Folk artists Martin Simpson and Thomm Jutz combine to offer a real oldies collection, with ballads that date back generations and have roots on both sides of the Atlantic. They鈥檙e mostly sad songs about class divide, unfaithful lovers and family strife, where bloody dreams come true and even the valleys are lonesome.
It鈥檚 music that still resonates today, as shown in these compelling new interpretations by Simpson and Jutz. 鈥淣othing But Green Willow: The Songs of Mary Sands and Jane Gentry鈥� will be released Friday.
Simpson and Jutz mined the material from a book published in 1917 by English folklorist Cecil Sharp, who transcribed traditional British songs he heard while visiting Appalachia to document a transoceanic cultural connection. North Carolina residents Sands and Gentry helped Sands鈥� research by performing the tunes for him.
If that makes the album sound like a dry academic exercise, it鈥檚 not. Intricate melodies are beautifully sung by Simpson, Jutz and a parade of guests, including bluegrass standouts Sierra Hull (on 鈥淕eordie鈥�) and Tim O鈥橞rien (on 鈥淓dwin in the Lowlands Low鈥�). Appropriately sparse accompaniment makes the songs shimmer, with the acoustic guitar interplay between Simpson and Jutz a particular pleasure.
The compositions are sturdy stuff, which is why they鈥檝e lasted so long 鈥� centuries, in some cases. Storylines can be challenging to follow, but there鈥檚 an enchanting air of mystery to the tales, and lovely language describes fascinating characters. They鈥檙e vengeful, deceitful, mournful and cynical, which has always made for a good tune.
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AP music reviews:
Steven Wine, The Associated Press
