Product Description

The Imagined Village was a runner-up in the BBC Radio 3 Critics Poll for the World Music 'Album of the Year' award.

Reviews:

Rated as one of Songlines magazine's 'Top of the World' selection for November 2007:

"[a] breathtakingly imaginative record that is sure to become an English folk-rock landmark, just as Fairport Convention's Liege & Lief did in 1969" - Songlines magazine

"Top Ten Folk Albums of the Year: (5) The Imagined Village - Various Artists" - Mojo magazine

Track Listing

1. 'Ouses 'Ouses 'Ouses - Cooper, Johnny & Sheila Chandra
2. John Barleycorn - Carthy, Martin & Eliza/Paul Weller
3. Tam Lyn Retold - Zephaniah, Benjamin & Eliza Carthy/Transglobal Underground/S imon Emmerson
4. Death And The Maiden Retold - Tunng
5. Cold Hailey Rainy Night - Carthy, Eliza & Chris Wood/Transglobal Underground/The Young Copper Family
6. Welcome Sailor - Chandra, Sheila & Chris Wood
7. Acres Of Ground - Carthy, Eliza
8. Pilsden Pen - Village Band
9. Hard Times Of Old England Retold - Bragg, Billy & Simon Emmerson/The Young Copper Family/Eliza Carthy
10. Kit Whites I And II - Gloworms
11. Slow On The Uptake - Tiger Moth

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #198 in Music
• Released on: 2007-10-15
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

fantastic and joyful. Buy it now!
Don't tell anyone, but the first time I listened to The Imagined Village, I wasn't sure I liked it. I had already heard the excellent version of John Barleycorn on a Word CD, but the rest left me a little cold. How wrong could I be? Now, however, after repeated listens, this album has revealed itself as a minor masterpiece.

It opens with a deliberate link from the past to the present in Ouses, Ouses, Ouses, reminding us of those who kept the folk tradition alive "when no one wanted to listen" and proceeds to celebrate folk's rise from the ashes to a new prominence in the 21st century. The album also makes you remember that folk music was always as much about dancing as storytelling, fusing modern beats onto classic folk tunes in a brilliant concoction. We could debate what folk music means for ever, but I am happy to include the daring reworking of Tam Lyn as well as the more traditional tunes showcased here.

Highlights- well, everything really, but I love Billy Bragg's new words to Hard Times of Old England which proves that nothing changes no matter how the times change. I would advise anyone with the remotest interest in traditional music to buy this record, and I only hope we will hear more in the future.

Simply Superb
To put it simply this is one of the best folk albums I have ever purchased, the choice of tracks is inspired, and I have found myself listening to it over and over again.

It is simply superb, and worth every single penny!

My favourite tracks are John Barleycorn and the charming ouses ouses ouses!

I'd love to live in this Imagined Village if I could hear music like this!
I love this album - the more I hear it the more I like it. It ranks with Bellowhead & the Oysters for innovative re telling of Old Tales - hear Tam Lyn, one of my favourite old storys, updated for the 21st Century.
Great Stuff - I'd love to see it performed live.