Mono) has been done by
NICK ROBBINS at London’s Sound Mastering and is very clear. Yet despite Van
Gelder’s magical name associated with the production – I’d have to say that the
audio is good rather great – clear for sure – but the recordings sound rushed
and a little fuzzy at times especially in the air around the guitar.
It’s
an album of its time – Folk Traditionals sung by an earnest voice – history and
heartbreak (“The Cruel War Is Raging” and “The Old Maid’s Lament”). I’d be the
first to admit that its twee lone guitar/high voice Folk absolutely won’t be
everyone’s cup of Darjeeling in 2015 - but for fans the remaster does highlight
the clarity of her striking voice. Apart from the famous title track (lyrics
from it title this review) - the best-known other tune here is probably “Will
You Go Laddie Go” more commonly known as “Wild Mountain Thyme” – a Traditional
brought to the USA by the McPeake Family of Belfast. Based on words by the
Scottish Poet Robert Tannahill – the gorgeous air has been covered by many
since the Fifties – Judy Collins and The Byrds in the Sixties – and faves of
mine The Silencers in the Nineties and Kate Rusby in the Naughties.
Note
for everyone for sure – but fans will appreciate the presentation and the
remaster...
