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Product Description
Product Description
"Ground Of Its Own" is the Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominated and striking debut release by Sam Lee, a young musician who is busy forging a unique path in the future of folk song. 'Ground of Its Own' is an 8-track release (produced by Gerry Diver and with mixes by John Wood, of Nick Drake fame) comprising traditional material, largely discovered through Sam's years of dogged research and exploration of often long forgotten songs. Not content to learn only from books or records, Sam has sourced most of his material direct from English Gypsy and Irish and Scottish traveller communities This versatile, pioneering, charismatic, provocateur has created a memorable album of depth and vitality.
Review
Formerly a visual artist, teacher of wilderness survival skills and burlesque dancer, Sam Lee jacked in all of these colourful careers to learn folk songs. Studying under the great balladeer and traveller Stanley Robertson, Lee gathered scores of traditional songs, and Ground of Its Own is Lee’s interpretation of eight of them.
Unlike most of his contemporaries, he sourced songs directly from oral tradition rather than via book research. Many are from gypsy and traveller communities and, in the sleevenotes, Lee is careful to credit the families from whom he learned them.
It means his feel for the songs is obvious. His delivery is intimate, and he inhabits the stories totally, letting the songs breathe into him rather than imposing his own personality onto them. However, many listeners simply won’t take to these vocals. His modern London twang is more akin to Damon Albarn than to a ballad singer.
Yet, persevere: because, with repeated listens, Lee’s voice makes increased sense. It’s clear that he uses his idiosyncratic vocals not to parody the songs, but to stamp his own era and experiences onto them.
Musically it’s a hodgepodge, but this approach works more often than not. The languid trumpets of On Yonder Hill contrast strikingly with the nerve-shredding shruti box on The Tan Yard Side. When the arrangements do misfire, it tends to be because of caution (as on the pedestrian percussive opener, The Ballad of George Collins), rather than because of too much ambition.
Most interesting of all is Wild Wood Amber. On this, Lee marries a simple and affecting Sussex folksong with a 1919 recording of the operatic intermezzo, Thaïs’ Méditation. The timeless, austere melancholia of the lyrics meets the mannered, schmaltzy melodrama of the early 20th century piano piece. On paper it should be a gruesome novelty, yet it’s extremely original and touching.
Ground of Its Own is a very likeable debut. Lee knows these songs are wind-whipped survivors and he meets their fearless spirit with plenty of innovation and the greatest of respect. His interpretations can stand proudly within these songs’ long histories.
--Daryl Easlea
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Heard an interview with Sam on Front Row and was intrigued. I have moved away from folk music in the last decade but the snippets I heard made the hairs on the back of my hand stand up. I don't say this lightly. Here is a great new voice reinterpreting the folk tradition for modern times. His voice is exquisite, carrying all the emotional lament for the past within its nuance. The arrangements are out there, using Jaw harp and other instruments to build up incredible layers of sound. Buy this album. Be blown away and thank the gods of old there are still people out there making music for music's sake and not just the mindless pap of ages or the froth of reality tv. Well done Sam, more please.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By TMathews
Format:MP3 Download
Here is a wonderfully crafted new album by a relative newcomer to the genre. I'm no knit-your-own-youghourt folkie but Lee's approach is gentle and intelligent and he makes a tune unfold beautifully in ways you would not expect. Most are truly moving - Goodbye my Darling and the Tan Yard Slide are lyrical and sad - whilst a couple of jolly foot-tappers will lift your mood. His medieval-styled lyrics coupled with the use of unexpected instruments - marimba, trumpet, sleigh-bells, steel drums, clarinet (from what I can hear) - are idiosyncratic but they just work - a mark of someone who really 'gets' music. His voice is magnificent, soft and gentle: a lovely instrument. I will certainly be looking to purchase previous albums. I wouldn't get too upset about the anti-semitic sentiment causing a previous reviewer to only give one star. People sing about life, good or bad - deal with it.
Update - short listed for the Mercury Prize 2012 but sadly not the winner. Sorry, this is a debut album so no previous works to compare.
Update - short listed for the Mercury Prize 2012 but sadly not the winner. Sorry, this is a debut album so no previous works to compare.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By orfeo
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Once in a generation, if we're lucky, an album appears that moves onward and upwards. Think Christy Moore's 'Prosperous' think Sam Lee's 'Ground of its Own'. A pure voice, true to the song itself, captivates. Imaginitive arrangements elevate. It is now, it is then. It is the singer and the song.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Expect no olympic opening ceremony here. This is a chamber piece, asserting itself by quietly nagging away at your musical memory while you are washing up, driving or on waking up. Melodies and phrases stick in your head until you are compelled to listen "one more time". Sam Lee has a fluid baritone which expresses emotion through melodic variation rather than drama - he made me want to start singing solo again. The instrumental arrangements form a close network of sound where individual performance matters less than creating texture and colour to serve the song - not the performers. Strangely, despite repeated listening, I still don't feel as if I'm completely familiar with the album. I suppose I'll just have to go and listen to it again...
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Y. Levy
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Not a long a detailed review; I am into vocal music, but not heavily into Folk. To summarize my impression of Sam Lee's CD - this is a unique treatment of the music, sung to perfection with deep understanding of what he is singing, combined with a very high degree of musicianship. The singing is haunting, and sensitive, paying as much attention to words as to music, and goes a long way to convert one to a fan of the genre. Impressive debut disc, evidently a labour of love. Looking forward to more. Thanks Sam.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By neilb-t
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This has to be album of the year. Not only does Sam Lee have an amazing voice and a fantastic selection of little known songs but the arrangements are fresh different and frankly out of this world.
Goodbye my darling is my choice to be top of an outstanding selection but just listen to the trumpet on On yonder hill or the brilliant combination of instuments on Wildwood amber . If you love folk music or just good music buy this album.
Goodbye my darling is my choice to be top of an outstanding selection but just listen to the trumpet on On yonder hill or the brilliant combination of instuments on Wildwood amber . If you love folk music or just good music buy this album.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By nannaraine
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I HAVE NEVER BEEN INTO THE FOLK SCENE SO MIGHT NEVER OF HEARD OF SAM LEE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR STUART MACONIE'S FREAK ZONE AND THANK WHOEVER YOU BELIEVE IN I WAS LISTENING. SAMS VOICE MADE THE HAIRS STAND UP ON THE NAPE OF MY NECK IT IS BEAUTIFUL. THE SONGS EVOKE SO MANY EMOTIONS THE ARRANGMENTS ARE STUNNING AND THAT VOICE! EVEN IF YOUR A COMPLETE RESISTER TO FOLK MUSIC I URGE YOU TO GO TO UTUBE AND LISTEN TO SAM AND LIKE ME YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF FIRMLY PLANTING YOUR FINGER IN YOUR EAR AND EMBRACING YOUR INNER FOLKY AND YOU WILL BE COMPELLED TO BUY GROUND OF ITS OWN AND PLAY IT TO DEATH. CANT WAIT FOR MORE.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Hitch22
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been waiting for a release by Sam Lee for what seems like ages after hearing the few brilliant things you can find on You Tube. On first listening I already know it's a wonderful record that I'll probably play a 100 times this month, both traditional and new and of course, with that great voice, perfect for folksong. Shame no Puck's song but you can get it on Oak Ash Thorn and I suspect some legal reason for that. I hope this is just the start of many great records. If you like UK folk, a must buy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great songs, sung on a great way
A great album, it surprised me a lot! I can't wait to hear this songs be heard on a stage.
Published 15 days ago by Hans Kottelaar
4.0 out of 5 stars
Poisoned Ivy
The songs are actually secondary to the arrangements.There are echoes here of the Incredible String Band and a creeping engagement for the listener with the music, hence the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by jhock
4.0 out of 5 stars
i like it!!
I like it because even when his music stops it hauntingly carries on in your head and thats weird but great music
Published 3 months ago by Steve
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Voice. Fascinating music
Apart from being a great singer, Sam Lee is obviously a great cultural historian. This selection of folk, mainly Romany songs have been passed down the generations for hundreds of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rob Cottrell
2.0 out of 5 stars
Dull Dull Dull
Firstly, credit where it is due - Sam does have a fine voice and has obviously taken great pains to collect this song collection. Read more
Published 5 months ago by M. Price
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you Julkes Holland
After hearing Sam Lee on Jules Holland, I came straight to Amazon and downloaded his album - and it was well worth the risk! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mrs Louise Marshall
4.0 out of 5 stars
Modern Folk Sound
Bought this in a random way, having heard one track. I enjoyed this music. It will be good music to work by.
Published 5 months ago by Margaret R. Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Touching and imaginative
I found this an imaginative and sympathetic treatment of what are clealy ancient songs. In some of the songs, a sense of loss and longing are touchingly conveyed. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs Gillian Byrne
4.0 out of 5 stars
OLD BUT NEW
I HAD TO GET THIS RECORD AFTER HEARING ONE OF THE SONGS ON THE RADIO.THE SONGS AND VOICE SEEM TO COME STRAIGHT FROM OLD ENGLAND,BUT THE INSTRUMENTATION,ALTHOUGH ACOUSTIC AND... Read more
Published 7 months ago by S. Hutchinson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting, but accompaniments might seem great or annoying
I read an article and then watched a video clip of how Sam Lee got most of this music direct from Romany people and I was fascinated. Read more
Published 7 months ago by E. Eisenhandler
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