Not many are familiar with the genre of murder ballads. Musical tabloids of the day recounting true crime stories of serial killers, horrific butcherings and of course...the supernatural.
He stabbed her in her heart till her heart's blood did flow
Down into the grave pretty Polly did go
They used to be just like me and you
They used to be sweet little boys
Then something went horribly askew.
Now killing is their only source of joy...
Of course, here at Blackwood, we have to give a nod to Shirley Jackson's character James Harris - The Daemon Lover - inspired by the Scottish poem -who is referenced in The House Carpenter.
There are many great covers of this song - Bob Dylan, Pentangle, Judy Collins and my favorite, Nickel Creek - also, this guy (whose name is unknown to me).
Tonight, at the Echoplex, the dark side of folk music is celebrated.
October 26, 2010, 8:00pm, $8
Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-8200
Love IT! I worked for a cable radio station years ago and amidst the hundreds of old vinyl we had I found a fantastic track that I've never been able to get out of my head about a young man who murders his girlfriend. Unfortunately, but the names for album, band, song have been long forgotten...
ReplyDeleteI love "The House-Carpenter"! I have been going around this week singing "Rose Connelly," which of course was featured in "Raising Arizona." What an excellent idea for a show.
ReplyDelete