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Sleeve Notes
Galleries, released in 1968, was the third and last album recorded by The Young Tradition. It represents a unique moment in the sixties folk revival, when traditional and medieval music joined forces. On several tracks singers Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood and Heather Wood are accompanied by members of David Munrow's Early Music Ensemble, including Roddy and Adam Skeaping and Christopher Hogwood. Other musicians featured include Dave Swarbrick and Dolly Collins.
Royston Wood and Heather Wood continued to work together after the split with Peter Bellamy in 1969, but they didn't record again until 1977, when they released No Relation, an album which included Peter Bellamy as guest singer on three tracks, and also appearances by guitarists Pete Kirtley and Simon Nicol and bass guitarist Ashley Hutchings.
For this first ever CD re-issue, all the tracks from Chicken On A Raft, the group's 1967 EP, are also included.
Laurence Aston
The Young Tradition was a Sixties phenomenon and Galleries is the album that best exemplifies this. Along with our trademark three part a capella harmony stuff, we added Sacred Harp hymns, medieval music with early instruments (aided by the arranging talents of Dolly Collins), fun interludes and The Blues — Peter's great love.
The sea-shanty EP, Chicken On A Raft, was made as a sop to Transatlantic; we weren't ready to make another album, since we were too busy touring to get enough good songs together. It was fun to do, though. We decided to record an EP of sea shanties. I wanted to call it "Just Add Water", but Royston wouldn't let me.
No Relation was almost an accident. Throughout the YT years, we were always known as "Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood and Heather Wood, no relation". Because we weren't. So when Ro and I toured the States in 1976, we did it under that name, and then Transatlantic asked us to do an album. Peter came and helped out, as did some other friends.
Heather Wood, 1996.
Song Notes
Intro: ductia — An air that Peter picked up on his travels.
The Barley Straw — From Harry Cox of Norfolk, a typical song of rural seduction.
What If A Day — Arranged by Dolly Collins.
The Loyal Lover — From Lucy Broadwood's collection of West Country songs.
Entraete: Stones In My Passway — The scratches are dubbed from an old 78.
Idumea — A Sacred Harp hymn.
The Husbandman And The Servingman — From the Cantwell Family of Oxfordshire.
The Rolling Of The Stones — A fragment of a longer ballad, learned from Oscar Brand.
The Bitter Withy — An apocryphal carol, learned from Audrey Coppard.
The Banks Of The Nile — A composite version developed as we recorded it.
Wondrous Love — Another Sacred Harp hymn.
Medieval Mystery Tour — A medley including an original tune by Bert Jansch and John Renbourn.
Divertissement: Upon The Bough — Supposedly written by a little old lady who is anti-blood sports.
Ratcliff Highway — A composite version.
The Brisk Young Widow — Learned at school.
Interlude: The Pembroke Unique Ensemble — Soldiers Three played by Dave Swarbrick, with Sandy Denny, discreetly on piano.
John Barleycorn — From the Cecil Sharp collection.
The Agincourt Carol — A stirring saga from the time of Henry V.
Chicken On A Raft — Or egg on toast. Compiled by Cyril Tawney in traditional shanty fashion from verses invented by him while in the submarine service.
Randy Dandy-0 — A capstan shanty. "Timme Rollickin' Randy Dandy-O" was probably hollered in a different fashion when this was a working song.
Shanties:
Fire Maringo — A cotton screwing worksong.
Hanging Johnny — A hauling song used by the shantyman for stringing out, when the song needed to suit the job in hand.
Bring em Down — A heavy hauling song.
Haul On The Bowline — A hauling shanty used after the bowline had ceased to be an important rope aboard ship.
A Shepherd Of The Downs — From the Copper Family.
Come Ye That Fear The Lord — From the Folk Song Journal.
Foolish, Incredibly Foolish — An original song.
Bold Benjamin-O — There must be a tremendous story behind this song, but the song doesn't tell it.
The Bold Astrologer — Learned from Frank Smythe.
St. Patrick's Breastplate — Ascribed to St. Patrick (c. 372-466), the tune is traditional Irish The ensemble features: Pennie Harris, hammered dulcimer; Tony Hall, melodeon; Simon Nicol, acoustic guitar; Pete Kirtley, electric guitar, mandolin; Ashley Hutchings, bass guitar.
The Cutty Wren — A song dating from the Peasants Revolt of 1381.
With Pete Kirtley, acoustic guitar.
Will You Miss Me? — An American traditional song.
Gloria Laus — A medieval plainchant.