Definition:

For the purposes of this project, Folk is defined as both the ancient and the contemporary music of the common people in Europe and North America, with the exception of Country music which has it's own unique identity. Further, modern off-kilter / left field derivatives fall into the Alternative Folk category. Folk musics from other areas of the world are given regional tags such as Africana, Asian, Caribbean, Desi, Latin, Middle Eastern, Native Americas, Oriental or Pacific.

The Jukebox Pick (of 4,797):

 The Lambs On The Green Hills

 (Traditional)

 The Johnstons

  “Utterly perfect” Folk

 The Johnstons were an Irish close-harmony folk group, originally founded in the early 60s in Slane, County Meath, consisting of siblings Adrienne, Lucy and Michael Johnston. Building on home territory successes, they delivered their first proper long player (following on from a singles compilation) in May 1968. By this time they were: Adrienne Johnston (vocals), Lucy Johnston (vocals); Mick Moloney (vocals, banjo, mandolin) and Paul Brady (vocals, guitar, fiddle, mandolin). Although they were as comfortable with traditional or contemporary material, an LP of traditionals was decided upon for this release. For all the material is good throughout, the album is dominated by the utterly phenomenal rendition of “The Lambs on the Green Hills”, led intensely by Adrienne. The liner notes tell us that it comes from Colm O'Lochlainns first collection of Irish songs and is related closely to the Scottish “I Once Loved A Lass” and countless other variants of the most familiar theme in folk music; the story of unrequited love. The performance from all is spine tingling – perfectly poised, with an intimate delicacy which could bring even the severest of brutes to tears. It’s surely one of the greatest moments in the entire history of recorded folk music. With this release, Transatlantic helped to serve a wee gem to the world.

Some favourite artists:

The Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, The Dubliners, Leonard Cohen

The Jukebox pick: