The Wife of Usher&#x27;s Well // Anna RG - pt 1

enSeptember 26, 2021

Lyke Wake Dirge // Martin Green - pt 1

This episode we're joined by Martin Green who is challenging you to reimagine Lyke Wake Dirge, an ancient funeral chant about the soul’s journey through purgatory.

Martin is a multi-award winning musician and composer who has collaborated with many artists and musicians including the likes of Eliza Carthy, Joan Baez, Anais Mitchell and Aidan Moffatt. As a member of Lau he has won four BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for Best Group and in 2015 he was nominated in the Best Musician category. In 2019 he won the Ivor Novello award for his sound walk “Aeons” that was part of The Great Exhibition of the North.

We first came across Martin’s work in his 2015 show Flit, a multimedia, collaborative song cycle on the theme of migration. As a performer steeped in traditional music but with a process informed by sampling, electronics, and interdisciplinary storytelling, we wanted to get his insight on how he traverses these multiple planes

Check out Martin’s recent project The Portal here.

/// TAKE PART ///

Charts: example score, chords & lyrics (.pdf)

Playlist: Spotify playlist of existing versions of Lyke Wake Dirge.

Martin will be back to listen to your takes in the second part of this episode released on Monday 27 September. If you’d like to be included in the podcast then try and get your version to us by Monday 20th September to get your versions included in the podcast. Drop us a message if you have any questions.

/// COMMUNITY ///

If you’re interested in getting deeper into the conversation, come and join our group on Facebook. There’s been some amazing chats over the last month with people sharing demos, feedback and ideas.

/// MUSIC CREDITS ///

10:54 - Strange Sky - Martin Green (featuring Becky Unthank) [From Flit]

17:10 - Etteridge - Martin Green (featuring Brìghde Chaimbeul) [From The Portal]

19:46 - A Place Of Crisps And Pianos - Martin Green

28:48 - Lyke Wake Dirge - The Young Tradition

34:30 - Lyke Wake Dirge - Martin Green (featuring Becky Unthank)

39:41 - A Lyke Wake Dirge - Alasdair Roberts

42:06 - Dirge from Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings - Benjamin Britten (featuring Peter Pears)

43:45 - Lyke Wake Dirge - Trumpets of Death

46:55 - Lyke Wake Dirge - Tom Chapman, Claire Chapman and Dave Allen (members of the Lyke Wake Walking Club)

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enAugust 29, 2021

Iwe Kiko // Olugbenga Adelekan - pt 2

We’re joined once again by Olugbenga Adelekan to listen through your incredible takes of Iwe Kiko, a traditional Yoruba children’s song about remembering tradition in a modernised world.

If you haven't already, we really recommend you go and listen to part one where Olugbenga introduces the tune to us.

Listen: Part 1 of Iwe Kiko

Also, check out Olugbenga and Seye Adelekan’s project Obalende Sector here.

/// YOUR TAKES ///

We’ve had an incredible response, with 11 takes in the playlist. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted a take - this month we’ve got: Kev Pritchard; Vanishing Faces; Julian Hayman; Mr Cat Hair; Matt Milton; Eyeless Chalonstone & The Goodnight Mistress; asymptotes; Richard Toller; Liz Hassack.

/// JOIN THE COMMUNITY ///

We’ve set up a group on Facebook for the Old Tunes Fresh Takes community to share ideas, submit tracks for feedback and just generally geek out about trad tunes and music production. We’ve had some great conversations already over the last month, so whether you’re thinking about submitting a take or just want to go deeper between episodes then join us!

Thinking of submitting? Read our quick guide on how to submit your fresh take.

/// COMING UP ///

Next up, we’re chatting with Martin Green (Lau/Eliza Carthy) who’s inviting you to take on Lyke Wake Dirge, an ancient funeral poem telling of the soul’s journey into the beyond.

Part one comes out next Monday 30 August. If you want to get a headstart, you can find example scores, chords and lyrics here.

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enAugust 23, 2021

Iwe Kiko // Olugbenga Adelekan - pt 1

This episode we're joined by Olugbenga Adelekan who is asking you to reimagine Iwe Kiko, a traditional Yoruba song about agriculture and remembering tradition in an increasingly urbanised world.

Olugbenga is a Brighton based DJ, producer and musician, perhaps best known as the bassist in Metronomy and a one half of 'sleek, sci-fi influenced pop' duo Eku Fantasy. He's worked with the likes of Damon Albarn, Paloma Faith and La Roux as well as remixing tracks for Laura Marling, Janelle Monae, Mew, Alt-J, Depeche Mode and the Scissor Sisters as well as co-producing a track on Solange’s A Seat At The Table.

His childhood was split between Nigeria and the Netherlands, before moving to the UK where he finished school in South London and then studied at King's College, Cambridge. We were interested to hear about Olugbenga’s approaches to music production, and also how growing up in different cultures informs his attitudes towards tradition and traditional music.

Check out Eku Fantasy’s music here.

/// TAKE PART ///

Charts: example score, chords & lyrics (.pdf)
Playlist: YouTube playlist of existing versions of Iwe Kiko.

Olugbenga will be back to listen to your takes in the second part of this episode released on Monday 23 August. If you’d like to be included in the podcast then try and get your version to us by Monday 16th August to get your versions included in the podcast. Drop us a message if you have any questions.

/// COMMUNITY ///

/// MUSIC CREDITS ///

6:28 - Living On The Outside - Eku Fantasy
11:30 - Reset - Three Trapped Tigers [Olugbenga Edit]
14:37 - Divine - Laura Marlin [Olugbenga Remix]
22:25 - Iwe Kiko - Ayomide Dosumu
30:35 - Iwe Kiko - Stephen Ayodotun
35:55 - Ise Agbe - Deepest [ft. Kdsky]
42:16 - Iwe Kiko - Jumbo Aniebiet
46:43 - Iwe Kiko - ITCellos

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enJuly 26, 2021

Child Owlet // Debbie Armour - pt 2

Debbie is back again as we listen through your brilliant takes of Child Owlet, a harrowing tale of a hapless lad’s grisly execution at the hands of the jaded Lady Erskine and Lord Ronald.

If you haven't already, we recommend you go and listen to part one where Debbie introduces the tune to us.

Listen: Part 1 of Child Owlet

/// YOUR TAKES ///

Listen along to the full playlist of takes here.

We’ve had an incredible response, with 20 takes in the playlist. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted a take - this month we’ve got: Kev Pritchard; Julian Hayman; Liz Hassack; POI/Rot In Hell; My First Dog; Vanishing Faces; Joshua Kirch; asymptotes; Richard Toller; Catapholc; Matt Milton; Mr Cat Hair; Sam Gardham; We Are Muffy; Cerys Hafana; Harry Orme; Josie Gaitens & Linus Orri

/// JOIN THE COMMUNITY ///

Thinking of submitting? Read our quick guide on how to submit your fresh take.

/// COMING UP ///

Next up, we’re chatting with Olugbenga Adelekan (Metronomy/Eku Fantasy) who’s introducing us to Iwe Kiko, a Yoruba song about the agrarian life and the importance of remembering tradition.

Part one comes out next Monday 26 July. If you want to get a headstart, you can find example scores, chords and lyrics here.

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enJuly 19, 2021

Child Owlet // Debbie Armour - pt 1

This episode we're joined by Debbie Armour who is asking you to reimagine the dark tale of Child Owlet, with themes of incest, cuckoldry and grisly execution. Debbie is a Glasgow based musician, working primarily with traditional song. Broadly, her work is motivated by ideas of persistence, resonance and deep cultural roots. In her primary project, Burd Ellen, she uses British and international traditional song to explore women's narratives. She is also a founder member of critically acclaimed contemporary folk a cappella group Green Ribbons.

Check out Burd Ellen’s album Says The Never Beyond here.

/// TAKE PART ///

Charts: example score, chords & lyrics (.pdf)

Playlist: Spotify playlist of existing versions of Child Owlet.

Debbie will be back again to listen to your takes in the second part of this episode released Monday 19 July. Remember to get your takes to us by Monday 12 July to feature! Drop us a message if you have any questions.

/// COMMUNITY ///

Meetup: If you’d like to join us for a chat about old tunes, we’re also having an informal Zoom meetup on Saturday 26 June at 11:00. Stay for the hour or just pop in to say hi!

/// MUSIC CREDITS ///

4:30 - Coventry Carol - Burd Ellen

9:42 - Cutty Wren - Burd Ellen

14:30 - Sans Day Carol - Burd Ellen

20:25 - Hela’r Dryw Bach - Burd Ellen

26:15 - Corpus Christi Carol - Burd Ellen

32:23 - Chylde Owlet - Ewan MacColl

36:27 - Child Owlet - Fay Hield

38:48 - Child Owlet - Eric

43:43 - Child Owlet - Steeleye Span

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Hosted by @jacktherobot and @hevelwood

enJune 20, 2021

Willie O' Winsbury // Stewart Lee - pt 2

Stewart Lee joins us again to listen through your takes of Willie O' Winsbury. This story sees a king return from prison to find his daughter pregnant and after throwing a bit of a wobble, unexpectedly takes something of a shine to her dashing suitor. If you haven't already, we recommend you go and listen to part one where Stewart introduces the tune to us.

Listen to part 1 here.

/// YOUR TAKES ///

Listen along to the full playlist of takes here.

There was a phenomenal response to Stewart's challenge, with over 20 brilliant and unique versions to share. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted a take - this month we’ve got Eyeless Chalonstone & The Goodnight Mistress; Kev Pritchard; Craven; Liz Hassack; Last Human; Vanishing Faces; Gold Thing & Toria Wooff; Matt Milton; Rory Wells, Kirsty Harrison, Ashbury Smith; JJarv; asymptotes; Monkeytown Milk Spillers; Julian Hayman; RainboWeatheR 2.0; Mark Pollock; James Parrish; Cerys Hafana; Sam Gardham; Catapholc; Harry Orme; and Linus Orri.

/// JOIN THE COMMUNITY ///

Thinking of submitting? Read our quick guide on how to submit your fresh take.

/// COMING UP ///

Due to recent unforeseen events, we're taking a bit of an unscheduled break. We don't know when we'll be back, but we know it won't be too long so make sure you subscribe to the podcast and follow our social media pages to find out when our next episode with Debbie Armour will be out.

Debbie's introducing us to the dark world of Child Owlet, a brutal and bloody tale of shameful accusations and grisly executions. If you want to get a headstart, you can find example scores, chords and lyrics here and a Spotify playlist of existing versions here:

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enMay 17, 2021

Willie O' Winsbury // Stewart Lee - pt 1

This episode we're joined by the comedian Stewart Lee who is asking you to reimagine Willie of Winsbury, an odd tale of illicit love, a pansexual ghost, and denunciation of property rights. Stewart unpicks some of the rich symbolism at the heart of this beguiling popular folk song and we explore how one man’s accident in the mid-20th century may (or may not) have come to dominate the song’s recent history of interpretation.

Check out Stewart’s documentary King Rocker here.

Watch Stewart’s chart topping track ‘Coming Over Here’ with Asian Dub Foundation here.

/// TAKE PART ///

Charts: example score, chords & lyrics (.pdf)

Playlist: Spotify playlist for existing versions of Willie O’ Winsbury

Stewart will be back again to listen to your takes in the second part of this episode released Monday 17 May. Remember to get your takes to us by Monday 10 May to feature! Drop us a message if you have any questions.

/// COMMUNITY ///

/// MUSIC CREDITS ///

6:27 - Coming Over Here - Asian Dub Foundation

11:09 - Prayer for a Saint - Ustad Saami

18:55 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Dick Gaughan

21:55 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer

24:27 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Dick Gaughan

30:41 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Anne Briggs

33:38 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Sweeney’s Men

38:17 - Lord Thomas of Winesbury and the King’s Daughter - Barbara Dickson

40:33 - Willie O’ Winsbury - Offa Rex

45:00 - Polly on the Shore - Stewart Lee and Stuart Estell

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enApril 19, 2021

The Wife of Usher's Well // Anna RG - pt 2

We’re back with Anna Roberts-Gevalt to listen through your takes. Anna set us the challenge of interpreting The Wife of Usher’s Well, a ghostly story of a mother’s grief as she’s visited by her three departed sons. If you haven’t already, we recommend you listen to part 1 where she introduces the tune and the major themes.

Listen: Part 1 of The Wife of Usher’s Well

/// YOUR TAKES ///

LISTEN to the full takes here.
We were once again bowled over by the incredible sensitivity and variety of submissions. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted a take - this month we’ve got Kev Pritchard, Rory Wells, The Monkeytown Milk Spillers, johndompaiva, catapholc, asymptotes, Steve and Paul Moisey, Matt Milton, Harry Orme, Cerys Hafana and Ian Jackson.

/// GET INVOLVED ///

Thinking of submitting? Read our quick guide on how to submit your fresh take.

/// COMING UP ///

We’ll be back again on Monday 19 April, this time with comedian Stewart Lee who will be introducing us to Willie O’ Winsbury. If you want to get a headstart, you can find example scores, chords and lyrics here and a playlist of existing versions here.

Latest news and more at oldtunesfreshtakes.com

Hosted by jacktherobot and hevelwood