Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds - Singing It All Back Home: Appalachian Ballads of English and Scottish Origin (2019)

The Appalachian ballad form has been liberally sprinkled throughout Naomi Bedford and Paul Simmonds" albums to date. For this next project, they have recorded a full set... Greatly aided by the marvellous Shirley Collins, who generously donated her time, encouragement and research materials, and by Folk Award winner Ben Walker on production and multi instrumental duties, the material was chosen, rehearsed and recorded live in the summer and autumn of 2018 in Brighton. With a cast that also included Justin Currie, Rory McLeod and Lisa Knapp, the album moulds influences from England, Scotland and South East USA to stir the great melting pot of folk and roots styles. Launching officially at home of folk music Cecil Sharp House in London on June 5th, the project will then tour throughout the UK in 2019. With new arrangements and the power of Bedford's evocative voice, these legendary songs continue their transatlantic voyage.