23rd October 2023
Right, what songs have I been listening to?
The first song that’s been driving my good lady wife to distraction is Eileen Óg, by the Mary Wallopers. I first heard it years ago in a folk club in Reading, but unfortunately I never caught the name of the title and could only remember snatches of the lyrics – not helpful when trying to Google it. So it just drifted away to the place where forgotten songs go until two weeks ago. I was listening to the Folk Show on Radio 2, and one of the featured tracks was “The Frost is all Over” by the Mary Wallopers. A mate had recommended them a while back but I’d not got round to listening to them. Needless to say I was blown away. So off I went to YouTube to look at their stuff and what should I come across but Eileen Óg, with them performing live. Their delivery was utterly infectious and it’s been on non-stop ever since.
Click here to listen to Eileen Óg by the Mary Wallopers
While looking through their songs, I saw they’d done a version of “Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice”, originally by the inimitable Hamish Imlach. I’d spent a bit of time learning it a while back but had never really fallen in love with the song. After listening to it a few times there was nothing for it but to whack out the guitar and get back to work. What felt like a short time later, although by this point Mazz had decamped to the other room, noise-cancelling headphones pointedly in place, I had a version I was happy with. I don’t know about you, but when a song is stuck, ear-worm style, the best way to unstick it is to perform it. Luckily I didn’t have long to wait. 2 days later it got a good airing at the Aberdeen Folk Club, where it seemed to go down well. It had apparently been a bit of a staple song back in the 70s but had long since fallen out of favour, probably by dint of it being played to death. A cracking insight into Glasgow life in the 60s, I’m made up the song has had new life breathed into it by the boys from Dundalk.
Click here to listen to Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice by the Mary Wallopers
The last song I’ve recently fallen in love with is Tulsa’s Last Magician by Willi Carlisle. I discovered his music via the Western AF channel on YouTube, and have been listening to his stuff for months. This particular one has been stuck in since I first heard it back in May but over the last week or two I’ve finally got round to sitting down to learn it. I was drawn to the song by its powerful storytelling and the authenticity of Willi’s singing. Also, like most folk singers, I’m a sucker for a sad song.
Click here to listen to Tulsa’s Last Magician by Willie Carlisle
So these are the songs I’ve been listening to on repeat recently, but what about you? What are your favourite songs at the moment? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to discover some new songs!
Alex Cummings Music 