Seeya on the Allendale Road

Seeya on the Allendale Road

English, Scottish and Northumbrian folk ballad selection. Forgotten gems alongside some popular folk standards.

Oh for the love of wor lush and native Northumbrian fells... Corbridge to Lowgate & Plankey Mill, to Allenbanks & Ninebanks then back over to Catton & bonny Allendale. We'll meet again hinny up on the Allendale Road...

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The Devil's Water at Dilston by Annette Bushby

Featuring some largely forgotten songs from two of Yorkshire's great balladeers Dave Burland and Tony Capstick. Burland's debut album A Dalesman's Litany was released in 1970 and is an interesting collection of old & rare ballads. He came together with Richard Thompson in 1992 to record New Saint George, a warning about the rise of nationalist fascism. Capstick's equally absorbing Punch and Judy Man LP dates from 1974 and comprises a mix of well-known rebel songs and more old & obscure death ballads. The set features some sparse, tasteful electric guitar backing as seen on Sir Hubert Vayne and Laszlo Faher. Recent tracks by Steeleye Span, including tracks from their recent protest-minded LP Conflict (2025). They did a surprising rendition of White Cliffs of Dover back in 2000 with Gay Woods on vocals which attempts to undermine the song's frequent nationalist connotations. Rocking ballad They Called Her Babylon narrates the story of the Royalist Countess of Derby's resistance at the long Siege of Lathom House, Lancs. in 1644. The eighteenth century Jacobite Rebellions is another source of drama with variations on the Lord Derwentwater tale. The original Lord Derwentwater's Farewell lyric, as sung here by The Corries, laments the dissident lord's departure from Dilston Hall in Hexhamshire for London to face the gallows once the rebellion had faltered. Lord Ellenwater is a close relative of the original which tells a matching tale but with differing lyrics. Two very distinct cuts here by Dr. Faustus and the Blue Blokes 3. The Blue Blokes version interestingly employs the melody of the House Carpenter. 

Several traditional and modern tracks from Northumberland and West Northumbria in particular: From Byker Hill to Dilston Hall, Hexham Races, Kielder Fells and the Rose of Allendale, performed here by Pete Coe, Nic Jones & Tony Rose. Traditional Northumbrian small pipes, accordion and fiddle numbers like Bonny North Tyne from Joe Hutton, George Hepple , the High Level Ranters and Billy Atkinson help keep the vibe flowing. The Whiskey Priests celebrate muckle local working class cultural & economic roots in Hexham Tans. Two fabulous 1961 acapellas from Lou Killen, including a gorgeous duet with the great Isla Cameron. Two widely differing versions of the death ballad Geordie fall back to back with recordings by Chris Foster and then Scots equivalent Laird Logie by Chris Coe with Nic Jones & Tony Rose. 

Spotlight also on the legendary Scottish folk ensemble the Tannahill Weavers with three tracks from their Leaving St.Kilda album (1996). Atmospheric cuts of Wars O'Germany & Rigs of Rye. 1992 saw the release of Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick LP Skin and Bone which marked a first studio reunion for the two in over a decade with strong anti (gulf) war songs like Such a War has Never Been and Maggie Holland's Perfumes of Arabia. 

Continuous mix 2hrs 35

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