S&A Projects is a Not-For-Profit organization which supports and promotes vernacular culture, tradition and lore in England. The initial fund derived from surplus income from a small weekend festival of folk singing, but can also accept contributions from a variety of sources.

1          Two Lovers                                         4:21

2          Turtle Dove                                         3:38

3          The Light Brigade                                3:53

5          The Tarry Sailor                                  1:56

7          Ladysmith                                           2:00

9          The Charwelton Murder                     3:54

10        Warm Summer Evening                       3:31

11        Apron Strings                                     4:08

12        Rum and Raspberry                           3:26

13        The Empty Echoes                             4:37

14        The Ballad of Boughton Fair              3:50

15        Young and Growing                            3:56

17        Couldn’t Help It                                 2:01

18        Unquiet Grave                                    3:10

19        Johnny Sands                                     2:22

20        Sailor’s Grave                                     2:44

21        Last New Year’s Day                         2:29

The recordings which were issued on this CD were made during a special evening at The White Lion, in Wherwell, Hampshire, in November 2005, are the first time Jeff’s singing has been issued on CD solely in his own right: a previous cassette tape on the Veteran label has long been unavailable, although individual tracks have been re-released on compilation CDs.  Jeff defies categorisation as a ‘traditional’, ‘revival’ or ‘source’ singer of folk songs.  The tracks include classic ballads such as The Unquiet Grave or Young and Growing; songs that Jeff has himself collected – both from old sources and revival singers; local texts he has created tunes for (he avoids being accused of actually writing tunes), and even one completely self-penned song.  The track numbering sequence is deliberate – the missing numbers are Jeff’s introductions to the songs that follow, and are a delight in themselves. By numbering them separately, you can still find the track you want. 

 

The CD is available from Jeff himself at his bookings, from good retail outlets of traditional song, or direct from S&A Projects by sending £13.00 (including post & packing) to: S&A projects, Trafalgar House, Castle Street, Combe Martin, North Devon. EX34 0JD.

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