The Magic Of Song
£5.75
THE MAGIC OF SONG…Polly Bolton
Recorded mainly in 2009 at Oak Barn, Clee St Margaret in Shropshire.
This album was been about 10 years in the making! It features two tracks of
Polly’s vocal improvisation with music written by Kevin Dempsey, legendary
guitarist. Also on the album are two folk songs arranged by Chris Gibbons. All
the other tracks are multi tracked a cappella songs, recorded at my home in
Shropshire with my friend, Abbie Lathe.
Description
This video features Polly and Kevin Dempsey on guitar from the 1993 last Dando Shaft ‘Coventry Whitefriars’ concert, fondly remembered.
The “Lost voice”of the English Folk Revival.
Polly Bolton ‘The Magic of Song’
Reviews
Firstly Polly must be included in any worthwhile list of great English folk singers. She possesses one of those rare voices that would even sound good singing the ingredients from the back of a cereal box.
From Pat Thomas at Blackwaterside Magazine.
Polly should be star; the girl’s got an achingly attractive vocal
Simon Jones, Folk Roots
Polly Bolton possesses a voice unparalleled in English Folk Music.
Mick Sherlock
This delightful woman breathes new life into ancient tunes. She has an exquisite voice that rattles the vertebrae at any number of paces
John Philpot, Worcester Evening News.
She conjures up an air of abandon while actually maintaining superb control.
Tony Rose, The Guardian
As a collaborator, Polly works with absolute focus, incredible vocal chops and creative interpretation that all writers dream of.
Jennifer Cutting, songwriter/producer USA
Comments
Polly is at her best when singing about love and it’s darker side in particular….Polly makes full use of the emotional power of the song without the slightest touch of sentimentality. Clearly this is a singer of exceptional talent.
Ed Muddrell, Tykes News.
The waters of Bolton, Shepherd and Dunachie run fast and complex. Get your feet wet; better yet go swimming, best of all drown in it.
Simon Jones, First Hearing
Loveliest of trees is a deeply rewarding album that stakes Polly’s claim to be the loveliest of singers.
Henry Peacock, Buzz
Polly Bolton’s vocals were superb. She really is a very sensitive and compassionate singer who ought to make the highest grade.
Martin Kenney, Folk Roots (live review)
Polly’s voice be it solo or tracked with its self is exquisite but it is the intelligent settings of these tunes that give it a fresh substance.
Steve Morris, Brum Beat
Polly Bolton’s passionate, jazzy vocal style (she’s a real belter when she wants to be) sets her apart from most British femme folk singers.
Ken Roseman, Music Hound essential folk album guide (USA)
Here You Can Preview All Tracks:
Track 1. “You Won’t Always Feel”
“You won’t always feel….by Polly Bolton. A song dedicated to Aisha
Ibrahim Duhulow.”
Track 2. “Searching for Lambs”
“Searching for Lambs…..traditional arranged by Polly Bolton. A rare thing,
a folk song with a happy ending! A favourite at weddings.”
Track 3. “There is not one truth”
“There is not one truth…..by Polly Bolton, sung with Abbie Lathe. A folk
chant about religious bigotry.”
Track 4. “Oh Holy Lord”
“Oh Holy Lord….. Traditional arranged by Polly Bolton; one of the songs I
discovered in the “Songs of the Jubilee Singers”, an inspiring little book
with some great songs from the freed slave choir of Fisk University.”
Track 5. “A Stor mo Choar”
Sublime rendition of the classic song. “A Stor mo Choar…….a beautiful Irish song arranged by Chris Gibbons.
Should be sung on the west coast of Ireland with the wind carrying your
voice away across the Atlantic ocean.”
Track 6. ‘Rwanda”
“Rwanda….by Kevin Dempsey. A tribute to a troubled land and the brave
people who live there.”
Track 7. “Barbara Allen”
“Barbara Allen…traditional arranged by Polly Bolton. Unrequited love
always makes for a good song!”
Track 8. “Ethiopia”
“Ethiopia……written by Kevin Dempsey with vocal improvisations by
Polly.”
Track 9. “Green Willow”
“The Banks of the Green Willow….Traditional arranged by Chris Gibbons.”
Track 10 “Fox Song”
“Fox Song…..by Polly Bolton. A tribute to beautiful and persecuted creatures.”
Track 11 “Lagan Love”
“Lagan Love….Traditional Irish song of great beauty.”
Track 12 “The Magic of Song”
The Magic of Song…
….sung by me and Abbie, written for one of my singing workshops and dedicated to the wonderful Frankie Armstrong
and the Natural Voice Network.
Track 13 “You’ve Changed”
Written by Billie Holiday
From the “Dandojazz Album”
Track 14 “Riverboat’
Our favourite version of this song! Written by Kevin Dempsey back in 1971, another track from the Dando Shaft Belgrade Theatre concert.
Track 15 “Bushes and Briars”
B.B.C. 1971 Sounds of the Seventies concert recording.
For a C.D. of ” The Magic of Song” go to Polly’s Website
Give your ears a Treat!