Lucy Stewart - Traditional Singer From Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Vol. 1 - Child Ballads

Folkways Records - LP

US, 1961

Scottish Traditional / Field Recording / Ethnomusicology

Definitely not the most obvious LP on Folkways, but an absolutely charming record for those who can give the attention it deserves. As pared-down as Folkways recordings can be : child ballads sung a cappella by Scottish folk singer Lucy Stewart, in her home of Aberdeenshire. Complete with booklet.

The level of dedication put in these recordings of Lucy Stewart is tremendous : Kenneth S. Goldstein spent a full year living with the Stewart family, taking notes and eventually bringing a tape recorder during the end of his stay. Recorded in the family's home during Summer 1960, some of these recordings bear discreet signs of Lucy Stewart's singing environment: some birds tweeting, a creaking chair. Most songs are draped in melancholy, no matter what the themes are. Comes with extremely insightful liner notes and photographies. (VG+/VG+)