Hi! I'm taking this opportunity to link to a song that I think is interesting as a piece of American history. John Jacob Niles (1892-1980, I think) was an American folk musician, composer, and singer. He was actually the author of 'I Wonder As I Wander,' which may surprise you once you hear his eerie vocal style. I've posted about music before, as you'll remember, about Sacred Harp singing, which also had a distinctive sound ('sounds like drunken Gregorian chanting?'). As before, don't expect music that I post to sound particularly pleasant. It's just so cool.
John Jacob Niles - The Maid Freed From the Gallows
PS The link might expire some day.
[update] It's been pointed out that I didn't provide the URL for the music. Here it is!
http://www.redruin.com/2006/03/10/john-jacob-niles-dean-of-american-balladeers/
3 comments:
that was totaly not russian orthodox chant . you tricked me into listening. but it was awesome never the less.
Delighted to see JJN appear in song and image on your blog. yes, the dates are 1892-1980. I am inm the last stages of completing a biography of Niles--taken almost 25 years. The story of I Wonder As I Wander is a complex one, and while he wriote the tune and text, there were elements of traditional music he collected at the core of it, so it is a complicated genesis. Remarkable song, though. And his vocal style is equally remarkable.
Hi, I don't mind hotlinking, but you should give people the link of the full post so they can get the other songs as well!
http://www.redruin.com/2006/03/10/john-jacob-niles-dean-of-american-balladeers/
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