An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out !
Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

I've three good reasons for selecting this week's artists. 

Firstly I'm currently reading Richard Thompson's autobiography 'Beeswing', which has 'jigged' a few memories. 

Then there's the undeniable fact that this group always reminds me of this time of the year. 

And lastly, next week I'm going to see The Albion Christmas Band, which includes the other two founding members of the band: Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol. 

We're talking of a Fairport 'Convention' - in parts 1 and (2 on Friday):-

As I type, I'm listening to the 'Liege & Lief' album for the first time in ages and it has taken me back to December 1969. So walk awhile with me back to the Musicland record shop in Berwick Street, London on a Saturday, shortly before Christmas, and the record they're playing, fresh off the presses, has caught my ear and very soon it will engage other parts of me too ! Side Two: 'The Deserter' into a medley of jigs followed by 'Tam Lin'...

Of course this wasn't my first time hearing Fairport Convention. I had bought the single 'Si Tu Dois Partir' back in the summer. A French language version of Bob Dylan's 'If You Gotta Go' which actually made No.21 in the Hit Parade and saw the band mining on 'Top of the Pops' on 14th August. (link - for those interest to see who else was on that show). 

Also I'd heard the Fairports on the John Peel 'Top Gear' show, as they had played many sessions during 1969. So discovering the record playing that Saturday in December was no big surprise. I've been a fan ever since and have seen them on numerous occasions, in all of the numerous changes of line-up, that have occurred over the years.  

But let's return to the Scottish borders and Carterhaugh for the tale of 'Tam Lin'. This is the

Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club with John McAuslan reciting the ballad, a track on their album 'Red Hot Scots (1999). Enlarge the video to follow the words. 

And here's the Fairport track (for comparison) - (here) - sang by Sandy Denny from the 'Liege & Lief' LP, which in 2006 BBC radio listeners voted the "Most Influential Folk Album of All Time" ! 

Part Two - this Friday