Going to start this post with an illustration, because of this blog layout, posts lacking images tend to look a bit pants. The art here is by G. Howell-Baker.
A while back, I was joking about gathering together as many versions of Twa Corbies as possible, and finally, here we are. This is going to be a continually evolving list, so if you know of a version that needs to be included, or if you've recorded one of your own, then by all means, let me know. You can put a comment here or e-mail me at looksinnocuousnenoughchaps [at] gmail [dot] com.
Let's begin!
1. Folly Bridge - My personal favourite, performed completely a capella with some beautiful, eerie harmonies.
2. Hamish Imlach - A live version, and a very close second favourite. Hamish's distinctive voice works wonders here and we're treated to some elegant sitar as well.
3. Ayreheart - This one features the lute and a passionate vocal performance, it's quite pleasant.
4. The Corries - Quite a brisk and energetic one.
5. Steeleye Span - Another sombre one with lovely harmonies and a backing that builds up really nicely into something that by the end, feels quite grand.
6. Damh the Bard - This one is quite lush and reverby, with a more fleshed-out arrangement.
7. John Fleagle - Another one with some very satisfying gradual build-up in the background.
8. Duncan Macrae - A spoken word version, opening and closing with a charming little bit of music that wouldn't sound out of place in an old radio drama.
9. Maddy Prior - A solo one this time, but very different from the Steeleye Span version, and honestly, any excuse for more of Maddy Prior, she's a brilliant singer. This one features a very dramatic! organ to boot. (I'm not normally a fan of organs, but we'll let it slide here because it works well with the song.)
10. Annwn - This one's quite relaxing, with some mellow acoustic guitar and low-key percussion, and more delightfully lush harmonies.
11.
Amhrán Moor - Another more energetic one; the lively flourishes on the flute are very appealing.
12.
Kelly's Heroes - Hello yes, is that a melodeon there?! Instant winner. 10/10, no notes.
13.
Cobblers Last - Another more gentle one, a lovely example of that particular kind of dreamy, slightly eerie but very beautiful, '70s folk. (Also the album artwork for this one is just
so charming!)
14.
Rebecca Barclay - Quite an elegant one here; the violin tone has just the right amount of 'grit' to it and the harp is very relaxing. For some reason, it also reminds me a little bit of The Gothic Archies (who gave us
Your Long White Fingers, the melancholy harmonica tune which appeared in numerous episodes of The Adventures of Pete and Pete. The lyrics to that song are pretty funny though - what is
going on with this person's fingers?!)
15.
Ray Fisher - This one ticks all the boxes for things I love about '60s tradfolk recordings, really. It's got some lush fingerstyle acoustic guitar, an ethereal atmosphere and a very natural-feeling vocal style. Very lovely.
16.
Short Tailed Snails - This version is performed in German, with a pleasantly rhythmic approach and an arrangement that's been fleshed out a bit with a lovely interlude.
17.
Bedlam - This one balances a mysterious atmosphere with a relatively lively arrangement.
18.
Old Blind Dogs - This version is from the '90s and has a distinctly different rhythm from a lot of the others that have been gathered so far. At first, I wasn't 100% convinced by it but the dreamy flute and violin won me over; the melody leading out of the song is a lovely touch as well.
19.
Schelmish - This one has an interesting array of instruments involved, giving it a slightly abrasive, almost industrial feel.
22.
Violet Moon - A very 'close' and steady-paced version with delicate harmonies.
23.
Omnia - Now, if a variation of this song doesn't appeal to me, then I try at least to give it a neutral assessment, because someone out there might really like it and I don't want to indirectly call their taste into question. This, however, is just plain artless and grating to listen to, and it's only included here because of the mission statement: Find as many versions of Twa Corbies as possible. This fits the bill, even if it is an unlistenable, soulless, half-arsed, folk-music-by-numbers mess.
Anyway!
24.
Diana Obscura - This one makes a strong impression with an imposing cello (both played with the bow and providing percussion) and the airy vocal performance. It's also very short, ending abruptly at only a minute and a half.
27.
The Brothers Gillespie - A really charming version and another one that takes a more fleshed-out approach, with a pleasant interlude. It's brisk, lively and despite the theme of the song, the instrumentation gives it quite an uplifting mood. Just ignore the medieval corpse, eh. Also not to go over the same talking points too much but the violin tone here is
gorgeous!
28.
Cannach - Not to be confused with Clannad; this is another pleasant version with a spring in its step and a fresh, airy atmosphere.
29.
Bert Jansch - Raw and sparsely done with a fair bit of twanging in among the delicate fingerpicking on the guitar and a somber vocal performance.
31.
Alexander James Adams - A cheeky, mischievous performance with a lot of character, that would feel right at home as a musical interlude in a play.
32.
The Merry Wives of Windsor - There's a lot to love here; a really spirited performance with striking harmonies, lush woodwind and an
accordion!
33.
Kate Price - Very striking, beautiful and quite dramatic with the eerie drone in the background.
34.
Teufelstanz - This is an immediate winner with me. One word:
Bagpipes!!!
36. Ogham - The opening of this one made me think of Come Together by The Beatles at first (I'm also very keen on Aerosmith's version) but yes, it is a pleasant version overall and I like the way it takes on a faster-paced rhythm towards the end before slowing down again to peter out gently. It makes me wonder if this was intended to be performed for a dance, maybe.
37. Wasteband - Can't find audio for this version at time of writing, but it is documented on Discogs. Making a note of it here in the hope that someday, we might be able to hear it.
38. Marie Little - An interesting version with slide guitar on a resonator and a little harmonica interlude - always a pleasure!
39. Rhiannon - From the '80s, this one includes some synthesizers to intriguing effect. Part way through, the instruments fall away entirely to a striking a capella section, then a beautiful instrumental interlude. I really like the experimental approach with this version.
40. Spud - 10/10 for the band name, for starters. Coming from the '70s, this one has a furtive wah pedal going on throughout, along with some spicy bongos and thoroughly delicious violin.
41.
Wolfmare - Here we have a crunchy folk metal version with some tasty bass.
42.
Jean Redpath - Another one for which I haven't found the audio at time of writing, so I'm once again having to provide a Discogs page as evidence of its existence.
43.
Myrkur - A very lovely version with an elegant, ethereal atmosphere.
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