Riddles Wisely Expounded, by Ed Pettersen and Henry Kaiser

Riddles Wisely Expounded

by Ed Pettersen and Henry Kaiser

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1.	Lord Gregory 06:05	buy track
2.	The Silkie of Sule Skerry 06:41	buy track
3.	Three Ravens 04:27	buy track
4.	Sweet William (The Famous Flower of Serving Men) 12:01	buy track
5.	The Sweet Kumadee 07:24	buy track
6.	Fair Ellen 09:01	buy track
7.	The Unquiet Grave 03:02	buy track
8.	Thomas Rhymer 09:16	buy track
9.	The Bonnie Earl O'Murray 03:03	buy track
10.	The Rantin Laddie 06:08	buy track
11.	The Bonnie House O'Airlie 06:06	buy track
12.	The Elfin Knight 06:34	buy track

about

Some songs come in a frenzy, and almost write themselves in minutes. Others take hours, days, even years to become fully formed and ready for public consumption. These songs, part of the collection of 305 commonly known as the Child Ballads (named so for Francis Child, the Harvard researcher who collected them in the 1800’s), are a little more mysterious. Originally broadsides to share current events and have a bit of fun (and take jabs surreptitiously at the Crown in some cases), they were stories passed down for generations. Eventually, they were put to common folk tunes for commercial use and share the same DNA as many songs we now consider classics, as well as finding their way now and then into modern popular songs.

But the mystery continues as the songs continue to morph and take on new life with a modern generation perhaps unaware that some are as old as 350-500 years. It was in this spirit, and that of the original broadside manuscripts, that Ed and Henry took great pains to delve as deep into the history and mythology of the 12 songs chosen here for their “Riddles Wisely Expounded: English and Scottish Popular Ballads”. The texts were translated as closely as humanly possible for modern English from North America and though the music may not remind some folk purists of the versions they may have learned growing up, they are certainly more in the original spirit and supernatural wonder with which they were intended.

That these ancient scrolls still inspire after so many years is an inspiration in itself but that’s the true magic of these songs. They never grow old.

credits

released April 5, 2024

All instruments by Henry and Ed. Vocals by Ed.
Mixed and mastered by E.P.

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about

Ed Pettersen Nashville, Tennessee

Ed Pettersen has earned respect for his own Folk/Americana albums, but it is his nine year effort behind the production of the 3-CD, 50-song compilation Song of America and frequent jazz/free improv collaborations that have garnered him international recognition. His songs have been recorded by Bettye LaVette and Candi Staton among others. ... more

edpettersen.com

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