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Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight


Country of origin:

England

Type of music generally:

Folk/pop with a traditional flavour

Status:

Final release as a duo, Bed of Roses, 1999. Sadly, Lal Waterson died in 1998.

See also:

The Ectophiles' Guide entries for The Watersons and Lal and Mike Waterson

Comparisons:

Somewhat like Lal Waterson's work with her brother, Mike

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Lal Waterson is part of the Waterson family that has produced amazing English folk music, both traditional and new, for thirty years. She has a strong, rich, haunting voice--perfect for her equally strong, rich, haunting, introspective songwriting. Oliver Knight is her son, a wonderful guitarist. It's so sad that they didn't have the chance to do more of these stunningly original albums. A wonderful collaboration! (Neile)

Recommended first album:

once in a blue moon

Recordings:


once in a blue moon

Release info:

1996--Topic Records--TSCD 478

Availability:

U.K. and U.S.

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for fans of haunting folk/pop

Group members:

Lal Waterson--vocals
Oliver Knight--guitars, effects, vocals

Guest artists:

Charles O'Connor--fiddles
Maria Gilhooley--vocals
Jo Freya--vocals, sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
Norma Waterson--vocals
Martin Carthy--acoustic guitar
Ray Williams--drums
Troy Donockley--whistle
Jim Boyes--vocals
Barry Coope--vocals
Lester Simpson--vocals

Produced by:

Comments:

Sad and strong at once. Haunting. Unforgettable. These songs are spare and mournful and powerful. The arrangements are sparse, to highlight the lovely guitar work and Lal's gorgeous vocals. If you like music that will make your heart ache for something lost that you can't quite put your finger on--this is for you. (Neile)

Bed of Roses

Release info:

1999--Topic Records--TSCD 505

Availability:

U.K. and U.S.

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended for fans of haunting folk/pop

Group members:

Lal Waterson
Oliver Knight

Guest artists:

Charles O'Connor--strings
Maria Gilhooley--vocals
Jody Stecher--mandolin
Chopper--cello
Alice Kinloch--trombone
Jo Freya--tena sax

Produced by:

Oliver Knight and Lal Waterson

Comments:

While I like this one and it has many of the same haunting qualities as the first disc, I still find once in a blue moon a little more compelling--hard to say why because there are lovely songs here, and lovely renditions of them and Lal Waterson's voice is an amazing instrument, and Oliver Knight an accomplished guitarist. I think I just prefer that particular selection of songs. (Neile)

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DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2003-01-05 16:23:14.
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