duggup

Here is a band The Owl Service named after a wonderful refashioning of the ancient Welsh myth cycle of the Mabinogian. It was written in 1967 by another of my favourite authors writing for young adults; Alan Garner.

How wonderful to find that the band plays traditional English folk, music that has not changed one whit since it was rediscovered in the 50′s and 60′s folk revival. They have turned up to grace Monday’s post. Monday is a public holiday for which we can thank our Queen Lizzy; many happy returns, it being her birthday.

The Owl Service are from the UK and here is what their website has to say about them.

The Owl Service was formed by Steven Collins on 6th June 2006 as a vehicle to explore his love of British films and television of the 1960s and 70s, the great outdoors and the sound of the English folk revival. Assisting Collins in his creation is Jo Lepine; an angelic voice that soars, Diane Collier; a singer with earthy tones, Nancy Wallace; a multi instrumental talent that sings like a bird and Dominic Cooper; a voice of grit who hits and bangs those pots and pans.

Having revisited the traditional ballads, Steve Collins decided he wanted to create an album that would rival the best of the era. Thus “A Garland of Song” was born. Have a listen to “The North Country Maid” and hear how they have managed to perfectly capture the mood and the spirit of that time

For a new recording, “A Garland of Song” has moments that remind me of classic Steeleye Span and Fairpost in turns. I recommend a listen at MySpace.