UPDATE: A different version of 'The High Priestess and the Hierophant' appears on Burd Ellen's new album, 'A Tarot of the Green Wood', out now on Mavis Recordings:
burdellen.bandcamp.com/album/a-tarot-of-the-green-wood
‘The High Priestess and the Hierophant’ is the new single from Burd Ellen, a Glasgow-based project featuring Debbie Armour (Alasdair Roberts, Green Ribbons) and Gayle Brogan (Pefkin, Electroscope).
Debbie says: “I’m a long-time collector and lover of tarot, and I’ve recently become drawn to the idea of finding parallels between interpretation of traditional song and the art of divination. Gayle and I are bringing together a new collection of songs that reflect the ideas, archetypes and imagery of the Major Arcana. ‘The High Priestess and the Hierophant’ is the first of these works. It’s a version of ‘Fair Annie’ (Child 62), a song which looks at patriarchy, arranged marriage, the complexities of maternal love and the bonds of sisterhood."
released November 26, 2021
'The High Priestess and the Hierophant'
Trad. Arr. Burd Ellen
Performed by Burd Ellen
Debbie Armour – vocals, harmonium
Gayle Brogan – synth, Mellotron, chimes, harp, violin, zither
Engineered and mixed by Burd Ellen and Gayle Brogan
Text and melody traditional, adapted from the singing of Sylvia Barnes and Frankie Armstrong
'Mother, Go and Make My Bed'
Trad. Arr. Burd Ellen
Performed by Burd Ellen
Debbie Armour – vocals, harmonium
Engineered and mixed by Burd Ellen
Text adapted from Journal of the Folk-Song Society 5 (1915)
I learned this traditional melody from a setting by Eliza Carthy and the Kings of Calicutt. I'm grateful to Eliza for her generosity and support.
Mastered by Nick Jonah Davis
Cover photo by Debbie Armour
Graphic design by Realmente Bravo
Released by Thread Recordings
threadrecordings.com
threadrecordings.bandcamp.com
Published by Wipe Out Music