Welcome to the first folkWISE sampler; a collection of folk and roots music from performers based in the British Isles. This compilation is the first of a series that will provide a window into the world of British folk, roots and world music by artists from all corners of these islands; Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England. These maritime countries have historically been both a cosmopolitan cultural crossroads as well as a melting pot of world music, art and philosophical thought. The tracks on this compilation reflect this vital mix as illustrated by the first track on the CD. Based on an English dance tune, Newcastle was originally published by John Playford in 1651 with words added at a later date and then animated in this version by Hilary James and Simon Mayor with a languid Latin beat.
The rest of the CD is just as diverse with traditional and contemporary songs from Britain and around the world. The tracks feature familiar names on the international roots music circuit with artists such as Pete Coe, Artisan and Anne Lister as well as relative newcomers like Rosie Doonan and Ben Murray. The lyrics cover traditional and topical concerns with songs from the new world mixed in with those from the old, both ancient and modern. The music also reflects a broad range of styles and dynamic from the haunting sound of the unaccompanied voice to the dramatic impact of a full orchestration or rock and world percussion.
On the instrumental side, the CD features three bands from the burgeoning British 'e-Ceilidh' phenomenon, a revisiting of social dance where the dancing is more important than the dance and the purpose is to party. It's an experience that brings the audience into the performance not just as a passive receptor of the music, but as an active contributor - truly harmony in motion. This genre has seen a massive influx of dancers at festivals, public and private events especially 'a huge number of young people throwing themselves around the dance floor.' (Mike Harding, BBC Radio).