One from Jon’s solo album and he says, “Following on from yesterday this will be the only self-composed number I will be including on AFSAD (promise), but there are two or three songs on Songs From The Floodplain that work unaccompanied and have (I understand) begun to make the odd appearance in folk club floors spots. Don’t think anyone’s had a go at this one yet so thought I might as well have a go myself.”
I’ll add that Jon’s ambitious album is a treat, although on reflection I’ve realised it’s something that I still need to spend more time with and here’s the inspiration to do just that. I missed the tour of this as well, something I hope I get the chance to rectify.
You can buy the January digital album now from all good download stores.
An excellent example, I think, of using an old form or style of song to convey a very contemporary lyric – and with a very singable melody. Well done, all round, I’d say. Like you, Simon, I realise I should go back and spend more time with “Floodplain” – which I like very much.
Enjoyed it- full of lovely phrases & poetry “perfume of petrol” “cover of the night”, “sacrificial gasolene” to name a few…but I am confused by the story.Is the singer laying on an old road that has now become a motorway?Is the procession the opening cavalcade……..am I being too blooming picky yet again!
It probably makes more sense in the context of the whole sequence of “Songs from the Floodplain”, which is what used to be called a “concept album” set in a strange post-apocalyptic world. I really like it (and am looking forward to the tour by Jon and the Remnant Kings in February), and really like this unaccompanied version. With the floods in Queensland and Brazil (which I’m sure played their part in this selection), Jon’s songs have a strong contemporary relevance, and it’s good to know that people are singing them in folk clubs. And I, for one, wouldn’t mind if you were to break that promise, Jon….
Wow what an amazing voice, its one thing to sing with a band but its completely different a cappella (is that spelt right?) wow amazing
I LOVE this version, downloaded it last night and I agree it works really well unaccompanied. I’ve been listening to ‘Floodplain’ in the office all morning as a result.
Perhaps if Jon feels like breaking that promise we could have an AFSAD version of ‘Under Their Breath’ – now that would be bloomin’ marvellous.
Muzza if you haven’t yet bent your ears round ‘Songs from the Floodplain’ it comes highly recommended from me too.
Looking forward to the February tour too… Farnham Maltings for me.
I have just been reading the opening chapters to ‘The Walking Dead’ to the accompaniment of this and ‘Floodplain’.
V. spooky.
Looking on the bright side, we may all be dead by that time… Chilling.
“Songs from the Floodplain” is indeed an excellent album, and this works really well as an a cappella song.
I found this album at the end of September, I’m still listening…I can’t say how many times I’ve listened but I hear something new each time…and smile at the quirky references…especially when I walk through ther underpass on the way to work. No ‘cold flute hands’ though. Thank you for this version. More self composed contributions would be perfectly fine!
Songs From The Floodplain is a favourite album of mine and this is one of my favourite songs from it, so I’m delighted to hear this version. I must say that it works really well unaccompanied – real shivers-down-the-spine stuff. And, like all the songs on the Floodplain album, beautiful lyrics.
I’d be perfectly happy to hear more self-composed songs on this site, so if the promise is broken, that’s fine by me!
I think this is even more poignant when you live in northwest Sheffield – and another fan of the album.
I plucked a vinyl copy from the shelves last night and sat down amazed once more at how good this album is. I had that urge to play it again immedaitely, like my 14 or 15 year old self probably would have, but have deferred the pleasure until tonight.
Floodplain is one of my favourite albums.
An absolute must and this version od Days Gone By proves for me that the album’s real strength is the lyrics and melody. The production is great to but it works striped down to one voice. Brill.
I’ve said several times that Songs from the Floodplain was hands-down THE top discovery of 2010 for me, and it was far from a year low on new musical encounters. I’ve already asked a friend for help figuring out a decent arrangement of “Under Their Breath” for a rather beginner octave mandolin.
This is a fine version of Days Gone By (Though what does it say that I’m this far behind on AFSAD?)
If only Leonora knew how far behind I am on AFSAD! Haha!
I absolutely loved this and, when I’m up to date with AFSAD, will listen to my as yet unopened birthday copy of Floodplain with anticipated relish. Absolutely agree with the opening evaluation of StephenH on this song – the description reminds me of my opinion of Chris Wood’s winning song in last night’s BBC Folk Awards.
Jon, that promise is so meant to be broken in a whole year of AFSAD! And absolutely beautifully sung…
I can’t add anything on last year’s comments to this wonderfully written and rendered song, save the whole album is indeed a gem. Jon. it must be very gratifying when your concept comes through in creation and the finished article is a little piece of perfection. Not a weak part to it. You nailed it! ‘Painted Lady’ isn’t far behind either!
@ Muzza: Hope you’re feeling better. Takes more than a hip op and swine fever to keep thee down! I think your weight loss is dehydration. Ted prescribes plenty of porter. Get some Guince down yer neck! There’s room under my pub table for a little ‘un! (You’re buying. 3 sick cats, 1 routine booster and an odd tom thrown in for neutering has left me brassic! Well, they will keep walking through my yard & I obviously ain’t got enough to fettle and spend money on!)
@Jane………………..thank you for your kind thoughts.
Ref…”3 sick cats, 1 routine booster and an old Tom thrown in for neutering”……..
hush girl……boasting of such a dowry will attract all sorts of ne’er do wells fighting to join me under your pub table!
Know this song so well having played the CD countless times so have not listened to it this morning – still waiting to hear my favourite from this CD. Shall I be lucky I wonder!
@ Jane: How is the new Toshiba – you seem to have got the hang of it quickly enough. I sympathise wth you and your cat bills. £77 odd for blood test and pills for Ella last week and this comes up every 3 months as well. Still one does the best for them doesn’t one and cats seem to suffer from the same complaints us humans do. Hyperthyroidism and deteriorating kidney function, and the vet thinks she must be 17 or more – have had her 12 years (saved from the knacker’s yard).
@ Muzza – hope some improvement – flu does take it out of you and like Ted says lots of fluids and take it easy.
Muzza it took me so long to type reply to Jane that your message came up in whilst I was still typing so did not see your messages till afterwards (hope that make some sense). Do not forget that I am a southern softie and I made it to the mill come hell or high water. Not as tough as these northern lasses though.
Another serious song with, I think, strong links to yesterdays Nick Jones composition. Not a bundle of laughs I’ll grant you but it is good to reflect at the start of another year about our place on this old planet, and what we are doing to it. The planet will keep rolling on, but one does wonder how much longer mankind will have a place on it.
Now, lets cheer up !! Muzza, the temperature out there this morning means this is a TWO VEST weekend.
John Biggs you are going the right way to land yourself in trouble. You know how we try to avoid the “V” word and there you are as bold as brass, typing in capital letters as well, the dreaded word in full. You love to stir it don’t you?
On the contrary Diana, it sounds as if doing without his primary layer garment brought on Muzza’s recent troubles. I have just been out for a walk on the hills, and I was wearing a p.l.g., and long johns as well ! (I bet we are not allowed to mention those items either.)
John perfectly fine what you mentioned, just not that v word as it gets Muzza going again. Hope you enjoyed your walk – it’s a lovely day sunny but cold. What is a p.l.g by the way?
Primary layer garment, it is an outdoor clothing sales term for ‘Vest’. Oops I have said it again.
Thanks for that piece of information – shall remember it for future use. But you are incorrigible using that word and deliberately I can tell, so don’t deny it!
I am not with it today – you gave me the snswer in a previous message – I am slow on the uptake.
@ Daina: I’ve had nearly a year to get used to the swishy Tosh now. Must be that long ‘cos the security software firm are asking me for a renewal fee! I am not doing a freebie as the last was brill, until it went off the rails and I think it was that corrupted my old pc! So that’ll be another 50 squids on top of all the vet bills (£73+75+40+28+40!!) & the car is due tax, MOT and service! Are there no workhouses?
@ Muzza: Only you would find my dowry desirable (oh-er, Matron!) Hence, only you can share my under-pub-table… hahahahaha!
@John B’s comment ref plg…………I must confess that I read the comments the first time (without my glasses) and wondered what on earth a PIG had to do with keeping warm….but I know that rural folk in the Welsh Marches have their own quaint ways and accepted it….how relieved I am to re-read and realise that a pig is not involved
Phew!
Ps:-……….you cat ladies deserve medals
@ Muzza: I thought it was sheep, not pigs… but we will not go there… tho’ maybe a ‘primary layer’ is a hen? So more a feathered undergarment than a woolly vest, perhaps?
Ref medals, don’t be thinking that the chest isn’t big enough for them to fit! Hahahahaha!
@Jane…….you should see my brother Silv**t with a row of medal ribbons on his chest!
Yup…..I thought pigs out of place in the Welsh Marches……I did have a shepherd friend with a son Baaasil and daughter Baabara……..
oh now I am drifting into “Toytown” and Larry & Dennis….and Mister Growser..happy days….good old AFSAD….leads to all sorts of links and memories.
@Muzza: Have you really got a brother called Silv**t or are your just trying to pull the wool over our eyes? Now we are back to sheep again. I see Jane is investing in woolly vests as well although I like the feathered undergarment description more.
Hello all, whichever stragglers are left listening on ‘ere! Hope you are also listening to Mike Harding’s podcast? Have to confess, I have not got roundtuit missen yet! I know Muzza has though – what a folk trooper! And Pierre Walsh – for once I found out something musical afore he did! Hardly ever happens, as he is the Oracle! Lol.
Still like this one.
Huzzah….Jane Back in the loop………….
She probably got fed up with standing in for Sarah Millican eh!..
Ref Mike Harding and Mark Radcliffe….they do have one or two ‘folky songs’ as I know and love…but they do slip in a load of old foreign stuff……..
Good old Jim Lloyd was pure folk
thank goodness for AFSAD
Nearly worn this CD out.
CD still going strong and played regularly…. time for another solo CD Jon???
MP3 taken over from the CD but still a much loved choice ….
Afterglow CD now helping out but still dip into Songs from the Floodplain and this is a track I’ve always liked