DAVID JONES: Widdecombe Fair

David Jones

Widdecombe Fair

© 2003 festival five (800495000529)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

a reissue of DAN ZANES favorite traditional album of music for all ages and a PARENT'S CHOICE GOLD Award winner. Remastered and repackaged with rare Andy Warhol artwork.

notes

Festival Five Records is pleased to reissue Dan Zanes' all-time favorite family album, WIDDECOMBE FAIR, by David Jones & Bill Shute.

WIDDECOMBE FAIR is a rich and soulful collection of eighteen ballads, work songs, and sea shanties from the British Isles and North America. When first released in 1993 it won the renowned Parents' Choice Gold Award and was recommended by Booklist and School Library Journal.

DAVID JONES is often described as one of England's foremost traditional singers. he has an enormous repertoire of folksongs from both sides of the atlantic, which he has performed throughout his native britain and north america at festivals, clubs, and colleges. his songs are drawn from the great days of sail, english music hall, traditional ballads, and the works of contemporary writers. david sings both a cappella and with guitar or concertina accompaniment and involves his audience in refrains and choruses ranging from boisterous to sentimental. He has appeared on television and radio and starred in many theatrical productions including many seasons of The Christmas Revels. In addition to all this, he is a structural engineer.

BILL SHUTE is generally considered one of the most creative and earthy acoustic musicians in new england. although he specializes in folk music, he was the lead guitarist for the fifth estate, a rock group whose song "ding dong the witch is dead" was a national hit in the 60's. he has recorded music for sesame street and has also appeared on prairie home companion.

A NOTE FROM DAN ZANES:
seven years ago i went to hear the new lost city ramblers play their fortieth anniversary concert at the washington irving high school in manhattan. two big things happened out in the lobby that night. i joined the pinewoods folk music society (and have been a member ever since. this is the way to find out who's playing folk music where and when all around new york). more importantly, i bought a cassette tape that said on its cover "traditional songs for all ages." my daughter was one year old at the time and I had been on a mad search for music that we could enjoy together. there was a certain sound I was after and with the exception of jerry garcia and david grisman's "not for kids only" had been unable to find. when i put on the tape the following morning - there it was, that sound. slightly familiar and yet performed with such soul and confidence that the songs took on a new life. This was widdecombe fair by david jones and bill shute, a collection of 18 ballads, work songs, and sea shanties from the british isles and north america and my family and i loved it immediately.

eventually my daughter and I met david jones at the south street seaport where the new york packet gathers regularly to perform traditional maritime songs. He stood up to sing with them and there it was, that voice.

after the show we said hello, bought another tape and got his phone number. we stayed in touch and this past winter he came to brooklyn to sing an english music hall song called "how do you do?" on my "house party" cd. at that time, the best way to obtain copies of widdecombe fair, not quite ten years after it's release (in 1993), was to send a check to david's house. he would then go to his basement and grab a copy to send out. i thought that there should be another way to get this music out to the world.

i hope that this reissue of "widdecombe fair" will reach the wide audience that it deserves. it's been remastered for optimum sound quality and repackaged with complete lyrics and rare andy warhol artwork .

reviews

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  • Pleasant Old Timey Music
    author: T.Donnelly

    This is a CD I would hear once and enjoy the lilting Irish and Sea Songs. The voices and tunes are tuneful but I don't think I would listen again as they are not emotion evoking or worth remembering or purchasing

  • being as is a namesake.I'm impressed
    author: Jim Widdecombe

    I have found several versions of Widdecombe fair on the net but never have I heard it sung so nice. I will be purchasing this to pass on to the grand kids.. Great Job!

  • Great CD for kids and adults
    author: Amy

    My son, who is 6, loves all the stories told in these songs and wants to hear his favorites over and over. My daughter, who is 3, sings along. I listen to this CD even when my kids aren't with me. I bought it after attending a Dan Zanes concert and am thrilled that I did.

  • Really enjoyed Widdecombe Fair. Very good CD.
    author: Margaret Bannister

    This cd brought back a lot of memories. I lived in England for the first 23 years of my life, and remember singing a lot of these songs at school. Was good to meet Old Uncle Tom Cobbley again. Don't have to be a child to enjoy this cd, it's just fun.

  • Most amazing CD My children love it!
    author: Teresa Vigil

    We listen to this CD daily it is soo good- I highly reccommend all his CDS-

  • I just ordered the cd and can not wait to hear the songs
    author: jon arnow

    I have a proprietary interest in this albun in that Bill Shute taught me how to play the guitar. As his cousin, I have followed his works and am very proud of each and everything he has done with both folk and rock. Bill was the insperation for me to pick up the guitar and start to play again after a thirty year hiatus. I tell my son , that if he wants to play seriously to just listen to Bill play and work from there. Great album. Thanks Bill for everything you taught me.

  • loved it
    author: Regine

    Playing this music for my 19-month old guarantees giggles and sing-alongs in the car. Our entire family enjoys the CD and we really recommend it to everyone.

  • lovely, danceable, soothing
    author: kyo

    My four year old--a Dan Zanes uber-fan--is in love with his new David Jones CD. He dances around the house and sings along with the number song while his baby brother bounces along in his jolly jumper.

  • A real winner
    author: Lisa Garrett

    This is a real winner with my young kids. They dance to it, hum it, memorize every word (so do I). Clean and contagious for all ages. As an adult, it takes me back to the simple, magical mysteries of childhood - before TV took over, before video games - to a time of silly childhood imagination.

  • great cd!
    author: Lisa

    My son and I like this CD a lot! It keeps us dancing and singing!

  • a real gem
    author: Vicki Beerman

    I must thank Dan Zanes for recommending this CD. It is a real gem. I bought one for myself as well as the kids in my life. It makes me smile every time I listen to it.

  • A TREASURE! WOOOO HOOOOOOO!
    author: m.b. ramos

    Rich, warm, fun and satisying. This is the music that follows as we gather around the fire or tiptoe in the moon light. Mamas, papas, kids, friends and pets alike all get up to do a little jig when this CD plays at our house. Thank you sweet and wonderfull artists - David, Bill, Eric, Jackie, Lisa, Maddy- and all the good folks responsible for this wonderful collection of music. Hats off and toes to tappin'........

  • my baby loves David Jones!
    author: stephanie bean

    My boy is only 9 months old but I know he'll be singing these songs for years because I sing them to him all the time. They keep him smiling when I feed him his spinach- need I say more?

  • Great traditional songs by a master vocalist
    author: John Seay

    If you like traditional music, you probably know all these songs. David Jones sings them simply and beautifully. His wonderful voice and perfect phrasing give the songs new life. If you're looking for 18 old favorites, well done, this CD is a winner.

  • Fantastic!
    author: Beth Dos Santos

    Love this music. I wish I could have listened to music like this when I was a kid!

  • Fabulous
    author: Regina Toy

    Bought this CD purely based on Dan Zane's suggestion & my 4yo daughter & I just love it! David Jones appears on Dan Zane's "House Party" CD & I was hooked after the first listen!

  • pure and catchy
    author: Shiffmans 3

    These are traditional songs sung by someone who grew up singing them, so they sound alive (alive-o), not fossilized. Buy at least three at once because after listening to even just the first song, you're going to want everyone you love to have it.

  • Real music for real kids young and old
    author: Don Garner

    These days there are lots of records marketed for children that are loaded down with pop and rock percussion and bombastic orchestration and few of them are listenable; this album is such a great exception in its' clean simple acoustic arrangements and vocal harmonies; Mom and Dad might actually play it as often as the kids. I own a copy of David's self-released CD version from some years ago and I was so happy to see this re-issue; David is an authentic treasure and I'd like to see some of his other albums like the great "From England's Shore" re-issued as well!

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