^ Thanks, Plankton ! I guess I can' t shrug off the habit they teach you at school to categorize, classify and summarize everything!

Yes, I also like Some Old Salty - I like the unexpectedness of the lyrics, and the naturalness of their rhythm too.

That' s quite a coincidence! I wonder if you were ever jivving to skiffle music in unit 219 !? You could write your own version of Some Old Salty...

The H. and the S. - 1
S.O.S. - 1

I loved both--great selections, Lisna. Had it been another day, my vote might have gone the other way, but as it is, The Husbandman and the Servingman's lyrics gave it a very slight edge.

Something about the first one just grabs me more. I like the parts where they sing alone the best.

The S. and the H. - 2
S.O.S. - 1

Lisna, two excellent a cappella posted by you here - and both of them so different, which made it difficult to choose. I kept mulling (Hull-ing? ;)) over the backstories you posted, which were very helpful especially in the case of Some Old Salty because I was surprised to learn it is a fairly contemporary song. I also like the more compact song structure of Salty and its charming lyrics (with references perhaps to Hull trawlermen with their yellow hats: "Salt fare, North Sea. Weird stare, further than the eye can see. He had a head like a toy shop, bow legged stance off. Must have been the rolling sea."

The S. and the H. - 2
S.O.S. - 2

Hey, I'm very pleased that you guys are enjoying the Young Tradition and Lal Waterson songs; that was my hope all along. For me as well, surprise surprise, both are great demonstrations of how effective a capella can be.

Welcome back, ribbons ! Those lines you quote, are a very neat, very succinct description, aren't they? But on balance, I go with Dwnwthvwls and Pet_Sounds and vote for the Young Tradition - the two voices are so distinct but each does a wonderful job of breathing life into those old words; I even love the way they drop the "h" on "usbandman."

In fact, at age 18, by chance, I picked up "The YT Sampler" album below and fell in love with them when I heard this track - one of those rare moments when you are just blown away by a piece of music:-



The votes so far:-

The S and the H : 3
S.O.S. : 2

Lisna, thanks for the welcome back (I was away due to my mother’s surgery, and am glad to report she is recovering well). Thank you as well for introducing me to these artists, neither of which I had heard before. I’m very intrigued by The Young Tradition now. And I really like “Byker Hill” with its three part harmonies and monolithic aura punctuated by that occasional drum – which seem to suit its theme as a coal miner’s rights song. I listened to a number of YT songs tonight and will likely purchase one of their CDs soon. Thanks to you, my earworm at present is “Chicken on a Raft”! :)

That's good that your mother is recovering, ribbons. I know that when our parents have an operation, it can be as worrying for the children as for the parent, so I hope everything continues well for your mum.

Chicken on a Raft! Haha! Welcome to the world of Young Tradition! That' s a great track, though I never really worked out what it' s about. I'm really pleased that you like Byker Hill, which you describe so well. Apparently Peter Bellamy would sometimes use a long broomhandle with bells attached, which he would bang on the stage floor when YT played live - so maybe that' s what we're hearing on Byker Hill. Whatever it is, it really adds a sombre touch to the song.

Strange to say, I could never convince any of my friends to like YT, so your interest makes me especially happy. Rather unexpectedly, after waiting forty years I can finally share my enthusiasm. Thank you, MB, and thank you, ribbons ! :)

I must admit, I've been letting this slip (the odd other thing to do, y'know?) ;) but I want to get in before this closes.

Have to say I really didn't like the first song at all (too many singers, switching it around, up and down?) but really enjoyed the second, which seemed to me to have a sort of African chant about it (would give an example but I think I'll use it in my next battle) plus the sea shanty idea worked too. Great harmonies, very smooth. Definitely give my vote to that.

The S and the H: 3
SOS: 3

Lisna, thank you for your understanding and kind wishes for my mother. She continues to get stronger and is doing very well.

On a lighter note, “Hi ho, chicken on a raft, hey ho, chicken on a raaaffffftttt!” Still ringing my ears! :laughing: I don’t understand what the song is about either – perhaps a nautical dictionary would help – but I’ve read that “chicken on a raft” is slang for fried egg on fried bread. Did a seaman’s fried egg on fried bread get overly mushly or spoiled at sea, I wonder? And why on a Monday? So many questions to ponder while thinking of chickens on rafts. :)

That’s a great anecdote about Peter Bellamy using a broomhandle with bells attached during performances of “Byker Hill”. That could well be what we hear on the studio recording. Gives the song a fitting “sombre” touch as you stated, and gives me a bit of a start each time I hear it.

I’ve ordered a double CD of Young Tradition/So Cheerfully Round/Galleries/Chicken On a Raft (EP). A bargain! Thank you again for sharing your enthusiasm for YT, a group I for one didn’t even know about before. Looks like I have a treasure trove of listening in store.

And so, with Trollheart’s vote we now have a tie with 3 points each for The S. and the H. and S.O.S.

Really loved the vocal style of the Servingmen track. The other track was good, but I felt a lot more passion in the first one so I'll go with that.

The S and the H: 4
SOS: 3

Also, would you like to be put back on the list ribbons?