At the Foot of Yonders Mountain

by John Langstaff

Overview

Of the albums of folk songs recorded in the 1950s and 1960s by classically trained baritone John Langstaff, this one blends most seamlessly his classical and traditional talents and inclinations. Consisting mostly of folk songs arranged for voice and piano by the composer John Powell, this album was originally issued in 1961 under Powell's name and with the composer accompanying Langstaff at the piano; for the CD reissue, pianist Judith Gordon added a new recording of three more of Powell's folk song settings for piano alone. The first five tracks were published as "Five Virginia Folk Songs, Op. 34," and on the first two ("Bonnie Wee Thing" and "Pretty Sally") Langstaff seems to be pushing the upper limit of his range a bit, making some passages sound somewhat strained. But he is clearly enjoying himself on the children's songs that follow (even the gruesome "There Was a Man in Our Town"), and on all of them Powell's piano parts are both brilliantly written and beautifully played. The three piano miniatures that end the program are a bit slight, but certainly charming enough. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	04/08/2003
Label:	Revels Inc.
UPC:	0738871230225
Rank:	184246

Tracks

1. Virginian Folk songs (5) with a dedication to L. B. P., for baritone & piano, Op. 34~Bonnie Wee Thing (Dedication to L.B.P.)
2. Virginian Folk songs (5) with a dedication to L. B. P., for baritone & piano, Op. 34~Pretty Sally
3. Virginian Folk songs (5) with a dedication to L. B. P., for baritone & piano, Op. 34~The Two Brothers
4. Virginian Folk songs (5) with a dedication to L. B. P., for baritone & piano, Op. 34~The Deaf Woman's Courtship
5. Virginian Folk songs (5) with a dedication to L. B. P., for baritone & piano, Op. 34~At The Foot Of Yonders Mountain
6. Virginian Folk songs (5) with a dedication to L. B. P., for baritone & piano, Op. 34~The Rich Old Lady
7. There Was A Man In Our Town, for voice & piano
8. Baby Bunting, for voice & piano
9. When I Was A Little Boy, for voice & piano
10. Rosey Boy, Posey Boy, for voice & piano
11. The Frog Went Courtin', for voice & piano
12. The D¿¿mon Lover, for piano
13. Jockie to the Fair, for piano
14. Pretty Sally, for piano

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Langstaff   Primary Artist,Baritone (Vocal),Baritone
Judith Gordon   Primary Artist,Piano
John Powell   Primary Artist,Piano
Pamela Emerson   Director

Technical Credits

John Langstaff   Executive Producer,Liner Notes
Traditional   Composer
Robert Burns   Composer
John Powell   Arranger
Simon Gibson   Mastering,Remastering,Digital Engineer
Maxim Langstaff   Producer
David Langstaff   Executive Producer
Frank Cunningham   Engineer
Sue Ladr   Design,Typography
Michele Langstaff   Producer
Joe Carson   Cover Photo
Jocelyn Carson   Cover Photo